Legislative Blog
J.B. Williams, J.D.
4 bills that modify several different Codes
A Blog about 88th Legislature Laws
A Bit of Background
The following backgrounds help summarize the author's views on both the general topic: Texas and more specifically 88th Legislature Laws as it relates to that topic.
Brief Summary of Texas
Texas is truly a Republic. There are a multitude of items that to modify the state constitution must be modified. So there are times when Constitutional amendments are on the voting ballots. While I sometimes abhor the wording, the concept that all of those legally able to vote in Texas must vote on the change is a good one. And bills in Texas are generally short, making it easier for everyone to understand.
Summary of 88th Legislature Laws
The blogs here will discuss the laws passed by Congress and signed into law, as well as those, passed by Congress and approved by the voters to become law. There are a multitude of laws and each time I post blogs I will notate here the current effective date if it is different from prior blogs. I have worked my way through to the Transportation Code. The Utilities and Water Code will follow.
Blog Summary
HB 446
HB 3162 - Changes to how advanced directives are dealt with and those seeking treatment that is experimental or off label
HB 3359
HB 3447 - Establishes the Texas Space Commission and the Texas Aerospace and Space Economy Consortium
4 bills that modify several different Codes
Published: 2026-07-19
HB 446 - 51 pages
Shifting definitions from using mental retardation to intellectual disability; from mental retardation authority to intellectual and developmental disability authority.
HB 3162 - 36 pages
A physician acting under the direction of another physician is not liable when there is a health care directive covered under 166.046(d-2). Generally a procedure that is not considered appropriate for the treatment of what it is being used for. They are exempt unless they use specific malicious intent to cause the death of the patient and significantly hasten the patient's death. This permits a patient to choose a procedure that is not generally accepted but might be useful in treating a disease that is taking the patient's life, while protecting the medical professionals that are administering the procedure.
There are changes to the review procedure for cases involving those without the mental degree necessary to make the decision. These are basically rules for ethics or medical committee decisions relating to patient disability.
HB 3359 - 31 pages
Post-emergency stabilization care is health care that are furnished out-of-network. A service area may include noncontiguous areas but may not divide a county. A lot of rules around ensuring that those covered by a policy have adequate choices of the various physicians for different conditions, and that they are considered within a travel distance. But no where does it say don't charge excessive amounts to physicians to be covered on each of the plans available. These fees are what are helping drive up the 'cost of health care'. In reality they don't because if you didn't carry the insurance, the actual charge from the facility would be significantly lower. But everyone is working to keep you buying health insurance because there is a ton of money to be made in doing so. They drive it through fear of what if this or that happens, and look at the cost. But the price charged must be higher if they doctor has to re-coop their excessive fee to be on the plan, plus pay all of the individuals (along with their benefits) to collect the money, the wait to receive the funds, the space/equipment necessary for those collecting said fees. It's a huge business, much larger than I ever thought. I know this from not carrying insurance, as well as, medical professionals that refuse to accept any insurance. All of those I used when I carried insurance were more than happy to provide me with documentation for me to file with my insurance carrier, and my insurance carrier issued payment to me within 14 days or less. There was no back and forth, merely a payment made for services rendered. But then the insurance was dealing with me, the insured and not a third party. Third parties drive up costs significantly. Enough of my rant.
HB 3447 - 20 pages
Establishes the Texas Space Commission and the Texas Aerospace and Space Economy Consortium. This is meant to promote innovation in space exploration and commercial aerospace opportunities. This will Sunset September 1, 2032. I'm honestly not certain why this is needed as private entities can do this much better, more efficiently and with less taxpayer cost than government can. Seems they are merely sticking their noses in where they are not needed.
For the Texas Space Commission. The commission will consist of 3 members appointed by the governor; 3 members appointed by the lieutenant governor; and 3 members appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. Members should have experience in commercial aerospace; civil aviation; military aerospace; space economic development; space-related academic research; and nonprofit support to of space economy. They will serve 6 year terms. The board hires an executive director.
They are tasks with creating a strategic plan. This is funding by a trust fund outside the treasury with the comptroller. The fund is gifts, grants, and donation and any money the legislature sources for it.
They will operate under ethics and conducts set out by the legislature. Conflicts of interest must be disclosed. For any grants given out, Texas suppliers must be given a preference.
Texas Aerospace and Space Economy Consortium. This is composed of institutions of higher education and other entities that are considered necessary. The executive committee is 2 members appointed by the governor; 2 members appointed by the lieutenant governor; 2 members appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; the chancellor of the Texas A&M University System; the chancellor of the University of Texas System; and the president of Rice University. Appointments should consider those with experience in aeronautics; space development; and academic engagement.
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