Legislative Blog
J.B. Williams, J.D.
7 further bills that modify the Government Code
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 am currently posting bills that took effect immediately - those bills total 336. I am currently posting regarding larger bills, so each blog covers a single bill.
Blog Summary
Multiple small modifications to the Government code initiated in the Senate. One of which provides automatic inflation increases for low income housing credits.
7 further bills that modify the Government Code
Published: 2025-09-22
Multiple short modifications
SB 1158 - Makes each series of games in the World Cup soccer tournament a separate, single event for reimbursement program purposes. Oddly the only thing that appears to have been there previously (and still exists) is that each presidential debate for the general election is considered a separate, single event.
SB 1237 - Security officers or investigators commissioned as peace officers shall be paid under Schedule C of the position classification salary.
SB 1332 - Grants for historic courthouses may now be up to $10 million (previously $6 million). These funds come from the Historic Infrastructure Sustainability Trust Fund. This fund is outside the treasury and overseen by the comptroller. It's purpose is to maintain, preserve, rehabilitate, and restore historic sites in Texas. Money is transferred from the legislature; it can receive gifts, grants and donations; and it may invest the funds to earn money.
Before distributing funds, the fund manager must ensure the purchasing power of the fund is maintained. Money from the fund may not be used to pay salaries, employee benefits, costs associated with employee benefits, or administration, operating, or program costs of the commission.
SB 1342 - Third party health insurers must accept the Commission's authorization that an item is covered under the medical assistance program as if made prior to service. This is not required for health insurance benefits or supplementary insurance benefits for Social Security; specific plans in Social Security; Medicare Advantage plans under part C of Social Security; prescription drug plans; or specific reasonable cost reimbursements under Social Security. The specifics are all referenced to the existing Federal Code. This is probably meant to avoid third party plans claims of not being authorized when in the past the authorization was accepted.
People need to understand that any and all insurance plans are in the business of making money and/or not paying claims. The less claims they pay the better off they are. And if they can push claim payments out then they can earn money off premiums. Sadly most of Social Security Medicare payments seem to be made by some non-government entity hired by the government to do what the government said it would do. Sadly the government got way behind issuing payments, and I can only surmise that they solution was to hire outside insurance companies to manage payments to keep payments on time. However, I'm not sure this lead to on time payments exactly; and it has led to payments being made more than once on a particular claim. While they have found double payments made for millions of dollars in claims, the insurance companies have no desire to collect the overpayments and were not even attempting to do so.
SB 1376 - This was set to ensure that military employment preference reach at least 20 percent of the individuals who qualify. This being, if 2 individuals are equally qualified for a position; then if one of them is miliary, the military one would be hired. If the miliary one is not as qualified as another candidate, then they are not hired over the more qualified individual.
SB 1402 - The Sexual Assault Survivor's Task Force now must include someone whom works for the Department of Family and Protective Services; an adult survivor of child sexual abuse or the parent or guardian of one; and a survivor of adult sexual assault. It no longer includes the president of the Texas Society of Pathologist. The task force was set to expire September 1, 2023 but this date has been removed entirely.
Someone not already being paid by the state is entitled to per diem for each day the member performs duties as a task force member or attends meetings for the task force; and reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred during that time.
Any health care facility with an emergency department must provide at least 1 hour of training to an employee that provides patient admission, patient-related administrative support, or direct patient care. This must include survivor-centered, trauma-informed care for sexual assault survivors and their rights. Their rights include availability of forensic medical exam; and the role of an advocate.
The commission shall provide basic education and training on child sexual abuse program and adult sexual assault program. This shall include use of best practices and techniques to effectively recognize, investigate, and document the cases. It must be at least 8 hours. They shall require an officer to complete the training.
SB 1403 - Permits the Governor to develop an interstate compact for border security. It allows for sharing law enforcement intelligence on illegal activity at the border with Mexico; sharing state resources in order to build physical barriers, technology surveillance for detecting/following illegal activities at the border; and other sharing with law enforcement to ensure the protection of personnel and property.
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