Legislative Blog
J.B. Williams, J.D.
SB 5, HB 3594, HB 4
A Blog about 89th Legislative Session
A Bit of Background
The following backgrounds help summarize the author's views on both the general topic: Texas and more specifically 89th Legislative Session 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 89th Legislative Session
This subtopic contains a list of some of the "new" laws reviews. Total laws signed/voted into effect = 1,192. This will begin with an appropriations bill, and then go through a few that went into effect immediately. The following dates were when different laws took, or will take, effect: 7/1/25; 9/1/25; 9/5/25; 9/17/25; 10/1/25; 12/5/25; 1/1/26; 6/1/26; 8/1/26; 9/1/26; 1/1/27; 4/1/27; 9/1/27; 1/1/28
Blog Summary
SB 5 - Disaster relief and preparedness
HB 3594 - retirement health care plan for firefighters and police officers
HB 4 - districts for election for the State House of Representatives
SB 5, HB 3594, HB 4
Published: 2026-09-22
SB 5 - 5 pages
They appropriated $200,000,000 (200 Million) to a Trusteed Program for 2 years. This is meant to match federal funding received for disaster response, relief and recovery; and for disaster needs. There are $50,000,000 (50 Million) in funding for grants for Bandera, Bexar, Burnet, Caldwell, Coke, Comal, Concho, Edwards, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Hamilton, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Kinney, Lampasas, Llano, Mason, Maverick, McCulloch, Menard, Real, Reeves, San Saba, Schleicher, Sutton, Tom Green, Travis, Uvalde or Williamson County for disaster declared on July 4, 2025.
The amount of $28,000,000 (28 Million) is appropriated for economic stabilization to be used for disaster preparedness grants for enhanced atmospheric measurement and modeling techniques to improve meteorological forecasting.
The amount of $2,594,265 (2.5 Million) for economic stabilization relating to campground and youth camp safety; and $2,484,726 (2.4 Million) for implementation of State Health Services beginning September 1, 2026.
HB 3594 - 16 pages
There are updates to clarify definitions to limit who is covered by these changes. There are changes to how payments are to be made to the fund and limit the funds ability to be seized. There are also increases in maximum deductibles and out-of-pocket payments.
If a member takes unpaid leave, they can make voluntary contributions to establish credit during that leave time.
The board can modify the health plan to allow a surviving spouse of a deceased retiree to continue eligibility for coverage.
Health and medical benefits under this fund are not divisible marital property.
HB 4 - 180 pages
They listed the block group and blocks for geographic areas based uon the census.
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