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Signed Into Law
Signed June 20, 2025Effective 2025-06-20
HB1545

Regular Session

Relating to the sunset review process and certain governmental entities subject to that process.

Government Affairs & Regulatory Compliance Analysis

HB1545: Government Affairs Overview

HB 1545 guarantees regulatory continuity by extending the expiration dates for the Credit Union Department, LCRA, and TJJD, securing the legal basis for contracts and licenses in these sectors for the next decade. However, regulatory oversight for Veterinary Medicine and Funeral Services is strictly conditional based on the passage or failure of separate legislation (SB 2155 and SB 2721), requiring immediate legislative verification by legal counsel in those industries.

Rep. Keith Bell·House Bill·Regular Session

Low
Low Cost
Effective:2025-06-20
Enforcing Agencies

Credit Union Department • State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners • Sunset Advisory Commission • Texas Funeral Service Commission • Texas Juvenile Justice Department

Business Impact

Who HB1545 Affects

This legislation has regulatory implications for the following Texas businesses and organizations:

Regulatory Priority: low

Standard regulatory changes (effective 2025-06-20). Review during normal business planning.

🏦

Banking & Finance

Affected business types:

  • Banks
  • Credit unions
  • Financial services firms
  • Insurance companies
View all banking & finance legislation
💧

Water

Affected business types:

  • Water utilities
  • Wastewater treatment facilities
  • Municipal water districts
  • Agricultural water users
View all water legislation

Key Operational Considerations

  • 1Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA): The agency is secured until 2035. You may execute long-term water and power agreements with confidence; the counterparty’s governance structure is stable.
  • 2Credit Unions: Vendor and technology service agreements with state-chartered credit unions are secure against regulatory dissolution until 2031.

Estimated Cost Impact

lowMinimal cost impact anticipated.

Enforcing Agencies

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HB1545
Relating to the sunset review process and certain governmental entities subject to that process.
Low Urgency
Passed with Opposition
House Vote137 - 1
YEA
99% in favor138 voting
Senate Vote31 - 0
YEA
100% in favor31 voting
1
Total Opposition Votes
Cost Impact
Low
Effective
2025-06-20
Enforcing Agencies
Credit Union DepartmentState Board of Veterinary Medica...Sunset Advisory CommissionTexas Funeral Service Commission+1 more
Primary Author: Rep. Keith Bell
89th Texas Legislature
jdkey.com
01

Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

  • Effective Date: June 20, 2025 (Immediate).
  • Compliance Deadline:
  • General: Immediate updates to regulatory tracking calendars.
  • TJJD Contractors: Data collection must begin immediately to support the September 1, 2026 reporting mandate.
  • Agency Rulemaking:
  • TJJD: Anticipate policy shifts regarding "regionalization" (diverting youth from state to local facilities) over the next 12-24 months.
  • Sunset Commission: Will define audit scopes for Funeral Services (if applicable) and Veterinary Board immediately.

Immediate Action Plan

  • 1. Verify Concurrent Legislation: General Counsels for Veterinary and Funeral sectors must immediately confirm the final status of SB 2155 and SB 2721 to determine if HB 1545 applies to them.
  • 2. Update Risk Models: Remove "Regulatory Dissolution" as a near-term risk factor for LCRA (2035) and Credit Union (2031) counterparties.
  • 3. TJJD Data Audit: Juvenile justice contractors must implement data tracking for staff turnover and waitlists immediately to ensure compliance with the 2026 reporting requirement.
  • 4. Lobbying Preparation: Mark your calendar for 2029 (two years prior to 2031 Sunset) to begin preparing legislative agendas for Credit Union and Juvenile Justice reforms.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

  • Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA): The agency is secured until 2035. You may execute long-term water and power agreements with confidence; the counterparty’s governance structure is stable.
  • Credit Unions: Vendor and technology service agreements with state-chartered credit unions are secure against regulatory dissolution until 2031.
  • Juvenile Justice: County and private facility contracts must be reviewed for clauses regarding "regionalization" and diversion capacity, as the state is statutorily pivoting away from centralized incarceration.

Hiring/Training

  • Juvenile Justice Facilities: If you contract with TJJD, you must track staffing levels and turnover rates starting immediately. This data is required for the agency's mandated 2026 report to the Legislature.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

  • TJJD Contractors: Prepare to report waitlist data for secure facilities and construction progress updates. While the statutory burden is on the agency, the data burden falls on the contractor.
  • Willed Body Programs (Funeral Services): If SB 2721 failed to pass, you are subject to an immediate limited-scope Sunset review. Ensure chain-of-custody and donation records are audit-ready.

Fees & Costs

  • No Change: The legislation does not authorize new fee schedules or penalties.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

  • Conditional Regulation (The "Trigger" Clauses):
  • Veterinary Board: The extension to 2033 is valid ONLY IF SB 2155 became law. If SB 2155 failed, the Board's status is in legal limbo.
  • Funeral Commission: The mandate to review willed body programs applies ONLY IF SB 2721 *failed* to pass.
  • "Prioritizing Local Levels": The mandate for TJJD to prioritize local diversion is vague. Providers should expect subjective enforcement where the State refuses transfers to secure facilities, forcing local entities to absorb higher-risk youth populations.

Need Compliance Guidance on This Legislation?

JD Key Consulting specializes in Texas regulatory compliance strategy. Work directly with James Dickey—former Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas—to understand this bill's impact on your operations and develop an actionable compliance plan.

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Information presented is for general knowledge only and is provided without warranty, express or implied. Consult qualified government affairs professionals and legal counsel before making compliance decisions.

02

Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

Filed
Mar 14, 2025
Passed House
May 2, 2025
Passed Senate
May 25, 2025
Signed
Jun 20, 2025
Effective
Jun 20, 2025
TopicsCourtsCourts--generalFinancialFinancial--generalJuvenile Boards & OfficersOccupational RegulationOccupational Regulation--health OccupationsState Agencies, Boards & CommissionsSunsetSunset--commission BillsSunset—required ReviewsWaterWater--generalAdministrative Hearings, State Office ofCredit Union DepartmentJuvenile Justice Department, TexasSoil & Water Conservation Board, Texas StateSunset Advisory CommissionVeterinary Medical Examiners, State Board ofCredit Union CommissionJuvenile Justice Board, TexasLower Colorado River AuthorityFuneral Service Commission, TexasInsurance, Texas Department ofPublic Insurance Counsel, Office of
03

House Authors

Rep. Keith BellRepublican · Primary Author
Joint Authors
Coauthors (1)

Senate Sponsor

Sen. Tan ParkerRepublican · Primary Sponsor

Bill Text(with markup)

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

Related Legislation

Explore more bills from this author and on related topics

More from Rep. Keith Bell

View all bills by Rep. Keith Bell

Related by Topic

View more Courts legislation
Quick Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about HB1545

Q

What does Texas HB1545 do?

HB 1545 guarantees regulatory continuity by extending the expiration dates for the Credit Union Department, LCRA, and TJJD, securing the legal basis for contracts and licenses in these sectors for the next decade. However, regulatory oversight for Veterinary Medicine and Funeral Services is strictly conditional based on the passage or failure of separate legislation (SB 2155 and SB 2721), requiring immediate legislative verification by legal counsel in those industries.

Q

Who authored HB1545?

HB1545 was authored by Texas Representative Keith Bell during the Regular Session.

Q

When was HB1545 signed into law?

HB1545 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 20, 2025.

Q

Which agencies enforce HB1545?

HB1545 is enforced by Credit Union Department, State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Funeral Service Commission and Texas Juvenile Justice Department.

Q

How significant are the changes in HB1545?

The regulatory priority for HB1545 is rated as "low". Businesses and organizations should review the legislation to understand potential impacts.

Q

What is the cost impact of HB1545?

The cost impact of HB1545 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

Q

What topics does HB1545 address?

HB1545 addresses topics including courts, courts--general, financial, financial--general and juvenile boards & officers.

Q

What are the key dates for HB1545?

Key dates for HB1545: Effective date is 2025-06-20. Consult with legal counsel regarding applicability.

Q

Which Texas businesses are affected by HB1545?

HB1545 primarily affects healthcare providers and medical facilities, insurance companies and financial institutions. These businesses should review the legislation with their legal and compliance teams to understand potential impacts.

Need Strategic Guidance on This Legislation?

JD Key Consulting is an Austin, Texas-based government affairs firm led by James Dickey, former Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas. We specialize in Texas regulatory compliance and legislative strategy for data centers, energy, banking, and manufacturing.

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: January 11, 2026