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Signed Into Law
Signed June 20, 2025Effective 2025-09-01
SB3031

Regular Session

Relating to the punishment for the offense of aggravated assault.

Government Affairs & Regulatory Compliance Analysis

SB3031: Government Affairs Overview

SB 3031 drastically increases the criminal and civil liability risks for businesses operating fleets by elevating firearm discharges involving motor vehicles to a First Degree Felony. The law removes the requirement for "serious bodily injury" in these contexts, meaning mere property damage or placing a person in fear now triggers the highest level of felony liability, exposing employers to heightened negligent entrustment claims and potential insurance coverage denials.

Sen. Joan Huffman·Senate Bill·Regular Session

Low
Low Cost
Effective:2025-09-01

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SB3031
Low
Relating to the punishment for the offense of aggravated assault.
Low Compliance Urgency
Requires routine attention
Cost Impact
Low
Effective
2025-09-01
Enforcing Agencies
District AttorneysLocal Law Enforcement AgenciesTexas Department of Public Safety
Primary Author: Sen. Joan Huffman
89th Texas Legislature
jdkey.com
01

Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

  • Effective Date: September 1, 2025
  • Compliance Deadline: August 1, 2025 (Policies and training must be active prior to the effective date to mitigate liability).
  • Agency Rulemaking: None. This is a Penal Code amendment; clarification will not come from agencies but through judicial case law (court rulings) after arrests occur.

Immediate Action Plan

  • Audit Insurance: Review Commercial Auto policies for "criminal acts" exclusions that may leave the company exposed given the lowered felony threshold.
  • Update Handbooks: Explicitly prohibit firearms in *company-owned* vehicles (as opposed to personal vehicles) and mandate reporting of any roadside altercations.
  • Retrain Drivers: Roll out de-escalation training specifically targeting road rage scenarios before Q3 2025.
  • Review Vetting: Tighten hiring criteria for any role involving a company vehicle to exclude candidates with a history of violent misdemeanors or felonies.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

  • Employment Agreements: Update codes of conduct to explicitly state that unauthorized weapon discharge or brandishing while in a company vehicle constitutes grounds for immediate termination for cause.
  • Vendor Agreements (3PL): Logistics and delivery contracts must require vendors to certify they maintain road rage de-escalation policies and weapons restrictions. Update indemnification clauses to cover criminal acts by vendor employees to the fullest extent of the law.

Hiring/Training

  • Driver Vetting: Background checks must specifically flag prior history of violence or weapons charges, not just driving infractions.
  • Training Modules: Standard defensive driving is insufficient. You must implement specific "Road Rage De-escalation" training.
  • Policy Acknowledgments: Require signed acknowledgments from all drivers regarding the company's strict "No Weapons in Company Vehicles" policy (distinct from personal vehicles protected by Labor Code Ch. 52).

Reporting & Record-Keeping

  • Incident Response: Dispatch and HR protocols must treat *any* report of a weapon display involving a company vehicle as a critical legal event requiring immediate counsel engagement.
  • Vetting Files: Maintain granular records of driver screening to defend against future negligent entrustment claims.

Fees & Costs

  • Direct Costs: None.
  • Indirect Costs: Potential increase in Commercial Auto and General Liability premiums. Expect increased legal defense costs if insurers issue Reservation of Rights letters due to the "intentional/criminal act" nature of the new felony classification.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

The statute introduces the phrase "directly en route to or from a motor vehicle" without defining the physical distance or time duration.

  • The Risk: This expands the "danger zone" from the vehicle interior to parking lots, loading docks, and sidewalks.
  • The Warning: Because there is no agency rulemaking, this definition will be set by judges. Until appellate courts rule otherwise, businesses must assume any altercation occurring in a parking lot or during the walk to/from a company vehicle falls under this First Degree Felony statute.

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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
Passed Senate
Apr 28, 2025
Passed House
May 22, 2025
Signed
Jun 20, 2025
Effective
Sep 1, 2025
TopicsCrimesCrimes--against PersonsCrimes--against Persons--general
03

Senate Authors

Sen. Joan HuffmanRepublican · Primary Author

House Sponsor

Rep. Ann JohnsonDemocrat · Primary Sponsor

Bill Text(with markup)

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

Related Legislation

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More from Sen. Joan Huffman

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Quick Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about SB3031

Q

What does Texas SB3031 do?

SB 3031 drastically increases the criminal and civil liability risks for businesses operating fleets by elevating firearm discharges involving motor vehicles to a First Degree Felony. The law removes the requirement for "serious bodily injury" in these contexts, meaning mere property damage or placing a person in fear now triggers the highest level of felony liability, exposing employers to heightened negligent entrustment claims and potential insurance coverage denials.

Q

Who authored SB3031?

SB3031 was authored by Texas Senator Joan Huffman during the Regular Session.

Q

When was SB3031 signed into law?

SB3031 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 20, 2025.

Q

Which agencies enforce SB3031?

SB3031 is enforced by District Attorneys, Local Law Enforcement Agencies and Texas Department of Public Safety.

Q

How significant are the changes in SB3031?

The regulatory priority for SB3031 is rated as "low". Businesses and organizations should review the legislation to understand potential impacts.

Q

What is the cost impact of SB3031?

The cost impact of SB3031 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

Q

What topics does SB3031 address?

SB3031 addresses topics including crimes, crimes--against persons and crimes--against persons--general.

Q

What are the key dates for SB3031?

Key dates for SB3031: Effective date is 2025-09-01. Consult with legal counsel regarding applicability.

Q

What are the penalties under SB3031?

SB3031 establishes the following penalties: criminal penalty of First Degree Felony status (Increased from Second Degree) for Aggravated assault involving the discharge of a firearm while inside, or directly en route to/from, a motor vehicle resulting in bodily injury (threshold lowered from 'serious bodily injury'), property damage, or placing a person in fear of imminent serious bodily injury.. Consult with legal counsel for specific applicability to your situation.

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