Texas 89th Legislature
Courts
22 high-impact bills require immediate attention. 43 bills have bipartisan support.
High-Impact Bills
22 bills require immediate attention
Relating to subdivision plat requirements in certain counties; authorizing a fee; authorizing a civil penalty; creating a criminal offense.
Relating to prohibitions on the manufacture and provision of abortion-inducing drugs, including the jurisdiction of and effect of certain judgments by courts within and outside this state with respect to the manufacture and provision of those drugs, and to protections from certain counteractions under the laws of other states and jurisdictions; authorizing qui tam actions.
Relating to the receivership of a single-source continuum contractor providing child welfare services.
Relating to the discipline of judges by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, notice of certain reprimands, judicial compensation and related retirement benefits, and the reporting of certain judicial transparency information; authorizing an administrative penalty.
Relating to the abolishment of the Texas Lottery Commission and the transfer of the administration of the state lottery and the licensing and regulation of charitable bingo to the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation; creating criminal offenses.
Relating to certain prohibited transactions and logistical support between a governmental entity and an abortion assistance entity or abortion provider for the procurement of an abortion or related services.
Upcoming Effective Dates
Relating to agreements between certain sheriffs and the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement to enforce federal immigration law and a grant program to cover the costs of implementing those agreements.
Proposing a constitutional amendment regarding the membership of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, the membership of the tribunal to review the commission's recommendations, and the authority of the commission, the tribunal, and the Texas Supreme Court to more effectively sanction judges and justices for judicial misconduct.
Relating to the eviction from real property of certain persons not entitled to enter, occupy, or remain in possession of the premises.
Courts Filing Activity
Compliance & Cost
Leading Authors
All Bills (87)
Relating to prohibitions on the manufacture and provision of abortion-inducing drugs, including the jurisdiction of and effect of certain judgments by courts within and outside this state with respect to the manufacture and provision of those drugs, and to protections from certain counteractions under the laws of other states and jurisdictions; authorizing qui tam actions.
Relating to prohibitions on the manufacture and provision of abortion-inducing drugs, including the jurisdiction of and effect of certain judgments by courts within and outside this state with respect to the manufacture and provision of those drugs, and to protections from certain counteractions under the laws of other states and jurisdictions; authorizing qui tam actions.
Relating to the operation and administration of and practices and procedures related to proceedings in the judicial branch of state government, including court security, court documents and arrest warrants, document delivery, juvenile boards, constitutional amendment election challenges, record retention, youth diversion, court-ordered mental health services, the powers of the Texas Supreme Court, jurors, and the special prosecution unit; increasing a criminal penalty; authorizing fees.
Relating to the operation and administration of and practices and procedures related to proceedings in the judicial branch of state government, including court security, court documents and arrest warrants, document delivery, juvenile boards, constitutional amendment election challenges, record retention, youth diversion, court-ordered mental health services, the powers of the Texas Supreme Court, jurors, and the special prosecution unit; increasing a criminal penalty; authorizing fees.
Relating to the business court.
Relating to the business court.
Relating to the duty of the attorney general to represent the state in the prosecution of the criminal offense of trafficking of persons.
Relating to the duty of the attorney general to represent the state in the prosecution of the criminal offense of trafficking of persons.
Relating to the duty of a magistrate to make written findings in certain criminal proceedings.
Relating to the duty of a magistrate to make written findings in certain criminal proceedings.
Relating to the use of metal or body armor while committing certain offenses; increasing a criminal penalty.
Relating to the use of metal or body armor while committing certain offenses; increasing a criminal penalty.
Relating to the dismissal of a criminal charge related to the illegal hunting of certain deer; authorizing fees.
Relating to the dismissal of a criminal charge related to the illegal hunting of certain deer; authorizing fees.
Relating to civil liability for online impersonation.
Relating to civil liability for online impersonation.
Relating to the confidentiality of certain personal information of an applicant for or a person protected by a protective order.
Relating to the confidentiality of certain personal information of an applicant for or a person protected by a protective order.
Relating to the compensation of counsel appointed to provide representation and services to indigent individuals in criminal and juvenile proceedings.
Relating to the compensation of counsel appointed to provide representation and services to indigent individuals in criminal and juvenile proceedings.
Relating to the issuance of a license to carry a handgun to certain retired county court judges.
Relating to the issuance of a license to carry a handgun to certain retired county court judges.
Relating to the system for appraising property for ad valorem tax purposes.
Relating to the system for appraising property for ad valorem tax purposes.
Relating to the sunset review process and certain governmental entities subject to that process.
Relating to the sunset review process and certain governmental entities subject to that process.
Relating to the consolidated municipal court security and technology fund in certain municipalities.
Relating to the consolidated municipal court security and technology fund in certain municipalities.
Relating to proof of the identity of a child's parents in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship.
Relating to proof of the identity of a child's parents in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship.
Relating to the delegation of certain authority of a county judge in certain counties.
Relating to the delegation of certain authority of a county judge in certain counties.
Relating to the recovery of fees, court costs, and expenses in family law proceedings.
Relating to the recovery of fees, court costs, and expenses in family law proceedings.
Relating to the annual state salary supplement for certain county judges.
Relating to the annual state salary supplement for certain county judges.
Relating to special appointments in suits affecting the parent-child relationship.
Relating to special appointments in suits affecting the parent-child relationship.
Relating to the practice and procedures for summoning prospective grand jurors and petit jurors and the exemption of certain persons from grand jury and petit jury service.
Relating to the practice and procedures for summoning prospective grand jurors and petit jurors and the exemption of certain persons from grand jury and petit jury service.
Relating to the removal from office of certain officers of political subdivisions.
Relating to the removal from office of certain officers of political subdivisions.
Relating to judicial review of a Texas Workforce Commission decision in an unemployment compensation proceeding.
Relating to judicial review of a Texas Workforce Commission decision in an unemployment compensation proceeding.
Relating to the required disclosure of certain financial relationships in civil actions regarding the activities of United States defense contractors.
Relating to the required disclosure of certain financial relationships in civil actions regarding the activities of United States defense contractors.
Relating to the appointment and compensation of a bailiff appointed by the judges of certain district courts in Webb County.
Relating to the appointment and compensation of a bailiff appointed by the judges of certain district courts in Webb County.
Relating to the contents of a request for disclosure in a civil action brought under the Family Code.
Relating to the contents of a request for disclosure in a civil action brought under the Family Code.
Relating to the composition, duties, and personnel of the Moore County Juvenile Board.
Relating to the composition, duties, and personnel of the Moore County Juvenile Board.
Relating to the availability of certain working papers and electronic communications of certain administrative law judges and technical examiners under the public information law.
Relating to the availability of certain working papers and electronic communications of certain administrative law judges and technical examiners under the public information law.
Relating to subdivision plat requirements in certain counties; authorizing a fee; authorizing a civil penalty; creating a criminal offense.
Relating to subdivision plat requirements in certain counties; authorizing a fee; authorizing a civil penalty; creating a criminal offense.
Relating to assistance in the investigation of certain open meetings offenses by the open records division of the attorney general's office.
Relating to assistance in the investigation of certain open meetings offenses by the open records division of the attorney general's office.
Relating to the sealing of certain documents alleged to contain trade secrets.
Relating to the sealing of certain documents alleged to contain trade secrets.
Relating to venue in certain actions involving private transfer fees for real property.
Relating to venue in certain actions involving private transfer fees for real property.
Relating to reconstitution of the petit jury wheel and grand juror and petit juror qualifications and juror summoning in certain counties.
Relating to reconstitution of the petit jury wheel and grand juror and petit juror qualifications and juror summoning in certain counties.
Relating to the protection of personal identifying information of certain individuals in the judicial system; creating a criminal offense.
Relating to the protection of personal identifying information of certain individuals in the judicial system; creating a criminal offense.
Relating to an exception to the titling requirement for certain motor vehicles; creating a criminal offense; providing for a fee.
Relating to an exception to the titling requirement for certain motor vehicles; creating a criminal offense; providing for a fee.
Relating to the designation and use of certain spaces and facilities according to sex; authorizing a civil penalty and a private civil right of action.
Relating to the designation and use of certain spaces and facilities according to sex; authorizing a civil penalty and a private civil right of action.
Relating to agreements between certain sheriffs and the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement to enforce federal immigration law and a grant program to cover the costs of implementing those agreements.
Relating to agreements between certain sheriffs and the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement to enforce federal immigration law and a grant program to cover the costs of implementing those agreements.
Relating to the confinement or release of defendants before trial or sentencing, including regulating charitable bail organizations, and the conditions of and procedures for setting bail and reviewing bail decisions.
Relating to the confinement or release of defendants before trial or sentencing, including regulating charitable bail organizations, and the conditions of and procedures for setting bail and reviewing bail decisions.
Relating to the duty of the attorney general to prosecute criminal offenses prescribed by the election laws of this state.
Relating to the duty of the attorney general to prosecute criminal offenses prescribed by the election laws of this state.
Relating to reforming the procedure by which state agencies adopt rules and impose regulatory requirements and the deference given to the interpretation of laws and rules by state agencies in certain judicial proceedings.
Relating to reforming the procedure by which state agencies adopt rules and impose regulatory requirements and the deference given to the interpretation of laws and rules by state agencies in certain judicial proceedings.
Relating to real property theft and real property fraud; establishing recording requirements for certain documents concerning real property; creating the criminal offenses of real property theft and real property fraud and establishing a statute of limitations, restitution, and certain procedures with respect to those offenses.
Relating to real property theft and real property fraud; establishing recording requirements for certain documents concerning real property; creating the criminal offenses of real property theft and real property fraud and establishing a statute of limitations, restitution, and certain procedures with respect to those offenses.
Relating to the formation, governance, and internal management of domestic entities.
Relating to the formation, governance, and internal management of domestic entities.
Relating to certain prohibited transactions and logistical support between a governmental entity and an abortion assistance entity or abortion provider for the procurement of an abortion or related services.
Relating to certain prohibited transactions and logistical support between a governmental entity and an abortion assistance entity or abortion provider for the procurement of an abortion or related services.
Relating to the eviction from real property of certain persons not entitled to enter, occupy, or remain in possession of the premises.
Relating to the eviction from real property of certain persons not entitled to enter, occupy, or remain in possession of the premises.
Relating to the creation of criminal law magistrates for Bell County.
Relating to the creation of criminal law magistrates for Bell County.
Relating to the discipline of judges by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, notice of certain reprimands, judicial compensation and related retirement benefits, and the reporting of certain judicial transparency information; authorizing an administrative penalty.
Relating to the discipline of judges by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, notice of certain reprimands, judicial compensation and related retirement benefits, and the reporting of certain judicial transparency information; authorizing an administrative penalty.
Relating to driving safety or motorcycle operator training course dismissal.
Relating to driving safety or motorcycle operator training course dismissal.
Relating to the jurisdiction of municipal courts over health and safety and nuisance abatement ordinances.
Relating to the jurisdiction of municipal courts over health and safety and nuisance abatement ordinances.
Relating to bond requirements for certain judges.
Relating to bond requirements for certain judges.
Relating to defenses to prosecution for certain offenses involving material or conduct that is obscene or otherwise harmful to children.
Relating to defenses to prosecution for certain offenses involving material or conduct that is obscene or otherwise harmful to children.
Relating to criminal and civil liability related to sexually explicit media and artificial intimate visual material; creating a criminal offense; increasing a criminal penalty.
Relating to criminal and civil liability related to sexually explicit media and artificial intimate visual material; creating a criminal offense; increasing a criminal penalty.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many Texas laws on courts passed in 2025?
- The Texas 89th Legislature enacted 87 laws related to courts. These bills were authored by 44 different legislators and address various aspects of courts policy in Texas.
- Did courts bills originate in the Texas House or Senate?
- Courts legislation from the 89th Legislature includes 53 Senate bills and 34 House bills. Both chambers contributed significant legislation on this topic.
- Which Texas legislators authored the most courts bills?
- The leading authors of courts legislation include Sen. Judith Zaffirini (D) with 12 bills, Sen. Joan Huffman (R) with 7 bills, Sen. Royce West (D) with 6 bills. These lawmakers have demonstrated particular focus on courts issues during the 89th Legislature.
- How urgent are the compliance requirements for courts legislation?
- Among the 87 courts bills enacted, 22 have critical compliance urgency and 32 have moderate urgency. Businesses should prioritize reviewing high-urgency bills for immediate compliance planning.
- What subjects are related to courts in Texas law?
- Courts legislation frequently overlaps with Courts--general, Courts--judges, Crimes. Bills often address multiple related policy areas, so reviewing these connected subjects may provide additional context.
- Is there bipartisan support for courts legislation in Texas?
- Yes, 43 of the 87 courts bills (49%) have bipartisan sponsorship, with both Republican and Democrat sponsors. This indicates areas of cross-party agreement on courts policy.
- When do Texas courts laws from the 89th Legislature take effect?
- Most Texas legislation takes effect September 1, 2025, unless otherwise specified. Some courts bills may have immediate effective dates or delayed implementation schedules. Review individual bills for specific effective dates and compliance deadlines.
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