Monitoring the Session
Days

December 12, 2024

26 filed

HB 1608 · 89RNo flags

bill creating a veterans’ land bank

Died in committeeInitial review
Rep. Josey Garcia (D-124)
Details · HB 1608

Buys and resells or rents property for low-income veterans.

ZOMBIE BILL Died 2 times: 88R HB 2476 (Died in committee) and this bill (Died in committee). Checked against 88R only.PENDING FOREVER Heard by the House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs subcommittee on Defense & Veterans' Affairs on Apr 7, 2025 and left pending. Never voted out. The bill died.

Filed Dec 12, 2024

HB 1607 · 89RNo flags

bill letting some cars skip the front plate

Died in committeeInitial review
Rep. Will Metcalf (R-16)
Details · HB 1607

Rear plate plus a windshield sticker, if there’s no front spot.

CREATES AN OFFENSE The caption of the graded version (introduced) reads: “relating to license plates and license plate windshield insignia issued for and displayed on a vehicle; authorizing a fee; creating a criminal offense.”GOT HALFWAY Passed the House on Apr 24, 2025. Died in the Senate: left pending in the Criminal Justice committee.

Filed Dec 12, 2024

HB 1606 · 89RNo flags

bill adding tree trimming info to electric bills

Became law, effective Sep 1, 2025Initial review
Rep. Will Metcalf (R-16)
Details · HB 1606

How to ask for brush cleared near a power line.

CROSS-PARTY HANDOFF Lead author Will Metcalf (R) in the House. Lead sponsor Judith Zaffirini (D) in the Senate. Party as the Legislative Reference Library lists it for the 89th Legislature.

Filed Dec 12, 2024

HB 1604 · 89RNo flags

bill about public access to criminal proceedings

Did not passInitial review
Rep. John H. Bucy III (D-136)
Details · HB 1604

After arrest, magistrate hearings are public. Courts without room can livestream them.

Corrected Oct 31, 2026 We checked this summary against the bill text and fixed it.

ZOMBIE BILL Died 2 times: 88R HB 5277 (Died in committee) and this bill (Did not pass). Checked against 88R only.STALLED AFTER COMMITTEE Voted out of the House Criminal Jurisprudence committee 10-0 on May 6, 2025. Never placed on a calendar. The bill died.

Filed Dec 12, 2024

HB 1603 · 89RNo flags

ERCOT must contract for backup power to prevent blackouts

Died in committeeInitial review
Rep. Jon E. Rosenthal (D-135)
Details · HB 1603

Last in line after every other source. Who pays? The rules decide.

ZOMBIE BILL Died 2 times: 88R HB 3178 (Died in committee) and this bill (Died in committee). Checked against 88R only.NEVER GOT A HEARING Filed Dec 12, 2024 and referred to the House State Affairs committee. No public hearing. The bill died.

Filed Dec 12, 2024

HB 1602 · 89RSmells

Rosenthal Bill Bumps Biased False Abuse Reports To Third-Degree Felony

Died in committeeInitial review
Rep. Jon E. Rosenthal (D-135)
Details · HB 1602

A prior conviction does it too. The bias bump may repeat one that already applies.

Already a crime
ZOMBIE BILL Died 2 times: 88R HB 4480 (Died in committee) and this bill (Died in committee). Checked against 88R only.NEVER GOT A HEARING Filed Dec 12, 2024 and referred to the House Human Services committee. No public hearing. The bill died.

Filed Dec 12, 2024

HB 1601 · 89RSmells

Rosenthal Discrimination Bill Also Repeals 2023 Transition Ban For Minors

Died in committeeInitial review
Rep. Jon E. Rosenthal (D-135)
Details · HB 1601

Caption: discrimination. Bill: gender changes on IDs and birth certificates, plus the same-sex marriage bar repealed.

Caption mismatch
ZOMBIE BILL Died 2 times: 88R HB 3918 (Died in committee) and this bill (Died in committee). Checked against 88R only.NEVER GOT A HEARING Filed Dec 12, 2024 and referred to the House State Affairs committee. No public hearing. The bill died.

Filed Dec 12, 2024

HB 1599 · 89RNo flags

bill requiring a safety course before any handgun transfer

Died in committeeInitial review
Rep. Jon E. Rosenthal (D-135)
Details · HB 1599

No certificate, no handgun. DPS sets the course.

ZOMBIE BILL Died 2 times: 88R HB 4817 (Died in committee) and this bill (Died in committee). Checked against 88R only.NEVER GOT A HEARING Filed Dec 12, 2024 and referred to the House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs committee. No public hearing. The bill died.

Filed Dec 12, 2024

HB 1596 · 89RNo flags

bill giving retired teachers automatic yearly cost-of-living raises

Died in committeeInitial review
Rep. Mihaela Plesa (D-70)
Details · HB 1596

Tied to the Social Security inflation index, set each October.

ZOMBIE BILL Died 2 times: 88R HB 1115 by Rep. Hernandez (Died in committee) and this bill (Died in committee). Checked against 88R only.NEVER GOT A HEARING Filed Dec 12, 2024 and referred to the House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services committee. No public hearing. The bill died.

Filed Dec 12, 2024

HB 1594 · 89RSmells

Insurers Can Drop Psychosis Treatments If Premiums Rise Over 1%

Died in committeeInitial review
Rep. Mihaela Plesa (D-70)
Details · HB 1594

Covers patients under 26. Insurers can request the premium study starting March 1, 2027.

The hole
ZOMBIE BILL Died 2 times: 88R HB 4713 (Died in committee) and this bill (Died in committee). Checked against 88R only.NEVER GOT A HEARING Filed Dec 12, 2024 and referred to the House Insurance committee. No public hearing. The bill died.

Filed Dec 12, 2024

HB 1593 · 89RSmells

Fire Fighter Suicide Committee Reports In 2026, Disbands In 2027

Became law, effective Sep 1, 2025Reviewed
Rep. Elizabeth "Liz" Campos (D-119)
Details · HB 1593

Most members are picked by three fire service associations. Any program waits for future legislation.

Study, task force, commission, reportNew fee, fund, board or appointees
DO-OVER Reworked text of a bill filed before that died: 88R HB 3528 (Did not pass). Filed in 2 sessions, counting this one. Checked against 88R only.CROSS-PARTY HANDOFF Lead author Elizabeth "Liz" Campos (D) in the House. Lead sponsor Mayes Middleton (R) in the Senate. Party as the Legislative Reference Library lists it for the 89th Legislature.

Filed Dec 12, 2024

HB 1592 · 89RNo flags

bill creating a pest and disease email alert system

Became law, effective Sep 1, 2025Initial review
Rep. Mihaela Plesa (D-70)
Details · HB 1592

Texas A&M AgriLife runs it. Alerts within 72 hours.

NO AUTOGRAPH Became law without the governor's signature on Jun 20, 2025.DO-OVER Reworked text of a bill filed before that died: 88R HB 4644 by Rep. Thimesch (Did not pass). Filed in 2 sessions, counting this one. Checked against 88R only.

Filed Dec 12, 2024

SB 575 · 89RSmells

Zaffirini Motor Fuel Bill Makes Any Intentional Meter Change A Felony

Died in committeeInitial review
Sen. Judith Zaffirini (D-21)
Details · SB 575

Second-degree felony, no unlawful purpose needed. Technicians’ defense covers only possessing a device.

DragnetAlready a crime
ZOMBIE BILL Died 2 times: 88R SB 2305 (Died in committee) and this bill (Died in committee). Checked against 88R only.NEVER GOT A HEARING Filed Dec 12, 2024 and referred to the Senate Criminal Justice committee. No public hearing. The bill died.

Filed Dec 12, 2024

SB 574 · 89RNo flags

bill ties state longevity pay to inflation

Died in committeeInitial review
Sen. Sarah Eckhardt (D-14)
Details · SB 574

The fixed $20 starts rising every year, no new legislation needed.

ZOMBIE BILL Died 2 times: 88R SB 1773 (Died in committee) and this bill (Died in committee). Checked against 88R only.NEVER GOT A HEARING Filed Dec 12, 2024 and referred to the Senate Finance committee. No public hearing. The bill died.

Filed Dec 12, 2024

SB 572 · 89RNo flags

Eckhardt Bill Gives Every Full-Time State Employee A $10K Raise

Died in committeeInitial review
Sen. Sarah Eckhardt (D-14)
Details · SB 572

For each of two years, college staff included. Legislators are left out!

ZOMBIE BILL Died 2 times: 88R HB 202 by Rep. Bucy (Died in committee) and this bill (Died in committee). Checked against 88R only.NEVER GOT A HEARING Filed Dec 12, 2024 and referred to the Senate Finance committee. No public hearing. The bill died.

Filed Dec 12, 2024

SB 571 · 89RNo flags

bill widening background checks for school contract workers

Became lawInitial review
Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-7)
Details · SB 571

Anyone who must be physically present at a school building is covered.

BUZZER BEATER Final vote May 30, 2025: the Senate concurred in the House amendments. 3 days before the session ended Jun 2, 2025.INSTANT LAW Took effect immediately, on Jun 20, 2025. 833 of the 1,185 graded 89R laws took effect Sep 1, 2025 (derived from the bill histories, snapshot Oct 19, 2026).

Filed Dec 12, 2024

SB 570 · 89RNo flags

bill requiring every school to adopt a truancy policy

Did not passInitial review
Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-7)
Details · SB 570

Absence alerts by e-mail, text or mail. Parent meetings for at-risk students.

ZOMBIE BILL Died 2 times: 88R SB 1630 (Did not pass) and this bill (Did not pass). Checked against 88R only.GOT HALFWAY Passed the Senate on Apr 16, 2025. Died in the House: voted out of the Public Education committee 11-2, no floor vote.

Filed Dec 12, 2024

SB 569 · 89RSmells

Bettencourt Virtual Education Bill Lets Charters Require Full-Time Virtual Attendance

Became lawNeeds review
Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-7)
Details · SB 569

Schools can’t force kids online, except charters. Banned vendors stay usable if the commissioner approves.

The holeThe hole
INSTANT LAW Took effect immediately, on May 6, 2025. 833 of the 1,185 graded 89R laws took effect Sep 1, 2025 (derived from the bill histories, snapshot Oct 19, 2026).DO-OVER Reworked text of a bill filed before that died: 88R SB 1861 (Did not pass). Filed in 2 sessions, counting this one. Checked against 88R only.

Filed Dec 12, 2024

SB 568 · 89RNo flags

Bettencourt Bill Gives Special Education Parents $1,500 Grants For Private Services

Became lawInitial review
Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-7)
Details · SB 568

Funding shifts to service intensity, $1K per initial evaluation, and cameras in more classrooms.

BUZZER BEATER Final vote Jun 1, 2025: the House adopted the conference committee report. 1 day before the session ended Jun 2, 2025.DO-OVER Reworked text of a bill filed before that died: 88R SB 1474 (Died in committee). Filed in 2 sessions, counting this one. Checked against 88R only.

Filed Dec 12, 2024

Sources

Derived stock: 26 measures filed December 12, 2024 in 89R. 25 bills and joint resolutions, 1 other resolutions. Snapshot Nov 1, 2026 at 3:09 PM CST.

Counts come from the stored Texas Legislative Council bill records. Grades, headlines and charges follow the published record.

Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person.

SourcesData