HB 253
bill exempting fentanyl test strips from paraphernalia law
Died in committee
Verdict: No flags
Initial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade
Caption
relating to the use, possession, delivery, or manufacture of testing equipment that identifies the presence of a substance listed in Penalty Group 1-B.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Summary
Test strips stop counting as drug paraphernalia.
The bill exempts fentanyl test strips and similar testing equipment that detects Penalty Group 1-B substances from the state's drug paraphernalia law. It touches anyone who uses, carries, hands out or makes these testing devices, including individuals and groups that distribute them. Starting September 1, 2025, possessing or distributing such testing equipment would no longer be a paraphernalia offense under Section 481.125.
Labels
Labels: NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Nov 12, 2024 and referred to the House Public Health committee. No public hearing. The bill died.
Receipt
The receipt
89R-HB253 · 2024-11-12
SOLD BY
ITEM
relating to the use, possession, delivery, or manufacture of testing equipment that identifies the presence of a substance listed in Penalty Group 1-B.
WHAT IT DOES
Test strips stop counting as drug paraphernalia.
The bill exempts fentanyl test strips and similar testing equipment that detects Penalty Group 1-B substances from the state's drug paraphernalia law. It touches anyone who uses, carries, hands out or makes these testing devices, including individuals and groups that distribute them. Starting September 1, 2025, possessing or distributing such testing equipment would no longer be a paraphernalia offense under Section 481.125.
CHARGES
[ ] NONE FOUND
TOTAL
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
HISTORY
- Filed
- Read first time
- Referred to Public Health
FILED UNDER
No verified beat found.
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
Donors
Not tied to this bill.
Sources
The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.
Derived itemized flow · Jul 1, 2024 to Jun 9, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
Votes
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
Fiscal
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
How this was graded
Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.
Sources
Texas House · Filed Nov 12, 2024
02/27/2025 H Referred to Public Health: Feb 27 2025 11:13AM
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
House committee · Public Health · Final status: Died in committee
Companion
SB 362 by Eckhardt (identical)
SB 540 by Johnson (identical)
Subjects
Alcoholism & Drug Abuse
Crimes--Drugs
Health--Other Diseases & Medical Conditions
DRUG & ALCOHOL TESTING
Text
The text as introduced · 203 words
89R434 CJD-F By: Talarico H.B. No. 253 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the use, possession, delivery, or manufacture of testing equipment that identifies the presence of a substance listed in Penalty Group 1-B. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 481.125, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Subsection (j) to read as follows: (j) This section does not apply to a person who uses, possesses with intent to use, delivers, possesses with intent to deliver, or manufactures with intent to deliver testing equipment that identifies the presence of a substance listed in Penalty Group 1-B. SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act. An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect at the time the offense was committed, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For purposes of this section, an offense was committed before the effective date of this Act if any element of the offense occurred before that date. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.