Issue 89.22
Sine Die, Special Sessions, and Interim Charges
Director of Regulatory Affairs
Monday June 2nd the 89th Texas Legislature adjourned Sine Die. This is a Latin term that translates as “without fixing a day for future action.” They stand adjourned until the next session, unless the Governor calls a Special Session. There don’t appear to be any rumblings about that, with the Big Three: Governor, Lt. Governor, and Speaker all seeming to have accomplished their goals.
Only the Governor may call a Special Session, and each one can last no longer than 30 days. The Governor also solely controls the agenda. Legislators are prohibited from taking up any issues except those topics set by the Governor. Over the past 20 years the Legislature has been called back about half the time.
Both the Lt. Governor and the Speaker of the House will create a list of Interim Charges about a year from now. This is for their members and committees to study key policy issues, assess the implementation of laws passed during this session, and prepare recommendations for the next session. These topics will be an early insight into some of the priorities and agenda for the 90th Texas Legislature set to begin on January 12, 2027, or just 588 days from now.
We will return with one final wrap up memo following the Governor’s veto deadline of June 22nd to provide a final summary of what will become new Texas law. Thank you for your interest in our postings.
Weekly Highlight
To read the full text of any of these bills you can go to Texas Legislature Online. The designations you see for each bill represent HB – House Bill, SB – Senate Bill and HJR or SJR as House or Senate Joint Resolutions which relate to amendments to the Texas Constitution.
Bills on the Move
All of the bills below are subject to the Governor’s veto Until June 22nd, unless an effective date is listed behind the bill.
HB 27 King, Ken – Relating to courses in personal financial literacy and economics for high school students in public schools.
HB 2067 Paul, Dennis – Relating to declination, cancellation, or nonrenewal of insurance policies.
HB 2468 Harris, Cody – Relating to the right of a purchaser to terminate a contract of purchase and sale of real property for failure to provide notice that the property is located in a public improvement district.
HB 3250 Darby, Drew – Relating to the regulation of real estate appraisers and appraisal management companies.
HB 4063 Ordaz, Claudia – Relating to the filing and release of record of a unilateral memorandum of contract concerning residential property.
HB 4350 Capriglione, Giovanni – Relating to the omission or redaction of certain personal information from certain real property records.
SB 4 Bettencourt, Paul – Relating to an increase in the amount of the exemption of residence homesteads from ad valorem taxation by a school district and the protection of school districts against certain losses in local revenue. (Companion SJR2)
SB 17 Kolkhorst, Lois – Relating to the purchase of or acquisition of title to real property by certain aliens or foreign entities. The Senate accepted amendments by the House that removes the decision making of targeted countries from the National Security Advisor and transfers that authority to the Governor, while also expanding the authority to include transnational criminal organizations. It also expands coverage from designated countries and entities under their control to include individuals from those countries domiciled outside the United States or in the United States illegally.
SB 23 Bettencourt, Paul – Relating to an increase in the amount of the exemption from ad valorem taxation by a school district of the appraised value of the residence homestead of a person who is elderly or disabled and the protection of school districts against certain losses in local revenue.
SB 38 Bettencourt, Paul – Relating to the eviction from real property of certain persons not entitled to enter, occupy, or remain in possession of the premises.
SB 372 Campbell, Donna – Relating to the persons authorized or appointed to exercise the power of sale under the terms of a contract lien on real property. Signed May 19th Effective Immediately
SB 647 West, Royce – Relating to the filing or recording of documents or instruments conveying or purporting to convey an interest in real or personal property.
SB 648 West, Royce – Relating to recording requirements for certain instruments concerning real property.
SB 693 West, Royce – Relating to creating a criminal offense for the use of a notary seal or counterfeit seal on a fraudulent document or instrument. Effective September 1st
SB 929 Johnson, Nathan – Relating to deadlines and time of inception for mechanic’s and materialman’s liens. May 21st Effective Immediately
SB 1333 Hughes, Bryan – Relating to the unauthorized entry, occupancy, sale, rental, lease, advertisement for sale, rental, or lease, or conveyance of real property. (Companions HB414, HB1076, HB2454, HB3003)
SB 1379 Flores, Pete – Relating to increasing the criminal penalties for forgery.
SB 1547 Zaffirini, Judith – Relating to fees charged by county clerks for certain property records.
SB 1734 West, Royce – Relating to status of certain documents or instruments purporting to convey title to or an interest in real property. Effective September 1st
SB 2610 Blanco, Cesar – Relating to civil liability of business entities in connection with a breach of system security.
SJR 2 Bettencourt, Paul – Proposing a constitutional amendment to increase the amount of the exemption of residence homesteads from ad valorem taxation by a school district. Set for November 4, 2025, General Election as Constitutional Amendment
If you have questions about these specific bills or the Texas legislative process in general, please reach out to Doug Foster or one of our firm’s attorneys or representatives at: https://www.mortgagelaw.com/our-team/