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TexasHB 13089th Legislature Regular SessionHouse

Relating to genetic information security for residents of this state; providing a civil penalty; providing a private cause of action.

Sponsored By: Greg Bonnen, Cole Hefner, Bryan Hughes (Republican), Angelia Orr

Signed by Governor

Charitable & Nonprofit OrganizationsCivil Remedies & LiabilitiesCorporations & AssociationsHealth--GeneralHealth--Other Diseases & Medical ConditionsIntergovernmental RelationsLawyersTEXAS GENOMIC ACT OF 2025COMPUTERS & SOFTWAREDNAMEDICAL CARE FACILITIESRESEARCH & DEVELOPMENTTERRORISM & INTERNAL SECURITYATTORNEY GENERAL

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Texans can sue over DNA-data misuse

Texas patients and research subjects of covered entities can sue when unlawful storage or use of their sequencing data harms them. This right applies to legal claims arising on or after September 1, 2025; earlier claims remain under prior law. Residents can sue in the county where they live. They can recover the greater of actual damages or statutory damages of up to $5,000 per violation, plus court costs and reasonable lawyer fees. Certain Texas limits on damages do not apply to these lawsuits.

New protections for Texans’ DNA data

Beginning September 1, 2025, new DNA-data protections apply to medical facilities, research facilities, companies, and nonprofits doing genome testing or research in Texas. Covered entities cannot use sequencing tools, software, or companies tied to foreign adversaries, including their state-owned businesses and covered affiliates. For bankruptcy filings on or after that date, covered entities cannot sell or transfer Texans’ sequencing data to those foreign interests. They cannot store residents’ sequencing data in foreign-adversary countries and must use reasonable encryption, access controls, and cybersecurity safeguards, including for third-party storage. Except for open data, people in those countries cannot access it; these storage requirements exempt clinical trials and biomedical research covered by or following 28 C.F.R. Part 202.

DNA-testing entities face reporting and penalties

Beginning September 1, 2025, covered genome-testing and research entities must certify compliance to the Texas attorney general annually by December 31. Their lawyer must submit the statement. Anyone can report suspected violations, and the attorney general can investigate and sue in Travis County or where the violation occurred. Violating entities owe Texas $10,000 per violation; collected penalties go to the state’s general revenue fund. The attorney general can also recover investigation and court costs, lawyer fees, witness fees, and deposition costs.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Greg Bonnen

    House

  • Cole Hefner

    House

  • Bryan Hughes

    Republican • Senate

  • Angelia Orr

    House

Cosponsors

  • Jeff Barry

    House

  • Benjamin Bumgarner

    House

  • Giovanni Capriglione

    House

  • David Cook

    House

  • Pat Curry

    House

  • Paul Dyson

    House

  • Cody Harris

    House

  • Caroline Harris Davila

    House

  • Hillary Hickland

    House

  • Janis Holt

    House

  • Carrie Isaac

    House

  • Lois Kolkhorst

    Republican • Senate

  • Terri Leo Wilson

    House

  • Janie Lopez

    House

  • John McQueeney

    House

  • Will Metcalf

    House

  • Katrina Pierson

    House

  • Ellen Troxclair

    House

  • Royce West

    Democratic • Senate

  • Terry M. Wilson

    House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 504 • No: 3

House vote • 5/23/2025

Record vote

Yes: 136 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/19/2025

Record vote

Yes: 31 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/19/2025

Record vote

Yes: 31 • No: 0

House vote • 4/30/2025

Record vote

Yes: 141 • No: 0

House vote • 4/29/2025

Record vote

Yes: 143 • No: 3

House vote • Unknown

Committee vote: Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Yes: 11 • No: 0

Senate vote • Unknown

Committee vote: State Affairs

Yes: 11 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective on 9/1/25

    6/20/2025House

  2. Signed by the Governor

    6/20/2025House

  3. Sent to the Governor

    5/26/2025House

  4. Signed in the Senate

    5/25/2025Senate

  5. Signed in the House

    5/25/2025House

  6. Reported enrolled

    5/24/2025House

  7. House concurs in Senate amendment(s)-reported

    5/23/2025Senate

  8. Text of Senate Amendment(s)

    5/23/2025House

  9. Record vote (RV#3430)

    5/23/2025House

  10. House concurs in Senate amendment(s)

    5/23/2025House

  11. Senate Amendments Analysis distributed

    5/20/2025House

  12. Senate Amendments distributed

    5/20/2025House

  13. Senate passage as amended reported

    5/20/2025House

  14. Co-sponsor authorized

    5/20/2025Senate

  15. Record vote

    5/19/2025Senate

  16. Passed

    5/19/2025Senate

  17. Read 3rd time

    5/19/2025Senate

  18. Record vote

    5/19/2025Senate

  19. Three day rule suspended

    5/19/2025Senate

  20. Vote recorded in Journal

    5/19/2025Senate

  21. Read 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading

    5/19/2025Senate

  22. Rules suspended-Regular order of business

    5/19/2025Senate

  23. Placed on intent calendar

    5/16/2025Senate

  24. Committee report printed and distributed

    5/15/2025Senate

  25. Recommended for local & uncontested calendar

    5/15/2025Senate

Bill Text

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