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TexasSB 1489th Legislature Regular SessionSenate

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.

Sponsored By: Paul Bettencourt (Republican), Salman Bhojani, César Blanco (Democratic), Donna Campbell (Republican), Giovanni Capriglione, Creighton, Pat Curry, Pete Flores (Republican), Brent Hagenbuch (Republican), Adam Hinojosa (Republican), Joan Huffman (Republican), Bryan Hughes (Republican), Todd Hunter, Phil King (Republican), Lois Kolkhorst (Republican), Jeff Leach, Mayes Middleton (Republican), Tan Parker (Republican), Angela Paxton (Republican), Charles Perry (Republican), Kevin Sparks (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Business & Commerce--GeneralCourts--GeneralGovernorState Agencies, Boards & CommissionsState Agencies, Boards & Commissions--Admin. ProcedureState Agencies, Boards & Commissions--Newly ProposedREGULATORY REFORM & EFFICIENCY ACTLIEUTENANT GOVERNORSPEAKER OF THE HOUSESTATE AGENCIES' RULESINFORMATION RESOURCES, DEPARTMENT OFSECRETARY OF STATETEXAS REGULATORY EFFICIENCY ADVISORY PANELTEXAS REGULATORY EFFICIENCY OFFICE

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Challenging Texas rules adopted without required steps

For rules proposed starting September 1, 2025, Texas rules can be set aside when agencies fail to substantially follow required rulemaking steps. The law changes the covered procedures to Government Code Sections 2001.022 through 2001.034, replacing the starting reference to Section 2001.0225. Challenges based on these procedural failures must still start within two years after the rule takes effect.

Clearer Texas rule notices and searches

For rules proposed starting September 1, 2025, agencies must use plain language when practical, including for people with limited English. Notices must ask people affected by proposed rules and other interested people for information about costs, benefits, and effects. The law also directs agencies to coordinate a website for searching rules and related information. Searches must work by topic, regulated activity or business, and, where relevant, industry sector code. Creating the website requires a specific legislative appropriation; without one, agencies may use available funds but do not have to.

Texas courts independently decide agency legal disputes

For covered proceedings started on or after September 1, 2025, Texas courts must decide legal questions independently, without deferring to agencies. This includes questions about what laws and agency rules mean, whether they are valid, and when they apply. Courts may consider reasonable agency views that do not conflict with a statute’s plain words. Covered proceedings include judicial-review petitions, declaratory-judgment actions, contested cases, and other proceedings. A law can exempt an action only by specifically referring to this independent-review requirement.

New Texas office targets regulatory burdens

The law creates the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office in the governor’s office, supported by an advisory panel. It helps agencies review rule costs and reduce unnecessary burdens while preserving health, safety, and core public protections. Options include lower fees, fewer forms, less required training, narrower rules, and waivers or exemptions. The office provides guidance and must publish reports by December 1 of even-numbered years covering the prior two years. It cannot recommend repealing rules that explain rulemaking or support public participation. Implementation requires a specific legislative appropriation; without one, agencies may use available funds but do not have to.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Paul Bettencourt

    Republican • Senate

  • Salman Bhojani

    House

  • César Blanco

    Democratic • Senate

  • Donna Campbell

    Republican • Senate

  • Giovanni Capriglione

    House

  • Creighton

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Pat Curry

    House

  • Pete Flores

    Republican • Senate

  • Brent Hagenbuch

    Republican • Senate

  • Adam Hinojosa

    Republican • Senate

  • Joan Huffman

    Republican • Senate

  • Bryan Hughes

    Republican • Senate

  • Todd Hunter

    House

  • Phil King

    Republican • Senate

  • Lois Kolkhorst

    Republican • Senate

  • Jeff Leach

    House

  • Mayes Middleton

    Republican • Senate

  • Tan Parker

    Republican • Senate

  • Angela Paxton

    Republican • Senate

  • Charles Perry

    Republican • Senate

  • Kevin Sparks

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Jeff Barry

    House

  • Keith Bell

    House

  • Greg Bonnen

    House

  • Benjamin Bumgarner

    House

  • Jay Dean

    House

  • Mark Dorazio

    House

  • Stan Gerdes

    House

  • Ryan Guillen

    House

  • Richard Hayes

    House

  • Cole Hefner

    House

  • Hillary Hickland

    House

  • Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa

    Democratic • Senate

  • Carrie Isaac

    House

  • Helen Kerwin

    House

  • Marc LaHood

    House

  • Terri Leo Wilson

    House

  • Mitch Little

    House

  • Janie Lopez

    House

  • AJ Louderback

    House

  • J. M. Lozano

    House

  • John Lujan

    House

  • Don McLaughlin

    House

  • Will Metcalf

    House

  • Matt Morgan

    House

  • Candy Noble

    House

  • Tom Oliverson

    House

  • Angelia Orr

    House

  • Jared Patterson

    House

  • Dennis Paul

    House

  • Katrina Pierson

    House

  • Joanne Shofner

    House

  • David Spiller

    House

  • Valoree Swanson

    House

  • Carl H. Tepper

    House

  • Denise Villalobos

    House

  • Wes Virdell

    House

  • Trey Wharton

    House

  • Terry M. Wilson

    House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 549 • No: 283

House vote • 4/9/2025

Record vote

Yes: 97 • No: 51

House vote • 4/8/2025

Record vote

Yes: 88 • No: 59

House vote • 4/8/2025

Record vote

Yes: 98 • No: 50

House vote • 4/8/2025

Record vote

Yes: 92 • No: 56

House vote • 4/8/2025

Record vote

Yes: 97 • No: 51

Senate vote • 3/26/2025

Record vote

Yes: 25 • No: 6

Senate vote • 3/26/2025

Record vote

Yes: 26 • No: 5

Senate vote • 3/26/2025

Record vote

Yes: 26 • No: 5

Senate vote • 3/26/2025

Record vote

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective on 9/1/25

    4/23/2025House

  2. Signed by the Governor

    4/23/2025House

  3. Sent to the Governor

    4/14/2025House

  4. Signed in the House

    4/14/2025House

  5. Signed in the Senate

    4/10/2025Senate

  6. Reported enrolled

    4/9/2025Senate

  7. House passage reported

    4/9/2025Senate

  8. Record vote (RV#91)

    4/9/2025House

  9. Passed

    4/9/2025House

  10. Read 3rd time

    4/9/2025House

  11. Additional sponsor(s) authorized

    4/9/2025House

  12. Rules suspended

    4/9/2025House

  13. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal

    4/8/2025House

  14. Record vote (RV#81)

    4/8/2025House

  15. Passed to 3rd reading

    4/8/2025House

  16. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal

    4/8/2025House

  17. Record vote (RV#80)

    4/8/2025House

  18. Amendment tabled (3-Rodríguez Ramos)

    4/8/2025House

  19. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal

    4/8/2025House

  20. Record vote (RV#79)

    4/8/2025House

  21. Amendment tabled (2-Rodríguez Ramos)

    4/8/2025House

  22. Point of order overruled (Rule 8, Section 3; Article III, Section 35(a))

    4/8/2025House

  23. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal

    4/8/2025House

  24. Record vote (RV#78)

    4/8/2025House

  25. Amendment tabled (1-Rodríguez Ramos)

    4/8/2025House

Bill Text

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