AUSTIN, Texas — 2025 is almost here!
The new year always brings new changes, especially when it comes to state law. Bills approved in the last legislative session will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2025. So as you're ringing in the new year, Texas laws will be changing in ways that could affect you.
Here's a look at the new laws going into effect on Jan. 1, 2025, and what they mean.
Bye, bye vehicle inspections
The law that will impact most Texans is the elimination of state vehicle safety inspections.
Texas House Bill 3297 was passed in the 2023 legislative session and goes into effect on January 1, 2025. Under the law, non-commercial drivers will not need to seek out an annual inspection to renew their registration. Instead, drivers will pay a $7.50 fee when renewing their vehicle registration.
However, residents in 18 of Texas' more populated counties will still be required to pass an emissions test.
Residents in the following counties will need to pass an emissions test to renew their registration: Bexar, Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Denton, El Paso, Ellis, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis and Williamson.
New additions to the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act
Texas House Bill 4 puts a key section of the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act, which took effect in July, into play for Texas consumers.
The new section will go into effect on New Year's Day and will allow Texas consumers to use browser settings, extensions and device functionalities to opt out of data sales, targeted advertising and profiling based on personal data.
Moreover, businesses that fail to comply with the law will be open to penalties.
Schools get money for tax revenue shortfalls
Texas Senate Bill 2 will help keep school budgets on track if property tax revenues drop.
Under the law, schools will be able to apply for state funding if their budgets fall short due to local tax revenue. The Texas Education Agency will also be required to publish the highest compressed rate for every school district. Districts use their maximum compressed rate to determine their tax rate.
More judicial districts
Texas House Bill 3474 will establish a new judicial district in the state to battle ongoing caseload concerns.
On Jan. 1, 2025, the law will establish the 477th Judicial District. The district will be composed of just Denton County.
A section of this law also goes into effect on Oct. 1, 2025, establishing the 498th Judicial District in Kendall County.
Clarifying state law
Texas House Bill 4504 will revise the state Code of Criminal Procedure and make laws easier to understand.
Under the revisions, none of the laws will change in meaning. The revisions will mostly deal with simplifying and modernizing Texas statutes to make them more clear for the public and legal experts.
New fiscal year-end for the San Antonio River Authority
Most of Texas House Bill 1535 already went into effect. The law made sweeping changes to the San Antonio River Authority's governance, including implementing terms for the board of directors.
On Jan. 1, 2025, Section 14-b of the law will go into effect, making the district's fiscal year end on Sept. 30 each year.
