Nearly every Tarrant lawmaker saw at least one bill become law. For some senior Republicans, the count was in the double digits after Gov. Greg Abbott announced the final list of 1,155 bills that ultimately won his approval.<\/p>\n
The three-term Republican governor vetoed 28 bills, including three measures carried by Tarrant County lawmakers, but several of the sidelined bills will be reconsidered in a special session scheduled to begin July 21, when Abbott announces an initial list of agenda items.<\/p>\n
Composed of 11 House members and five senators, the Republican-dominated Tarrant County legislative reach spanned both hot button issues and less volatile policy issues covering a broad range of state policies from housing affordability to tax appraisals.<\/p>\n
Abortion law clarification<\/p>\n
Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth, a House member since 2001 and a longtime figure in the Republican leadership, played a key role in several issues, including serving as House sponsor of a bill clarifying abortion ban statutes to enable physicians to intervene to protect the mother in a life-threatening situation.<\/p>\n
Known as the \u201cLife of the Mother Act,\u201d Senate Bill 31<\/a>, authored by Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, was enacted following testimony from mothers who said their lives were put in danger by physicians who refused to perform a life-saving abortion because they could be violating the law. Geren and Hughes said the original law needed clarity to enable doctors to save the life of the mother.\u00a0<\/p>\n Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford, who represents a multicounty Senate district that includes Tarrant, secured passage of one of his major issues: a law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in every public classroom. Abbott signed Senate Bill 10<\/a> into law amid threatened challenges by the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas and other groups that claim the new requirement is a violation of church and state. The bill passed 28-3 in the Senate.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u2018Jugging\u2019 offense creation<\/p>\n Law enforcement agencies across the state landed a long-sought priority with enactment of House Bill 1902<\/a> by Rep. David Cook, R-Mansfield, to create an offense called \u201cjugging\u201d<\/a> \u2013 robbery or theft outside banks and ATMs. Jugging attacks have steadily escalated in recent years, prompting cities such as Houston and Arlington to create task forces or conduct public awareness campaigns.<\/p>\n A thief who follows someone from a financial institution and attempts to rob them or burglarize their vehicle could face prison sentences of from five to 99 years imprisonment with a maximum fine of $10,000.<\/p>\n Cook was also House sponsor of Senate Bill 1300<\/a> signed into law and designed to deter organized retail theft and toughen prosecution. The Senate author was Sen. Pete Flores, R-Pleasanton.<\/p>\n Nation\u2019s largest state-based cybersecurity command<\/p>\n Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, extended his reputation as the architect of high-tech issues<\/a> with enactment of the governor\u2019s priorities on artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.\u00a0<\/p>\n Capriglione\u2019s bill to create a Texas Cyber Command was among the seven items Abbott designated as an emergency at the outset of the session to obtain swift passage. Sponsored by Sen. Tan Parker, R-Flower Mound, House Bill 150<\/a> calls for the creation of a cyber threat intelligence center to collaborate with state, local and federal partners in responding to cyber attacks and will be funded with a $135 million investment.<\/p>\n Abbott has described the proposed Texas command as the largest state-based cybersecurity command in the nation.<\/p>\n Capriglione\u2019s House Bill 149<\/a> is designed to create state guardrails for the explosive growth of artificial intelligence in a growing segment of society. The bill establishes the Texas Responsible Artificial Intelligence Governance Act designed to create consumer protection along with an Artificial Intelligence Council.<\/p>\n The legislative initiatives were also tied to Capriglione\u2019s new role as chairman of the Committee on Delivery of Government Efficiency, often compared to Elon Musk\u2019s DOGE committee in Washington that was charged with examining waste and efficiency.\u00a0<\/p>\n Annual property appraisals<\/p>\n Turner scored an end-of-session victory for legislation that would require annual reappraisal of property instead of less frequently as currently mandated by the Tarrant Appraisal District. Senate Bill 973<\/a> was amended in the House to require the yearly appraisal before becoming law without Abbott\u2019s signature.<\/p>\n Turner, the House sponsor of SB 973, also secured another appraisal reform measure signed by the governor, House Bill 148<\/a>, that requires mandatory training for appraisal district members in counties with a population of more than 75,000.\u00a0<\/p>\n Tax Assessor-Collector Rick Barnes, who has opposed Turner\u2019s plan, could not be reached for comment. Turner has maintained that the appraisal district\u2019s current approach would lead to inflated appraisals and higher property tax burdens, along with a negative impact on public schools.\u00a0<\/p>\n Vetoes for THC, water trust<\/p>\n Abbott\u2019s most news-making veto was his last-minute move to strike down a ban on THC products<\/a>, but he also shelved more than two dozen other measures, including bills sponsored by three members of the Tarrant County delegation \u2014 Rep. Ramon Romero, a Fort Worth Democrat who heads the Mexican American Legislative Caucus; Sen. Royce West, a Dallas Democrat; and Parker of Flower Mound.<\/p>\n Abbott cited flaws in Romero\u2019s House Bill 4530<\/a> dealing with the Texas Water Trust, West\u2019s Senate Bill 648<\/a> to curtail title theft fraud, and Senate Bill 1278<\/a> altering defenses to criminal prosecutions for human trafficking.\u00a0<\/p>\n Romero\u2019s bill sought to require the Texas Water Development Board to review and approve all groundwater rights dedicated to the trust, but Abbott said HB 4530 was unclear about how the transfer will be made.<\/p>\n Dave Montgomery is an Austin-based freelance reporter for the Fort Worth Report.<\/p>\n The Fort Worth Report\u2019s Texas legislative coverage is supported by Kelly Hart<\/a>.\u00a0 \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative<\/a> for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.<\/p>\n Republish This Story<\/p>\n
At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
![\"Creative](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750614464_36_cc-by-nd-4.0.png\"\/)
<\/a><\/p>\n