Changes to Article IX of the GAA and Other Bills of Interest to State Agencies

This section contains the numerical listing of all classified positions by class number, position title, salary schedule (A, B or C) and salary group number. The listing includes classified titles that have been added and/or have title changes for the biennium. The State Auditor’s office (SAO) has provided agencies with a conversion manual for these changes. The job classifications are designated to the appropriate pay group in the proper salary schedule (A, B or C).

Pay group B37 is added to the schedule and pay group A04 is deleted from the schedule.

Paragraph (b) now allows commissioned peace officers to receive a stipend for both education level and certification and the amounts for each stipend have increased.

This section directs the SAO to assign appropriate Schedule C salary classifications for new TCOLE police positions.

This section directs the SAO to assign appropriate Schedule C salary classifications for new TJJD police positions.

Paragraph (c) adds that the adjustment institutions of higher education make for local funds benefits shall include the Available University Fund at system administration offices.

Paragraph (a) changes the date from “November 20th” to “applicable deadline,” after which entities shall not expend appropriated funds following the close of the fiscal year unless an annual financial report has been filed.

Paragraph (d) adds that a copy of any vendor selection statements pertaining to the contract award required to be maintained in the state agency's contract file must be included in the notice.

This section requires that a state agency provide a copy of the written explanation regarding non-compliance with the Contract Advisory Team (CAT) recommendations to the Legislative Budget Board (LBB) no later than three business days after the explanation is provided to CAT.

This section requires a state agency or institution of higher education that occupies any office space, storage space, parking facilities, or grounds in the Capitol Complex to report to the Texas Facilities Commission (TFC) cost savings as well as any related information that TFC may require resulting from the Department of Public Safety providing all security services for the Capitol Complex.

Paragraph (b) adds Texas State University System to the agencies authorized to expend appropriated monies for the maintenance and operation of state-owned aircraft or replacements.

This section excludes from appropriation by this provision funds made available to reimburse the state for border security expenditures billed to the federal government or similar federal legislation enacted after the 89th Legislature, Regular Session adjourns.

Paragraph (b) is new. Funds made available to reimburse the state for border security expenditures billed to the federal government or similar federal legislation enacted after the 89th Legislature, Regular Session adjourns are specifically excluded from appropriation by this provision.

The section has been rearranged; some parts have been combined or developed in more detail.

Paragraph (a) adds information resource technology legacy modernization as a new category of the definition of a “capital budget.” The Centralized Accounting and Payroll/Personnel System (CAPPS) statewide Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system category is removed. The data center services category now has a $100,000 threshold.

Paragraphs (d) and (j) clarify how an agency may request an exception to the transfer restrictions for data center or shared technology services appropriations. More detail is given on the request agencies must give to the LBB and when it is considered approved.

This language comes from the 88th GAA, Article IX, Section 14.03, paragraph (j).

This language comes from the 88th GAA, Article IX, Section 14.03, paragraph (g).

Paragraph (i) adds the Texas Ethics Commission and State Commission on Judicial Conduct as agencies that paragraphs (a) through (h) do not apply to.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board no longer administers the requirements of this section for public community/junior colleges.

This section provides an appropriation and guidance for a salary increase for state agency licensed attorneys in AY 2026. See Appropriations for the Salary Allocation for Certain State Positions (FPP A.009).

Author: Bell, Keith, et al.

Effective Date: Sept. 1, 2025

This bill requires Sunset reports related to regulatory agencies to include an analysis of the agency’s performance over at least a 10-year timespan based on the agency’s performance measures and related targets, including those listed in the GAA, and an evaluation of the agency’s performance measures and related targets. The bill requires the Sunset Advisory Commission to make recommendations, after consulting the LBB, to improve each reviewed agency’s key performance measures through the addition, amendment or removal of the performance measures and related targets.

The bill authorizes the Commission, under its recommendations to the Legislature in a report related to regulatory agencies, to recommend that a limited review of a regulatory agency be conducted before the regulatory agency's next Sunset review. Unless legislation to continue an agency specifies otherwise, regulatory agencies must report to the Commission their progress in addressing the Commission’s recommendations, and must report by a date specified by each agency’s most recent Sunset bill.

The bill requires the SAO, subject to Legislative Audit Committee approval, to adopt a schedule for conducting efficiency audits of all entities subject to Sunset review. The bill exempts a state agency required by law to perform an internal efficiency audit from performing such an audit in any year that the agency is audited under this bill.

Author: Wilson, et al.

Effective Date: Sept. 1, 2025

This bill reallocates Higher Education Fund (HEF) appropriations between eligible recipient institutions and increases the annual constitutional allocation for the HEF from $393,750,000 to $590,625,000 each year beginning in fiscal 2026.

Author: Capriglione, et al.

Effective Date: Jan. 1, 2026

This bill requires disclosure of an artificial intelligence system to consumers; lists the prohibited uses of artificial intelligence; and lists the prohibitions on the capture of biometric identifiers, political viewpoint and other types of discrimination, and certain sexually explicit videos, images and child pornography.

The bill establishes the Texas Artificial Intelligence Council, which is administratively attached to the Department of Information Resources (DIR). DIR, in coordination with the Council, will administer the Artificial Intelligence Regulatory Sandbox Program, which is intended to provide legal protection and limited access to the market in this state for a person to test innovative artificial intelligence systems without obtaining a license, registration, or other regulatory authorization.

The bill requires DIR to coordinate with all relevant state regulatory agencies to oversee the operations of the sandbox participants, and authorizes the Council or a relevant agency to recommend that a participant’s sandbox privileges be revoked in certain instances. DIR is required to report annually on the status of the program and provide legislative recommendations.

Author: Capriglione, et al.

Effective Date: Sept. 1, 2025

This bill establishes the Texas Cyber Command (Command) as a state agency that is responsible for cybersecurity for this state, including functions currently performed by DIR. The Command is authorized to enter into an interagency agreement with another state agency to provide administrative support services and to provide a facility located in San Antonio that has a sensitive compartmented information facility. The Command is established to prevent and respond to cybersecurity incidents that affect government entities and critical infrastructure in this state, and among other responsibilities, is responsible for:

• Providing leadership, guidance, and tools to enhance cybersecurity defenses.
• Facilitating education and training of a cybersecurity workforce to monitor and coordinate cyber threat intelligence and information systems.
• Creating partnerships needed to carry out the Command’s functions.
  – and –
• Receiving all cybersecurity incident reports from state agencies and covered entities.

The bill requires each state agency, not including university systems or institutions of higher education, to complete an information security assessment and a penetration test every two years.

Author: Walle, et al.

Effective Date: June 20, 2025

This bill expands the number of state employees who are eligible to be paid twice a month to include an employee of an applicable state agency who holds a position that is classified in salary group A12 or higher under classification salary Schedule A in the GAA.

Author: Bonnen

Effective Date: June 22, 2025

This bill makes supplemental appropriation increases and reductions for various state agencies. See Processing Supplemental Appropriations and Reductions (FPP A.047).

Author: Bell, Keith, et al.

Effective Date: Sept. 1, 2025

This bill adopts certain across-the-board requirements in information technology for state agencies. Some of the major provisions of the bill include:

• Amending cybersecurity training requirements for state agencies to include elected and appointed officials.
• Requiring DIR once every two years to conduct a limited evaluation of the information resources deployment review of at least five state agencies to verify the accuracy of those reviews.
• Requiring DIR, in coordination with the Comptroller:
  • To develop and implement a certification course on the procurement of information resources technologies.
    – and –
  • To develop an electronic advertising system to post state assistance opportunities on the Electronic State Business Daily, authorizing institutions of higher education, university systems, and Health and Human Services agencies to post the advertisements.
• Requiring DIR to establish a pilot program to help in the procurement of information resources technologies on request by a participating state agency.

Author: Bell, Keith, et al.

Effective Date: June 20, 2025

This bill amends the general laws relating to the timing of the sunset review process for numerous state agencies and government entities.

Author: Plesa, et al.

Effective Date: Sept. 1, 2025

This bill allows certain members of ERS to purchase service credit for each month of any 90-day waiting period the member performed service in, regardless of whether the member made a retirement contribution during the 90-day waiting period.

Author: Capriglione, et al.

Effective Date: Sept. 1, 2025

This bill establishes an alternative pathway to state IT jobs through a state information technology apprenticeship credential program. The program helps bridge the skills gap by providing students with hands-on experience, industry-relevant training and a direct pathway to employment in state IT roles.

Author: Capriglione

Effective Date: Sept. 1, 2025

This bill requires DIR to establish an artificial intelligence (AI) division, authorizing DIR to hire, including through institutions of higher education, personnel necessary to administer the duties of the division. DIR must assist state agencies that use its services to implement generative AI technology for modernization projects and other projects appropriate for the use of generative AI technology as determined by the division. The bill authorizes DIR to contract with a vendor to use generative AI technology, requiring most of the work be completed by the vendor's generative AI technology.

Author: Capriglione, et al.

Effective Date: Sept. 1, 2025

This bill requires state employees to take AI literacy training in a manner similar to the current cybersecurity training requirement. The bill requires DIR to certify and periodically update the AI training and applicable employees to annually complete the training.

Author: Bell, Keith, et al.

Effective Date: Sept. 1, 2025

This bill requires the classification officer in the SAO to:

• Identify state agency positions for which the educational, experience, and training requirements could be reduced to increase the number of qualified applicants who could proficiently perform the positions.
• Reduce to the extent practicable the number of state agency positions requiring an employee to hold a bachelor’s degree as a condition of employment.
• Evaluate ways to expand career advancement opportunities for state agency employees who do not hold a bachelor’s degree.
  – and –
• Report this information to the governor's budget office and the LBB no later than October 1 before each regular session of the Legislature.

Author: Curry

Effective Date: June 20, 2025

This bill requires the Attorney General’s office to create and maintain a publicly accessible database on its website that includes the mailing address and electronic mail address designated for each state agency and institution receiving written public information requests.

Author: Capriglione

Effective Date: Sept. 1, 2025

This bill requires a state agency or institution that determines it has no information responsive to a public information request, or that is relying on a previous determination to withhold the requested information, to notify the requestor, in writing, within 10 days after the request is received. If the attorney general determines that a government entity fails to comply with these requirements, the government body's public information officer, or their designee, must complete open records training within six months.

Author: Vasut

Effective Date: Sept. 1, 2025

This bill grants the governing board members of state agencies and institutions a special right of access to public records. The bill establishes a process through which the attorney general determines if the information requested is confidential under the law. A ruling by the attorney general may be appealed to a Travis County district court. The bill allows a board member to seek a writ of mandamus from a district court to compel compliance if a government entity fails to comply with the requirements of the bill.

Author: Bonnen

Effective Date: June 20, 2025

This bill appropriates money from various accounts to pay outstanding claims and judgments against the state. Before any claim or judgment can be paid, it must be verified and substantiated by the administrator of the special fund or account and be approved by the attorney general and Comptroller’s office.

Author: Bonnen

Effective Date: June 20, 2025

This bill abolishes all funds, accounts and revenue dedications created by the 89th Legislature, Regular Session, unless specifically exempted under separate sections of this bill. Any funds, accounts or revenue dedications abolished under this bill shall be deposited to the credit of general revenue (GR).

If an agency has a contingency appropriation in the GAA from an abolished fund or account, the appropriation shall be established in GR. Otherwise, the revenue shall be deposited as unappropriated GR.

The bill exempts a number of funds and accounts from abolishment, including trust funds, bond funds, funds required by federal law and constitutional funds created by the 89th Legislature.

The bill extends the time period from Aug. 31, 2025, to Aug. 31, 2027, to allow the Legislature to direct the Comptroller to make reductions in dedicated accounts in amounts by which estimated revenues and unobligated balances exceed appropriations. The Comptroller’s office is providing additional guidance on this issue separately. See Funds Consolidation: Limits on New General Revenue Accounts, Special Funds and Dedications of Revenue (FPP A.046).

Author: Curry

Effective Date: Sept. 1, 2025

This bill authorizes a state agency or institution to award multiple contracts to different vendors for similar goods or services through a defined "multiple award" purchasing process to ensure better delivery, service or compatibility. The bill requires documentation of the justification, evaluation criteria and value-based ordering procedures, while allowing secondary solicitations to determine best value before placing orders.

Author: Leach, et al.

Effective Date: Sept. 1, 2025

This bill prohibits a contractor or subcontractor of a state agency or a vendor responding to a contract solicitation from directly or indirectly:

• Engaging in surveillance of a member of the state Legislature, a person employed to support the Legislature, a state agency employee, or an individual making a complaint or raising concerns regarding state agency operations or contracting.
• Engaging in an act of intimidation, coercion, extortion, undue influence, or other similar conduct intended to influence, silence, or retaliate against such persons.
  – or –
• Using private or confidential information to manipulate or influence a state contracting decision or proceeding.

The bill requires the SAO to oversee and enforce its provisions. SAO can collaborate with the Texas Ethics Commission to ensure compliance with the bill and transparency of oversight and enforcement actions. The Texas Rangers division of the Department of Public Safety is required to investigate any alleged criminal offense related to a violation of the bill.

Author: Capriglione

Effective Date: Sept. 1, 2025

This bill requires each state agency to assess its website and online service portals to identify areas for improvement in user accessibility, navigation and digital service efficiency. In performing the assessment, a state agency must consider:

• Simplifying user access to forms, applications and services.
• Reducing or eliminating paperwork requirements if electronic alternatives exist.
• Ensuring compliance with accessibility standards for individuals with disabilities.
• Using responsive web design to ensure its website is equally accessible using a desktop computer, laptop computer or mobile device.
• Adopting best practices for search functionality, page load speed and service integration.
  – and –
• Using DIR’s web page templates and web design guidelines to provide consistency with other state agency websites and improve the usability of its website.

Author: Capriglione, et al.

Effective Date: Sept. 1, 2025

This bill allows the administrative head of a state agency to enter into an agreement with an employee authorizing telework to address a lack of office space or provide reasonable flexibility that enhances the agency’s ability to achieve its mission. Such an agreement must:

• Be in writing.
• Include the reasons telework is being authorized.
• State the terms for revocation.
  – and –
• Be renewed at least once a year after the employee begins telework.

Author: Dean

Effective Date: June 20, 2025

This bill voids and deems unenforceable any contract language in a cybersecurity insurance contract or other contract for goods and services that prohibits or restricts a state agency’s or institution’s compliance with required security incident notifications.

Author: King, et al.

Effective Date: Sept. 1, 2025

This bill establishes a Regulatory Efficiency Division (Division) within the Governor’s office to support state agencies in their review of rules and in developing cost benefit analyses of these rules. The Division will:

• Identify opportunities to streamline rule adoption, regulatory review, and contested cases.
• Assist state agencies to identify unnecessary or ineffective rules.
• Coordinate with the Secretary of State, DIR and other state agencies to improve public access to information about state rules, forms and filings.
• Create an interactive website for public use.
• Coordinate with state agencies to reduce certain regulatory requirements.
  – and –
• Prepare and publish manuals, guides or other publications.

Author: Nichols

Effective Date: Sept. 1, 2025

This bill requires the attorney general to approve or deny contracts for outside legal services no later than 25 days after the contract is received from the requesting state agency. If the attorney general denies a contract for outside legal services, the bill requires the attorney general to provide a written explanation for the denial.

Author: Nichols

Effective Date: Sept. 1, 2025

This bill repeals the wheelbase and horsepower restrictions for the state's passenger vehicle fleet. Current law requires all state agencies and institutions to purchase passenger vehicles with a wheelbase no longer than 113 inches and no more than 160 net horsepower.

Author: Parker

Effective Date: Sept. 1, 2025

This bill requires DIR to establish an AI system code of ethics for state agency use and establish regulations and programs related to the use of AI systems by state agencies. Some of the major provisions of the bill:

• Require state agencies with fewer than 150 full-time equivalent positions to either designate a data management officer or jointly employ a data management officer with one or more state agencies. An agency data management officer is required to publish at least three high-value datasets on the Texas Open Data Portal annually.
• Require DIR to develop educational and training materials on AI systems, as well as host statewide forums and training sessions on best practices for state government employees.
• Establish an eight-member Public Sector Artificial Intelligence Systems Advisory Board to obtain and share information to assist state agencies that are involved with AI systems, as well as perform certain other duties.
• Require state agencies and their vendors involved with AI systems to provide public disclosure of their public-facing systems and conduct semiannual system assessments.