As Texas enters 2026, several significant new laws have taken effect that residents should be aware of. Senate Bill 8 requires most counties with jails to collaborate with federal immigration enforcement under the 287(g) program, a move supporters say enhances public safety but critics warn may lead to racial profiling. Senate Bill 38 accelerates eviction processes for unauthorized occupants, while House Bill 8 replaces the STAAR standardized test with shorter assessments throughout the school year to reduce pressure on students and teachers. Additionally, House Bill 9 raises the property tax exemption for business inventory, providing relief to small businesses but potentially reducing local revenues.

Other notable legislation includes Senate Bill 2420, the App Store Accountability Act, which was temporarily blocked by a federal judge due to constitutional concerns over age verification requirements for app downloads. House Bill 149 introduces comprehensive AI regulations, prohibiting discriminatory or harmful uses of AI and establishing a regulatory council and sandbox for ethical governance. These laws reflect Texas’s evolving legal landscape aimed at addressing public safety, education, business relief, and emerging technology challenges.