At a Glance
- 33 new laws take effect Jan 1, 2026, reshaping immigration, AI, school tests, property tax, and eviction rules.
- Senate Bill 8 forces counties to partner with ICE under 287(g) and offers $80,000-$140,000 grants.
- House Bill 149 establishes a comprehensive AI regulatory framework, effective Jan 1, 2026.
- Why it matters: These changes redefine law enforcement, tech industry, and daily life for Texans.
Texas lawmakers have just passed a package of 33 new statutes that will go into effect on January 1, 2026. The laws touch everything from immigration enforcement and AI governance to school testing and property tax relief, signaling a sweeping shift in state policy.
Immigration and Property Tax
Senate Bill 8 requires most Texas counties that run a jail to work formally with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement under the 287(g) program. The bill also provides state grants ranging from $80,000 to $140,000 based on county population to support compliance. Critics argue the measure could lead to racial profiling and erode community trust.
- Counties must enter a formal partnership with ICE.
- Grants of $80,000-$140,000 support compliance.
- Concerns about racial profiling and community trust.
Tech and AI Regulation
Senate Bill 2420, the App Store Accountability Act, was halted by a federal judge on December 23 after the court found it likely violates First Amendment rights. House Bill 149, the Texas Responsible Artificial Intelligence Governance Act, will go into force on January 1, 2026. It defines AI systems broadly, empowers the Attorney General with civil penalties, bans biometric identification without consent, and creates an AI regulatory sandbox and council.
- App Store law blocked for First Amendment concerns.
- AI act broadens definition of AI systems.
- Civil penalties, biometric bans, and regulatory sandbox.
Education and Housing
House Bill 8 replaces the STAAR standardized test with three shorter assessments to reduce pressure on students and teachers. House Bill 9, approved by voters, raises the property tax exemption threshold for business inventory and equipment from $2,500 to $125,000, potentially cutting local revenues by $442 million in FY 2027 unless tax rates are adjusted. Senate Bill 38 speeds eviction proceedings for unauthorized occupants, standardizing notice delivery and cutting trial timelines to 10-21 days.
| Metric | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Business inventory exemption | $2,500 | $125,000 |
| Estimated revenue loss FY 2027 | – | $442 million |
- New school assessment schedule.
- Significant property tax exemption increase.
- Faster eviction timelines for squatters.
Key Takeaways
- Immigration enforcement shifts to county-ICE partnerships with state grants.
- AI regulation introduces penalties, biometric bans, and a sandbox.
- Property tax relief may reduce local revenue by $442 million.
These new statutes are set to reshape the intersection of law, technology, and everyday life, and residents will feel the impact across multiple fronts in the coming year.
