Watch Out! 5 Major Laws Changing in Texas Next Year

A new year always brings new laws in Texas, and obviously that won't be any different in 2025.

In fact, there's one new law that everyone seems to be looking forward to taking effect, and I'm right there with you on it.

So what are the new laws? I know, you're anxious to find out. I won't sit here and waste your time, let's just jump right into all the new things you need to be aware of.

NO MORE VEHICLE INSPECTIONS

That's right! Let's lead off with the one everyone is excited about. No longer do we have to take our cars in for inspections to get our tags renewed. Now, this is a good and bad thing if I'm being honest.

I'm stoked we don't have to take the time to go in and do this, however, it could lead to some unsafe cars on the road. I know the things they check aren't major mechanical things, but headlights that don't work, windshield wipers past their expiration date, etc. make things a bit more dangerous on the road. Oh yeah, so do tires that aren't in good shape. Just be sure to stay on top of that stuff.

EMISSIONS TESTING IN CERTAIN COUNTIES

Even though the inspections aren't needed, there are still quite a few counties in Texas that will still require you to do an emissions test, so if you live in one of those counties, you aren't completely off the hook if you own a non-commercial vehicle. Not sure what that is? A non-commercial vehicle is basically your everyday car.

Harris, Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, and Montgomery counties in the Houston area will still need to get emissions done. In the Dallas-Fort Worth area, it's Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, and Tarrant counties that are still under the "needs emission testing" category.

In Central Texas, the Austin counties of Travis and Williamson counties will need to continue to get them done. Now, things are a little trickier in the San Antonio area. Everyone is clear in 2025 there, but starting in 2026, drivers in Bexar County will have to begin getting emissions testing done.

DATA PRIVACY AND SECURITY ACT

So this one has been in effect since June, but the top of the year brings a new piece of this law into effect, and it's going to make a lot of people pretty happy.

In layman's terms, it says we can opt out of targeted ads and businesses must honor that and not find ways around it. The best part? We'll be able to do this as a blanket move and not each individual business. We should see a new setting for this soon.

PROPERTY TAX RELIEF

So this one is a bit boring and not overly exciting, but some will find the joy in it.

It's all about adjusting the property tax system in Texas. This will streamline appraisal limitations, among other things. It will help further reduce tax burdens and ensure more predictable property tax rates.

REVISION TO THE TEXAS CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

This law is simply to help modernize and simplify Texas statutes. Most states have confusing statutes, and many are out of date, so Texas has decided to take a step toward making this a bit better.

Essentially, the revisions being made are in place to help streamline things like the code's structure, conform amendments for easier readability for the public and lawyers, and ensure consistency.