A new bill authored by State Rep. Tepper in the Texas House seeks to establish penalties for those who knowingly allow illegal drug use on their premises, according to the Texas Legislature website.
The bill on City Government, County Government, Elections, and Taxation category, introduced as HB 288 during the 89(1) legislative session on Thursday, Aug. 7, was formally listed with the short title: ’Relating to the authority of a property owner to obtain an injunction restraining the collection of ad valorem taxes by a taxing unit if the taxing unit adopts a tax rate that exceeds the voter-approval tax rate and subsequently takes an action that constitutes a material deviation from the stated purpose of the tax increase’.
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill establishes a second-degree felony offense for individuals who own, rent, lease, manage, or control premises where the unlawful consumption of controlled substances is knowingly permitted. It specifically targets those who operate such premises for drug use, profit from a property where drug use is allowed, or make a space available for others to consume illegal substances. The bill allows for prosecution under this law or other applicable laws if conduct violates multiple statutes. This legislation is set to take effect Sept. 1, 2025.
Carl Tepper, the chair of the House Committee on S/C on State-Federal Relations, proposed another six bills during the 89(1) legislative session. He is also a member of the House Committee on Appropriations, a member of the House Committee on Appropriations – S/C on Article III, a member of the House Committee on Calendars, a member of the House Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs, a member of the House Committee on S/C on County & Regional Government, and a member of the House Committee on Redistricting.
Bills in Texas go through a multi-step legislative process, including committee review, debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching a final decision. Each session, there are typically thousands of bills introduced, but only a portion successfully navigate the process to become law.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
| Legislative Session | Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 89(1) | HB 231 | 07/30/2025 | Relating to restrictions on the use of certain ad valorem tax revenue for the payment of public securities |
| 89(1) | HB 162 | 07/21/2025 | Relating to the review and approval of certain proposed municipal initiatives and referenda |
| 89(1) | HB 117 | 07/17/2025 | Relating to a limit on political subdivision expenditures |
| 89(1) | HB 105 | 07/17/2025 | Relating to the issuance of certificates of obligation by certain local governments |
| 89(1) | HB 35 | 07/14/2025 | Relating to a requirement that the ballot for an election to amend the state constitution include an estimate of the fiscal impact to the state of the proposed amendment |
| 89(1) | HB 31 | 07/14/2025 | Relating to the eligibility of a person who is not a United States citizen to be appointed to or serve in a public office or on an advisory board or task force |
| 89(R) | HB 5094 | 03/13/2025 | Relating to renaming the Mexican free-tailed bat as the Texas free-tailed bat |
| 89(R) | HB 5092 | 03/13/2025 | Relating to the operation and dissolution of the Lubbock Reese Redevelopment Authority and to agreements between Texas Tech University and the authority |
| 89(R) | HB 4731 | 03/13/2025 | Relating to the designation of a portion of State Highway Loop 88 in Lubbock County as the First Responders Memorial Loop |
| 89(R) | HB 4525 | 03/12/2025 | Relating to payroll deductions for certain state and local government employee organizations |
| 89(R) | HB 126 | 03/10/2025 | Relating to the compensation and professional representation of prospective student athletes and student athletes participating in intercollegiate athletic programs at certain institutions of higher education |
| 89(R) | HB 3777 | 03/05/2025 | Relating to requirements for the owner of a dog taken into custody by an animal control authority; authorizing a civil penalty |
| 89(R) | HB 3679 | 03/04/2025 | Relating to the operation of certain vehicles during disasters |
| 89(R) | HB 3677 | 03/04/2025 | Relating to the issuance of an occupational license to certain out-of-state applicants |
| 89(R) | HB 3627 | 03/03/2025 | Relating to allowing the chair of the State Board of Education to employ personnel to assist in performing the board’s duties |
| 89(R) | HB 3349 | 02/25/2025 | Relating to the events trust fund and to abolishing the Pan American Games trust fund, Olympic Games trust fund, and motor sports racing trust fund |
| 89(R) | HB 3259 | 02/25/2025 | Relating to the ability of certain municipalities and counties to elect not to participate in certain event reimbursement programs and to the allocation of a portion of the state hotel occupancy tax revenue collected in those municipalities and counties |
| 89(R) | HB 3221 | 02/24/2025 | Relating to certain employer contributions to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas |
| 89(R) | HB 3220 | 02/24/2025 | Relating to the compensation and professional representation of prospective student athletes and student athletes participating in intercollegiate athletic programs at certain institutions of higher education |
| 89(R) | HB 3112 | 02/20/2025 | Relating to the application of the open meetings law and public information law to government information related to certain cybersecurity measures |
| 89(R) | HB 3089 | 02/20/2025 | Relating to the exclusion of real property repair and remodeling services from sales and use taxes |
| 89(R) | HB 2992 | 02/18/2025 | Relating to the name and function of the rural veterinarian incentive program |
| 89(R) | HB 2926 | 02/18/2025 | Relating to the text of ballot propositions on the issuance of debt obligations |
| 89(R) | HB 2923 | 02/18/2025 | Relating to the jurisdiction of the Public Utility Commission of Texas over certain rates for water or sewer service charged by a municipality |
| 89(R) | HB 2857 | 02/14/2025 | Relating to purchase or other acquisition of personal property by a political subdivision |
| 89(R) | HB 2546 | 02/06/2025 | Relating to vehicles eligible for replacement under the clean school bus program |
| 89(R) | HB 2513 | 02/05/2025 | Relating to a paid leave of absence for public employees serving as fire protection personnel who are engaged in certain military service |
| 89(R) | HB 2408 | 02/04/2025 | Relating to the authority of certain municipalities to pledge certain tax revenue for the payment of obligations related to, and receive certain tax revenue derived from, a hotel and convention center project |
| 89(R) | HB 2313 | 01/31/2025 | Relating to the authority of certain municipalities to use certain tax revenue for certain qualified projects |
| 89(R) | HB 2149 | 01/28/2025 | Relating to nonconforming land uses after the adoption of or change to a zoning regulation or boundary |
| 89(R) | HB 2025 | 01/22/2025 | Relating to the filing for record of a plat, replat, or amended plat or replat of a subdivision of real property or a condominium |
| 89(R) | HB 1876 | 01/15/2025 | Relating to the establishment of a career and technical education reporting grant program by the Texas Education Agency |
| 89(R) | HB 1804 | 01/09/2025 | Relating to monitoring and enforcement by the Texas Ethics Commission of the requirement that certain reports filed with a political subdivision are available on the Internet; providing an administrative penalty |
| 89(R) | HB 1794 | 01/08/2025 | Relating to the carrying of concealed handguns by handgun license holders on the premises of certain polling places on the day of an election or while early voting is in progress |
| 89(R) | HB 1793 | 01/08/2025 | Relating to eligibility requirements to receive a grant from the Texas Enterprise Fund |
| 89(R) | HB 1740 | 01/06/2025 | Relating to requiring a search warrant for certain fire, health, or code inspections |
| 89(R) | HB 1739 | 01/06/2025 | Relating to the notice given by a property owner prohibiting certain persons from carrying certain firearms on the property |
| 89(R) | HB 1723 | 01/02/2025 | Relating to the eligibility of certain persons for relocation assistance from the state or a political subdivision |
| 89(R) | HB 1722 | 01/02/2025 | Relating to an owner’s or lessee’s access to property through a Texas Department of Transportation highway right-of-way |
| 89(R) | HB 1457 | 11/22/2024 | Relating to the inclusion of a course on modern conflicts in the curriculum requirements for public high school students |
| 89(R) | HB 1454 | 11/22/2024 | Relating to waivers and reductions of tuition and fees by institutions of higher education |
| 89(R) | HB 1453 | 11/22/2024 | Relating to the issuance of anticipation notes and certificates of obligation by certain local governments |
| 89(R) | HB 1366 | 11/15/2024 | Relating to limiting the duration of employment of certain state employees |
| 89(R) | HB 1308 | 11/13/2024 | Relating to employment practices of governmental entities, state contractors, and private employers in this state regarding the legal status of employees, including requiring participation in the federal electronic verification of employment authorization program, or E-verify program, and authorizing the suspension of certain licenses held by private employers for certain conduct in relation to the employment of persons not lawfully present |
| 89(R) | HB 658 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to the carrying of weapons by community supervision and corrections department officers, juvenile probation officers, and certain retired law enforcement officers and to criminal liability for taking a weapon from certain of those officers |
| 89(R) | HB 638 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to a requirement that certain water districts make audio and video recordings of open meetings available on the Internet |
| 89(R) | HB 603 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to the operation of school buses at certain railroad grade crossings |
| 89(R) | HB 582 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to proper etiquette during the recitation of the pledge of allegiance to the state flag |
| 89(R) | HB 565 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to a requirement that the ballot for an election to amend the state constitution include an estimate of the fiscal impact to the state of the proposed amendment |
| 89(R) | HB 548 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to increasing the criminal penalty for the offense of burglary of a vehicle and to grants of community supervision to persons who commit that offense |
