What's changing for Texas ESDs

We track bills at the Texas Legislature that affect Emergency Services Districts and explain them in plain English: what each bill does, where it stands, and who it affects.

Next session

90th Texas Legislature

The regular session convenes in January 2027. Bills can be pre-filed now; we'll add ESD-related bills here as they're filed.

Nov 2026Pre-filing

Jan 2027Session opens

Mar 2027Filing deadline

Jun 2027Sine die & vetoes

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Email alerts start with the 2027 session. Until then, check back here or claim your ESD to hear from us.

Bill tracker

Recent bills affecting ESDs

89th Legislature, regular session (2025)

Bill	What it does	Topic	Status
HB 3687Effective September 1, 2025	ESD fire marshals in counties of 100,000 or more people must earn Texas Commission on Fire Protection certifications within 12–24 months of appointment, and a peace-officer license if acting as officers. Affects ESDs in counties of 100k+.	Fire marshals	Signed into law
SB 1173Effective September 1, 2025	Raises the competitive-bidding threshold for ESD purchases from $50,000 to $100,000 (the same change applies to cities and school districts). Affects All ESDs.	Purchasing	Became law without signature
SB 2778Effective September 1, 2025	Raises the amount a bonded ESD employee can pay out without board approval from $2,000 to $50,000. Affects All ESDs.	Governance	Became law without signature
SB 2965Effective September 1, 2025	When a city annexes land inside an ESD, the land can leave the district only if the ESD board finds the city's planned emergency services will meet or exceed the ESD's. If the board says no, the land stays in the ESD; the city can request arbitration. Affects All ESDs.	Annexation	Signed into law

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Status from Texas Legislature Online (official). Summaries written by ESD Texas from the enrolled bill text; not legal advice.

89th Legislature, regular session (2025)

Bill	What it does	Topic	Status
HB 3687Effective September 1, 2025	ESD fire marshals in counties of 100,000 or more people must earn Texas Commission on Fire Protection certifications within 12–24 months of appointment, and a peace-officer license if acting as officers. Affects ESDs in counties of 100k+.	Fire marshals	Signed into law
SB 1173Effective September 1, 2025	Raises the competitive-bidding threshold for ESD purchases from $50,000 to $100,000 (the same change applies to cities and school districts). Affects All ESDs.	Purchasing	Became law without signature
SB 2778Effective September 1, 2025	Raises the amount a bonded ESD employee can pay out without board approval from $2,000 to $50,000. Affects All ESDs.	Governance	Became law without signature
SB 2965Effective September 1, 2025	When a city annexes land inside an ESD, the land can leave the district only if the ESD board finds the city's planned emergency services will meet or exceed the ESD's. If the board says no, the land stays in the ESD; the city can request arbitration. Affects All ESDs.	Annexation	Signed into law