Police can now execute warrants for blood draws across county lines.
Key Takeaway:
Senate Bill 1886 allows peace officers to execute blood draw warrants across county lines in DWI and intoxication-related cases. The goal is to reduce delays and strengthen evidence collection.
Penalties for intoxication manslaughter have increased as of September 1, 2025.
Key Takeaway:
Under House Bill 2017, undocumented immigrants convicted of intoxication manslaughter in Texas now face a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison—a sharp increase from the previous 2-year minimum.
The penalties for DWIs in Texas school zones increased on September 1, 2025.
Key Takeaway:
Under Senate Bill 826, a DWI in a school crossing zone is now a state jail felony if it occurs during reduced-speed hours. Before, most first-time DWIs were misdemeanors. The law raises the stakes significantly when children’s safety is at risk.
New law requires Texas school buses to add seatbelts by 2029.
Key Takeaway:
Yes. Under Senate Bill 546, every Texas school bus must be equipped with a three-point seat belt for every passenger and the driver by September 1, 2029. The law phases in gradually, giving school districts time to plan and report their progress.
Traffic violations can still be dismissed by approved driving safety or motorcycle operator courses.
Key Takeaway:
Yes. Senate Bill 296 keeps ticket dismissals through approved driving safety or motorcycle operator courses, but updates how the process works. Drivers can now submit requests electronically in many courts, and the law clarifies when one course can cover multiple tickets.
Rental car companies in Texas must abide by a new rule as of September 1, 2025.
Key Takeaway:
Yes. Under Senate Bill 72, rental car companies in Texas must refund the unused portion of a damage waiver if you bring the car back before your contract ends.
A significant number of car accidents happen in rainy weather.
Key Takeaway:
Yes — you may still file a claim if bad weather was a factor, but only if the other driver failed to adjust their driving to the conditions and acted negligently.
Parents may have legal options if negligence caused their child’s sports injury.
As students head back to class, athletes are also returning to fields, courts, and gyms. Sports naturally come with risk — bumps, bruises, and the occasional sprain are all part of the game. But when injuries go beyond what’s expected, parents often ask: when is it just part of the sport, and when does negligence make schools or coaches legally responsible?
School zone accidents can be complicated.
Key Takeaway:
You can seek compensation for injuries in a Texas school zone accident—even if a public school bus or employee was involved—because certain cases waive government immunity under the Texas Tort Claims Act.
Sudden heavy rain can contribute to car accidents in September.
Driving in bad weather always carries risks, but in Texas, the danger is especially high during storm season. According to the Texas Department of Insurance, about 85% of weather-related crashes in the state are due to heavy rain.
Texas Injury Lawyers Blog