Recent Texas regulations affecting small businesses

Texas Employees Retirement System increases dependent care flexible spending account contribution limits above the previous $5,000 cap to align with federal law, offering tax savings for eligible state employees.

Texas Water Development Board updates water conservation plan requirements for large municipally owned utilities serving over 150,000 connections to include water loss mitigation plans and annual progress reporting under House Bill 29.

Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner sets weekly consumer and commercial credit rate ceilings at 18.00% for April 13-19, 2026, and TCEQ opens public comment on 13 environmental enforcement orders with penalties from $1,942 to $68,725; commen…

Texas Education Agency reviews its rule on local school revenue authority limitations while Public Utility Commission re-adopts procedural rules with one repeal, one new rule, and 53 amendments following required four-year review.

Texas Water Development Board requires large municipally owned utilities serving over 150,000 customers to conduct water loss audits with mitigation plans incorporated into conservation plans, with validation deadline extended to 180 days under Hous…

Texas Water Development Board repeals water loss audit requirements for municipally owned utilities with over 150,000 service connections under House Bill 29, effective upon filing.

Texas Water Development Board groundwater management plans must include goals, objectives, performance standards aligned with desired future conditions, and estimates of availability and usage, with readoption required every five years and amendment…

Texas Water Development Board allows groundwater management districts to request state-mediated dispute resolution over desired future conditions and to maintain existing conditions during pending petitions with proper documentation.

Texas Water Development Board requires groundwater management districts to submit desired future conditions packages within 60 days of adoption, including modeling data and reports establishing 50-year groundwater use goals.

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality emissions inspection and maintenance program for Travis and Williamson Counties sets maximum fees of $11.50 per test with one free retest, with reduced fees ($4.50 or $2.50) for counties participating in low…

Texas Department of Transportation repeals contract and grant management rule 43 TAC §9.4 to streamline regulatory requirements; effective April 14, 2026.

Texas Department of Transportation updates contract and grant management procedures in sections 9.2, 9.4, 9.6, and 9.8; rules take effect April 14, 2026.

Credit Union Commission clarifies reporting, examination, and enforcement rules for insured credit unions under 7 TAC §§95.105, 95.108, and 95.110 as part of quadrennial review with no anticipated fiscal impact or regulatory expansion.

Texas state agencies including the Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending are reviewing existing rules for necessity and currency, with a 30-day public comment period on whether rules should continue, be amended, or be repealed.

Credit Union Commission proposes amendments requiring disclosure of merger inducements and financial arrangements to members before voting and prohibiting certain inducements to ensure unbiased member decisions.