The 89th Texas Legislature adjourned earlier this month after enacting hundreds of new laws.
While measures on hemp and education grabbed headlines, others — from deer to sex dolls — may have flown under the radar.
Here are a handful you may have missed:
Ban on Child-Like Sex Dolls, HB 1443
A new law makes it a criminal offense to possess or promote anatomically correct sex dolls that resemble children. Possession of such a doll is now classified as a state jail felony, while possessing one with the intent to promote it is a third-degree felony. Actively promoting the sale or distribution of these dolls constitutes a second-degree felony.
The law also includes a presumption of intent to distribute for anyone found with two or more dolls. Lawmakers say the statute aims to prevent the spread of materials that simulate or normalize child exploitation.
Deep Fake Sexual Imagery Ban, SB 441
The new Texas law aims to crack down on the nonconsensual creation and distribution of sexually explicit “deep fake” content and artificial intimate imagery. Under the legislation, it is now a criminal offense to knowingly produce or share deep fake media that appears to depict a real person in sexual acts or with computer-generated intimate body parts—unless that person has given clear, written consent. The law also criminalizes threats to share such content as a means of coercion or harassment, with penalties ranging from misdemeanors to third-degree felonies depending on factors like prior offenses or if the person depicted is under 18. Victims can also sue for damages if this content is produced or shared without their consent and causes harm. Website owners, social media platforms and developers of AI applications can also be held liable if they recklessly facilitate or fail to promptly remove such material. Victims are granted the right to file lawsuits anonymously and have up to 10 years after discovery — or their 18th birthday — to pursue legal action. The act takes effect Sept. 1, 2025.
Financial Literacy for High Schoolers, HB 27
Beginning with the 2026–2027 school year, Texas high school students will be required to complete a standalone, half-credit course in personal financial literacy. This course will be separate from the traditional economics curriculum. Students may fulfill the requirement by taking an Advanced Placement course, if approved by the State Board of Education. The law also directs the state to provide free, publicly available curriculum resources to school districts, with the goal of equipping young Texans with the knowledge to manage money, debt, and savings in adulthood.
App Store Labeling Standards Act, HB 2812
This new law, effective January 1, 2026, sets transparency standards for how app stores and software developers label applications, with a particular focus on age ratings and user consent. Under the legislation, app stores are required to apply labeling standards consistently and in good faith. Software developers are protected from liability if they rely in good faith on the app store’s data and comply with the rules. Violations of these standards are considered deceptive trade practices under Texas law. The law also allows for cumulative remedies, meaning it can be enforced alongside other consumer protection statutes.
Known as the App Store Accountability Act, the legislation mandates that operators of mobile app marketplaces, like Apple and Google, implement measures that limit app downloads for minors unless parental consent is obtained. Tech companies must use industry-standard methods to verify users’ ages, aiming to protect children from harmful online content. Additionally, users will be prohibited from making in-app purchases without parental approval, according to reporting from the Austin American-Statesman.
Supporters praise the bill for its effort to reduce online harms and hold tech platforms accountable, especially regarding apps popular among minors such as Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, and Discord. They cite growing concerns about online bullying, exposure to explicit material, and exploitative advertising as driving factors behind the law.
Abolishing the Texas Lottery Commission, HB 3070
This law dissolves the Texas Lottery Commission and transfers all responsibilities to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. The transition must be completed by Sept. 1, according to reporting from USA TODAY.
The new law not only dissolves the Lottery Commission but also bans the sale of lottery tickets online or through third-party courier apps, effective immediately. That means while Texans can still purchase lottery tickets, they must do so in person at licensed retailers. Gas stations and convenience stores remain eligible vendors, but online access and app-based sales are no longer allowed.
A spokesperson for the former Texas Lottery Commission told USA TODAY the agency “is prepared to fully support the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) to ensure a smooth, seamless and successful transition.”
The law also outlines changes to structural oversight. The TDLR will now be responsible for regulating both the state lottery and charitable bingo. To ensure accountability, the law requires annual audits, allows for law enforcement investigations, and limits the agency’s rulemaking authority. It also establishes new criminal offenses for violations tied to lottery and bingo operations under the new regulatory structure.
Additionally, the Sunset Advisory Commission is required to conduct a limited-scope review of the lottery before August 31, 2029. The review will assess whether the lottery should continue and whether the TDLR has the necessary tools, procedures, and safeguards in place to maintain its integrity. If the legislature does not reauthorize the program, the state lottery will be abolished on September 1, 2029.
White-tailed Deer Populations, HB 2842
Previously, only private landowners could seek permission to lethally control protected wildlife, such as white-tailed deer, if the animals were causing agricultural damage or posing a safety threat. Under this new law, that authority is expanded to include local governments such as cities and counties, state and federal agencies, colleges and universities, and homeowners’ associations. The change is intended to help address overpopulation and property damage in both urban and rural settings.
Short-Barrel Firearms Prohibition Repeal, SB 1596
This legislation removes short-barrel firearms from the list of prohibited weapons under Section 46.05 of the Texas Penal Code. As a result, beginning September 1, 2025, Texans can no longer be prosecuted for possessing, manufacturing, transporting, repairing, or selling short-barrel firearms under that statute. Other weapons, including explosive devices, machine guns, and armor-piercing ammunition, remain restricted. The law also repeals the state’s definition of a short-barrel firearm and maintains affirmative defenses for handling certain weapons as antiques or curios.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: 7 new Texas laws you may have missed from the 2025 legislative session
Reporting by Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman / Austin American-Statesman
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
