As 2025 draws to a close, 2026 brings major political and legal changes. With President Trump back in office, federal policies shifted quickly, including expanded immigration enforcement and ICE deportations. In Texas, lawmakers passed new laws that increase cooperation between local law enforcement and ICE, along with other changes affecting taxes, housing, education, and technology. Here are the Texas laws set to take effect in 2026.
New Texas Laws in Effect Starting Today
Here is a breakdown of the significant new laws coming into effect today.
ICE Enforcement
- Senate Bill 8: Requires county sheriffs in Texas to formally cooperate with ICE’s 287(g) program, allowing local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration law and verify the immigration status of inmates. Grants are available to support costs.
- This will empower ICE even more, which is sure to be a controversial change.
Housing & Evictions
- Senate Bill 38: Speeds up eviction proceedings, particularly for unlawful occupants/squatters. It requires justice courts to schedule hearings within set timelines. It restricts their ability to consider certain defenses, which supporters say protects property rights, but opponents say may reduce tenant protections.
- Landlords rejoice, squatters should be much less of a nuisance moving forward.
Artificial Intelligence Regulation
- House Bill 149 (Texas Responsible Artificial Intelligence Governance Act): Creates a statewide framework for regulating AI — defining covered systems, banning harmful uses (e.g., discrimination, explicit content, biometric ID without consent), and setting up a Texas Artificial Intelligence Council for oversight and ethics, as well as enforcement mechanisms.
- AI is on the rise, and with its ability to violate privacy and cause issues due to image manipulation, these new laws aim to bring it under control.
Business & Tax Changes
- House Bill 9: Significantly increases the business personal property tax exemption (from $2,500 to up to $125,000), lowering tax burdens for many businesses (approved by voters).
- House Bill 22: Exempts certain intangible business assets (like trademarks & cryptocurrency) from state taxation.
- Senate Bill 2206: Overhauls research & development tax exemptions — repeals the old sales and use tax exemption and replaces it with an expanded franchise tax credit for qualified research expenses.
App Regulation (Age Verification)
- Senate Bill 2420 (App Store Accountability Act): Requires app marketplaces and developers to verify user age and get parental consent for minors before app downloads or purchases. (Note: this law is currently blocked by court order and may not take effect as of Jan 1, 2026 due to litigation.)
More laws will go into effect throughout 2026, but some are already taking effect today and will undoubtedly impact every Texas citizen, regardless of political affiliation.
