New Texas laws now in effect

• Bingo fees: HB 914 changes the prize fees for bingo.
• Sexual harassment at colleges and universities: Senate Bill 212 amends the Texas Education Code to require an employee of a public or private, or independent higher education who witnesses or receives information regarding incidents of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence or stalking.
• Surprise medical bills: SB 1264 protects consumers who have state-regulated health plans from surprise medical bills in certain situations.
• Natural disasters and taxes: House Bill 492 required voters to approve a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislatures to provide a temporary exemption from ad valorem taxation of a portion of the appraised value of certain property damaged by a disaster.
• Small business data breaches: HB 4390 relates to the privacy of personal identifying information and the creation of the Texas Privacy Protection Advisory Council.
• Complaints about nonprofit health groups: HB 1532 relates to certain organization certified by the Texas Medical Board which will accept and process complaints against a health organization for alleged violations.
• Flood funds: SB 7 moves $1.7 billion from the states rainy day fund to the Texas Water Code, which established two new accounts: The Flood Infrastructure Fund and the Texas Infrastructure Resiliency Fund