FORT WORTH, Texas — A new year means new laws for Texans, and several will go into effect starting Jan. 1, 2025.

Some of these laws will affect drivers and internet users, while others will affect court operations and school funding.

Changes to the laws were passed during the 88th Texas Legislature and were signed by Gov. Greg Abbott.

Here’s an outline of those new state laws and how they will affect Texans in 2025.

Vehicle safety inspections

Safety inspections will no longer be required for Texans to register a vehicle, with the exception of commercial ones, according to The Texas Department of Public Safety.

All non-commercial vehicles will, however, be required to pay a $7.50 inspection program replacement charge when registering with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.

Cars that have not been registered in Texas or another state will have to pay a $16.75 initial inspection program replacement charge to cover two years.

A safety examination is still necessary for commercial vehicles. There won’t be any replacement costs for such cars.

The cost of registration will not change, and a non-commercial vehicle must still undergo an emissions test if it is registered in a county where it is mandated.

The following counties require emissions tests: Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Denton, El Paso, Ellis, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis and Williamson. Emissions tests will be required in Bexar County starting in 2026.

Choice in data sharing

Texans will be able to decide if a company is allowed to collect and process their personal data in 2025, under the updated Texas Data Privacy and Security Act.

House Bill 4 already let Texans authorize someone else or technology to opt out of having a company process their personal information. This new safeguard starting on Jan. 1 enables Texans to use browser settings, extensions and device functionalities to opt out of data sales, targeted advertising and profiling based on personal data.

Opting out must be the user’s choice rather than a default setting, according to the law, and that must be made clear by companies.

Texas judicial district courts

Three new courts will be established in Texas counties, as outlined in House Bill 3474.

Denton County will be home to the 477th judicial district court, and cases in Edwards, Gillespie and Kimball counties will be heard by the new 499th judicial court.

Kendall County will be home to the 498th judicial district court.

School funding

Under Senate Bill 2, more money will be available to school districts if they run out of their budgets after regular state funding and local taxes are calculated in 2025.

Districts will be able to apply for extra funds in an effort to make up for the loss of tax revenues due to limitations on tax increases for elderly and disabled homeowners.

The Texas Education Agency must also publish the highest compressed rate for every school district starting in January.

Clarity on texas law

The Texas Code of Criminal Procedure will undergo revisions that will provide clarity for the public and legal experts.

The modifications will make legal statutes easier to understand without affecting their structure or readability.

These changes aim to bring the state’s legal system up to date.

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