Texas Small Business Advocacy
The recent Texas Legislative Session has ended, marking significant advancements for small businesses. New laws include an increase in property tax exemption, a Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office, and expanded occupational licensing. These changes are set to relieve financial burdens and foster a more supportive environment for small business growth. While some critical issues remain unaddressed, the legislative victories demonstrate strong advocacy and engagement within the small business community. Texas continues to solidify its reputation as a favorable place for entrepreneurship.
Hey there, Texas! If you’ve got your ear to the ground and a heart for small businesses, you’ll want to know that the recent 2025 Legislative Session has officially wrapped up. After a busy 140 days of hard work and decision-making, plenty of exciting changes are on the horizon for small business owners across the state.
When the dust settled on June 2, 2025, it was clear that the session had been a significant win for small businesses. Throughout this session, over 200 pieces of legislation were tracked, with an eye on ensuring that the needs of small business owners didn’t get lost in the shuffle. Thankfully, a lot of the “bad bills” were tossed aside, and many of the priorities championed by small business advocates emerged victorious.
A real highlight was the passing of HB 9, a piece of legislation aimed at increasing the business personal property tax exemption from a mere $2,500 to a whopping $125,000. This is groundbreaking news, especially for small businesses, as it provides much-needed relief from a tax burden that can often stifle growth. This new exemption also extends to a range of items used in business, including inventory, furniture, machinery, and supplies—so it’s not just the big players that get to benefit!
This tax relief proposal will appear on the November ballot, and it’s expected that if passed, it could generate a hefty $500 million in annual tax savings. That’s a lot of extra cash to reinvest into your businesses!
The sense of community and support for small businesses was palpable at the recent Small Business Day, hosted by small business advocates, where more than 100 small business owners and sponsors mingled and shared their thoughts. One key message that echoed through the day was the crucial role of engagement between small business owners and the legislative process. It seems lawmakers are listening and taking action based on the feedback from the ground level.
Some other notable legislation that found its way to approval included SB 14, which will create the new Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office. This office aims to reduce administrative burdens many small businesses face, while HB 5195 works toward modernizing state agency systems and improving online service access—yes, please!
Occupational licensing was also given a significant boost with the passage of HB 11, which will expand licensing reciprocity for workers coming from other states. This change is great news for businesses looking to tap into skill sets that might not be readily available in Texas.
On the health insurance front, there’s finally some clarity with the passing of HB 138, which seeks to establish more transparency in predicting the cost impacts of legislative measures on private health coverage. This is something many small business owners have been waiting for!
Protection against cybersecurity threats is also being taken seriously, as SB 2610 establishes a Cybersecurity Safe Harbor. This legislation shields small businesses from certain legal damages in data breach lawsuits if they are proactive by implementing a solid cybersecurity program.
Despite all the victories, it’s important to remember that not everything went according to plan. Some critical measures, such as those addressing credit card swipe fees and lawsuit abuses, didn’t make it through this session. However, there’s always next time. The hard work doesn’t stop here, and small businesses can look forward to renewed advocacy for such issues in the next legislative session.
As this session comes to a close, it’s essential to recognize the collective effort that made these triumphs possible. A big thank you goes out to all small business owners who took the time to reach out to legislators and engage in the process. Your voices matter, and it’s encouraging to see that your concerns were met with action.
With tax relief, reduced regulatory burdens, and a stronger voice for small businesses all secured under the new legislation, Texas continues to prove that it’s a great place to start and grow a business. Keep your spirits high and stay engaged; great things are coming your way!
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