A new bill authored by State Rep. Lopez in the Texas House seeks to restrict social media access for minors and impose verification requirements on companies to protect children’s online privacy, according to the Texas Legislature website.
The bill on Environment, State Finances, and Water category, introduced as HB 186 during the 89(1) legislative session on Wednesday, July 23, was formally listed with the short title: ’Relating to a study by the Texas Water Development Board of the state environmental review process for certain projects eligible for financial assistance from the flood infrastructure fund and the implementation of streamlining procedures based on the results of the study’.
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill prohibits children under 18 from using social media platforms and requires companies to verify that users are at least 18 before creating accounts. Companies must employ a commercially reasonable method, using public or private transactional data, for age verification and are forbidden from retaining personal information utilized in this process. Upon a verified request from a parent or guardian, companies must delete a child’s account within 10 days and cease collecting or utilizing the child’s personal information. Violations, such as failing to verify age or allowing children to use platforms, are considered deceptive trade practices and subject to action by the attorney general’s consumer protection division. The bill’s provisions apply to social media access on or after Jan. 1, 2026, and takes effect Sept. 1, 2025.
Janie Lopez, a member of the House Committee on Agriculture & Livestock, proposed no other bills during the 89(1) legislative session. She is also a member of the House Committee on Appropriations, a member of the House Committee on Appropriations – S/C on Article III, a member of the House Committee on Appropriations – S/C on Articles I, IV, & V, and a member of the House Committee on Calendars.
Bills in Texas go through a multi-step legislative process, including committee review, debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching a final decision. Each session, there are typically thousands of bills introduced, but only a portion successfully navigate the process to become law.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| HB 5688 | 04/23/2025 | Relating to the creation of the San Benito Municipal Utility District No. 1; granting a limited power of eminent domain; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes |
| HB 5375 | 03/14/2025 | Relating to creating the Northern Cameron and Willacy County Water Authority; providing authority to issue bonds; granting the power of eminent domain; providing authority to impose fees |
| HB 5218 | 03/14/2025 | Relating to the route designation for the issuance of a permit for the movement of oversize and overweight vehicles that serve a deepwater seaport on the U.S.-Mexico Border |
| HB 5201 | 03/14/2025 | Relating to requiring school districts ensure that project managers overseeing construction projects are bonded |
| HB 5189 | 03/14/2025 | Relating to instructional materials developed for police chiefs by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement on issues specific to women in law enforcement |
| HB 5188 | 03/14/2025 | Relating to an exemption from the requirement to obtain a permit from a groundwater conservation district for certain brackish groundwater wells |
| HB 4988 | 03/13/2025 | Relating to state recognition of the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas |
| HB 4820 | 03/13/2025 | Relating to the issuance of obligations by certain water districts bordering certain counties during a disaster declaration |
| HB 4755 | 03/13/2025 | Relating to the authority of certain municipalities to use hotel occupancy tax revenue for certain venue projects |
| HB 133 | 03/13/2025 | Relating to creating the criminal offenses of transnational repression and unauthorized enforcement of foreign law and to a study and law enforcement training regarding transnational repression |
| HB 4694 | 03/12/2025 | Relating to benefits available under the Employees Retirement System of Texas for certain retirees who resume membership in the employee class of membership |
| HB 4693 | 03/12/2025 | Relating to assistance with veterans benefits claims; authorizing a civil penalty |
| HB 4663 | 03/12/2025 | Relating to the route designation for the issuance of a permit for the movement of oversize and overweight vehicles in certain counties |
| HB 4661 | 03/12/2025 | Relating to the closure of beaches for space flight activities; creating a criminal offense |
| HB 4660 | 03/12/2025 | Relating to space flight activities |
| HB 4616 | 03/12/2025 | Relating to creating the criminal offenses of transnational repression and unauthorized enforcement of foreign law and to a study and law enforcement training regarding transnational repression |
| HB 4331 | 03/11/2025 | Relating to a study by the Texas Water Development Board of the state environmental review process for certain projects eligible for financial assistance from the flood infrastructure fund and the implementation of streamlining procedures based on the results of the study |
| HB 4329 | 03/11/2025 | Relating to a study by the Texas Water Development Board on the costs of developing flood infrastructure in this state |
| HB 4050 | 03/07/2025 | Relating to a study by the Texas Department of Transportation on incorporating drainage infrastructure into the department’s transportation planning process |
| HB 4049 | 03/07/2025 | Relating to the tracking of greenhouse gas emissions; creating a civil penalty |
| HB 137 | 03/06/2025 | Relating to the route designation for the issuance of a permit for the movement of oversize and overweight vehicles in certain counties |
| HB 3678 | 03/04/2025 | Relating to the route designation for the issuance of a permit for the movement of oversize and overweight vehicles in certain counties |
| HB 3435 | 02/26/2025 | Relating to the process by which a hospital makes certain determinations regarding medical staff privileges |
| HB 3364 | 02/26/2025 | Relating to the establishment of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship and to the practice of veterinary medicine by telephone or electronic means |
| HB 3270 | 02/25/2025 | Relating to the periods during which a retail fireworks permit holder may sell fireworks to the public |
| HB 3196 | 02/21/2025 | Relating to the authority of certain municipalities to receive certain tax revenue derived from a hotel and convention center project and to pledge certain tax revenue for the payment of obligations related to the project |
| HB 3140 | 02/21/2025 | Relating to network adequacy standards for preferred provider benefit plans |
| HB 3138 | 02/21/2025 | Relating to the authority of a municipality or county to regulate certain matters related to firearms, air guns, archery equipment, and other weapons and related supplies |
| HB 2523 | 02/06/2025 | Relating to the designation of a portion of State Highway 48 in Cameron County as the Deputy Constable Ruben Garcia Memorial Highway |
| HB 2370 | 02/03/2025 | Relating to the authority of certain municipalities to use hotel occupancy tax revenue for certain venue projects |
| HB 2282 | 01/30/2025 | Relating to the amount of the reimbursement fee paid by a defendant for a peace officer’s services in executing or processing an arrest warrant, capias, or capias pro fine |
| HB 2192 | 01/29/2025 | Relating to permit requirements for the sale of fireworks |
| HB 2050 | 01/23/2025 | Relating to the duties of a public school counselor |
| HB 2049 | 01/23/2025 | Relating to the dissemination of Type 1 diabetes information by public schools |
| HB 1978 | 01/22/2025 | Relating to the route designation for the issuance of a permit for the movement of oversize and overweight vehicles in certain counties |
| HB 1960 | 01/22/2025 | Relating to the designation of a portion of State Highway 345 in San Benito as the Lieutenant Milton Resendez Memorial Highway |
| HB 1958 | 01/22/2025 | Relating to labeling and representation of imported shrimp by restaurants |
| HB 1932 | 01/17/2025 | Relating to an exemption from ad valorem taxation of the residence homesteads of certain disabled veterans and their surviving spouses |
| HB 1875 | 01/15/2025 | Relating to a study by the General Land Office regarding veterans cemeteries in this state |
| HB 1759 | 01/07/2025 | Relating to the duties of a public school counselor |
| HB 1630 | 12/16/2024 | Relating to the eligibility of social workers for the Homes for Texas Heroes home loan program |
| HB 1129 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to the eligibility of mental health professionals for the Homes for Texas Heroes home loan program |
| HB 1124 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to continuing education requirements for a member of the board of trustees of a school district regarding state laws governing public schools; providing a civil penalty |
| HB 1123 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to interscholastic athletic competition based on biological sex, requirements for physical examinations and genetic testing in interscholastic athletics, and the adoption of rules by the University Interscholastic League to implement these requirements |
| HB 1122 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to the employment of certified school counselors by school districts |
| HB 1120 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to the purchase or acquisition by metal recycling entities of catalytic converters removed from a motor vehicle; imposing an administrative penalty |
