Several new Texas laws will take effect on September 1, bringing new requirements for solar companies and salespeople, expanding consumer rights to repair certain electronics, and allowing qualifying gold and silver bullion to be used as legal tender.
The laws approved during the 2025 legislative session address a range of issues, from consumer protections to manufactured housing and volunteer firefighters.
Solar Sellers Face New Registration Requirements
Beginning September 1, companies that sell solar panels in Texas and their employees will be required to register with the state under Senate Bill 1036. Solar companies also must carry insurance and supervise their salespeople.
Other portions of the law are already in effect. Among those provisions is a requirement giving consumers five days to cancel a solar purchase or lease without penalty. Any loans associated with the transaction must also be canceled.
The law also prohibits deceptive sales claims, falsely suggesting an affiliation with a utility or government agency, disregarding no-soliciting signs, and allowing unlicensed installation.
State regulators can impose penalties, order cancellations and refunds, and pursue enhanced penalties when a victim is 65 or older.
Texas Expands Right To Repair
HB 2963, a new right-to-repair law taking effect on Tuesday, will require manufacturers of certain electronic devices to provide consumers and independent repair businesses with access to the same parts, tools, and repair documentation available to authorized repair providers.
The law does not apply to several categories of products, including medical devices, video game consoles, home appliances, motor vehicles, farm equipment, and industrial and aerospace equipment.
Manufacturers also will not have to provide trade secrets, source code or tools that can bypass security features.
Texas will become the ninth state to enact a right-to-repair law, Fox 4 KDFW reported.
Gold and Silver Become Legal Tender
Texas is also expanding the use of gold and silver as money with HB 1056.
Beginning September 1, qualifying gold and silver specie will be recognized as legal tender in the state. However, the law does not require individuals or businesses to accept the metals as payment.
Eligible bullion must identify its weight and purity and cannot carry markings suggesting that it was minted or issued by the federal government.
The law also recognizes privately marked gold and silver bullion and provides for an electronic payment system backed by precious metals held in the Texas Bullion Depository.
Beginning May 1, 2027, the state comptroller may establish or authorize electronic systems that allow depositors and vendors to make and receive payments using currency backed by gold and silver bullion held in the depository.
Other Texas Laws Taking Effect on September 1
Several other measures also take effect next month.
Senate Bill 785 prohibits cities from banning manufactured homes.
House Bill 5424 allows a fire department to pay an individual classified as a volunteer firefighter up to 20% of the annual compensation of a paid full-time firefighter.
House Bill 1240 expands the number of counties that may qualify as border counties under state law.
Together, the measures will introduce changes affecting businesses, consumers, local governments and public safety departments across Texas.
Other laws taking effect on September 1 can be found here.
Provided by Dallas Express
