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Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Texas House to review HB 1654 introduced by Terry Canales on Tuesday, April 8

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Terry Canales, Texas State Representative of 40th District | Official Website

Terry Canales, Texas State Representative of 40th District | Official Website

Rep. Terry Canales introduced HB 1654, a bill on Corrections, Fire Fighters & Police, and Labor, to the Texas House on Tuesday, April 8 during the 89(R) legislative session, according to the Texas Legislature website.

More specifically, the official text was summarized by the state legislature as ’’Relating to the employment of certain peace officers, detention officers, county jailers, or firefighters who are injured in the course and scope of duty’’.

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

This bill introduces regulations prohibiting the discharge, indefinite suspension, or termination of peace officers, detention officers, county jailers, and firefighters who sustain compensable injuries while on duty, before reaching maximum medical improvement, unless a treating doctor indicates permanent restrictions from performing job duties. It excludes employers from municipalities with civil service systems. The bill allows disputes about an individual's ability to perform duties to be resolved according to Chapter 410 of the Labor Code. Employers violating these provisions could face liability for damages up to $100,000 and are required to reinstate affected individuals. The burden of proof rests with the employee, and sovereign immunity is waived to enable related lawsuits. The bill takes effect Sept. 1, 2025, and applies only to violations occurring after that date.

Terry Canales, chair of the House Committee on S/C on Transportation Funding and member of the House Committee on Transportation, proposed another 19 bills during the 89(R) legislative session.

Canales graduated from the University of the Incarnate Word and again from St. Mary's University School of Law with a JD.

Terry Canales is currently serving in the Texas State House, representing the state's 40th House district. He replaced previous state representative Aaron Peña in 2013.

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.

Other Recent Bills Introduced by Rep. Terry Canales in Texas House During 89(R) Legislative Session

Bill NumberDate IntroducedShort Description
HB 556504/07/2025Relating to the creation of the office of independent oversight ombudsman for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice
HB 498704/03/2025Relating to an alternative dispute resolution procedure regarding certain matters under the public information law
HB 496604/03/2025Relating to the denial of access to the database of dealer-issued license plates maintained by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles
HB 492404/03/2025Relating to certain electronic documentation for the transfer of a motor vehicle title
HB 491704/03/2025Relating to seller's disclosures regarding flooding and other water-related issues with respect to residential real property
HB 446004/03/2025Relating to the projects eligible for financial assistance from the flood infrastructure fund
HB 386103/27/2025Relating to driving safety or motorcycle operator training course dismissal
HB 385503/27/2025Relating to an exemption from sales and use taxes for certain diabetic supplies
HB 168303/27/2025Relating to systems of county road administration in certain counties
HB 385003/26/2025Relating to comments by members of the public at an open meeting of a governmental body on items not on the agenda for that meeting
HB 384903/26/2025Relating to the program categories in the unified transportation program
HB 383703/26/2025Relating to the regulation of autonomous vehicles; creating a criminal offense
HB 169703/12/2025Relating to the management, operation, and contract authority of open-enrollment charter schools
HB 169403/12/2025Relating to the eligibility of school bus drivers and cafeteria workers for unemployment compensation benefits
HB 169303/12/2025Relating to the financial audit of certain open-enrollment charter schools by the state auditor
HB 167803/12/2025Relating to the collection and disclosure of certain public information
HB 166703/12/2025Relating to the eligibility of certain first responders for workers' compensation benefits for post-traumatic stress disorder under the workers' compensation system
HB 166603/12/2025Relating to the expunction of arrest records and files relating to certain nonviolent misdemeanor offenses
HB 166503/12/2025Relating to the payment of gratuities to certain employees

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