The Texas Senate on May 25 passed House Joint Resolution 1,33, a constitutional amendment proposal, and House Bill 25,08, its implementing statute, to expand an existing homestead property‑tax exemption to surviving spouses of veterans who died from conditions or diseases statutorily presumed to be service‑connected under federal law.

Senator Hughes told senators the 2022 federal PACT Act expanded VA presumptions for illnesses linked to burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxic exposures and that state law should be updated so eligible surviving spouses do not fall through coverage gaps. "This will expand the exemption ... regardless of the date of the veteran's death," the sponsor said on the floor, adding the exemption applies only to surviving spouses who have not remarried, consistent with existing state practice for survivor homestead exemptions.

Senators voted to suspend the constitutional three‑day rule and passed both measures on the floor. The secretary recorded final passage votes of 31 ayes and 0 nays for the joint resolution and for the implementing House Bill 25,08. The bill and proposed amendment now proceed to the next steps required for constitutional amendments and statutory implementation.