New Texas Laws Effective January 2026: Squatters, AI, and Immigration

New Texas Laws Effective January 1, 2026

• 🗓️ A total of 33 new laws went into effect in Texas on January 1, 2026, adding to the 800 that began in September.

Immigration and Law Enforcement

• 🤝 Senate Bill 8 mandates that sheriff's offices operating jails must cooperate with ICE in enforcing federal immigration laws.

Artificial Intelligence Governance

• 🤖 The Texas Responsible Artificial Intelligence Governance Act establishes guardrails for AI, requiring transparency and notification when interacting with AI systems.
• 📈 A state advisory group will be created to monitor AI usage moving forward.

Property Owner and Tenant Protections

• 🏠 Senate Bill 38 aims to speed up eviction cases involving unauthorized occupants, commonly known as squatters.
• ⚖️ Supporters argue this law is necessary to prevent property owners from incurring costs while waiting to regain possession of their homes.
• ⚠️ Housing advocates express concern that this expedited process may weaken protections for renters, particularly those facing rent delays or housing instability, and could lead to property damage and increased costs for owners.