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What Is Texas HB 5195?
How House Bill 5195 Impacts State Website Compliance
Texas House Bill 5195, signed into law on June 20, 2025, establishes new digital compliance requirements for all public-facing websites owned by state agencies and publicly funded institutions. Starting September 1, 2025, these entities must meet higher standards for accessibility, content quality, and modernization under oversight from the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR).
This includes compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA, removal of outdated content, and alignment with statewide branding and user experience standards.
Texas HB 5195 and Large Institutions Are Already Consolidating Their Websites
Major universities have already taken action to modernize and consolidate sprawling digital footprints. Oregon State University Extension transitioned from over 2,000 separate departmental and county websites into a single, centralized platform built around programmatic content and accessibility. See how OSU did it.
The Ohio State University created a formal Web Governance Policy to manage domain sprawl and enforce centralized branding and accessibility. Their digital inventory system ensures consistency and improves public trust — aligning closely with the goals of HB 5195.
How to Get Compliant
- Conduct a full content and accessibility audit
- Fix non-compliant pages using WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines
- Retire, consolidate, or redirect outdated or inactive websites
- Adopt consistent navigation, branding, and content structure
- Document your actions and prepare for DIR reporting
Need help getting started? We support Texas agencies and institutions with full HB 5195 readiness: accessibility audits, web consolidation, and DIR-aligned digital strategy.
What HB 5195 Requires
- Meet WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards
- Remove outdated, duplicative, or inaccessible content
- Align branding and navigation with DIR guidance
- Submit compliance reports to DIR by November 15, 2026
Who Must Comply?
HB 5195 applies to:
- Texas state agencies and commissions
- Public colleges and universities
- Municipal websites that receive state funds
- Any public-facing digital property funded by the state
Compliance Timeline
- June 20, 2025 – Bill signed into law by Governor Abbott
- September 1, 2025 – Law takes effect; compliance begins
- November 15, 2026 – Agencies must report digital modernization status to DIR
- December 1, 2027 – Biennial reporting process begins
You can review the full bill at the Texas Legislature Online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does HB 5195 apply to small departments or program sites?
→ Yes. If the website is public-facing and connected to a state-funded entity, it falls under HB 5195. Even small subdomains or department microsites must comply.
How is HB 5195 different from existing accessibility laws?
→ HB 5195 builds on WCAG and ADA by adding Texas-specific oversight. DIR now plays a formal role in monitoring and reporting agency compliance at the state level.
What happens if we miss the 2026 reporting deadline?
→ DIR will include your agency in a statewide report submitted to the legislature. Agencies that don’t show progress may risk loss of trust, funding, or visibility.
Do we have to remove all old or legacy sites?
→ Not necessarily. But if the content is outdated, duplicative, or inaccessible, it should be consolidated or retired — following examples like Oregon State and Ohio State.
Does DIR offer help with compliance?
→ Yes. DIR is expected to provide templates, accessibility guidance, and navigation patterns. You may also work with qualified vendors to meet the law’s deadlines.