HB 2260 modifies Texas' whistleblower protection laws by imposing personal liability on elected state officers who direct state agencies to fire, suspend, or take other adverse personnel actions against whistleblowers. Under this bill, if an elected official retaliates against a public employee for reporting government misconduct, the official is personally responsible for any damages awarded in a lawsuit against the state. The bill eliminates official immunity as a defense and prohibits the state from indemnifying the official. This means that state officials cannot shift financial liability to the government and must personally pay for damages if found guilty. The bill applies retroactively to pending and future claims and takes effect September 1, 2025​.