In a move to promote fair competition and protect consumers, Texas lawmakers have introduced new antitrust and trade regulations aimed at preventing monopolistic practices and ensuring a level playing field for businesses.The new regulations, which were passed by the Texas Legislature on February 22, 2026, include measures to increase transparency in mergers and acquisitions, strengthen enforcement of antitrust laws, and enhance oversight of the state's trade practices.One of the key provisions of the new regulations is the requirement for companies to disclose more information about their mergers and acquisitions to the Texas Attorney General's office. This increased transparency is intended to prevent anti-competitive behavior and ensure that consumers are not harmed by monopolies in the marketplace.Additionally, the new regulations seek to strengthen enforcement of antitrust laws by giving the Texas Attorney General more power to investigate and prosecute companies that engage in anti-competitive practices. This includes the ability to levy fines and penalties against companies found to be in violation of the state's antitrust laws.The regulations also aim to enhance oversight of the state's trade practices by requiring companies to submit regular reports on their pricing and marketing strategies. This increased transparency is designed to prevent price-fixing and other anti-competitive practices that harm consumers and small businesses.Overall, the new antitrust and trade regulations introduced in Texas mark a significant step towards promoting fair competition and protecting consumers in the state. By increasing transparency, strengthening enforcement, and enhancing oversight, lawmakers hope to create a more level playing field for businesses and ensure that consumers are able to benefit from a competitive marketplace.