Texans for Fiscal Responsibility has issued the following vote notice for May 5th, 2025

Texas House of Representatives

---

Subject: House Joint Resolution 34 (HJR 34) – Border security and property taxes

• Author: State Rep. Ryan Guillen (R-Rio Grande City)
• Caption: Proposing a constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of the amount of the market value of real property located in a county that borders the United Mexican States that arises from the installation or construction on the property of border security infrastructure and related improvements.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • HJR 34 protects borderland property owners from being unfairly taxed when they allow the state or federal government to place security infrastructure on their land. Without this amendment, improvements like fencing or surveillance towers could raise a property’s appraised value, causing higher property tax bills for landowners who are simply helping with public safety. The bill respects private property rights by ensuring the government doesn’t punish these property owners with increased taxes. It promotes taxpayer fairness and avoids creating disincentives for cooperating with law enforcement. By shielding these owners from unintended financial burdens, the resolution aligns with principles of limited, fair, and respectful governance, and border security efforts.

Subject: House Bill 113 (HB 113) – Strict interpretation of laws

• Author: State Rep. Cody Vasut (R-Angleton)
• Caption: Relating to statutory construction, including restrictions on the use of certain aids to construction.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • HB 113 reforms how Texas courts interpret state laws by requiring strict adherence to the actual wording of statutes. It explicitly prohibits judges from considering legislative intent, historical context, or agency interpretations unless the text is unclear. By removing tools like committee reports and sponsor comments from judicial review, the bill reinforces textualism—ensuring laws mean exactly what they say, no more, no less. It strengthens the role of plain meaning in legal interpretation. The bill also shields lawful provisions from being thrown out if a single part is found unconstitutional, preserving as much of a statute as possible. This limits activist judges and bureaucrats from stopping good legislation through reinterpretation. It promotes accountability by ensuring that only the legislature—not courts or agencies—create binding law.

Subject: House Bill 247 (HB 247) – Border security and property taxes

• Author: State Rep. Ryan Guillen (R-Rio Grande City)
• Caption: Relating to an exemption from ad valorem taxation of the amount of the appraised value of real property located in certain counties that arises from the installation or construction on the property of border security infrastructure and related improvements and to the consideration of the price paid by certain governmental entities for a parcel of or easement in real property purchased for the purpose of installing or constructing such infrastructure when appraising other real property.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • HB 247 is the enabling legislation for HJR 34. It protects borderland property owners from being unfairly taxed when they allow the state or federal government to place security infrastructure on their land. Without this amendment, improvements like fencing or surveillance towers could raise a property’s appraised value, causing higher property tax bills for landowners who are simply helping with public safety. The bill respects private property rights by ensuring the government doesn’t punish these property owners with increased taxes. It promotes taxpayer fairness and avoids creating disincentives for cooperating with law enforcement. By shielding these owners from unintended financial burdens, the resolution aligns with principles of limited, fair, and respectful governance, and border security efforts.

Subject: House Bill 514 (HB 514) – Government health recruitment campaign

• Author: State Rep. Suleman Lalani (D-Sugar Land)
• Caption: Relating to a maternal health care workforce campaign.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • HB 514 would require the state to launch a new public campaign aimed at growing the maternal health workforce, targeting rural areas and minority populations. It calls for using existing resources but sets the stage for government-driven investment in training programs, facility expansion, and outreach. While well-intentioned, this legislation expands the role of government in health care, diverts agency focus to social programming, and implicitly opens the door to future spending increases under the guise of equity. The bill promotes race and identity-based hiring priorities. Rather than improving care through private market incentives or deregulation, it adds another layer of state-directed programming.

Subject: House Bill 2225 (HB 2225) – Limits local impact fee hikes

• Author: State Rep. Brad Buckley (R-Salado)
• Caption: Relating to the approval of land use assumptions, capital improvement plans, and impact fees.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • HB 2225 strengthens accountability and transparency when local governments plan to impose development-related impact fees. By requiring earlier public notice and extending the review window for hearings, the bill ensures taxpayers and stakeholders have adequate time to respond. It raises the voting threshold to a three-fourths majority, making it harder for local governments to quickly impose new fees without broader consensus. A five-year moratorium on fee increases protects property owners and developers from frequent, piecemeal hikes. The bill also ensures advisory committees include more industry experts and removes a loophole allowing planning commissions to double as oversight bodies. Overall, the bill reins in arbitrary local fee growth and reinforces limited government principles by demanding more deliberation and transparency before imposing new financial burdens.

Subject: House Bill 2494 (HB 2494) – Expands disannexation eligibility rules

• Author: State Rep. Tom Craddick (R-Midland)
• Caption: Relating to disannexation of certain areas of a municipality for failure to provide services.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • HB 2494 makes it easier for landowners to force a city to release their land if the city fails to deliver essential services like water, wastewater, or fails to honor service agreements. It allows property owners—rather than just registered voters—to petition for disannexation. If the city ignores the petition for 60 days, property owners can sue and, if successful, the court must order disannexation and make the city pay legal costs. The bill helps to ensure cities cannot get away with expanding their tax base without delivering services in return. It closes a loophole where cities could tax areas under limited-purpose jurisdiction but offer nothing in exchange. This protects taxpayers from being trapped in unfair arrangements and discourages cities from annexing land they can’t or won’t serve.

Subject: House Bill 2715 (HB 2715) – Local official removal process reform

• Author: State Rep. Pat Curry (R-Waco)
• Caption: Relating to the removal from office of certain officers of  political subdivisions.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • HB 2715 simplifies and modernizes the process for removing local officials from office when they violate public trust. Instead of relying on various local judges or attorneys, all removal petitions must now go to the presiding judge of the administrative judicial region, ensuring greater consistency and impartiality. The bill also eliminates outdated requirements mandating specific county or district attorneys to prosecute these cases, reducing the potential for local bias or conflicts of interest. These changes promote clearer legal procedures and reduce bureaucratic complexity. This reduces redundant government roles, supports more efficient use of taxpayer-funded legal resources, and enhances accountability without growing government power or cost. Overall, the bill enforces limited government ideals by strengthening checks on local officials through an efficient and neutral judicial process.

Subject: House Bill 1269 (HB 1269) – Pest prevention grant program

• Author: State Rep. Mary González (D-San Elizario)
• Caption: Relating to the plant disease and pest prevention grant program.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • HB 1269 creates a new taxpayer-supported grant program aimed at researching plant disease and pest prevention. This bill sets up a publicly funded system for research that should instead be supported by private industry. It expands government involvement in agricultural research, despite no shortage of existing federal or private grant programs. By tying the program to a new fund within general revenue, it opens the door for recurring state appropriations. This could easily grow over time into yet another permanent line item in the state budget. This bill represents government overreach into an area better handled by the market. It grows bureaucracy and risks inefficient use of public funds.

Subject: House Bill 4909 (HB 4909) – Government-run student tracking portal

• Author: State Rep. Terry Wilson (R-Georgetown)
• Caption: Relating to the creation of the My Texas Future portal and a requirement to submit academic information through that portal to determine acceptance for admission at a public institution of higher education as a condition of high school graduation for public school students.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • HB 4909 mandates the creation and permanent staffing of a new state-run digital student portal, costing taxpayers over $5.5 million in the first two years alone, with ongoing annual expenses. While framed as an efficiency tool, it adds unnecessary bureaucracy, expands the role of government in students’ personal decisions, and burdens school districts with new reporting and outreach duties.

Subject: House Bill 4895 (HB 4895) – Boat titling modernization and penalties

• Author: State Rep. Cody Vasut (R-Angleton)
• Caption: Relating to certificates of number and certificates of title issued by and records kept by the Parks and Wildlife Department; creating a criminal offense.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE / AMEND
• Background: 
  • HB 4895 updates and modernizes Texas’ boat titling and registration system by moving toward electronic records and clarifying existing statutes. These reforms could improve efficiency, reduce fraud, and streamline ownership transfers. However, the bill goes too far by creating new criminal penalties for failing to disclose hull damage—something that could often be the result of an honest mistake, not malicious intent. Criminalizing paperwork errors or omissions places unnecessary legal risk on boat owners, insurers, and small businesses. The bill also gives state regulators too much discretionary power to reject applications, without clear standards or accountability. While system modernization is a welcome goal, it should be achieved without exposing ordinary Texans to criminal penalties for potential administrative missteps. To improve the bill, lawmakers should remove the criminal penalties and replace them with civil remedies or administrative remedies. For this reason, TFR opposes SB 1267, unless amended.

Subject: House Bill 4395 (HB 4395) – Streamlines bond submission process

• Author: State Rep. Chris Turner (D-Grand Prairie)
• Caption: Relating to electronic submission and delivery of public securities and records of proceedings for those securities.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • HB 4395 updates the way Texas handles the submission and approval of public securities by allowing documents to be filed electronically with digital signatures. This modernization eliminates the need for physical paperwork, printing, and mailing costs—streamlining an outdated and expensive process. By cutting bureaucratic red tape and reducing administrative expenses, the bill promotes more efficient government operations. It ensures state agencies are using technology that the private sector has long adopted, fostering fiscal responsibility. Rather than expanding programs or spending, this reform simply updates procedure to save taxpayer dollars and reduce government waste.

Subject: House Bill 1773 (HB 1773) – School Board student role

• Author: State Rep. Salman Bhojani (D-Euless)
• Caption: Relating to allowing the board of trustees of certain school districts to create a nonvoting student trustee position on the board.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • HB 1773 lets school districts add a student trustee to their board—someone who may speak and attend meetings but cannot vote or take formal action. While framed as promoting student involvement, the bill expands the bureaucratic structure of school governance without improving accountability or educational outcomes. It opens the door for mission creep by blurring the lines between those governed and those governing. The system already allows for student engagement without enshrining new ceremonial roles in law. The bill also gives boards the unilateral authority to appoint any student they want, in any manner they want, risking appointing a student that will be a voice in favor of the board’s policies, which may not accurately reflect the positions of parents and other students.

Subject: House Bill 4753 (HB 4753) – Cuts red tape

• Author: State Rep. Gary Gates (R-Richmond)
• Caption: Relating to the municipal issuance of a document verifying that a certificate of occupancy has been issued for certain buildings.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • HB 4753 protects property owners from unnecessary and costly red tape when verifying their certificate of occupancy. Instead of forcing owners to reapply and pay fees for a document the municipality already has on record, the bill requires cities to issue a simple verification upon request. It reins in municipal overreach by preventing local governments from forcing redundant paperwork and payments. This approach reduces bureaucratic inefficiency, respects property rights, and saves both taxpayers and business owners time and money.

Subject: House Bill 1499 (HB 1499) – New Grant Program

• Author: State Rep. Armando Walle (D-Houston)
• Caption: Relating to the creation of an environmental product declaration grant program for certain manufacturers of ready-mixed concrete.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • HB 1499 sets up a new taxpayer-funded grant program to help certain small concrete companies pay for environmental labeling software. While marketed as helping small businesses reduce emissions, the bill creates a new layer of bureaucracy and opens the door for potentially unlimited spending with no set cost cap. It mandates that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality create and oversee the program, including rulemaking and enforcement, which could expand government staffing and overhead. The bill does not appropriate funds but lays the groundwork for future spending—without knowing how much it will cost or how many businesses will participate. This is an unnecessary expansion of state intervention in private industry and an inefficient use of public resources.

Subject: House Bill 2028 (HB 2028) – Modernizes government meeting transparency

• Author: State Rep. Hillary Hickland (R-Belton)
• Caption: Relating to the Internet and other electronic posting of notices and agendas for meetings under the open meetings law.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • HB 2028 promotes transparency and efficiency by requiring all public bodies in Texas that have websites to clearly post meeting agendas and notices on their homepage. The bill also gives counties flexibility to replace physical bulletin boards with electronic displays streamlining operations. These changes help limit government inefficiency and better serve the public without imposing new spending or mandates.

Subject: House Bill 886 (HB 886) – ERS supplemental check

• Author: State Rep. Cody Vasut (R-Angleton)
• Caption: Relating to a one-time supplemental payment of benefits under the Employees Retirement System of Texas.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • HB 886 authorizes a one-time payment of up to $2,000 for certain state retirees, creating a new financial obligation for taxpayers. The cost—estimated at $180 million—would be a direct hit to the state budget, requiring lawmakers to divert general revenue that could otherwise go toward tax relief. This kind of supplemental benefit reinforces a pattern of ad hoc spending that undermines fiscal discipline. Fiscally responsible governance requires sustainable pension planning, not one-off payments.

Subject: House Bill 223 (HB 223) – Reinforces taxpayer-funded lobby

• Author: State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione (R-Southlake)
• Caption: Relating to competitive requirements for a procurement by a municipality for lobbying, government relations, or similar services.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE / AMEND
• Background: 
  • HB 223 attempts to apply competitive bidding rules to lobbying contracts used by cities, but it misses the bigger issue entirely. Instead of banning taxpayer-funded lobbying outright, the bill simply adds procedural steps that still allow governments to hire lobbyists using public dollars. It reinforces the idea that lobbying on the taxpayer’s dime is acceptable, so long as the process is slightly more regulated. From a limited government perspective, this is a half-measure that legitimizes a wasteful practice rather than ending it. Taxpayer-funded lobbying often pits local governments against citizens at the Capitol, using public money to lobby for more spending and less accountability. This bill does not address that fundamental conflict of interest. A real reform would prohibit these contracts altogether—not tweak the terms under which they’re awarded. Supporting this bill risks further entrenching a practice that should be eliminated.

Subject: House Bill 1475 (HB 1475) – State election oversight

• Author: State Rep. Mike Schofield (R-Katy)
• Caption: Relating to requiring notice to the attorney general in an action under the Election Code seeking a temporary restraining order.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • HB 1475 ensures that the Texas Attorney General is given advance notice and a chance to participate when courts consider temporary restraining orders that affect election laws. This bill closes a loophole that previously allowed local judges to make emergency election rulings without input from the state’s top legal officer. By adding a required two-hour notice and remote participation rights, the bill strengthens statewide oversight of election-related decisions. It protects the uniform application of election laws and prevents local interference or manipulation at the last minute. This prevents legal confusion and costly challenges that could arise from conflicting rulings. It helps to ensure taxpayer dollars are not wasted on defending flawed election processes that did not follow proper procedures. Ultimately, it reinforces the rule of law and upholds election integrity without growing government.

Subject: House Bill 4638 (HB 4638) – Extends state drug initiative

• Author: State Rep. Greg Bonnen (R-Friendswood)
• Caption: Relating to the Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • HB expands the Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative by increasing board size and extending the program’s lifespan through 2031. While promoted as a cost-saving effort, it further entrenches a state-run pharmaceutical operation that duplicates private sector functions. The initiative’s expanded mission—including manufacturing generics and offering gene therapies—reflects significant mission creep, inviting ongoing taxpayer liability for services typically handled by competitive markets. Rather than sunsetting the program as scheduled, this bill grows it and delays necessary evaluation. From a limited government standpoint, this represents another step toward centralized healthcare management and away from market-driven solutions. Taxpayer funds should not support state-run pharmaceutical ventures with uncertain return or accountability.

Texas Senate

---

Subject: Senate Bill 628 (SB 628) – Fire code enforcement streamlining

• Author: State Sen. Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo)
• Caption: Relating to the administration and enforcement of a county fire code.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 628 makes it easier for counties to partner with local emergency service districts (ESDs) to enforce fire safety codes. Under current law, these partnerships were unclear, often leading to overlapping responsibilities, duplicate inspections, and unnecessary fees for builders and property owners. This bill cuts red tape by clarifying that counties can delegate enforcement tasks to ESDs through official agreements. This improves efficiency, reduces government duplication, and eliminates extra costs tied to permitting and compliance. It also ensures that local fire code enforcement is handled by the entities best equipped to do the job. For taxpayers, it offers a more streamlined and cost-effective approach to public safety.

Subject: Senate Bill 1032 (SB 1032) – Expands university research grant eligibility

• Author: State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham)
• Caption: Relating to participation in the governor’s university research initiative.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • SB 1032 expands the Governor’s University Research Initiative (GURI) by allowing private and independent universities to access taxpayer-funded matching grants. Rather than limiting or phasing out this inappropriate subsidy program, the bill grows its scope and paves the way for even greater government spending on higher education institutions. GURI represents an inappropriate use of public funds to incentivize elite academic hiring. This bill makes the problem worse by extending eligibility to private schools, effectively subsidizing institutions that already operate outside of the public system. It also increases the likelihood of future budget requests to grow the program even further. While it includes a positive safeguard against poaching researchers from other eligible schools, the bill as a whole expands a program to deal with an issue that should be handled by each institution’s own funds.

Subject: Senate Bill 1376 (SB 1376) – Code enforcement flexibility

• Author: State Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola)
• Caption: Relating to the supervision requirements of a code enforcement officer in training.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 1376 removes a bureaucratic hurdle that delays local code enforcement in small or rural towns. Under current law, a trainee must be supervised by a registered officer, even when no such person exists in the department. This bill fixes that by allowing trainees to enforce codes independently if their employer doesn’t already have a registered officer. It empowers local governments to get the job done without needing to hire redundant oversight positions, saving taxpayer dollars. Instead of growing the size of government, it respects local autonomy and lets communities work within their existing resources. This change facilitates quicker training-to-work transitions and reduces compliance delays. It’s a small but meaningful step toward more efficient and cost-effective local governance.

Subject: Senate Bill 1449 (SB 1449) – Disaster tax loophole

• Author: State Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston)
• Caption: Relating to the effect of a disaster and associated costs to remove debris or wreckage on the calculation of certain tax rates and the procedure for adoption of a tax rate by a taxing unit.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE / AMEND
• Background: 
  • While Senate Bill 1449 makes some minor improvements by tightening when local governments can raise property taxes after a disaster, it ultimately falls short of meaningful reform. The bill leaves intact the core loophole that allows local officials to bypass voter approval and hike taxes under the cover of a disaster declaration. By continuing to permit rate increases tied to loosely verified costs, the bill undermines the fundamental principle that every tax increase should be subject to direct voter consent. It opens the door for government growth at a time when Texans are already struggling under heavy property tax burdens and disaster-related costs and burdens. From a fiscally conservative and pro-taxpayer perspective, this is a missed opportunity. The original filed version of the bill offered a cleaner solution by repealing the loophole outright—and lawmakers should revert to that version. Half-measures like this may give the appearance of reform while ultimately preserving the very mechanism that enables tax abuse.

Subject: Senate Bill 1708 (SB 1708) – Preserves private property rights

• Author: State Sen. Adam Hinojosa (R-Corpus Christi)
• Caption: Relating to exceptions to county platting requirements.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 1708 protects Texas families who want to divide land among relatives from being forced to follow costly and unnecessary developer-style permitting requirements. It blocks counties from using state rules meant for large-scale developments to interfere with private, family land development. By clearly stating that these model rules do not override family exemptions in county platting laws, the bill safeguards property rights and reins in government overreach. This change helps eliminate unjust fees, infrastructure demands, and red tape that local governments have wrongly applied. The bill upholds limited government principles and respects private landownership.

Subject: Senate Bill 1965 (SB 1965) – Limits special district land grabs

• Author: State Sen. Phil King (R-Weatherford)
• Caption: Relating to requirements for the addition of noncontiguous territory to certain special districts.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 1965 prevents special-purpose districts from quietly expanding their authority over land far outside their original borders. It closes a loophole that allowed unelected boards to annex remote properties, sometimes miles away, without giving taxpayers and county officials a meaningful say. This bill adds common-sense safeguards by requiring more transparent notice procedures and giving county commissioners the power to review and halt questionable annexations. This limits the potential for unaccountable tax-and-spend governance by curbing unnecessary and unchecked district growth.

Subject: Senate Bill 2419 (SB 2419) – Limits city overreach after disannexation

• Author: State Sen. Angela Paxton (R-McKinney)
• Caption: Relating to the authority of a special district to exercise certain powers and duties following municipal disannexation of certain areas.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 2419 empowers local limited districts to fully function after a city disannexes their territory. It ensures these districts retain the same authority they had before being brought into a city through annexation deals. Without this clarification, cities could potentially limit district powers by leaning on old agreements, even after disannexation. This bill prevents that overreach and restores local self-governance. It protects taxpayers from city overcontrol and allows communities to manage their own services more efficiently. By reinforcing local control and reducing dependency on centralized city governments, this bill promotes a more accountable and limited form of governance. It also helps ensure that residents aren’t stuck in limbo without clear service authority or representation after disannexation.

Subject: Senate Bill 2523 (SB 2523) – Clarifies ETJ removal process

• Author: State Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston)
• Caption: Relating to the release of an area from the extraterritorial jurisdiction of a municipality by petition.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 2523 strengthens the ability of Texas property owners to remove their land from a city’s control by streamlining and clarifying the process for exiting extraterritorial jurisdictions (ETJs). It closes loopholes from prior legislation and ensures only those who actually own or live in a targeted area can initiate or be included in such a petition. The bill empowers property owners by requiring transparency from municipalities and ensures informed decision-making with timely notice. It ensures city influence doesn’t grow without resident or landowner consent. Overall, it aligns with the principles of limited government and protects taxpayers from being subject to unwanted municipal rules and fees.

Subject: Senate Bill 2529 (SB 2529) – Limits local tax and debt

• Author: State Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston)
• Caption: Relating to the vote required by the governing body of a taxing unit to adopt an ad valorem tax rate that exceeds the voter-approval tax rate or authorize the issuance of tax bonds.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 2529 strengthens taxpayer protections by raising the bar for local governments to approve new debt or higher taxes. Under this bill, any bond proposal must receive at least 60% support from the governing body, rather than a simple majority. If voters have already rejected a tax hike or bond, the bill requires a supermajority—up to 75% or more—before the proposal can be brought back. This reform curbs the common practice of recycling failed tax increases until they pass, helping to preserve voter intent. By making it harder to raise taxes or take on new debt without broad support, the bill promotes transparency, accountability, and restraint in local budgeting. It also shields taxpayers from being worn down by repeated ballot measures aimed at increasing their financial burden. This legislation aligns with the principles of limited government and fiscal responsibility by reining in runaway local spending. For these reasons, TFR strongly supports SB 2529.

Subject: Senate Bill 2541 (SB 2541) – Tweaks unused tax increment formula

• Author: State Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston)
• Caption: Relating to the calculation of the unused increment rate of a taxing unit.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT / AMEND
• Background: 
  • SB 2541 is a small attempt to rein in the confusing and taxpayer-unfriendly “unused increment rate” that allows local taxing entities to hoard unused tax authority and use it later without voter consent. By trimming the formula from three years down to two, the bill takes a small step toward greater transparency and limits the ability of local governments to pile on taxes from prior years. This is a welcome — but totally incomplete — improvement. The better approach would be to eliminate the unused increment rate entirely, as the originally filed bill proposed, to ensure that property taxes reflect only current needs, not past opportunities to tax more. Continuing to allow any banking of tax capacity leaves the door open for manipulation and budget gamesmanship by local officials. This bill ultimately preserves a flawed mechanism that should be abolished, not restructured. Lawmakers should push to restore the original filed version to deliver real tax relief and accountability.

Subject: Senate Bill 2608 (SB 2608) – Expands public housing credit

• Author: State Sen. César Blanco (D-El Paso)
• Caption: Relating to the eligibility of certain at-risk developments to receive low income housing tax credits.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • SB 2608 expands a state-administered low-income housing tax credit program to include more types of federally subsidized housing developments. It specifically enables public housing authorities to access additional tax credits for rebuilding or rehabbing aging housing units. While it’s framed as helping prevent the loss of affordable housing, this bill represents an expansion of government-backed housing programs and tax incentives. Instead of reducing dependency on public subsidies, it entrenches housing authorities deeper into the tax credit system and encourages reliance on taxpayer dollars. This kind of expansion grows bureaucratic housing programs and invites long-term financial obligations on taxpayers. Furthermore, it creates a pathway for even more projects to seek these credits in the future, increasing fiscal exposure and the burden on other taxpayers. A more limited-government approach would favor market-based housing solutions over expanding subsidized programs.

Subject: Senate Bill 3016 (SB 3016) – Limits local regulatory overreach

• Author: State Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe)
• Caption: Relating to state preemption of municipal and county regulation on land use, structures, businesses, and related activities and municipal boundaries and annexation.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 3016 strengthens the state’s ability to rein in rogue local governments that impose costly, inconsistent regulations. It clarifies that cities and counties cannot create their own rules in areas where the state already has authority—especially on land use, business regulation, and annexation. The bill adds strong enforcement provisions, allowing both the Attorney General and affected private parties to hold local governments accountable. Localities that violate the law face meaningful consequences: their tax increases are capped, budgets frozen, and state funds withheld. This helps curb runaway local spending and regulatory overreach that hurts small businesses and taxpayers. By streamlining court procedures and assigning direct oversight to the Texas Supreme Court, the bill reduces delay and litigation abuse. This bill protects against backdoor taxation and bloated local bureaucracy.

---

---

Reminder: Vote Notices are provided to both Texas state lawmakers and the general public, sharing Texans for Fiscal Responsibility’s position on issues to be rated as a part of the Fiscal Responsibility Index. Notices are provided prior to votes being taken in each legislative chamber.

Disclaimer: We reserve the right to consider amendments to legislation that may be introduced without notice as a part of issues to be rated on the Fiscal Responsibility Index. We will make every effort to provide notice on amendments that are pre-filed.