Texans for Fiscal Responsibility has issued the following vote notice for April 30th, 2025

Texas House of Representatives

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Subject: House Bill 24 (HB 24) – Modernizes zoning protest procedures

• Author: State Rep. Angelia Orr (R-Itasca)
• Caption: Relating to procedures for changes to a zoning regulation or district boundary.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT / AMEND
• Background: 
  • HB 24 is a needed modernization of Texas’ zoning protest laws, streamlining the process and bringing greater clarity to how municipalities handle land use changes. It rightly distinguishes between comprehensive, citywide zoning reforms and smaller, parcel-specific changes, limiting obstructionist protests that can stall development and inflate costs for taxpayers. By ensuring timely public notice and simplifying voting thresholds for certain protests, this bill respects property rights while reducing bureaucratic red tape that often burdens local governance. However, to strengthen the bill and better protect Texas communities, it should be amended to include provisions from SB 844 that give neighbors a stronger voice when zoning changes would permit gambling or sports wagering. These provisions would trigger higher voting thresholds when casinos or gambling venues are at stake—ensuring neighborhoods aren’t steamrolled by high-risk developments. Incorporating such protections aligns with a limited government philosophy: allowing growth while defending community standards and shielding taxpayers from the long-term social and financial costs associated with gambling. 

Subject: House Bill 35 (HB 35) – Taxpayer-funded peer support program

• Author: State Rep. Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston)
• Caption: Relating to a peer support network for first responders.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • HB 35 would expand state government by creating a new mental health peer support program for paid firefighters and emergency medical responders, funded and operated by the Texas Division of Emergency Management. While well-intentioned, the bill imposes at least $9 million in new spending over the next two years, adding over 10 new state employees and creating a statewide bureaucracy with annual reporting and infrastructure demands. The program duplicates efforts already underway in the law enforcement community and risks mission creep, expanding into areas that should be served by private or local initiatives. It also authorizes indefinite state-subsidized access to clinical mental health resources without a clear cost cap or funding source. The bill represents government growth that erodes the principle that mental health services should be handled through local or private solutions—not centralized, tax-funded bureaucracies. 

Subject: House Bill 38 (HB 38) – Expanded state information network

• Author: State Rep. John Bucy III (D-Austin)
• Caption: Relating to improvements to the Texas Information and Referral Network.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • HB 38 dramatically expands the role of state government by growing the Texas Information and Referral Network (TIRN) into a more centralized, taxpayer-funded health and human services platform. The bill imposes a nearly $4 million cost on the state over the next biennium, with additional long-term costs for staffing, technology upgrades, and ongoing operations. Many of these functions could be better handled by private nonprofits or localized partners, rather than centralized under the Health and Human Services Commission. The bill adds six new state employees and opens the door to more regulatory burdens and long-term spending obligations. Ultimately, HB 38 grows government, duplicates existing services, and forces taxpayers to foot the bill for a system that should remain outside the state’s core responsibilities.

Subject: House Bill 349 (HB 349) – Immunity for breaking into cars

• Author: State Rep. Lulu Flores (D-Austin)
• Caption: Relating to civil liability for removing certain individuals or animals from a motor vehicle.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • HB 349 grants blanket civil immunity to individuals who forcibly enter private vehicles to rescue pets or vulnerable individuals, so long as they claim a “reasonable belief” of imminent danger. This creates a dangerous precedent by stripping vehicle owners of any legal recourse, even if their property is damaged unnecessarily or the rescue was based on a misunderstanding or harmful intent. The bill opens the door for bad actors or overzealous individuals to break into cars with impunity, knowing they’re shielded from liability. Property owners bear the cost of damage, even if no actual threat existed, while the state offers no safeguard against misuse. This erodes core property rights by prioritizing subjective judgment of non-law enforcement over due process and private ownership. The bill reflects a growing trend of over-legislating personal responsibility.

Subject: House Bill 1359 (HB 1359) – Electric Bill Welfare

• Author: State Rep. Ana Hernandez (D-Houston)
• Caption: Relating to a program to provide assistance for certain retail electric customers.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • HB 1359 establishes a new government program to subsidize electric bills for low-income Texans, especially during extreme weather. It creates a new taxpayer-funded assistance fund, managed by the Public Utility Commission, to cover these costs and reimburse utilities. Although the bill seeks to help vulnerable populations, it opens the door to permanent state-funded utility subsidies without a clear funding cap. The bill’s vague fiscal scope poses long-term financial risks, with a projected $8.5 million hit to taxpayers just in the first biennium. It also expands bureaucracy by adding new state employees and administrative duties. By relying on state dollars rather than private charity or local efforts, this bill grows government and sets a precedent for subsidizing personal expenses with taxpayer funds, and encourages government dependency.

Subject: House Bill 1647 (HB 1647) – Petroleum theft prevention task force

• Author: State Rep. Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa)
• Caption: Relating to the establishment of a theft of petroleum products task force.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • HB 1647 is a pro-business, pro-taxpayer measure that protects Texas’ vital energy sector from organized theft. By improving coordination between law enforcement and industry stakeholders, the bill ensures that theft prevention efforts are efficient and cost-effective, rather than relying on costly, piecemeal enforcement. Reducing petroleum theft helps safeguard state tax revenues and producer property rights.

Subject: House Bill 762 (HB 762) – Caps taxpayer-funded severance payouts

• Author: State Rep. Jeff Leach (R-Allen)
• Caption: Relating to severance pay for political subdivision employees and independent contractors.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • HB 762 reins in excessive severance payouts for local government employees and contractors. These payouts are frequently funded with tax dollars, even when individuals are terminated for serious misconduct. This bill stops taxpayer money from being used for bloated exit packages by capping severance at 20 weeks of regular pay and banning it entirely when the termination is for misconduct. It ensures accountability by requiring public disclosure of all severance agreements online. The bill is a win for taxpayers—it curbs waste, increases transparency, and prevents bad actors from cashing in on taxpayer funds. It also serves as a deterrent against mismanagement and abuse within local government operations.

Subject: House Bill 1612 (HB 1612) – Uninsured patient price protection

• Author: State Rep. James Frank (R-Wichita Falls)
• Caption: Relating to direct payment for certain health care provided by a hospital.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • HB 1612 brings transparency and fairness to hospital pricing for uninsured Texans by capping what hospitals can charge self-paying patients. The bill prohibits hospitals from exploiting patients without insurance by limiting direct charges to no more than 25% above standard rates or 50% above their lowest private contract rate. This helps to level the playing field and reduces the inflated pricing often levied on the most financially vulnerable. It encourages market-driven reforms without expanding government spending. The bill imposes no new taxpayer costs, avoids new entitlements, and relies on existing pricing benchmarks. Importantly, it empowers individuals to negotiate fairer medical costs without involving third-party payers or state subsidies.

Subject: House Bill 3041 (HB 3041) – Fair admissions for nontraditional students

• Author: State Rep. Dennis Paul (R-Houston)
• Caption: Relating to measures to support the enrollment of students with a nontraditional secondary education at public institutions of higher education, including eligibility for certain student financial assistance programs.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • HB 3041 levels the playing field for home-schooled and privately educated students applying to Texas public universities. Instead of relying on a public-school-based class rank, these students can qualify for automatic admission based on a clear benchmark test score. This provides a merit-based, objective standard and reduces bias against nontraditional education. The bill also ensures all students—regardless of school type—receive equal treatment when enrolling in dual credit courses, eliminating bureaucratic barriers. Institutions are required to publicly post admission benchmarks and rank-related test data, promoting transparency and informed decision-making. Importantly, the bill does not create new government programs but instead corrects unfair practices within existing systems. It supports educational freedom and respects parental choice without growing bureaucracy.

Subject: House Bill 3962 (HB 3962) – Taxpayer subsidies for car races

• Author: State Rep. Charlie Geren (R-Fort Worth)
• Caption: Relating to the eligibility of the INDYCAR Grand Prix of Arlington for funding under the major events reimbursement program.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • HB 3962 would add the INDYCAR Grand Prix of Arlington to the list of events eligible for taxpayer-funded reimbursements under the Major Events Reimbursement Program. This effectively allows more public funds to subsidize private entertainment events under the promise of economic development. It further weakens existing eligibility rules by permitting funding even when there is no competitive site selection process—removing a key safeguard meant to prevent cronyism. This bill represents corporate welfare: it reallocates public dollars away from core services and toward entertainment subsidies. Expanding such carve-outs erodes the principle of fair and limited government. Lawmakers should focus on reducing the tax burden broadly instead of using public funds to benefit private sports promoters.

Subject: House Bill 3326 (HB 3326) – Expands PSLF support

• Author: State Rep. Alma Allen (D-Houston)
• Caption: Relating to certain duties of a public institution of higher education in relation to the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • HB 3326 requires public colleges and universities in Texas to treat adjunct and part-time faculty as full-time employees—specifically for the purpose of certifying eligibility for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. It also mandates that institutions verify employment for PSLF certification within 60 days and notify all employees annually about the program. The bill creates a new obligation for state institutions to actively facilitate access to a federal loan forgiveness program that his fundamentally flawed, and helps to expand a federal policy that shifts the burden of student loan debt away from the borrower and onto the taxpayers.

Subject: House Bill 1056 (HB 1056) – Gold-backed currency

• Author: State Rep. Mark Dorazio (R-San Antonio)
• Caption: Relating to the issuance of gold and silver specie and the establishment of a currency based on gold and silver; authorizing a fee.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • HB 1056 allows the Texas Comptroller to create a new currency backed by gold and silver held in the state’s bullion depository. Texans could exchange U.S. dollars or existing precious metals for digital units representing a fraction of a troy ounce of gold or silver. These units could be used as legal tender or redeemed for physical metal or cash. By tying currency to tangible assets, the bill provides an inflation-resistant store of value and a hedge against federal monetary instability. It promotes financial freedom, limits federal interference, and gives Texans more control over their wealth. Additionally, it encourages economic activity within the state and responsibly utilizes the underused Texas Bullion Depository. From a limited-government and pro-taxpayer perspective, HB 1056 empowers individuals and the free market.

Subject: House Bill 3526 (HB 3526) – Local bond transparency

• Author: State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione (R-Southlake)
• Caption: Relating to fiscal transparency for bonds issued by local governmental entities.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • HB 3526 strengthens financial transparency around local government bond debt. It requires local entities to disclose key information about proposed and issued bonds—including costs and voter approval data—through an easy-to-access online database run by the Bond Review Board. Taxpayers will be able to see, in plain terms, how much debt is being taken on, what it will cost over time, and whether it requires higher taxes. By tracking both issued and unissued bonds and requiring reports on repayments and tax rate impacts, the bill provides a clear picture of local debt burdens. This empowers voters with the facts they need before authorizing new debt and curbs the tendency for local governments to hide the long-term costs of borrowing. It’s a limited-government solution that shines light on local borrowing practices, helping to protect taxpayers from hidden liabilities.

Subject: House Bill 4219 (HB 4219) – Public information enforcement reform

• Author: State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione (R-Southlake)
• Caption: Relating to a governmental body’s response to a request for public information.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • HB 4219 ensures greater transparency and accountability by strengthening deadlines and enforcement for government responses to public records requests. It empowers taxpayers to file complaints when government bodies ignore lawful information requests, helping to prevent bureaucratic stonewalling. By requiring timely, written communication and clear legal justifications for withholding records, the bill promotes openness and trust. It creates a straightforward, no-cost remedy for the public without growing government or adding bureaucracy. This is a responsible reform that protects taxpayer rights to know how their government operates.

Texas Senate

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Subject: Senate Joint Resolution 84 (SJR 84) – Temporary property tax fire exemption

• Author: State Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston)
• Caption: Proposing a constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to provide for a temporary exemption from ad valorem taxation of the appraised value of an improvement to a residence homestead that is completely destroyed by a fire.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 84 offers a narrowly tailored constitutional amendment to protect homeowners from being hit with property taxes on structures that no longer exist due to fire damage. It empowers the Legislature to determine the specific rules and time limits for such tax relief. This measure avoids creating any permanent or automatic exemptions, ensuring that relief is temporary and conditional. It provides homeowners with breathing room during recovery, and strikes a reasonable balance between property rights and fiscal responsibility.

Subject: Senate Bill 317 (SB 317) – Protects public monuments

• Author: State Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe)
• Caption: Relating to the removal, relocation, alteration, or construction of certain monuments or memorials located on public property; authorizing a civil penalty.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 317 strengthens protections for historical monuments and memorials on public property by requiring voter approval for removal or changes to those that have stood for 25 years or more. This ensures that decisions reflect community will, not fleeting political pressures. For newer monuments, the local government retains decision-making authority. It empowers the Texas Attorney General to enforce compliance and imposes meaningful civil penalties on municipalities or counties that violate the process. Importantly, it waives governmental immunity, allowing for accountability. This bill upholds transparency and avoids costly and divisive monument removals.

Subject: Senate Bill 511 (SB 511) – Stops government voter form mailers

• Author: State Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston)
• Caption: Relating to prohibiting an officer or employee of this state or of a political subdivision of this state from distributing certain voter registration application forms; creating a criminal offense.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 511 stops government officials from sending voter registration forms to people who never asked for them. This bill protects taxpayers from having their money used to push political agendas under the guise of voter outreach. It ensures that voter registration remains a voluntary act of civic responsibility, not a government-driven campaign effort, and keeps government neutral. This bill prevents local governments from sidestepping state law using public resources. It also holds officials accountable with criminal penalties for misuse. The bill reins in bureaucratic overreach and protects the integrity of election processes.

Subject: Senate Bill 1250 (SB 1250) – Expands hotel tax subsidy zone

• Author: State Sen. Juan Hinojosa (D-McAllen)
• Caption: Relating to the definition of a project financing zone for the purposes of certain municipalities that use certain tax revenue to fund convention center facilities, multipurpose arenas, venues, and related infrastructure.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • SB 1250 authorizes the City of Corpus Christi to redraw the boundaries of its existing Project Financing Zone (PFZ) to include more land and exclude open water, maintaining the same total area (28.27 square miles). This change would allow the city to capture significantly more hotel-related state tax revenue—hotel occupancy taxes, sales taxes, and mixed beverage taxes—for 30 years to fund convention center-related infrastructure. While only affecting one city, the bill uses the state tax code to shift revenue from the state treasury to local projects. According to the Legislative Budget Board, this change would cost the state an estimated $177.5 million over 30 years, compared to $94.1 million under the current zone, resulting in a net increase of $83.4 million in foregone revenue. These are taxes that would otherwise support statewide priorities and basic government services. The bill deepens reliance on the hotel occupancy tax (HOT) for local “development, a fundamentally flawed revenue stream that lacks transparency and often fails to deliver promised economic returns. Instead of limiting government and prioritizing core functions, SB 1250 enables decades-long local spending commitments backed by diverted state funds.

Subject: Senate Bill 1585 (SB 1585) – Ban foreign tech in contracts

• Author: State Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola)
• Caption: Relating to a prohibition on governmental contracts with companies of foreign adversaries for certain information and communications technology; authorizing a civil penalty; creating a criminal offense.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 1585 helps shield Texas taxpayers from security risks by preventing state and local governments from contracting with technology firms connected to hostile foreign nations like China. By barring these “scrutinized companies,” the bill ensures taxpayer money isn’t funding entities that could jeopardize infrastructure, compromise personal data, or undermine national or economic security. The bill includes strict verification processes and strong enforcement, including civil penalties and criminal charges for bad actors. It limits the state’s exposure to economic and security risks while encouraging the use of domestic or allied vendors. This is a common-sense safeguard that defends taxpayer resources and public safety without creating new government programs.

Subject: Senate Bill 2119 (SB 2119) – Protects student conscience rights

• Author: State Sen. Kevin Sparks (R-Midland)
• Caption: Relating to an exemption from certain immunization requirements for medical and veterinary students.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 2119 gives medical and veterinary students the same right to opt out of vaccinations for religious or conscience reasons that other Texas students already have. It ensures that those entering health-related fields are not forced to choose between their deeply held beliefs and their professional education. By reducing state interference in personal health decisions, the bill respects individual liberty and medical privacy. It also prevents institutions from discriminating against students based on their immunization status during public health emergencies, avoiding unnecessary educational disruptions. This bill limits bureaucratic overreach and brings consistency across student populations.

Subject: Senate Bill 2138 (SB 2138) – Closes ESG investment loophole

• Author: State Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe)
• Caption: Relating to prohibiting the investment of the permanent university fund, the Texas University Fund, or money held by a public institution of higher education in financial companies that boycott certain energy companies.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 2138 ensures that public universities and their funds do not invest in financial firms that discriminate against fossil fuel companies through politically motivated ESG policies. It applies existing anti-boycott laws to university funds, closing a loophole that allowed higher education institutions to sidestep the law. This protects taxpayer-backed university funds from underperforming ESG-driven investments and ensures alignment with Texas’ commitment to energy independence and economic security. The bill helps ensure that public resources are invested based on financial merit, not political ideology.

Subject: Senate Bill 2308 (SB 2308) – Drug Research

• Author: State Sen. Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound)
• Caption: Relating to the establishment of a grant program to fund the United States Food and Drug Administration’s drug development trials with ibogaine for the purpose of securing the administration’s approval as a medication for treatment of opioid use disorder, co-occurring substance use disorder, and any other neurological or mental health conditions for which ibogaine demonstrates efficacy and the administration of that treatment.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • [UPDATED] SB 2308 creates a narrowly tailored, privately funded framework for advancing ibogaine research in Texas. While it is natural to be skeptical of government involvement in pharmaceutical development, this bill avoids the usual pitfalls by not including the use of taxpayer dollars or legislative appropriations. All funds must come from private sources, and applicants are required to match every dollar, ensuring skin in the game. The role of the Health and Human Services Commission is administrative and oversight-focused, not financial or directive, keeping the state’s involvement limited and largely procedural. The purpose of the bill is to facilitate FDA-approved clinical trials for ibogaine, a non-traditional therapy showing promise in treating opioid addiction, PTSD, and related mental health conditions—issues especially prevalent among Texas veterans. By requiring in-state research presence, strict safety protocols, and physician supervision, the program is designed to encourage medical innovation around a current Schedule I Substance. It also mandates the protection of intellectual property and encourages any future commercialization to remain in Texas. Though it involves state coordination, the bill is a donation-based initiative that seeks to solve real problems through private sector leadership and careful oversight, without burdening taxpayers. For these reasons, TFR has updated its position to SUPPORT.

Subject: Senate Bill 2330 (SB 2330) – Ends government-collected union dues

• Author: State Sen. Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound)
• Caption: Relating to payroll deductions for certain state and local government employee organizations.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 2330 ends the practice of government entities acting as middlemen for collecting union dues and fees from government employee paychecks. It ensures that taxpayer-funded payroll systems are no longer used to facilitate financial transactions with outside organizations, restoring proper government boundaries. While it doesn’t stop employees from supporting any group they choose, it simply removes the government from the process, eliminating indirect subsidies and administrative costs. This reform protects employee choice while respecting taxpayer resources and limiting government overreach. It also reduces risk of improper or coerced deductions. By requiring unions to collect their own dues, the bill encourages financial independence and accountability, and aligns with principles of transparency, government neutrality, and fiscal responsibility.

Subject: Senate Bill 2401 (SB 2401) – Sunset review backup bill

• Author: State Sen. Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound)
• Caption: Relating to governmental entities subject to the sunset review process.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE / AMEND
• Background: 
  • SB 2401 acts as a safety net to keep several state agencies running if their regular Sunset bills fail. It pushes back the termination dates for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, the Department of Information Resources, and unfortunately, the Texas Lottery Commission. It also schedules new Sunset reviews for the Texas Ethics Commission and several river authorities. While ensuring continuity of key government functions is prudent, including the Lottery Commission in this bill is a step in the wrong direction. State-sponsored gambling is not a proper function for government, and extending the life of the Lottery Commission is fiscally irresponsible.
  • TFR strongly recommends that the Legislature amend SB 2401, and exclude the Lottery Commission from this bill. Texas should be moving away from taxpayer-reliant gambling schemes, not reinforcing them.

Subject: Senate Bill 2422 (SB 2422) – Protects doctors’ COVID treatment choices

• Author: State Sen. Bob Hall (R-Edgewood)
• Caption: Relating to investigations and disciplinary or punitive action by the Texas Medical Board regarding certain treatments or practices regarding COVID-19 and to the required expungement of certain records.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 2422 is a legislative correction aimed at protecting doctors from bureaucratic overreach during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many physicians who exercised independent medical judgment in treating patients with affordable, off-label drugs like ivermectin or hydroxychloroquine faced costly investigations and career harm, despite good-faith efforts to save lives. This bill bars the Texas Medical Board from punishing doctors for such actions and retroactively clears their records. It also protects medical professionals from future discipline simply for expressing dissent on mask effectiveness or choosing not to enforce mask-wearing. The bill limits unelected regulators from punishing speech and treatment decisions and upholds professional freedom. Overall, the bill restores due process and curtails state interference in medical practice without costing taxpayers.

Subject: Senate Bill 2615 (SB 2615) – Limits remote work in colleges

• Author: State Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe)
• Caption: Relating to restricting remote work by employees of public institutions of higher education.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 2615 limits the use of remote work for employees in Texas public colleges and universities, ensuring that taxpayer-funded institutions prioritize in-person presence and accountability. The bill recognizes that while remote work may be necessary in limited situations, such as illness or disability, it should not become the norm—especially in roles that impact student engagement or require on-campus duties. By restricting remote work to only those who clearly qualify and prove strong independent performance, the bill promotes workplace productivity and responsible use of taxpayer money. This policy supports taxpayer interests by aligning public salaries with visible, accountable work. Ultimately, it helps preserve the value of in-person education while keeping flexibility only where truly necessary.

Subject: Senate Bill 2858 (SB 2858) – Stops local government overreach

• Author: State Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe)
• Caption: Relating to state preemption of certain municipal and county regulation.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 2858 ensures that cities and counties cannot override or ignore state laws in areas like election procedures, criminal enforcement, and public health rules. Some local governments have been creating conflicting rules that go beyond what the state allows, leading to legal confusion and unequal enforcement. This bill puts a stop to that by clearly stating that state law is supreme in these areas and empowering the Attorney General to hold noncompliant jurisdictions accountable. This protects taxpayers from rogue local policies and prevents the misuse of taxpayer dollars to fund unlawful actions. This bill promotes limited, consistent governance and strengthens accountability in the use of public funds.

Subject: Senate Bill 2891 (SB 2891) – New healthcare workforce planning bureaucracy

• Author: State Sen. Molly Cook (D-Houston)
• Caption: Relating to the establishment of the Health Professions Workforce Coordinating Council and the abolition of the statewide health coordinating council and the nursing advisory committee of that council.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • SB 2891 eliminates the Statewide Health Coordinating Council and replaces it with a new Health Professions Workforce Coordinating Council housed in DSHS. This new entity centralizes workforce planning across 15 agencies and is tasked with publishing a statewide strategic plan every two years. To carry out its duties, the bill authorizes nine new government hires, costing taxpayers nearly $2.9 million over the next two years alone. While well intentioned, this bill expands bureaucracy without offering evidence that a new structure will improve healthcare workforce outcomes. It also duplicates functions already handled by existing state agencies and workforce data systems. It creates a new layer of government, imposes ongoing planning mandates, and entrenches the idea that government should direct workforce trends rather than letting markets respond to demand. This bill expands government authority, codifies top-down workforce planning, and risks wasteful spending. Texas should focus on deregulation and private-sector training incentives rather than more bureaucratic councils.

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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.