Texans for Fiscal Responsibility has issued the following vote notice for May 25th, 2025

Texas House of Representatives

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Subject: Senate Bill 3070 (SB 3070) – Abolish Lottery Commission, Move Lottery to TDLR

• Author: State Sen. Bob Hall (R-Edgewood)
• Caption: Relating to the abolishment of the Texas Lottery Commission and the transfer of the administration of the state lottery and the licensing and regulation of charitable bingo to the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation; creating a criminal offense.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT / AMEND
• Background: 
  • SB 3070 eliminates the Texas Lottery Commission and hands over its duties to the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation, aiming to improve transparency and accountability. The bill calls for a sunset review to evaluate whether the lottery should continue to exist past 2027. It prohibits selling lottery tickets online or through mobile apps, and caps physical ticket sales to 100 per transaction. This aims to curtail abuse, fraud, and exploitation, particularly of vulnerable and low-income Texans. The bill mandates annual audits, public disclosure of policymaking meetings, and strong documentation retention, strengthening financial oversight. It blocks automatic contract renewals and limits who can be licensed or employed based on criminal background and other risk factors. A new advisory committee will provide independent input on lottery operations. From a fiscally conservative standpoint, this bill helps to reins in a regulatory agency found to be corrupt and wasteful, curbs cronyism in vendor contracts, and positions the state to potentially end the lottery altogether. However, TFR strongly recommends going a step further, and amending the legislation to end the lottery now, as the government-run Texas Lottery is not within the proper role of limited government, but rather a state-sanctioned gambling enterprise that preys on low-income Texans. 

Subject: Senate Bill 22 (SB 22) – Corporate welfare for Hollywood

• Author: State Sen. Joan Huffman (R-Houston)
• Caption: Relating to the Texas moving image industry incentive program and the establishment and funding of the Texas moving image industry incentive fund.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • SB 22 sets up a massive, taxpayer-funded grant program to subsidize movies, TV shows, and digital media projects made in Texas. The bill explicitly requires the comptroller to take $500 million, every two years, from general revenue and deposits it into a newly created, special fund called the “Texas moving image industry incentive fund” outside the state treasury. The half-billion is then distributed to entertainment companies. The program runs until 2035 and is projected to cost taxpayers over $2.5 billion over that period. The bill undermines core principles of limited government, creates a large, recurring carve-out from essential state revenues, and prioritizes corporate welfare for Hollywood-style projects over pressing taxpayer needs like tax relief. SB 22 ensures that $2.5 billion of Texas taxpayer money is given to the film industry for movies and other productions. For these reasons, TFR strongly opposes SB 22.

Subject: Senate Joint Resolution 59 (SJR 59) – Dedicated fund for Texas State Technical College

• Author: State Sen. Brian Birdwell (R-Granbury)
• Caption: Proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the creation of funds to support the capital needs of educational programs offered by the Texas State Technical College System and repealing the limitation on the allocation to that system and its campuses of the annual appropriation of certain constitutionally dedicated funding for public institutions of higher education.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • SJR 59 proposes a constitutional amendment to create two new state-managed funds specifically for capital investments and infrastructure at the Texas State Technical College System. These funds would exist outside the general revenue stream and receive continuous funding with investment returns distributed annually. Unlike most state programs, this funding would be automatically appropriated without further legislative approval, removing oversight. The bill repeals an existing safeguard that caps TSTC’s allocation from constitutionally dedicated higher education funding. The bill limits flexibility in budgeting. It also expands government spending obligations and increases the risk of future calls for similar carveouts by other institutions. This amendment entrenches a long-term funding stream in the constitution that lacks strong taxpayer accountability measures. Taxpayers will end up footing the bill for permanent infrastructure commitments regardless of TSTC’s performance or need, at a time when the legislature should be prioritizing property tax relief.

Subject: Senate Bill 500 (SB 500) – Streamlines foster care process

• Author: State Sen. Kevin Sparks (R-Midland)
• Caption: Relating to access to certain information in the adoption process. 
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 500 makes important improvements to Texas’ adoption process by requiring quicker turnaround times for critical background information about foster children. By enforcing a 45-day deadline to provide health and history reports and a 90-day deadline to deliver full case records after request, it ensures fewer bureaucratic delays. The bill also reduces unnecessary redactions, preserving only truly confidential information. Th bill helps children find permanent homes faster, meaning the state spends less on long-term foster care. It promotes efficiency, limits government waste, and helps families without growing bureaucracy. Prospective parents also face clear requirements like nondisclosure agreements to protect sensitive information, balancing privacy with timely access. Overall, this bill is a smart reform that protects children, helps taxpayers, and makes the adoption system work more effectively.

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, 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 2321 (SB 2321) – Grid emergency emissions waiver

• Author: State Sen. Phil King (R-Weatherford)
• Caption: Relating to the regulation of emissions by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality during an event affecting electric demand or grid reliability.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT / AMEND
• Background: 
  • SB 2321 helps to ensure that power producers and large facilities with backup generators won’t face regulatory punishment for emissions during energy emergencies—when the state’s electric grid is under serious strain. By codifying this waiver process, the bill gives businesses certainty and encourages them to keep the lights on without fear of fines. It removes red tape at the worst possible moment—during a grid emergency—when every megawatt counts. From a taxpayer perspective, this helps prevent costly blackouts that burden families and businesses. However, the House version softens the mandate, allowing—but not requiring—TCEQ to waive enforcement. It maintains TCEQ’s authority to assess violations and mandates reporting under existing protocols. TFR recommends amending the bill to align it closer with the Senate version.

Subject: Senate Bill 506 (SB 506) – Protects voter-driven proposition integrity

• Author: State Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston)
• Caption: Relating to requirements for certain petitions requesting an election and ballot propositions and to related procedures and provisions.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 506 ensures that ballot language in citizen-led elections is fair, clear, and not misleading, by establishing a uniform process for local propositions. It gives the Secretary of State and courts oversight to prevent deceptive or confusing language that could manipulate voter intent. By doing so, it protects the rights of citizens and taxpayers who are increasingly relying on ballot initiatives to challenge government overreach. This bill also restricts local governments from hijacking the process by placing conflicting measures on the same ballot, a tactic often used to dilute grassroots efforts. By cutting down on unnecessary legal challenges and re-elections caused by vague or biased language, it can help save taxpayer dollars. It also prevents repeat offenders from bypassing reform by forcing oversight for up to four years after a court violation.

Subject:  Senate Bill 667 (SB 667) – Protects pensions from foreign control

• Author: State Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola)
• Caption: Relating to prohibiting certain state governmental entities from investing in certain Chinese-affiliated entities.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 667 protects Texas taxpayer-funded pension systems from exposure to Chinese-affiliated companies linked to national security risks. It ensures that state retirement funds no longer invest in foreign adversaries that threaten U.S. economic and strategic interests. By mandating divestment from listed Chinese-controlled entities, the bill prioritizes economic security and fiduciary responsibility. It shields public funds from geopolitical volatility and potential financial manipulation by hostile regimes. Transparency measures require public reporting and allow the Attorney General to enforce compliance. Overall, the bill represents a sound step toward aligning public investments with national and economic security while safeguarding taxpayers from indirect support of foreign threats.

Subject:  Senate Bill 2073 (SB 2073) – Enables appraisal district debt

• Author: State Sen.  Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo)
• Caption: Relating to the authority of an appraisal district to purchase, finance the purchase of, or lease real property or construct or finance the construction of improvements to real property.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • SB 2073 allows appraisal districts to finance the purchase of real estate and the construction of buildings—something not clearly authorized under current law. It also removes the requirement that such financing be approved by the local taxing units that fund the appraisal district. While the underlying goal may be administrative efficiency, the bill enables unelected appraisal district boards to take on potentially large financial obligations without input from local elected officials. This reduces transparency and weakens oversight over public funds and future tax burdens. Importantly, appraisal districts do not generate their own revenue—they are funded entirely by local taxing entities, meaning taxpayers may ultimately be on the hook for this new debt. The bill further shifts the default for unresponsive taxing units from automatic disapproval to automatic approval, tilting the process in favor of government expansion. SB 2073 prioritizes bureaucratic convenience over taxpayer protections. 

Subject: Senate Bill 505 (SB 505) – Election integrity and accountability

• Author: State Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston)
• Caption: Relating to processes to address election irregularities; providing a civil penalty.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 505 creates a structured process for investigating election problems by empowering local participants to demand answers and initiate audits through the Secretary of State. It ensures that legitimate concerns about irregularities are addressed, not buried, promoting public confidence in elections. By holding local election officials accountable and subject to civil penalties, it discourages negligence or misconduct. Although it imposes some new state costs, it also allows the state to recover costs from counties that fail to follow the law. Ultimately, the bill respects the role of local government while ensuring that those who administer elections are answerable to taxpayers and voters.

Subject:  Senate Bill 2900 (SB 2900) – Comptroller office audits

• Author: State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham)
• Caption: Relating to a review of certain advisory entities under the jurisdiction of the comptroller of public accounts and to the repeal or redesignation of certain of those entities.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 2900 is a government efficiency measure that directs the Texas Comptroller to audit advisory boards and committees under its purview to determine if they serve a necessary function. If these groups are not contributing to effective and efficient governance, they can be eliminated or restructured. The bill also eliminates several outdated or redundant advisory bodies, including those related to environmental mandates and economic incentive oversight. By removing unnecessary layers of bureaucracy, SB 2900 promotes leaner government and reduces administrative waste. It ensures that taxpayer dollars are not spent maintaining advisory groups that no longer serve a clear purpose.

Subject:  Senate Bill 2217 (SB 2217) – Election transparency

• Author: State Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola)
• Caption: Relating to certain election practices and procedures.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 2217 aims to improve election transparency by requiring standardized reporting from all electronic voting devices. It mandates timestamping of voter check-ins, daily and post-election reconciliations between the number of voters and ballots cast, and public posting of those results. These measures increase election integrity without expanding bureaucracy, relying instead on automation and existing infrastructure. By requiring systems to detect and escalate discrepancies over 1%, the bill creates built-in safeguards against fraud or technical errors. The use of precise data logs also improves auditing and accountability, minimizing the need for costly recounts or legal challenges. Importantly, SB 2217 does not impose new spending mandates but leverages current technology to enhance oversight. It protects taxpayer confidence in elections without expanding government footprint or cost.

Subject:  Senate Bill 857 (SB 857) – Towing for License Violations

• Author: State Sen. Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) 
• Caption: Relating to the authorized removal of certain motor vehicles.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE / AMEND
• Background: 
  • SB 857 allows law enforcement to tow vehicles operated by drivers who are unlicensed or uninsured, aiming to improve road safety and enforce compliance with state laws. While the bill addresses legitimate safety concerns, it risks disproportionately impacting low-income Texans who may already struggle to afford insurance or navigate license or insurance reinstatement processes. It could also target Texans who are not acting in bad faith, whose insurance could have briefly lapsed, license expired but not renewed due to government backlogs, or clerical error. This could increase costs for taxpayers due to elevated impoundment, storage, and court-related burdens, while infringing on personal property rights and limiting individuals’ mobility and ability to perform job or family duties — especially in rural or transit-poor areas. To better balance safety and liberty, the bill should include due process protections (e.g., grace periods, citation instead of immediate towing, opportunities to immediately remedy issues) and ensure towing decisions prioritize actual public hazards. Reforms should also ensure that non-dangerous, first-time infractions are handled through fines or other means, not asset seizure.

Texas Senate

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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 43 (HB 43) – Taxpayer subsidy expansion

• Author: State Rep. Stan Kitzman (R-Brookshire)
• Caption: Relating to the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority and certain programs administered by the authority.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • HB 43 broadens who can receive taxpayer-backed agricultural loans and grants—by removing age restrictions, allowing businesses and nonprofits—to compete for the same limited pool of funds. It raises the maximum grant from $20,000 to $100,000 and the loan cap from $500,000 to $750,000, while also reducing the match requirement from a full 1:1 match to just 10%. While these changes may sound supportive of agriculture, they weaken the original intent of programs designed to help young or beginning farmers enter the market. By removing guardrails, the bill risks diverting taxpayer resources to well-established players who are better positioned to apply and qualify for benefits. Instead of targeting limited funds toward next-generation producers, HB 43 opens the door for those with more capital and influence to crowd out new entrants. It also creates a new pest and disease control program, further stretching the Texas Agricultural Fund. From a fiscally conservative and limited government standpoint, the bill unnecessarily expands state lending programs, dilutes their focus, and further distorts the agricultural market.

Subject: House Bill 103 (HB 103) – Taxpayer transparency for local debt

• Author: State Rep. Ellen Troxclair (R-Spicewood)
• Caption: Relating to the creation and maintenance of a database of taxing unit bond, tax, and bond-related project information; providing a civil penalty.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • HB 103 would require the Texas Comptroller to create a statewide online database showing detailed information about local governments’ bond debt, tax rates, and bond-funded projects. Taxpayers would be able to easily access data about how much debt their local governments have taken on, how bond money is being used, and how property tax elections have impacted their bills. This improves transparency and makes it easier for citizens to track public debt and tax increases. The bill is a win because it equips voters with facts to hold local governments accountable and discourages reckless borrowing and tax hikes.

Subject: House Bill 851 (HB 851) – Tax relief reporting 

• Author: State Rep. Mike Schofield (R-Katy)
• Caption: Relating to the determination and reporting of the number of residence homesteads of certain property owners for which the owner is receiving certain ad valorem tax benefits.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • HB 851 requires appraisal districts to collect and report better data on how many homeowners—such as seniors, people with disabilities, and veterans—are using key school property tax benefits. This includes tax freezes and deferrals meant to protect fixed-income Texans. The state comptroller must then publish this information so lawmakers and the public can clearly see how these benefits are being used across the state. By enhancing transparency, this bill supports smarter budgeting and ensures existing benefits are well-documented and properly monitored.

Subject: House Bill 1545 (HB 1545) – Improves sunset review process

• Author: State Rep. Keith Bell (R-Forney)
• Caption: Relating to the sunset review process and certain governmental entities subject to that process. 
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • HB 1545 reshuffles sunset review dates to better manage legislative oversight and agency accountability without adding new bureaucratic layers. By staggering evaluations, it reduces strain on the Sunset Advisory Commission and promotes a more focused and effective use of resources. Importantly, the bill calls for a targeted review of the troubled Texas Juvenile Justice Department, ensuring taxpayers are not footing the bill for inefficiencies or federal noncompliance. The bill strengthens transparency requirements and improves reporting practices, holding agencies more accountable to the Legislature and the public. It also ensures that non-abolishable agencies remain under scrutiny, preventing complacency. These reforms align with the principles of limited government by streamlining reviews. By boosting legislative control over agency operations, HB 1545 helps to advance fiscal discipline and taxpayer protection.

Subject: House Bill 1586 (HB 1586) – Simplifies vaccine exemption process

• Author: State Rep. Lacey Hull (R-Houston)
• Caption: Relating to an exemption from required immunizations for school enrollment.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • HB 1586 removes bureaucratic hurdles for Texas parents who want to opt their children out of school vaccine requirements for reasons of conscience. The bill allows the exemption form to be downloaded and printed directly from a state website, eliminating the need to mail in a request and wait for a physical copy. This streamlines the process, saves time, and respects parental rights. The bill also bans the government from collecting names or personal data from those who download or submit these forms, protecting privacy and limiting state overreach. Removing the requirement for special seals or tracking metrics also reduces administrative costs and inefficiencies. Parents will now have a faster, more secure, and less intrusive way to exercise their rights.

Subject: House Bill 2974 (HB 2974) – Hotel Tax Subsidies

• Author: State Rep. Tom Craddick (R-Midland)
• Caption: Relating to the authority of certain municipalities to use certain tax revenue for a hotel and convention center project and to receive certain tax revenue related to the project.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • HB 2974 significantly expands the number of cities eligible to receive state tax subsidies for building hotels and convention centers, effectively diverting public funds to private tourism developments. It grants these municipalities the ability to capture state sales and occupancy taxes for up to 10 years, costing taxpayers over $143 million in future revenue. While the bill claims to promote tourism, it continues the flawed practice of government picking winners and losers in the private sector. Rather than lowering taxes or funding essential services, this bill sends taxpayer money to underwrite speculative hotel ventures. It also adds red tape by layering in new requirements and city-specific carve-outs, further complicating an already bloated and complicated tax code. This is corporate welfare masquerading as economic development. Instead of subsidizing luxury hotels, Texas should be cutting taxes for all and focusing on core government functions.

Subject: House Bill 3214 (HB 3214) – Reduces barriers for Plumbers license 

• Author: State Rep. Keresa Richardson (R-McKinney)
• Caption: Relating to eligibility for a master plumber license.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • HB 3214 simplifies and shortens the process for becoming a master plumber in Texas, reducing unnecessary barriers to licensure. By allowing journeyman plumbers to qualify after two years of experience—or just one year with approved training—it helps meet the urgent workforce demand without growing government programs. The reform promotes private-sector growth by allowing more skilled tradesmen to advance faster, which is critical amid ongoing housing development and disaster recovery. Faster licensing means more competition and lower costs for plumbing services, which benefits Texas homeowners and taxpayers. Importantly, the bill does not expand government spending or create new entitlements—it simply eliminates outdated red tape.

Subject: House Bill 3801 (HB 3801) – New costly healthcare bureaucracy

• Author: State Rep. Angelia Orr (R-Itasca)
• 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: 
  • HB 3801 expands bureaucracy by replacing an existing council with a larger, more expensive entity that adds new advisory groups and nine additional full-time state employees. While it claims to streamline healthcare workforce planning, it instead creates new government layers at a cost of nearly $3 million in just two years, with $1.6 million in costs every year thereafter. The bill centralizes workforce analysis within the Department of State Health Services, increasing government involvement in decisions that could be made more efficiently by the private sector, educational institutions, or local health providers. It formalizes new committees, working groups, and mandates without meaningful cost controls or sunset provisions. The council’s vague scope of “strategic planning” risks mission creep and a steady expansion of its influence—and cost—over time. Texans already fund multiple agencies that deal with health and education; this bill simply reshuffles the deck and adds overhead.

Subject: House Bill 3824 (HB 3824) – Battery facility fire safety rules

• Author: State Rep.  Ken King (R-Canadian)
• Caption: Relating to fire safety standards and emergency operations plans for the operation of battery energy storage facilities; providing administrative penalties.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • HB 3824 creates a safety framework for large-scale battery energy storage facilities, ensuring that these privately operated sites follow consistent fire safety standards rooted in national codes. It avoids overregulation by only applying to newer, larger facilities and preempts local governments from layering on conflicting rules, protecting businesses from a patchwork of local mandates. The bill also avoids growing state bureaucracy by empowering existing agencies like the state fire marshal for enforcement. Importantly, it places the full financial burden of compliance, documentation, and emergency training on the facility operators, not taxpayers. The structured review process helps mitigate risk to nearby communities and first responders without imposing ongoing costs on the state. This measured approach balances safety with business certainty, supporting a growing industry without new subsidies or mandates.

Subject:  House Bill 4226 (HB 4226) – Tax carve-out

• Author: State Rep. Penny Shaw (D-Houston)
• Caption: Relating to exemptions from the taxes imposed on the sale, use, or rental of a motor vehicle for a vehicle purchased, used, or rented by a nonprofit food bank or a provider of housing and related services.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • HB 4226 gives special tax exemptions to certain nonprofit organizations when they buy, use, or rent vehicles. Food banks and providers of housing for homeless individuals would no longer pay motor vehicle sales, use, or rental taxes. Supporters argue this allows nonprofits to put more money into services like food delivery or housing support. However, this bill results in a direct hit to state revenue, including the Property Tax Relief Fund, which supports schools and taxpayers. While seemingly targeted and small in scope, the measure opens the door to expanding exemptions for more groups, undermining broad-based tax fairness. It sets a precedent for industry- or cause-specific tax carve-outs that shift the burden onto other taxpayers. The bill also lacks safeguards to prevent abuse or ensure that cost savings are passed on to those truly in need. From a fiscally conservative view, this bill unnecessarily grows government favoritism through selective tax exemptions.

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 4535 (HB 4535) – COVID vaccine transparency

• Author: State Rep.  John McQueeney (R-Fort Worth)
• Caption: Relating to COVID-19 vaccine administration requirements.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • HB 4535 ensures Texans are not subjected to COVID-19 vaccinations without full, written disclosure of potential risks. It requires medical providers to obtain signed consent and mandates that patients receive a standardized fact sheet developed by the state. This sheet must explain possible side effects, highlight the rushed nature of vaccine development, and disclose the lack of manufacturer liability. The bill protects vulnerable populations like minors and the mentally incapacitated by reinforcing parental or guardian consent. By requiring transparency, the bill discourages coercive medical practices and aligns with ethical, limited-government principles. It holds healthcare providers accountable through existing licensing penalties, avoiding unnecessary creation of new bureaucracies. Supporting HB 4535 means defending individual liberty, minimizing government or institutional intrusions, and ensuring public trust through transparency.

Subject: House Bill 4751 (HB 4751) – Corporate Welfare Expansion 

• Author: State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione (R-Southlake)
• Caption: Relating to the establishment and administration of the Texas Quantum Initiative.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • HB 4751 creates a new taxpayer-backed initiative to promote the quantum computing industry in Texas. It establishes an executive committee and a new fund to coordinate research and investment efforts and award grants to public institutions and private businesses. While the bill aims to make Texas a leader in emerging technologies, it does so by expanding the bureaucracy within the Office of the Governor, adding new staff, and creating an ongoing cost burden. The projected $3.5 million in startup costs—plus unlimited potential for future grants—creates a new spending stream at the expense of taxpayers. This is another form of unnecessary corporate welfare. Economic development should be led by the private sector, which is far more efficient and responsive, not through state-funded grant programs that distort markets and reward politically connected firms. Moreover, the bill opens the door to long-term obligations and vague strategic mandates that could grow government. The better approach would be to eliminate corporate subsidies and reduce regulatory barriers so innovation can thrive without taxpayer underwriting.

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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 eligible 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.