Texans for Fiscal Responsibility has issued the following vote notice for May 26th, 2025

Texas House of Representatives

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Subject:  Senate Bill 13 (SB 13) – Prohibit Inappropriate Materials in Libraries 

• Author: State Sen. Angela Paxton (R-McKinney)
• Caption: Relating to a school district’s library materials and catalog, the creation of local school library advisory councils, and parental rights regarding public school library catalogs and access by the parent’s child to library materials. 
• TFR Position:  SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 13 is a good step in there right direction and strengthens parental oversight over school library materials by ensuring transparency, protecting children from inappropriate content, and preventing taxpayer funds from being used on materials that are inappropriate for children. The bill mandates greater parental access to school library catalogs and checkout records, establishes local school library advisory councils to review materials, and prohibits explicit content based on FCC standards. By ensuring taxpayer dollars are not used to purchase obscene or unsuitable materials, SB 13 promotes fiscal responsibility and accountability in education. Additionally, by restricting access to books under review and allowing parents to set restrictions for their children, the bill reinforces parental rights.

Subject: Senate Bill 618 (SB 618) – Election procedure enforcement

• Author: State Sen. Kevin Sparks (R-Midland)
• Caption: Relating to the unlawful altering of election procedures; providing a civil penalty.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 618 ensures that Texas election officials follow the law exactly as written and are held accountable if they don’t. It prevents local or state election officials from changing voting rules on their own unless the law specifically allows it. If an official breaks these rules and refuses to correct the violation, they can be fined thousands of dollars per day until they comply. This bill empowers the Secretary of State to investigate violations and the Attorney General to enforce penalties. It also allows any Texan to file a complaint—even against the Secretary of State—and sue if violations go unresolved. The bill helps limit government overreach by enforcing rule of law, prevents rogue election changes that could lead to costly legal battles, and strengthens transparency and accountability while keeping election integrity intact.

Subject: Senate Bill 414 (SB 414) – Transparency on Bonds

• Author: State Sen. Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston)
• Caption: Relating to the text of ballot propositions for bond elections.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 414 makes local bond elections more transparent by requiring ballots to show the full cost of the debt—including interest—rather than just the principal. It also mandates a voter information document that shows how much debt a local government already has and estimates how much taxes would go up on a $100,000 home. This prevents misleading bond proposals and gives taxpayers the tools they need to make informed decisions. The bill because it promotes honesty, limits waste, and helps prevent unnecessary debt and tax hikes.

Subject: Senate Bill 2425 (SB 2425) – Self-driving vehicles

• Author: State Sen. Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville)
• Caption: Relating to the regulation of automated motor vehicles; creating a criminal offense.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 2425 sets clear statewide rules for operating self-driving or autonomous vehicles (AVs) in Texas. It requires companies to get state approval before putting AVs on the road, especially if they’re used to transport people or goods for profit. The bill ensures these vehicles meet safety standards and file emergency response plans to protect first responders and the public. It bars local governments from creating their own conflicting regulations, promoting regulatory consistency and reducing bureaucratic overreach. By setting a single set of rules, Texas encourages private sector innovation while avoiding a costly regulatory patchwork. This bill supports free-market solutions, limits unnecessary government interference, and protects taxpayers by ensuring unsafe or non-compliant vehicles are kept off the road. 

Subject: Senate Bill 898 (SB 898) – Bigger developer subsidies

• Author: State Sen. César Blanco (D-El Paso)
• Caption: Relating to the allocation of low income housing tax credits.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • SB 898 increases the amount of low-income housing tax credits that can be allocated to a single development from $2 million to $3 million per funding round. While the bill aims to reflect rising construction costs, it opens the door to concentrating public subsidies into fewer, larger projects. This change could reduce opportunities for smaller or emerging developers — including rural or community-based groups — to compete fairly for funding. By making larger sums available to individual developments, the bill may encourage oversized, taxpayer-subsidized projects with limited accountability, could open up calls for future funding sources. Additionally, funneling more credits into fewer developments risks misallocating taxpayer resources and raises concerns about government overreach in housing markets. This bill represents a move toward centralizing benefits for bigger players at the expense of competition, transparency, and prudent fiscal oversight.

Subject: Senate Bill 2215 (SB 2215) – Property Rights 

• Author: State Sen. Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels)
• Caption: Relating to the enforcement against violations by a municipality of certain zoning laws.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 2215 gives property owners more power to fight back when cities break zoning laws. It allows landowners to take cities to court directly and seek legal remedies like injunctions or declaratory judgments. If the landowner wins, the court can make the city pay legal fees, discouraging misuse of public funds to defend illegal actions. The bill protects property rights, promotes legal clarity, and ensures government accountability. It curbs unnecessary litigation delays and limits taxpayer exposure to prolonged city-driven legal fights.

Subject: Senate Bill 2322 (SB 2322) – Weakens JETI accountability safeguards

• Author: State Sen. Phil King (R-Weatherford)
• Caption: Relating to the findings required to be made by the comptroller of public accounts in order to recommend for approval an application for a limitation on the taxable value of eligible property for school district maintenance and operations ad valorem tax purposes under the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation Act.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • SB 2322 creates a carve-out in the JETI property tax abatement program by removing the requirement that energy companies prove a need for the incentive to choose Texas over other states. This opens the door for utility companies to secure tax breaks regardless of whether they were ever seriously considering another location. As a result, it effectively turns the JETI program from a competitive economic development tool into a guaranteed giveaway for these companies. By eliminating safeguards, SB 2322 weakens fiscal accountability and increases corporate welfare from taxpayer handouts. This sets a dangerous precedent for future erosion of the already limited taxpayer protections in economic incentive programs.

Subject: Senate Bill 747 (SB 747) – AI image abuse prevention

• Author: State Sen. Phil King (R-Weatherford)
• Caption: Relating to public school policies and programs regarding the production or distribution of certain intimate visual material by public school students.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 747 strengthens school discipline and anti-bullying policies to address the rising threat of students creating or sharing explicit images—whether real or AI-generated—of their peers. By explicitly allowing disciplinary action for these behaviors, schools can respond swiftly without waiting on costly legal proceedings. The bill updates the definition of cyberbullying and requires schools to adopt clear policies and preventative programs. These proactive measures empower districts to handle issues in-house, potentially reducing liability risks and avoiding expensive litigation. No new state spending or bureaucracy is created, and the bill allows districts to implement these standards in a way that works for them. This is a commonsense policy that prevents future problems, respects the dignity of persons, and protects personal liberties.

Subject: Senate Bill 2183 (SB 2183) – Statewide uniform fireworks sales

• Author: State Sen. Adam Hinojosa (R-Corpus Christi)
• Caption: Relating to the periods during which a retail fireworks permit holder may sell fireworks to the public.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 2183 creates a uniform statewide schedule for when retail fireworks can be sold to the public. Instead of counties deciding whether to allow sales on certain holidays, the bill authorizes specific sales periods for Texas Independence Day, San Jacinto Day, Cinco de Mayo, Memorial Day, and Diwali. This removes bureaucratic red tape and inconsistent enforcement and sales across counties. It also simplifies operations for small businesses that sell fireworks, saving them time and compliance costs. This bill limits regulatory barriers and promotes free enterprise and consumer choice, ensuring consistent statewide access.

Subject: Senate Bill 1897 (SB 1897) – Ban foreign telecom infrastructure

• Author: State Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola)
• Caption: Relating to advanced communications infrastructure security; authorizing a fee; providing administrative penalties.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 1897 strengthens Texas’s communications infrastructure by ensuring that sensitive equipment from foreign adversaries is removed and banned from future use. The bill sets a hard deadline after which no new communications infrastructure can include technology from companies that appear on the federal government’s security risk list. It also requires existing harmful infrastructure to be dismantled and replaced, while streamlining the permitting process to avoid bureaucratic delays. Importantly, any provider that refuses to comply will be disqualified from receiving state or local taxpayer funds or federally distributed infrastructure grants. This protects Texas taxpayers from unknowingly subsidizing companies that endanger national and state security. The law also ensures transparency by requiring a detailed public map showing where banned technology has been deployed. Overall, the bill promotes fiscal responsibility, public safety, and economic and national security.

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.

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 875 (SB 875) – Stop taxpayer-funded electioneering

• Author: State Sen. Brian Birdwell (R-Granbury)
• Caption: Relating to prohibiting election activities committed by a member of the board of trustees or superintendent of an independent school district or on certain school district premises; creating criminal offenses.
• TFR Position:  SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 875 strengthens election integrity by explicitly prohibiting school district officials from using taxpayer resources for political campaigning, ensuring public funds are dedicated solely to education. By imposing penalties for violations, the bill enhances accountability and prevents the misuse of state and local funds for partisan activities. This measure upholds fiscal responsibility by keeping school budgets focused on student learning rather than political advocacy. For these reasons, TFR supports SB 875.

Subject: Senate Bill 1030 (SB 1030) – Sales tax exemption for aircraft maintenance 

• Author: State Sen. Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville)
• Caption: Relating to the exemption from sales and use taxes for certain aircraft components and other property required for normal aircraft operations.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • SB 1030 expands a current sales tax exemption on aircraft parts by removing existing limits on who owns the aircraft. Today, only commercial carriers and flight schools get this tax break. This bill would extend the exemption to any aircraft—including private, corporate, or recreational planes—if parts are permanently installed or consumed in operation. While supporters claim it will boost aviation maintenance activity in Texas, it’s a broad giveaway with no clear accountability. The change would cost the state nearly $17 million over two years and over $45 million over five years, with millions more lost by cities and counties. From a fiscally conservative standpoint, this is a special interest carve-out that erodes the sales tax base without delivering relief to everyday Texans. 

Subject: Senate Bill 2747 (SB 2747) – Limits tax incentive deal misuse

• Author: State Sen. Angela Paxton (R-McKinney)
• Caption: Relating to limitations applicable to certain agreements providing for a rebate of municipal sales and use taxes or a grant or loan based on those taxes.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 2747 aims to prevent cities from using tax rebate deals to poach businesses from neighboring communities without delivering real economic benefit. These incentive agreements often shift sales tax dollars between cities without creating new jobs or investment. By requiring that such deals demonstrate genuine, non-tax-related economic improvement, the bill closes a loophole that allowed corporate interests to play cities against each other. This reform protects taxpayers by preserving local revenue for essential services like roads and law enforcement. It also reduces the influence of third-party consultants who profit from setting up these arrangements. SB 2747 reins in municipal overreach and misuse of tax policy.

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 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 2539 (SB 2539) – Transparency in local bond issuance

• Author: State Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston)
• Caption: Relating to the adoption of an ordinance issuing a tax increment bond by certain municipalities that have designated a tax increment reinvestment zone.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 2539 ensures greater transparency and accountability when local governments issue tax increment bonds tied to development zones. By requiring municipalities to notify property owners about public hearings in advance, it gives taxpayers a voice before new debt is approved. It also mandates that any ordinance issuing such bonds must receive a clear majority vote from elected officials, limiting the chance for rushed or under-the-radar approvals. These safeguards promote responsible fiscal policy and help prevent local governments from making long-term financial commitments without proper scrutiny. This is a common-sense check on local debt issuance and a way to protect property owners from being blindsided. It discourages backroom deals and prioritizes openness and due process. Overall, SB 2539 strengthens local government accountability without creating new bureaucracy.

Subject: Senate Bill 2857 (SB 2857) – Government drug purchasing pool

• Author: State Sen. César Blanco (D-El Paso)
• Caption: Relating to a prescription drug purchasing pool for certain health benefit plan issuers and employers.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • SB 2857 creates a new state-run prescription drug purchasing pool that allows public and private employers to join together under government oversight to negotiate drug prices. While the intent is to lower costs through bulk buying, the bill grows the role of state government in what could and should be handled by private-sector pharmacy benefit managers and coalitions. It expands bureaucracy at HHSC, costing taxpayers millions of dollars annually, with at least $3.4 million in new spending required just to get started. The bill relies on broad, undefined rulemaking powers. It also blurs public-private boundaries, and rather than encouraging competition and innovation in the private sector, this bill centralizes purchasing power in government hands.

Subject: Senate Bill 1531 (SB 1531) – Electronic property tax payment

• Author: State Sen. Juan Hinojosa (D-McAllen)
• Caption: Relating to the electronic payment of ad valorem taxes; authorizing a fee.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 1531 ensures all Texas property owners have the ability to pay their property taxes using modern, secure electronic methods—like debit cards or e-checks—regardless of where they live. It standardizes payment practices across the state and eliminates outdated limitations that vary by county. The bill requires clear online instructions and receipts for electronic payments, boosting transparency and accountability in local tax offices. By encouraging digital payments, it reduces administrative costs tied to handling physical checks and mail. The bill also allows collectors to charge a capped fee to cover payment processing costs, aligning with user-pays principles instead of forcing all taxpayers to subsidize digital convenience. This reform strengthens taxpayer options and efficiency without expanding government bureaucracy.

Subject: Senate Bill 1927 (SB 1927) – Municipal tree ordinances

• Author: State Sen. Adam Hinojosa (R-Corpus Christi)
• Caption: Relating to municipal regulation of the removal of an Ashe juniper tree.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 1927 ensures that homeowners have the freedom to remove Ashe juniper trees from their residential property without needing permission from their city or paying mitigation fees. This change removes an unnecessary layer of local regulation and affirms private property rights. The bill protects homeowners from burdensome compliance costs and prevents cities from collecting fees that act as hidden taxes. By limiting local overreach, the bill supports smaller government and reduces municipal interference in personal property decisions. The law aligns with free-market principles by removing obstacles that can raise costs for homeowners. It also prevents cities from using environmental rules to grow bureaucracies or extract revenue under the guise of tree protection. For these reasons, TFR supports SB 1927.

Subject: Senate Bill 1263 (SB 1263) – State-funded pharmacy disposal program

• Author: State Sen. Carol Alvarado (D-Houston)
• Caption: Relating to a pilot program for the safe disposal of prescription drugs, including controlled substance prescription drugs.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • SB 1263 shifts a drug disposal program from the Texas State Board of Pharmacy to the Department of State Health Services and expands the program’s scope and cost. It mandates the state fund kiosks at private pharmacies, cover drug destruction costs, and create educational materials. The bill also authorizes hiring new full-time state employees and sets no clear limit on program duration or total taxpayer burden. While addressing drug disposal is important, SB 1263 sidelines private-sector solutions—such as pharmacy-led initiatives, or market-driven mail-back services—and instead grows government bureaucracy to deliver services that could be privately managed.

Subject:  Senate Bill 1098 (SB 1098) – Prescription Drug Price Transparency

• Author: State Sen. César Blanco (D-El Paso)
• Caption: Relating to the disclosure by a pharmacy to a patient of certain price information for a drug or biological product.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 1098 promotes free-market transparency and empowers patients by requiring pharmacies to disclose the lowest available cash price for prescribed drugs. This helps Texans, especially seniors and low-income individuals, avoid unnecessary copay overpayments and make informed financial decisions. By allowing patients to bypass inflated insurance copays, the bill curbs hidden costs driven by pharmacy benefit managers and insurance companies. Reducing healthcare expenses through transparency aligns with fiscally conservative principles of efficiency, accountability, and individual choice.

Texas Senate

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Subject: House Bill 117 (HB 117) – New Education Task Force 

• Author: State Rep. Alan Schoolcraft (R-McQueeney)
• Caption: Relating to the establishment of the governor’s task force on the governance of early childhood education and care.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • HB 117 sets up a new government task force under the Texas Education Agency to evaluate and propose reforms to the state’s early childhood education and care programs. Although it claims to seek better coordination among agencies, it ultimately creates redundant oversight and comes with a $2.15 million price tag for taxpayers, mostly going toward administrative costs and IT upgrades—without any promise of concrete savings or program improvements. The bill duplicates responsibilities and coordination authorities that existing agencies already have. Rather than simplifying and streamlining government operations within existing agencies, it adds another layer of complexity at public expense.

Subject: House Bill 229 (HB 229) – Defines male and female

• Author: State Rep. Ellen Troxclair (R-Spicewood)
• Caption: Relating to general definitions for and collection of governmental information regarding biological sex.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • HB 229 brings consistency and objectivity to how Texas defines sex-based terms in law and data collection. By using clear, biological definitions for “male” and “female,” the bill eliminates ambiguity that can lead to legal confusion, inconsistent enforcement of regulations, and policy uncertainty. This clarity helps reduce bureaucratic overreach by ensuring that state and local agencies follow uniform standards instead of inventing their own subjective criteria. It also protects the integrity of public data and strengthens policies designed to ensure safety and fairness in areas like crime reporting, sports, and facility access. Rather than expanding government authority, the bill limits interpretive discretion and reduces the potential for costly litigation over gender identity interpretations. The bill reduces regulatory uncertainty and avoids future administrative or legal costs tied to inconsistent practices.

Subject: House Bill 621 (HB 621) – Protects political speech in POAs

• Author: State Rep. Jared Patterson (R-Frisco)
• Caption: Relating to the authority of a property owners’ association to regulate the assembly, association, and speech of property owners or residents related to governmental officials or candidates for political office. 
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • HB 621 protects residents’ rights in POA-governed communities by preventing associations from blocking access to shared spaces for political discourse. The bill stops POAs from selectively silencing political events or candidates who may not align with the board’s preferences—ensuring transparency, fairness, and viewpoint neutrality. Since residents already pay dues that maintain these spaces, they should have the freedom to use them equally. It curtails petty overreach by unelected boards while promoting civic participation. This supports free speech without adding regulation or cost to taxpayers.

Subject: House Bill 1661 (HB 1661) – Election integrity 

• Author: State Rep. Cody Vasut (R-Angleton)
• Caption: Relating to election supplies and the conduct of elections; creating criminal offenses; increasing criminal penalties.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • HB 1661 strengthens election integrity by ensuring polling places are properly stocked with ballots, so voters are not turned away due to bureaucratic incompetence. By requiring local election officials to provide more ballots than were used in prior elections, the bill adds a common-sense safeguard against ballot shortages. It introduces real consequences for officials who deliberately fail to meet this basic duty, helping prevent future election-day crises. Additionally, the bill raises penalties for obstructing election supply logistics and leaking sensitive information before polls close—helping deter bad actors. Its targeted enforcement approach avoids bloating bureaucracy while improving reliability in election administration.

Subject: House Bill 2313 (HB 2313) – HOT Tax and PFZ

• Author: State Rep. Carl Tepper (R-Lubbock)
• Caption: Relating to the authority of certain municipalities to use certain tax revenue for certain qualified projects.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • HB 2313 allows Lubbock to establish a special zone to capture and keep growing state tax revenues from local hotels, restaurants, and bars for 30 years. This is a long-term state subsidy to finance local infrastructure tied to tourism or economic development. Though it sounds like a growth strategy, the bill siphons off money that would otherwise go to the state treasury—an estimated $121 million over three decades. The measure rewards a single city with special treatment and shifts financial risk to state taxpayers. These zones lack transparency and could result result in underperforming or speculative developments. From a fiscally conservative perspective, this is another example of government trying to engineer growth through tax diversion schemes instead of market-driven investment. HB 2313 expands an expensive, unaccountable program that undermines uniform tax policy and state budgeting discipline.

Subject: House Bill 2512 (HB 2512) – Limits ETJ release

• Author: State Rep. Charlie Geren (R-Fort Worth)
• Caption: Relating to the release of certain areas from a municipality’s extraterritorial jurisdiction by petition or election.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • HB 2512 backtracks on recent reforms that gave landowners more freedom to exit a city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ). It creates new carve-outs that block smaller properties and certain subdivisions from leaving city oversight, regardless of owner consent. These changes restrict property rights by preventing landowners from opting out of municipal control, even in areas outside city limits. Instead of allowing local consent and limited government, it entrenches municipal authority over private landowners. The bill reinstates bureaucratic barriers, especially favoring large urban municipalities with over 900,000 residents. From a fiscal conservative view, this expands government reach without voter input. Overall, it undermines self-determination and props up city control at the expense of limited government principles.

Subject: House Bill 3053 (HB 3053) –

• Author: State Rep. Wes Virdell (R-Brady)
• Caption: Relating to municipal and county firearm buyback programs.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • HB 3053 ensures that local governments in Texas cannot use public resources to operate or promote firearm buyback programs. These programs, often promoted as public safety tools, spend taxpayer money to purchase privately owned firearms, yet have shown little evidence of reducing crime. By banning such programs, the bill protects taxpayers from funding ineffective, feel-good policies that don’t address the root causes of violence. Limiting local government overreach aligns with the principle of smaller, more accountable governance. The bill maintains consistent firearm policy across the state and avoids redundant, wasteful and symbolic expenditures. From a fiscal standpoint, it keeps local funds focused on essential services, not on controversial social initiatives.

Subject: House Bill 3159 (HB 3159) – Incentivizes oil well restimulation

• Author: State Rep. Drew Darby (R-San Angelo)
• Caption: Relating to a severance tax exemption for oil and gas produced from certain previously inactive restimulation wells; providing a civil penalty.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • HB 3159 encourages efficient resource use by offering a targeted severance tax exemption for oil and gas companies that reinvest in inactive wells through restimulation. This approach supports energy production without subsidizing new drilling or infrastructure, making better use of what already exists. The bill’s time-limited and capped tax relief ensures that incentives are measured and don’t create permanent loopholes or runaway costs. By requiring verification through the Railroad Commission and the Comptroller, the bill safeguards against abuse and fraud. Only wells with a history of substantial production qualify, which prevents speculative or unproductive ventures from exploiting the tax break. The bill avoids expanding government bureaucracy and limits the scope of benefit to previously dormant assets, not new projects. Overall, this policy aligns with limited-government principles by encouraging private capital to revive existing resources without growing state obligations.

Subject: House Bill 3225 (HB 3225) – Ban explicit material in Libraries 

• Author: State Rep. Daniel Alders (R-Tyler)
• Caption: Relating to the prohibition of access by minors to sexually explicit materials in municipal public library collections; providing a civil penalty.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • HB 3225 aims to prevent sexually explicit content from being accessible to children in city-run public libraries by setting clear restrictions and consequences. It mandates that libraries review their collections yearly and establish a petition process for concerned citizens to flag inappropriate materials. Libraries that fail to comply may lose access to state grants and face fines. The measure protects taxpayers from subsidizing institutions that expose minors to explicit material, reinforcing accountability in how local entities manage public resources. By tying compliance to funding and enabling enforcement through civil penalties, the bill strengthens parental rights and protections for children. The bill balances limited government with proper stewardship of public institutions and taxpayer dollars.

Subject: House Bill 4264 (HB 4264) – Law enforcement pay incentive program

• Author: State Rep. Cole Hefner (R-Mount Pleasant)
• Caption: Relating to creation of a grant program for certain peace officers who hold a master proficiency certificate.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • HB 4264 would create a new state-funded grant program that hands out $6,500 bonuses to certain law enforcement officers. To qualify, the officer must hold a Master Proficiency Certificate and be working full-time, with the money used solely to increase their pay. While retaining experienced officers is a worthy goal, this bill adds a recurring financial burden on taxpayers without clear performance accountability or demonstrated need. It bypasses local control and accountability, and uses state dollars to supplement compensation decisions that should be made at the local level. The bill lacks safeguards to ensure the bonuses lead to better policing outcomes or increased public safety. It also sets a precedent for other professions to demand similar handouts based on certifications. Worse, it opens the door to future expansions and inflation-adjusted increases, effectively growing government commitments without long-term oversight. With no limits on the number of awards, the total taxpayer cost could spiral. In short, while well intentioned, HB 4264 expands state spending for local personnel matters under the guise of professional development, without sufficient justification or restraint.

Subject: House Bill 4488 (HB 4488) – Budget gimmick/loophole extension 

• Author: State Rep. Greg Bonnen (R-Friendswood)
• Caption: Relating to the creation and re-creation of funds and accounts, the dedication and rededication of revenue and allocation of accrued interest on dedicated revenue, and the exemption of unappropriated money from use for general governmental purposes.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • HB 4488 is a technical bill that pretends to clean up the state’s finances but instead makes it easier for lawmakers to rely on accounting tricks to pass bigger budgets. It extends the use of a loophole that lets the state count money from dedicated funds—meant for specific purposes—as if it were free to spend elsewhere, inflating the revenue estimate without raising taxes or making actual cuts. They inflate the revenue side of the budget equation using fund balances that aren’t truly free to spend. It also claims to “abolish” new dedicated funds created this session, but most funds are exempted, making this part largely meaningless and just for show. The bill extends the expiration date of this certification loophole to 2027, ensuring that lawmakers can keep using these tricks next session. Instead of promoting real fiscal discipline, HB 4488 enables more spending while avoiding hard choices. It disguises revenue manipulation as reform. For these reasons, TFR opposes HB 4488.

Subject: House Bill 5138 (HB 5138) – Election Enforcement by AG

• Author: State Rep. Matt Shaheen (R-Plano)
• Caption: Relating to the duty of the attorney general to prosecute criminal offenses prescribed by the election laws of this state.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • HB 5138 ensures that election law violations are prosecuted even when local prosecutors fail to act, restoring accountability and deterring voter fraud. The bill grants the Attorney General mandatory authority to step in after six months of local inaction, streamlining enforcement and closing loopholes exposed by recent court rulings. The bill defends the integrity of one of our most fundamental civic processes—voting. For these reasons, TFR supports HB 5138.

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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.