Texans for Fiscal Responsibility has issued the following vote notice for May 27th, 2025

Texas House of Representatives

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Subject: Senate Bill 290 (SB 290) – Unnecessary government regulation in energy sector

• Author: State Sen. Borris Miles (D-Houston) 
• Caption: Relating to notice to property owners regarding certain stationary LP-gas installations.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • SB 290 mandates that companies applying for permits to install or modify large LP-gas (liquefied petroleum gas) storage facilities notify property owners within 500 feet via certified mail. While transparency is valuable, the bill imposes additional regulatory burdens on businesses, increasing bureaucratic red tape and potential delays. The requirement to maintain proof of notice adds more unnecessary administrative costs and expenses for private entities. This bill represents government overreach that adds costs when market forces and local engagement can already address these concerns efficiently. For these reasons, TFR opposes SB 290.

Subject: Senate Bill 1365 (SB 1365) – DMV authority expansion

• Author: State Sen. Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville)
• Caption: Relating to vehicle registration, license plates, and inspection reports.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • SB Senate Bill 1365 expands the authority of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) by allowing the agency to unilaterally deny, revoke, or suspend vehicle registrations without a formal hearing—only requiring notice and a chance to respond. This represents a troubling erosion of due process protections for individuals and businesses. The bill further exempts TxDMV actions from key provisions of the Texas Administrative Procedure Act, weakening judicial oversight and consolidating more unchecked power in a state agency. In addition to bureaucratic overreach, the bill imposes a mandatory $200 annual fee on electric vehicle owners, increasing costs on Texans. It also gives TxDMV broader enforcement tools to penalize dealers, even without clear avenues for appeal in some cases.

Subject: Senate Bill 18 (SB 18) – Drag Queen Story Hour at Libraries 

• Author: State Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola)
• Caption: Relating to prohibiting municipal libraries that host certain events from receiving state or other public funding.
• TFR Position:  SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • Senate Bill 18 prohibits taxpayer funds from going to public libraries that host sexualized drag-queen story hour. Taxpayer funds should never be used to host these events that can be used to sexualize children. This is a responsible, pro-taxpayer measure to preserve the integrity of taxpayer money. For these reasons, TFR supports SB 18.

Subject:  Senate Bill 427 (SB 427) – Financial Transparency for State Funding

• Author: State Sen. Juan Hinojosa (D-McAllen)
• Caption:Relating to the eligibility of certain political subdivisions to receive a state loan or grant following the political subdivision’s failure to comply with certain financial reporting requirements.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 427 strengthens financial accountability by requiring local governments to file annual financial reports to remain eligible for state loans or grants. This ensures taxpayer dollars are allocated to responsible entities that practice fiscal discipline and transparency. By holding local governments accountable, the bill discourages financial mismanagement and prevents state funds from being wasted on poorly managed subdivisions. The inclusion of water districts broadens oversight, ensuring that all recipients of state funding are financially transparent. For these reasons, TFR supports SB 427.

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 1163 (SB 1163) – Protects taxpayer due process

• Author: State Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola)
• Caption: Relating to the circumstances under which an appraisal review board is required to postpone a protest hearing.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 1163 makes it easier for property owners to navigate local tax protest hearings by giving them more flexibility when hearings overlap. It guarantees that a property owner or agent can request one postponement and expands what counts as a valid reason for rescheduling. If someone misses a hearing because they were attending another one, they won’t be penalized. This bill helps ensure government is not punishing taxpayers for bureaucratic inefficiencies and promotes fairness without adding any new cost or regulation. This is a commonsense reform that helps to protect property rights, reduce red tape, and ensure government processes serve citizens.

Subject:  Senate Bill 1484 (SB 1484) – Bans fake catfish labeling

• Author: State Sen. Adam Hinojosa (R-Corpus Christi)
• Caption: Relating to the marketing and sale of catfish and similar fish by food service establishments, food service suppliers, wholesalers, distributors, and wholesale distributors; providing administrative and civil penalties.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 1484 protects Texas consumers and aquaculture producers by ensuring accurate seafood labeling, preventing deceptive marketing of cheaper foreign fish as domestic catfish. This levels the playing field for Texas farmers who follow strict environmental and safety standards, reducing unfair competition from foreign imports. It promotes transparency in the marketplace and helps consumers make informed choices. By encouraging domestic aquaculture, this bill supports local jobs and reduces dependency on seafood imports, over 85% of which come from countries with lower regulatory standards. For these reasons, TFR supports SB 1484.

Subject:  Senate Bill 315 (SB 315) – DNA Property Rights Protection

• Author: State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham)
• Caption: Relating to a property right in DNA; providing injunctive relief and a civil penalty; creating a criminal offense.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 315 affirms every Texan’s property right in their own DNA, ensuring that genetic information cannot be collected, tested, stored, or sold without informed consent. The bill imposes meaningful civil and criminal penalties on violators, empowering the Attorney General to pursue legal action and deter abuse. The bill protects individual liberty, secures personal data from corporate misuse, and limits government overreach by codifying clear boundaries rather than expanding bureaucracy. 

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 2611 (SB 2611) – Real property fraud

• Author: State Sen. Royce West (D-Dallas)
• Caption: Relating to the status of certain documents or instruments concerning real or personal property; creating the criminal offenses of real property theft and real property fraud and establishing a statute of limitations for those offenses; harmonizing other statute of limitations provisions; increasing a criminal penalty.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 2611 creates new criminal laws specifically for real property theft and fraud, separating these from generic theft or fraud to better track and prosecute offenders. This bill gives property owners more tools to defend their rights and reclaim their land without needing costly and time-consuming litigation. It ensures that criminal judgments affecting property are filed in county records, helping prevent fraudulent owners from maintaining control of stolen real estate. The bill also mandates restitution for victims, including property owners, lenders, and title companies, to ensure those harmed are made whole—without relying on taxpayer-funded bailouts. By allowing civil courts to invalidate fraudulent documents quickly, the bill minimizes bureaucratic delays and legal costs. This measure helps to restore faith in private property rights and reduces legal uncertainty in real estate markets. It protects taxpayers by preventing bad actors from using public systems to profit off fraud. Ultimately, it upholds a key limited-government principle: safeguarding private property.

Subject: Senate Bill 2452 (SB 2452) – Protects taxpayers from biased valuations

• Author: State Sen. Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills)
• Caption: Relating to the compensation of the chief appraiser of an appraisal district.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 2452 puts a stop to performance-based pay schemes that incentivize chief appraisers to push property values higher. While current law already bars direct pay incentives based on increasing property values, some appraisal districts have worked around this rule with vague contract terms. This bill closes that loophole by banning any form of compensation—direct or indirect—tied to the expectation that values will go up. It strengthens taxpayer protections by helping ensure property appraisals are based on reality, not budget padding or performance targets. This prevents a conflict of interest where the people setting your property value have a personal financial stake in raising it. It also promotes a neutral and trustworthy appraisal process, helping to prevent backdoor tax increases.

Subject: Senate Bill 1705 (SB 1705) – Cryptocurrency kiosk regulations

• Author: State Sen. Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound)
• Caption: Relating to the regulation of virtual currency kiosks; providing an administrative penalty.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • SB 1705 creates a sweeping new regulatory regime over virtual currency kiosks in Texas. It requires operators to register with the state, obtain prior approval, and submit detailed reports about kiosk locations and activities. The bill empowers government agencies to access some user data without a warrant and places a host of mandates on operators, including compliance staffing, ID verification, and first-time transaction delays. It caps daily transaction amounts and limits fees, inserting government into pricing decisions better left to the free market. Small operators would face significant costs just to stay in business, favoring larger corporations that can afford complex compliance. The bill also authorizes harsh penalties, emergency shutdowns, and broad enforcement powers, creating a chilling effect on innovation. While well intentioned as a consumer protection bill, it empowers state agencies to micromanage a rapidly evolving sector, consumers lose privacy and face paternalistic restrictions on how they use their money, and legitimate businesses face restrictions and regulations that go too far.

Subject: Senate Bill 2063 (SB 2063) – Appraisal protests

• Author: State Sen. Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound)
• Caption: Relating to ad valorem tax protests and appeals on the ground of the unequal appraisal of property.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 2063 improves the fairness and transparency of Texas’s property tax protest system by eliminating the use of market value evidence in cases that focus only on unequal appraisal. This means taxpayers can challenge their appraisals based strictly on how their property was assessed compared to others—without the appraisal district muddying the waters by introducing subjective or fluctuating market values. By keeping the focus solely on comparative appraised values, the process becomes clearer, more consistent, and harder to manipulate. This protects homeowners and small businesses from being overtaxed due to inconsistencies by appraisal districts. It also discourages costly and prolonged disputes by simplifying the scope of evidence, saving both time and money. This legislation is a small step toward a more accountable and taxpayer-friendly appraisal system in Texas.

Subject:  Senate Bill 125 (SB 125) – Protects patient blood choice

• Author: State Sen. Bob Hall (R-Edgewood)
• Caption: Relating to autologous and direct blood donations.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 125 protects patient choice and reduces bureaucratic interference in personal medical decisions by allowing patients to use their own or a known donor’s blood when prescribed by a physician. By doing so, it improves healthcare outcomes—especially for individuals with rare blood disorders—while potentially reducing long-term treatment costs associated with complications from mismatched transfusions. It enhances transparency and accountability in the healthcare system without imposing new regulatory burdens or expanding government power. 

Texas Senate

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Subject: House Joint Resolution 7 (HJR 7) – Billions in new constitutional spending 

• Author: State Rep. Cody Harris (R-Palestine)
• Caption: Proposing a constitutional amendment to dedicate a portion of the revenue derived from state sales and use taxes to the Texas water fund.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • HB 7 seeks to constitutionally earmark up to $1 billion per year from state sales tax revenue for the Texas Water Fund. While water infrastructure is important, this measure removes large sums from the general revenue fund limiting legislative flexibility. It represents a long-term commitment of taxpayer dollars without sufficient legislative oversight. By constitutionally dedicating funds, lawmakers reduce the legislature’s ability to prioritize spending annually based on changing needs. The lack of reforms or spending guardrails on the Water Fund also raises concerns about transparency and efficiency. With the state’s history of under-delivering on accountability in large infrastructure funds, this amendment risks growing government bureaucracy without guaranteeing outcomes. Voters should be cautious of creating another permanent spending mechanism carved out of the budget.

Subject: House Bill 42 (HB 42) – Higher ed spending increase.

• Author: State Rep. Terry Wilson (R-Georgetown)
• Caption: Relating to the amount and allocation of the annual constitutional appropriation to certain agencies and institutions of higher education and to the permissible uses of that money.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • HB 42 would double the annual allocation to the Higher Education Fund, committing an additional $394 million in general revenue every biennium, with no clear fiscal offset. This massive spending increase—totaling nearly $2 billion over five years—expands the size and scope of government. Rather than providing targeted relief to taxpayers or reducing tuition burdens, the bill pours more money into a system already struggling with accountability and bloated administrative costs. The bill makes no serious effort to reduce waste or reform how capital funds are used by institutions. At a time when the state should be prioritizing property tax relief or limiting government growth, this bill moves in the opposite direction.

Subject: House Bill 111 (HB 111) – Expands transparency

• Author: State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione (R-Southlake)
• Caption: Relating to the applicability of the public information law, including the disclosure of information in the possession, custody, or control of certain governmental bodies.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • HB 111 aims to strengthen public access to government records by tightening the rules under which agencies and political bodies can withhold information. It brings more nonprofit groups that receive public funds under the umbrella of open records laws, closing a common loophole. It also limits legal privilege claims by government attorneys, ensuring that public entities cannot hide routine documents behind vague legal protections. Importantly, the bill instructs the Attorney General to interpret disclosure exceptions narrowly and always favor transparency. By repealing secrecy provisions for high-level public hiring processes, it promotes public oversight in how taxpayer-funded leadership positions are filled. The bill is a positive step toward government accountability.

Subject: House Bill 322 (HB 322) – Expands JET grants

• Author: State Rep. Ryan Guillen (R-Rio Grande City)
• Caption: Relating to the use of funds awarded under the Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) Grant Program.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • HB 322 would allow JET grant funds to be used not just for tangible classroom equipment, but also for technology systems and their ongoing upkeep. While intended to modernize career training programs, the bill opens the door to spending taxpayer dollars on vague “technology solutions” without clear limits. This risks shifting resources away from direct student tools toward bloated administrative or tech consulting expenses. Expanding the scope of the grants dilutes their original purpose of directly equipping students for high-demand jobs. It could also create a recurring taxpayer obligation for maintenance costs, straying from the one-time investment model of JET. This bill weakens accountability and invites mission creep within a program originally designed for targeted benefits.

Subject: House Bill 500 (HB 500) – Supplemental Appropriations

• Author: State Rep. Greg Bonnen (R-Friendswood)
• Caption: Relating to making supplemental appropriations and reductions in appropriations and giving direction and adjustment authority regarding appropriations.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • HB 500 exemplifies fiscal irresponsibility by using supplemental appropriations as a backdoor to inflate state spending without accountability. It adds $13.7 billion in general revenue and nearly $12 billion in total funds, despite declining federal support in some areas. Much of this funding goes to ongoing programs, politically driven handouts, and deferred maintenance—not true emergencies. By treating temporary surplus funds as a slush fund, HB 500 sets the stage for new recurring expenses that will burden future budgets and crowd out tax relief. It also acts as a shell game to increase the base-year budget, expanding the spending cap for the next session. Instead of directing surplus dollars toward compressing and eliminating school M&O property taxes, HB 500 prioritizes pet projects and interest group giveaways. It deepens government bloat, undermines trust in budget transparency, and rewards lobbyist-driven politics over taxpayers. Fiscal conservatives should view this bill as a clear violation of prudent budgeting and oppose it outright. Taxpayers deserve relief—not more permanent spending disguised as one-time appropriations.

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, as substituted in the Senate, allows the Texas Comptroller to create a new currency backed by gold and silver held in the state’s bullion depository, and declares Gold and Silver as legal tender. 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. For these reasons, TFR strongly supports HB 1056.

Subject: House Bill 1211 (HB 1211) – Unlimited tuition waiver for foster students 

• Author: State Rep. John Lujan (R-San Antonio)
• Caption: Relating to tuition and fee exemptions at public institutions of higher education for certain students who were under the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • HB 1211 would permanently remove the age limit that currently requires students formerly in Texas foster care to enroll in college before turning 25 in order to qualify for free tuition and fee exemptions. While the bill aims to support vulnerable students, it extends open-ended access to taxpayer-funded college tuition with no enrollment deadline, increasing long-term costs to the state. Without any upper age limit, the exemption could be used decades after someone exits foster care, weakening accountability and planning for higher education. This opens the door to ongoing obligations without any cost containment or incentive for timely enrollment. Rather than targeting support efficiently, it shifts the burden to taxpayers indefinitely. The bill lacks provisions to evaluate outcomes or fiscal impact beyond enrollment. While well-intentioned, the proposal could grow state spending and dilute limited resources without clear guardrails.

Subject: House Bill 3441 (HB 3441) – Liability for harmful vaccine ads

• Author: State Rep. Shelley Luther (R-Tom Bean)
• Caption: Relating to the liability of vaccine manufacturers that advertise a harmful vaccine.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • HB 3441 holds vaccine manufacturers financially accountable if they advertise their product in Texas and that product causes harm. The bill reinforces the principle that private companies should bear responsibility for the real-world consequences of their marketing. This legislation protects Texas taxpayers from footing the bill for injuries caused by powerful corporations shielded under federal law. It strengthens individual legal recourse without growing state bureaucracy or creating new regulations. The bill promotes transparency and consumer protection in a way that aligns with limited government values—relying on the courts, not agencies, to resolve disputes. In effect, it discourages reckless pharmaceutical promotion while respecting free market boundaries. This is a reasonable, narrowly tailored approach to corporate accountability that doesn’t expand government power or spending.

Subject: House Bill 3923 (HB 3923) – Promotes skills-based state hiring

• Author: State Rep. Keith Bell (R-Forney)
• Caption: Relating to state employment opportunities for individuals who do not hold a bachelor’s degree.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • HB 3923 eliminates unnecessary college degree requirements for many state jobs, helping Texas hire more qualified workers based on skills and experience rather than academic credentials alone. By shifting toward a skills-based hiring model, the state can fill roles faster and potentially lower hiring costs. Government should be efficient and focus on results, not credentials. This reform trims bureaucratic red tape in hiring and improves workforce flexibility. With rising college costs and a tight labor market, this is a fiscally responsible update that boosts opportunity without adding new spending. Fewer degree mandates mean a more competitive and taxpayer-friendly workforce strategy.

Subject: House Bill 4623 (HB 4623) – School Accountability for Child Abuse

• Author: State Rep.  Mitch Little (R-Lewisville)
• Caption: Relating to liability of public schools and professional school employees for certain acts or omissions involving students.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • HB 4623 holds public schools and their employees civilly accountable for serious misconduct like sexual abuse or failing to report child abuse. It empowers victims to seek damages directly from both the individuals responsible and the public institutions that employ them. By removing governmental and official immunity, the bill ensures that those entrusted with children’s care face real consequences for neglect or abuse. From a taxpayer standpoint, this bill promotes accountability and transparency in schools without growing government bureaucracy. Rather than expanding state oversight, it relies on the civil justice system to check misconduct. The focus is narrowly tailored to serious and substantiated claims, avoiding overreach. Schools must protect children, and this bill creates meaningful financial deterrents when they fail to do so. It encourages local districts to improve internal oversight and personnel screening—potentially saving taxpayer dollars in the long run by reducing future incidents. Overall, this measure promotes justice and strengthens local responsibility and accountability.

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

• Author: State Rep. Greg Bonnen (R-Friendswood)
• Caption: Relating to the Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • HB expands the Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative by increasing board size and extending the program’s lifespan through 2031. While promoted as a cost-saving effort, it further entrenches a state-run pharmaceutical operation that duplicates private sector functions. The initiative’s expanded mission—including manufacturing generics and offering gene therapies—reflects significant mission creep, inviting ongoing taxpayer liability for services typically handled by competitive markets. Rather than sunsetting the program as scheduled, this bill grows it and delays necessary evaluation. From a limited government standpoint, this represents another step toward centralized healthcare management and away from market-driven solutions.

Subject: House Bill 5616 (HB 5616) – Taxpayer fund for presidential libraries 

• Author: State Rep. Donna Howard (D-Austin)
• Caption: Relating to the Texas presidential library promotion program and fund.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • HB 5616 creates a new taxpayer-supported promotional program to elevate three presidential libraries in Texas. While framed as an educational and tourism initiative, the bill expands government involvement in these museum operations that should remain private or nonprofit-led. The legislation opens the door to indefinite public spending on exhibit renovations, mobile displays, and tourism campaigns that benefit already well-endowed institutions. It creates a new fund in general revenue and authorizes state contracts with nonprofits, raising concerns about political favoritism and mission creep. The bill prioritizes legacy promotion over pressing fiscal issues and taxpayer burdens.

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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.