Texas Senate

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Subject: Expression of Opposition to CBDC Implementation by Federal Reserve, Senate Concurrent Resolution 25 (SCR 25)

• Author: State Sen. Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound)
• TFR Position: Support
• Background: SCR 25 seeks to express the opposition of the 88th Legislature of the State of Texas to the creation of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) due to concerns about potential threats to privacy, financial stability, and increased vulnerability to intrusive federal oversight and security threats. The U.S. Federal Reserve is currently exploring the implementation of a CDBC. Among several concerns is that of potentially unprecedented levels of government surveillance and control over private cash holdings and transactions. For these reasons, TFR supports SCR 25.

Subject: Anti-ESG, Senate Bill 833 (SB 833)

• Author: State Sen. Phil King (R-Weatherford)
• TFR Position: Support
• Background: SB 833 seeks to prohibit any insurance company doing business in Texas from using ESG factors on the basis for rate making or in making a coverage decision. For these reasons, TFR supports SB 833.

Subject: Preventing the Weaponization of the Judicial System, Senate Bill 1195 (SB 1195)

• Author: State Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola)
• TFR Position: Support
• Background: SB 1195 would change the words in specific current statutes that indicate a “may” to a “shall” and would give the attorney general the power to prosecute election crimes, abortion crimes, human trafficking crimes, bribery and corruption, and abuse of office offenses if no proceedings have begun on these crimes after six months have passed. The weaponization of the judicial system is a direct threat to a constitutional republic form of government. For these reasons, TFR supports SB 1195.

Subject: Gas Production Tax Exemption, House Bill 591 (HB 591)

• Author: State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione (R-Southlake)/State Sen. César Blanco (D-El Paso)
• TFR Position: Support
• Background: HB 591 seeks to allow for natural gas that would have otherwise been vented or flared but is instead used for a productive purpose (i.e. to convert to electricity to power bitcoin mines) not to be subjected to the gas production tax. The private sector should not be punished for being more efficient so that government can grab more money. HB 591 encourages gas producers to be creative and efficient with waste. For this reason, TFR supports HB 591.

Subject: Liability Exemption for Businesses, House Bill 609 (HB 609)

• Author: State Rep. Cody Vasut (R-Angleton)/State Sen. Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston)
• TFR Position: Support
• Background: HB 609 seeks to protect business owners and operators who choose not to require employees or contractors to be vaccinated against a pandemic disease by exempting them from liability caused by exposure to a pandemic disease through an employee or contractor. HB 609 prevents burdensome regulation. For this reason, TFR supports HB 609.

Subject: Pro-Taxpayer, House Bill 1922 (HB 1922)

• Author: State Rep. Harold Dutton Jr. (D-Houston)/State Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston)
• TFR Position: Support/Amend
• Background: HB 1922 seeks to provide for the abolishment of a municipal building permit fee every ten years and requires citizen input before reauthorizing the fee. HB 1922 rightfully increases transparency for Texas taxpayers and makes progress in eliminating fees altogether. TFR supports HB 1922, as a step in the right direction, but would like to see amendments that decrease the amount of time for abolishment down to 2-5 years. Ideally, fees such as these would not exist at all.

Subject: Pre-emption of Local Government Regulations, House Bill 2127 (HB 2127)

• Author: State Rep. Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock)/State Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe)
• TFR Position: Support
• Background: HB 2127 seeks to preempt local government regulations that infringe upon free enterprise and stifle businesses. One thing we learned from the COVID-19 lockdowns is that local governments have way too much latitude and ability to regulate businesses. HB 2127 would make sure that all businesses are able to conduct themselves without having to jump through hoops at the local level. For this reason, TFR supports HB 2127.

Texas House of Representatives

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Subject: Border Protection Unit Act, House Bill 20 (HB 20)

• Author: State Rep. Matt Schaefer (R-Tyler)
• TFR Position: Support
• Background: HB 20 ultimately seeks to secure the Texas-Mexico border in the absence of effective action by the federal government. Among several things, HB 20 would create the Border Protection Unit (BPU) under the Texas Department of Public Safety with an abolishment date of 2030 unless the Texas Legislature chooses to continue its operations. The BPU will be led by a BPU Chief appointed by the Governor and is largely tasked with law enforcement duties. HB 20 also increases the crime of criminal trespassing to a third-degree felony offense. Notably, the fiscal impact on Texas taxpayers is currently unknown, as much of it would largely be dependent on the number of PBU units, the use of current or new facilities, and the scope of the BPU’s role in deterring criminal activity along the Texas-Mexico border. Though TFR ultimately supports this bill, we implore Texas lawmakers to ensure appropriate transparency and accountability mechanisms are in place to ensure efficient and effective use of taxpayer dollars. Previous efforts have proven costly to Texas taxpayers and have largely been used as a political or campaign tool by the executive branch without much to show for effective deterrence.

Subject: Border Security, House Bill 800 (HB 800)

• Author: State Rep. Ryan Guillen (R-Rio Grande City)
• TFR Position: Support
• Background: HB 800 ultimately increases the criminal penalties and establishes 10-year mandatory minimums for certain criminal conduct involving the smuggling of persons, operation of a stash house, or evading arrest or detention. Largely a consequence of the ongoing rampant issues along the Texas-Mexico border and in the absence of effective action by the federal government, HB 800 seeks to deter such activity with severe penalties. Though TFR ultimately supports this bill we implore Texas lawmakers to ensure appropriate transparency and accountability mechanisms are in place to ensure an efficient and effective use of taxpayer dollars. It is possible that with increased penalties comes increased arrests for such activity which in turn will only further burden our criminal justice system.

Subject: Border Security, House Bill 7 (HB 7)

• Author: State Rep. Ryan Guillen (R-Rio Grande City)
• TFR Position: Support
• Background: HB 7 ultimately seeks to direct needed resources to the border region to provide border security support services in the realms of the judicial system, law enforcement, public safety, and public health. HB 7 also creates a path to compensate property owners for damages caused by crossings between ports of entry among other things. Though TFR ultimately supports this bill we implore Texas lawmakers to ensure appropriate transparency and accountability mechanisms are in place to ensure an efficient and effective use of taxpayer dollars.

Subject: Property Tax Exemption at Expense of Other Taxpayers, House Joint Resolution 153 (HJR 153)

• Author: State Rep. Terry Wilson (R-Georgetown)
• TFR Position: Oppose
• Background: Ultimately, HJR 153 seeks to extend the ability for additional local taxing jurisdictions other than a county, municipality, or junior college district, to implement a tax freeze on homesteads of elderly and/or disabled individuals. Exempting one group from a tax only increases the burden on those who do not qualify for such an exemption, unless the spending of the local government levying the tax is simultaneously lowered, thereby lessening the burden. Texas taxpayers absolutely deserve property tax relief but providing an exemption for one group at the expense of another is not the right approach. For these reasons, TFR opposes HJR 153.

Subject: Property Tax Exemption at Expense of Other Taxpayers, House Bill 3757 (HB 3757)

• Author: State Rep. Terry Wilson (R-Georgetown)
• TFR Position: Oppose
• Background: HB 3757 is the enabling legislation for HJR 153. Ultimately, HB 3757 seeks to extend the ability for additional local taxing jurisdictions other than a county, municipality, or junior college district, to implement a tax freeze on homesteads of elderly and/or disabled individuals. Exempting one group from a tax only increases the burden on those who do not qualify for such an exemption, unless the spending of the local government levying the tax is simultaneously lowered, thereby lessening the burden. Texas taxpayers absolutely deserve property tax relief but providing an exemption for one group at the expense of another is not the right approach. For these reasons, TFR opposes HB 3757.

Subject: Border Security, House Bill 3782 (HB 3782)

• Author: State Rep. Ryan Guillen (R-Rio Grande City)
• TFR Position: Support
• Background: Ultimately, HB 3782 seeks to provide for the creation of the Border Security Advisory Council comprised of a mixture of both elected and non-elected individuals as well as the creation of the Border Protection Task Force. Both would be charged with ensuring the effective implementation of resources to the state’s border security efforts and make recommendations for future allocations of resources. Though TFR ultimately supports this bill, we implore Texas lawmakers to ensure appropriate transparency and accountability mechanisms are in place to ensure efficient and effective use of taxpayer dollars.

Subject: Border Security, House Bill 884 (HB 884)

• Author: State Rep. Sam Harless (R-Spring)
• TFR Position: Support
• Background: HB 884 grants U.S. Border Patrol agents law enforcement powers for state criminal offenses (same as Texas peace officers) to arrest and conduct search and seizure for any offense under both Texas and federal law, within certain counties primarily found on or near the Texas-Mexico border. HB 884 seeks to address the border crisis productively. For this reason, TFR supports HB 884.

Subject: Preemption of Local Climate Charter Efforts, House Bill 4930 (HB 4930)

• Author: State Rep. Tom Craddick (R-Midland)
• TFR Position: Support
• Background: HB 4930 seeks to enable the Texas Legislature to review and approve a proposed climate charter or amendment to an existing climate charter before a municipality can hold a local election on the proposed climate charter. HB 4930 will stifle an ongoing and growing phenomenon where activist groups originating outside the state of Texas successfully infiltrate the state and oppose local referendums that ultimately lead to the detriment of Texas communities. For this reason, TFR supports HB 4930.

Subject: Expanding Pre-K Availability, House Bill 2923 (HB 2923)

• Author: State Rep. Harold Dutton Jr. (D-Houston)
• TFR Position: Oppose
• Background: HB 2923 seeks to require that a school district contract with a community-based care provider to offer pre-kindergarten courses. Though the legislature has attempted to incentivize this sort of thing in the past, these partnerships have not materialized within certain school districts. HB 2923 is estimated to have a negative fiscal impact on Texas taxpayers to the tune of almost $88 million through the next two years and about $45 million every year thereafter. Instead of expanding pre-kindergarten programs, we should be eliminating them. It is not the role of the government to take care of people from the cradle to the grave, for this reason, TFR opposes HB 2923.

Subject: Harmful History of Communism Curriculum, House Bill 2273 (HB 2273)

• Author: State Rep. Tom Oliverson (R-Cypress)
• TFR Position: Support
• Background: HB 2273 seeks to include in the state education curriculum standards that convey the harmful history of communism and totalitarianism as running contrary to core American principles of freedom and a democratic form of government. The horrors of a Communist form of government should absolutely be something that future generations are made aware of in order to further establish that a government that instead encourages individualism and free enterprise provides for better outcomes. For this reason, TFR supports HB 2273.

Subject: Study on Availability and Affordability of Child-Care, House Bill 940 (HB 940)

• Author: State Rep. Harold Dutton Jr. (D-Houston)
• TFR Position: Oppose
• Background: HB 940 seeks to create a joint commission to study the availability and affordability of childcare to help ensure that quality, affordable, and accessible childcare settings are available for working parents in every community in Texas. This is not the proper role of government. For this reason, TFR opposes HB 940.

Subject: Inflation Adjustments for Retired Judges, House Bill 4540 (HB 4540)

• Author: State Rep. Oscar Longoria (D-Mission)
• TFR Position: Oppose
• Background: HB 4540 seeks to address increases for retired judges’ annuities by connecting such annuities to the pay of active judges to reflect increases in recognition of inflation. TFR opposes all inflation increases to government employees if and until the legislature affords the same courtesy to taxpayers. The only thing the legislature has done for taxpayers this session is steal more of their money and grow the government. Until the legislature gets serious about real tax relief, government salaries, and pensions should not increase at all. TFR opposes HB 4540.

Subject: Misuse of Dynamic Message Sign System on Texas Highways, House Bill 2242 (HB 2242)

• Author: State Rep. Donna Howard (D-Austin)
• TFR Position: Oppose
• Background: HB 2242 seeks to require certain information regarding the already existing “Keep’Em Safe Texas Gun Storage Campaign’ to be broadcast to Texas drivers using the existing system of dynamic message signs located across Texas. This is a massive waste of time and resources. TFR opposes HB 2242

Subject: Burdensome Regulation, House Bill 2424 (HB 2424)

• Author: State Rep. Ramon Romero Jr. (D-Fort Worth)
• TFR Position: Oppose on Local, Consent, and Resolutions Calendar
• Background: HB 2424 seeks to require individuals who conduct inspections of public swimming pools and artificial swimming lagoons to achieve the same level of training and certification as swimming pool and artificial swimming lagoon owners and operators. HB 2424 would apply an additional barrier to entry with burdensome regulation. For this reason, TFR opposes HB 2424.

Subject: Alteration in the Way the No-New-Revenue Tax Rate is Calculated, House Bill 4456 (HB 4456)

• Author: State Rep. Cody Harris (R-Palestine)
• TFR Position: Oppose on Local, Consent, and Resolutions Calendar
• Background: HB 4456 seeks to clarify the process for determining a school district’s no-new-revenue tax rate by reference to the rate calculation in the Texas Education Code. This new calculation will result in a higher no-new-revenue rate and ultimately higher tax revenues due to the inclusion of both state and local funding as a part of the school finance formula. Changing the way the rate is calculated would potentially prolong the path to the elimination of the property tax altogether. For these reasons, TFR opposes HB 4456.

Subject: Property Tax Exemption at Expense of Other Taxpayers, House Bill 4645 (HB 4645)

• Author: State Rep. Lulu Flores (D-Austin)
• TFR Position: Oppose on Local, Consent, and Resolutions Calendar
• Background: HB 4645 seeks to expand an already existing property tax exemption available to certain charitable organizations developing housing to also include charitable organizations working in collaboration through a ground lease arrangement. Exempting one group from a tax only increases the burden on those who do not qualify for such an exemption, unless the spending of the local government levying the tax is simultaneously lowered, thereby lessening the burden. Texas taxpayers absolutely deserve property tax relief but providing an exemption for one group at the expense of another is not the right approach. For these reasons, TFR opposes HB 4645.

Subject: Anti-Free Enterprise, House Bill 4865 (HB 4865)

• Author: State Rep. Cody Harris (R-Palestine)
• TFR Position: Oppose on Local, Consent, and Resolutions Calendar
• Background: HB 4865 seeks to remove barriers from existing Texas statutes that prevent the collection of taxation on remote sales to consumers of cigars and pipe tobacco, allowing the state to collect additional revenue. HB 4865 also seeks to require a permit for such sales to sellers. HB 4865 runs contrary to free enterprise. For this reason, TFR opposes HB 4865.

Reminder: Vote Notices are provided to both Texas state lawmakers and the general public in advance of Texans for Fiscal Responsibility’s position on issues to be rated as part of the Fiscal Responsibility Index 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 as part of the Fiscal Responsibility Index. We will make every effort to provide notice on amendments that are pre-filed.