Texans for Fiscal Responsibility has issued the following vote notice for March 31th, 2025 

Texas House of Representatives

---

Subject:  House Joint Resolution 4 (HJR 4) – Ban on financial transaction taxes

• Author: State Rep. Morgan Meyer (R-Dallas)
• Caption: Proposing a constitutional amendment prohibiting the enactment of a law imposing an occupation tax on certain entities that enter into transactions conveying securities or imposing a tax on certain securities transactions.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • HJR 4 protects investors and financial markets by amending the Texas Constitution to prohibit new taxes on securities transactions or on the institutions that process them. By doing so, it safeguards retirement accounts and public pensions from decreased returns caused by higher transaction costs. The measure ensures Texas remains an attractive state for financial operations by rejecting burdensome taxation that could drive business away. For these reasons, TFR supports HJR 4.

Subject:  House Joint Resolution 6 (HJR 6) –

• Author: State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione (R-Southlake)
• Caption: Proposing a constitutional amendment prohibiting the imposition of a tax on the realized or unrealized capital gains of an individual, family, estate, or trust.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • HJR 6 strengthens Texas’ pro-growth tax structure by constitutionally banning any tax on capital gains, whether realized or unrealized. This protects individuals, families, and small businesses from future efforts to tax investment income, which could stifle entrepreneurship, savings, and job creation. By providing long-term tax certainty, the amendment helps Texas maintain its competitive edge as a destination for investors and businesses. For these reasons, TFR supports HJR 6.

Subject:  House Bill 195 (HB 195) – Property tax data disclosure

• Author: State Rep. Mihaela Plesa (D-Dallas)
• Caption: Relating to the dissemination of certain school district ad valorem tax-related information.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • HB 195 promotes transparency and accountability in the Texas property tax system by requiring appraisal districts to show taxpayers how much of their local school taxes are recaptured by the state or remain in district. By making this information easily accessible, the bill empowers taxpayers to better understand the financial pressures on their school districts and the broader tax system. This measure encourages informed civic engagement and supports shedding light on how much money leaves the community. It does not increase spending or bureaucracy but instead enhances oversight with existing structures. This is a low-cost, pro-taxpayer transparency reform.

Subject:  House Bill 13 (HB 13) – New State Interoperability Council

• Author: State Rep. Ken King (R-Canadian)
• Caption: Relating to creating the Texas Interoperability Council and a grant program administered by the council.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE / AMEND
• Background: 
  • HB 13 creates a new state bureaucracy, the Texas Interoperability Council, to coordinate emergency communications and administer a grant program for local governments. While better coordination during emergencies is important, the bill imposes over $5.7 million in new costs to taxpayers over two years without clear long-term funding limits or performance accountability. This does include funds in the potential grants. The bill also exempts the council from transparency laws, weakening public oversight. To improve the bill, lawmakers should impose firm spending caps, require regular public reporting on outcomes, and ensure the council is subject to open meetings and public records laws. With these reforms, the bill could better balance emergency preparedness with fiscal responsibility and government accountability.

Subject:  House Bill 143 (HB 143) – Fire prevention at well sites

• Author: State Rep. Ken King (R-Canadian)
• Caption: Relating to the authority of the Railroad Commission of Texas and the Public Utility Commission of Texas to address a failure by an operator to maintain an electrical power line serving a well site or certain surface facilities in accordance with the National Electrical Code.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT / AMEND
• Background: 
  • HB 143 enhances coordination between state regulatory agencies to prevent electrical hazards at oil and gas sites by codifying a Memorandum of Understanding into law. This proactive measure improves public safety and reduces the risk of wildfires or injury, potentially lowering future public expenditures on disaster response. The bill supports responsible oversight without creating new bureaucracies-leveraging existing regulatory bodies instead. However, the bill should be amended with clear limits on agency discretion, particularly in regards to the commission’s authority to “take any other action” considered necessary to address problematic conditions. This section should be better clarified and defined to prevent potential abuse.

Subject:  House Bill 135 (HB 135) – Codifies exotic animal exemption

• Author: State Rep. Angie Button (R-Garland)
• Caption: Relating to exemptions from sales and use taxes for game animals and exotic animals.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • HB 135 clarifies Texas’ sales tax exemptions by formally including game and exotic animals, aligning statute with long-standing industry and enforcement practices. By formalizing these exemptions, which are already done in practice, the bill limits bureaucratic overreach and simplifies compliance, minimizing costly confusion. While the bill does not, in practice, add new exemptions to the sales tax rolls, it should be noted that exemptions like these increase the tax burden on others, and make taxation policies more complex.

Texas Senate

---

Subject:  Senate Bill 7 (SB 7) – Water Infrastructure Reform

• Author: State Sen. Charles Perry (R– Lubbock)
• Caption: Relating to the oversight and financing of certain water infrastructure matters under the jurisdiction of the Texas Water Development Board.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT / AMEND
• Background: 
  • SB 7 takes steps toward addressing Texas’ long-term water needs by creating a dedicated funding structure for water infrastructure and encouraging new water supply development. Establishes the Texas Water Fund Advisory Committee to oversee and guide the use of funds for water infrastructure. It Requires the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to issue biennial reports to the Legislature on fund usage, project outcomes, and state water supply status. SB 7 promotes regional coordination and aims to reduce wasteful spending by leveraging existing easements and prioritizing shovel-ready projects. However, while SB 7 seeks to minimize the use of eminent domain, stronger safeguards for private property rights—such as clearer limits on state-backed land acquisition, mandating that all alternatives, including voluntary easement agreements, are exhausted before initiating eminent domain proceedings, or a requirement for independent review for any land acquisition—would further protect landowners.

Subject:  Senate Bill 16 (SB 16) – Proof of Citizenship to Vote

• Author: State Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola)
• Caption: Relating to requiring a person to submit proof of citizenship to register to vote; creating criminal offenses.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 16 would require individuals registering to vote in Texas to submit documented proof of U.S. citizenship. Those who do not submit such proof but otherwise qualify may only vote in federal elections. The bill introduces robust verification procedures, criminal penalties for fraudulent registration, and tasks the Attorney General with enforcing compliance. SB 16 helps to safeguard taxpayer resources by ensuring only eligible citizens influence state and local elections, reducing the risk of fraudulent voting, and enhancing public trust in election integrity.

Subject:  Senate Bill 406 (SB 406) – Biological Sex on Birth Certificates

• Author: State Sen. Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston)
• Caption: Relating to the required inclusion of a person’s sex on a birth certificate and prohibited change of sex on the birth certificate of certain persons.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 406 ensures that Texas birth certificates reflect an individual’s immutable biological sex, closing legal loopholes that could undermine protections for women and children. By anchoring documentation in objective biological criteria, the bill upholds the integrity of gender-based policies and prevents misuse of government records. It also promotes administrative efficiency and integrity in state record keeping by limiting unnecessary or ideologically motivated amendments, as well as promotes common sense truths about human nature. For these reasons, TFR supports SB 406.

Subject:  Senate Bill 599 (SB 599) – Preempts Local Childcare Regulations

• Author: State Sen. Royce West (D-Dallas)
• Caption: Relating to the authority of a political subdivision to regulate a licensed, registered, or listed group day-care home or family home.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 599 protects childcare providers from regulatory overreach by ensuring they are only subject to a single, statewide set of health and safety standards. By preempting extra local regulations, the bill helps reduce compliance costs, lowers barriers to entry, and supports small businesses. It promotes regulatory certainty and helps prevent unnecessary closures caused by conflicting or burdensome local codes. This bill encourages free enterprise, limits local government overreach, and helps to promote affordable childcare options. For these reasons, TFR supports SB 599.

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. 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 — 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.

Subject:  Senate Bill 878 (SB 878) – Reins in Corporate Welfare

• Author: State Sen. Brian Birdwell (R-Granbury)
• Caption: Relating to limitations on the use of public money under certain economic development agreements or programs adopted by certain political subdivisions.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 878 strengthens fiscal discipline and accountability in local economic development deals by eliminating the ability of cities and counties to grant property tax breaks outside of Chapter 312. It ensures taxpayer money is protected by requiring public transparency, performance metrics, and limits on the duration of public-private agreements. The bill helps to reduce the risk of cronyism, wasteful spending, and long-term financial obligations, and is a step toward eliminating more corporate welfare in Texas. For these reasons, TFR supports SB 878.

Subject:  Senate Bill 920 (SB 920) – Over-the-counter meds in Schools

• Author: State Sen. Kevin Sparks (R-Midland)
• Caption: Relating to the administration of nonprescription medications to certain public and private school students.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 920 clarifies that school nurses and staff can administer over-the-counter medications to students with parental permission, without requiring a doctor’s note. This cuts unnecessary red tape and alleviates financial and logistical burdens on families who would otherwise need to seek a physician’s order for basic treatments. By codifying immunity protections, the bill also reduces liability concerns for schools, encouraging efficient health care practices.

Subject:  Senate Bill 985 (SB 985) – Election precinct efficiency reform

• Author: State Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston)
• Caption: Relating to the combination of certain election precincts.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 985 is a practical election reform that allows counties to combine small precincts to avoid unnecessary spending on election logistics. By tailoring precinct sizes based on population thresholds, the bill helps ensure taxpayer dollars aren’t wasted on underused polling stations. It maintains essential safeguards against voter suppression, striking a balance between fiscal responsibility and electoral integrity. 

Subject:  Senate Bill 1059 (SB 1059) – Prevents illegal local charter changes

• Author: State Sen. Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound)
• Caption: Relating to the authority of the governing body of a home-rule municipality to submit a proposed charter amendment to the voters for approval if application of the provisions of the amendment would be contrary to state law.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 1059 ensures that Texas home-rule cities cannot propose charter amendments that conflict with state law, reinforcing constitutional order and legal consistency. By preventing costly legal battles and state-municipal conflicts, the bill safeguards taxpayer dollars from being wasted on defending unlawful local policies. It also promotes accountability and predictability in governance, aligning local decisions with state-established standards. This bill upholds the rule of law while discouraging ideologically driven or activist ordinances that often carry financial burdens. 

Subject:  Senate Bill 1207 (SB 1207) – Adoption Education in Schools

• Author: State Sen. Phil King (R-Weatherford)
• Caption: Relating to instruction on adoption in the parenting and paternity awareness program in public schools.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 1207 seeks to educate Texas students on adoption as a life-affirming option within existing health curriculum mandates. By leveraging the already-required Parenting and Paternity Awareness program, the bill ensures no substantial new costs or bureaucracies are created. It promotes personal responsibility and informed decision-making among teens. Encouraging adoption awareness supports both children and families without expanding government dependency. This proactive education aligns with conservative values of life, family, and efficient government. For these reasons, TFR supports SB 1207.

Subject:  Senate Bill 1396 (SB 1396) – Bans national sex ed standards

• Author: State Sen. Bob Hall (R-Edgewood)
• Caption: Relating to prohibiting the adoption or use of national sex education standards in public schools.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 1396 ensures that Texas public education remains locally governed by prohibiting the adoption of national sex education standards, such as those created by ideologically driven organizations. The bill protects taxpayers from funding curricula that do not align with state values, prevents ideological overreach and upholds the principle of education being a local and parental right. Fiscally, it safeguards against unnecessary spending on external education programs and materials. For these reasons, TFR supports SB 1396.

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 1535 (SB 1535) – Nuclear workforce development initiative

• Author: State Sen. Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo)
• Caption: Relating to the establishment by the Texas Workforce Commission of an advanced nuclear energy workforce development program.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 1535 tasks the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) to establish a targeted workforce development program to address labor shortages in Texas’ advanced nuclear energy sector. By partnering with educational institutions and industry leaders, it creates cost-effective training pathways for high-demand jobs without growing government bureaucracy, and without any additional costs to taxpayers. The program encourages private investment and supports in-state talent development, reducing dependency on outside labor and expertise. For these reasons, TFR supports SB 1535.

Subject:  Senate Bill 1619 (SB 1619) – Expanded epinephrine device options

• Author: State Sen. Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo)
• Caption: Relating to the use of an epinephrine delivery device by certain entities.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 1619 modernizes Texas law by clarifying statutory language and allowing the use of all FDA-approved epinephrine delivery devices, such as nasal sprays, not just expensive auto-injectors. This update increases access to life-saving treatments while reducing costs for schools, daycares, and other institutions. By cutting red tape and clarifying access to more affordable alternatives, the bill promotes market competition and technological innovation. This is a cost-effective, common-sense reform.

Subject:  Senate Bill 1741 (SB 1741) – Foreign espionage in universities

• Author: State Sen. Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound)
• Caption: Relating to measures to prevent foreign influence, foreign interference, and intellectual property theft at public institutions of higher education.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 1741 establishes strict guidelines to protect Texas public universities from foreign influence and intellectual property theft. It mandates transparency in foreign financial ties, prohibits funds from hostile foreign governments, and requires training to safeguard sensitive research. By closing potential channels for espionage, it helps prevent taxpayer-funded innovations from falling into the hands of foreign adversaries. This legislation aligns with fiscally conservative values by defending national interests, protecting investments in higher education, and ensuring that public resources are not exploited for foreign gain. For these reasons, TFR supports SB 1741.

Subject:  Senate Bill 1841 (SB 1841) – Airport Customer Privacy

• Author: State Sen. Nathan Johnson (D-Dallas)
• Caption: Relating to the confidentiality of certain information collected by certain local governments and airport governing boards.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 1841 strengthens personal data privacy by ensuring that sensitive personal and financial information collected by local governments and airport authorities is not publicly disclosed. It expands existing law to include a wider array of data tied to airport services, such as travel records and payment activity. The bill promotes efficient, limited government while respecting individuals’ rights and protecting citizens privacy.

---

---

Reminder: Vote Notices are provided to both Texas state lawmakers and the general public, sharing Texans for Fiscal Responsibility’s position on issues to be rated as a part of the Fiscal Responsibility Index. Notices are provided prior to votes being taken in each legislative chamber.

Disclaimer: We reserve the right to consider amendments to legislation that may be introduced without notice as a part of issues to be rated on the Fiscal Responsibility Index. We will make every effort to provide notice on amendments that are pre-filed.