Texans for Fiscal Responsibility has issued the following vote notice for March 20th, 2025 

Texas House of Representatives

None

Texas Senate

Subject:  Senate Bill 1 (SB 1) – State Budget

• Author: State Sen. Joan Huffman (R-Houston)
• Caption: General Appropriations Bill.
• TFR Position:  OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • SB 1 is the Senate’s proposed Texas 2026-2027 biennium budget. It appropriates over $336 billion, including federal funds, with the largest expenditures directed toward education, healthcare, and public safety. While it includes funding for infrastructure and border security, it also represents a significant expansion of government spending, particularly in state-funded programs. The budget allocates over $160 billion from state funds (General Revenue and General Revenue-Dedicated), and another $76 billion from other state funds, totaling roughly $237 billion in total state funds spending, marking a substantial increase from previous budgets. Instead of prioritizing spending restraint and tax relief, it increases allocations for various state agencies, growing the size of government rather than reducing inefficiencies. Additionally, billions are earmarked for bond debt service payments, saddling future taxpayers with unnecessary long-term obligations.
  • Despite another record surplus over roughly $24 billion (over-collected taxpayer money), the budget only return roughly $6 billion to taxpayers in the form of property tax relief. The budget fails to implement much needed tax reductions or spending cuts, leaving taxpayers with an ever-expanding government footprint. A more fiscally responsible approach would focus on freezing the budget at 2024-2025 levels, or at the very least including all spending under a strict spending limit using population+inflation as a maximum, curbing unnecessary expenditures, and returning more money to taxpayers through meaningful tax relief.

Subject:  Senate Bill 213 (SB 213) – Prevents forced insurance bundling

• Author: State Sen. Royce West (D-Dallas)
• Caption: Relating to prohibiting insurers from requiring the tying of residential property and personal automobile insurance policies.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 213 protects consumer choice by prohibiting insurance companies from forcing customers to bundle home and auto policies, ensuring a free and competitive market. By eliminating coercive bundling, the bill fosters fair competition, prevents monopolistic practices, and allows consumers to shop for the best coverage at competitive rates. The bill upholds market principles by preventing anti-competitive behavior that limits consumer freedom and drives up costs. For these reasons, TFR supports SB 213.

Subject:  Senate Bill 371 (SB 371) – Parental Consent for Sex Ed

• Author: State Sen. Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels)
• Caption: Relating to parental approval for a student’s participation in human sexuality instruction in public schools.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 371 reinforces parental rights in education while ensuring transparency in school curricula. By requiring explicit parental consent for human sexuality instruction, the bill reduces government overreach into family decision-making and respects the role of parents as primary educators. This policy aligns with the principle of limited government by reducing unnecessary state intervention in personal and family matters. For these reasons, TFR supports SB 371.

Subject:  Senate Bill 378 (SB 378) – Cosmetology regulations

• Author: State Sen. Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown)
• Caption: Relating to certain prohibited practices by a barber or cosmetologist.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 378 is a clarifying bill that enhances consumer safety by ensuring that only licensed medical professionals administer injections and use prescription devices, preventing unqualified individuals from performing medical procedures. The bill clarifies the authority of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, and eliminates potential regulatory loopholes, reducing potential liabilities. This measure protects taxpayers from the financial burden of medical malpractice cases that could arise from unregulated cosmetic procedures. Furthermore, it safeguards businesses by ensuring a well-defined, enforceable scope of practice. For these reasons, TFR supports SB 378.

Subject:  Senate Bill 379 (SB 379) – Limits SNAP on Junk Food

• Author: State Sen. Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston)
• Caption: Relating to prohibiting the purchase of certain food and drink items under the supplemental nutrition assistance program.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 379 promotes responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars by ensuring that government assistance is used for essential nutrition rather than discretionary or unhealthy food items. By restricting SNAP benefits from covering sugary and processed drinks and snacks, the bill aims to reduce long-term healthcare costs associated with obesity and diet-related illnesses, which are often subsidized by public funds. This policy encourages healthier purchasing habits, fostering self-reliance and financial accountability among recipients. Additionally, the bill ensures that this taxpayer-funded program aligns with its intended purpose—providing basic nutritional support rather than subsidizing junk food consumption.

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 583 (SB 583) – Mandated land review for housing

• Author: State Sen. Royce West (D-Dallas)
• Caption: Relating to lists of public real property suitable for use or to be developed for use as affordable housing by certain municipalities and counties.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • SB 583 expands bureaucratic oversight, increasing compliance burdens on local governments by requiring local governments to annually identify public lands that could be used for affordable housing. This requirement may create costs related to administrative work and legal evaluations. This new unfunded mandate on local governments comes with no actual solution to the Housing crisis. The bill could lead, in the future, to inefficient government-controlled land allocation instead of allowing market-driven solutions. Instead, Texas should focus on reducing restrictive zoning laws, cutting property taxes, and fostering private-sector housing development to address affordability. For these reasons, TFR opposes SB 583.

Subject:  Senate Bill 621 (SB 621) – Bans taxpayer-funded public banks

• Author: State Sen. Kevin Sparks (R-Midland)
• Caption:Relating to a prohibition on the establishment, operation, or ownership of a public bank by a political subdivision.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 621 prohibits local governments in Texas from establishing or operating public banks, ensuring taxpayer funds are not used to subsidize these financial institutions. The bill prevents unnecessary government expansion into banking, protecting taxpayers from potential liabilities and ensuring that public resources remain focused on essential services. By blocking public banks, this bill helps to promote free-market principles and limits government overreach, instead of increasing financial burdens on local taxpayers. For these reasons, TFR supports SB 621.

Subject:  Senate Bill 650 (SB 650) – Mandated Electronic ID Verification

• Author: State Sen. Royce West (D-Dallas)
• Caption: Relating to requiring the use of electronically readable information to verify a purchaser’s age in the retail sale of alcoholic beverages.
• TFR Position: OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • SB 650 mandates that retailers selling alcohol implement electronic ID scanning systems to verify the age of customers, aiming to reduce underage drinking and prevent the use of fake IDs. While well-intentioned, this bill imposes unfunded compliance costs on businesses, particularly small retailers, who must purchase and maintain scanning equipment. It also increases government overreach, forcing private businesses to adopt specific technology rather than allowing them to use discretion or alternative verification methods. This would add unnecessary costs and red tape, hurting businesses and limiting free-market solutions to alcohol sales enforcement. For these reasons, TFR opposes SB 650.

Subject:  Senate Bill 840 (SB 840) – Reducing zoning restrictions for housing

• Author: State Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola)
• Caption:Relating to certain municipal regulation of certain mixed-use and multifamily residential development projects and conversion of certain commercial buildings to mixed-use and multifamily residential occupancy.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT / AMEND
• Background: 
  • SB 840 promotes free-market solutions to the housing crisis by reducing government overreach and excessive regulations that hinder development. The bill would allow property owners to convert underutilized commercial spaces in commercially zoned areas into housing without costly bureaucratic hurdles. The bill encourages private investment, fosters economic growth, and increases housing supply without additional taxpayer-funded subsidies. Additionally, it limits government-imposed fees and restrictions that artificially inflate housing costs, making homeownership and rental options more affordable for Texans. However, the bill should be amended to ensure that appropriate studies on traffic and infrastructure impacts can occur, so local governments can appropriately plan for any potential impacts due to different or new growth.

Subject:  Senate Bill 1025 (SB 1025) – Transparency on ballot propositions

• Author: State Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston)
• Caption: Relating to the text of ballot propositions that increase taxes.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 1025 enhances taxpayer transparency by requiring all ballot propositions that impose or increase taxes to include a clear, prominent warning stating: “THIS IS A TAX INCREASE.” By ensuring that voters understand the financial impact of their decisions, this measure promotes fiscal responsibility and accountability in local government spending. This is a common sense measure, and TFR supports SB 1025.

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.