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

Texas House of Representatives

None

Texas Senate

Subject:  Senate Joint Resolution 37 (SJR 37) – Citizenship requirement for voting

• Author: State Sen. Brian Birdwell (R-Granbury)
• Caption: Proposing a constitutional amendment clarifying that a voter must be a United States citizen.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SJR 37 proposes a constitutional amendment to ensure that only United States citizens can vote in any election held in Texas. While current law requires voter citizenship, this amendment would prevent future local policies from expanding voting rights to non-citizens. It also safeguards taxpayer-funded governance by ensuring that only those fully vested in the nation’s interests—its citizens—can shape public policy. Enshrining this principle in the Constitution provides long-term security and reduces the risk of politically motivated changes in election law.

Subject:  Senate Bill 396 (SB 396) – Inactive Voter Confirmation Notices

• Author: State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham)
• Caption: Relating to confirmation of a voter’s residence by a voter registrar.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 396 strengthens the integrity of Texas’ voter rolls by requiring election officials to send confirmation notices to individuals who haven’t voted in over two years. This ensures that only actively participating voters remain on the rolls, reducing opportunities for fraud and administrative waste. Modeled after an Ohio law upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, the bill is a common-sense measure that safeguards taxpayer resources while protecting the electoral process.

Subject:  Senate Bill 503 (SB 503) – Digital livestock brands registry

• Author: State Sen. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock)
• Caption: Relating to the establishment of an electronic registry of livestock marks and brands.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 503 modernizes Texas’ livestock branding system by establishing a secure, centralized online registry managed by the Texas Animal Health Commission. This reform reduces bureaucracy, eliminates inefficiencies of outdated paper filings, and saves time and costs for both producers and local governments. It enhances law enforcement’s ability to quickly identify lost or stolen animals. This is a smart investment in digital infrastructure that promotes limited government, cuts red tape, and supports property rights.

Subject:  Senate Bill 533 (SB 533) – November Elections for Bonds

• Author: State Sen. Kevin Sparks (R-Midland)
• Caption: Relating to the election date for the authorization of the issuance of bonds or a tax increase.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 533 requires that any local election proposing new debt, bonds, or tax increases must take place on the November election date, when voter turnout is highest. This ensures that major financial decisions are made by a broader segment of the public, not just a small group of voters in low-turnout May elections. This measure increases transparency, strengthens accountability, and reduces the risk of rushed or lightly scrutinized tax hikes and spending measures. It also limits the ability of local governments to quietly burden taxpayers with new debt through obscure election timing. This is a common-sense, pro-taxpayer reform.

Subject:  Senate Bill 924 (SB 924) – Blocks franchise fee expansion

• Author: State Sen. Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills)
• Caption: Relating to entities that provide cable services or video services.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 924 ensures that municipalities cannot unjustly levy franchise fees on video streaming platforms and satellite TV services that do not use public infrastructure. This protects consumers from unnecessary cost increases and guards against government overreach into the digital marketplace. By limiting local taxing authority to services that physically use public rights-of-way, the bill preserves a fair regulatory environment. The bill promotes limited government, prevents backdoor tax hikes, and defends free-market principles.

Subject:  Senate Bill 988 (SB 988) – Crackdown on fuel theft

• Author: State Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston)
• Caption: Relating to increasing the criminal penalty for the offense of criminal mischief involving impairment of a motor fuel pump.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 988 strengthens Texas law by upgrading the penalty for tampering with or damaging a retail motor fuel pump to a third-degree felony. This crackdown targets organized fuel theft operations that have exploited a loophole to steal thousands of dollars in fuel with minimal legal consequence. By increasing the punishment, the bill serves as a strong deterrent, helping protect private businesses.

Subject:  Senate Bill 1038 (SB 1038) – Medicaid Fraud Prevention

• Author: State Sen. Kevin Sparks (R-Midland)
• Caption:Relating to administrative remedies for certain fraud and abuse violations under Medicaid; providing administrative penalties.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 1038 strengthens Texas’ fight against Medicaid fraud by modernizing administrative enforcement. It expands the definition of fraud, enhances penalties, and aligns administrative tools with existing civil and criminal laws. The bill improves taxpayer protection by incentivizing whistleblowers, increasing recovery of misused funds, and deterring fraud through substantial penalties. This bill helps ensure that limited taxpayer dollars are spent on genuine care rather than wasted on abuse and fraud. 

Subject:  Senate Bill 1185 (SB 1185) – Eliminates redundant state regulations

• Author: State Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe)
• Caption: Relating to an exemption from boiler registration and inspection requirements for certain boilers in medical equipment and autoclaves.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 1185 eliminates unnecessary state oversight of small boilers used in FDA-regulated medical devices, streamlining compliance for healthcare providers and manufacturers. By deferring to federal standards already in place, the bill reduces redundant regulatory burdens and associated costs. For these reasons, TFR supports SB 1185.

Subject:  Senate Bill 1202 (SB 1202) – Fast-Track Home Power Backup

• Author: State Sen. Phil King (R-Weatherford)
• Caption: Relating to third-party review of property development documents and inspections of improvements related to those documents, including home backup power installations.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 1202 empowers property owners by cutting red tape and accelerating the installation of home backup power systems. By allowing third-party professionals to conduct reviews and inspections, the bill reduces unnecessary government delays and eliminates burdensome fees when municipalities fail to provide timely guidance. This streamlining of the process strengthens Texas’ energy resiliency while respecting private property rights and free-market principles.

Subject:  Senate Bill 1697 (SB 1697) – Solar Consumer Transparency Guide

• Author: State Sen. Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo)
• Caption: Relating to a customer guide to home solar energy devices.
• TFR Position: SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 1697 promotes consumer protection by ensuring Texans have clear, accurate information before investing in rooftop solar systems—often high-cost, long-term commitments. Rather than imposing new strict regulations or mandates, the bill empowers homeowners through transparency and informed choice, helping them avoid financial pitfalls, especially in predatory or misleading sales scenarios. By directing the Public Utility Commission to provide a standardized guide, the bill ensures consistent, market-neutral education while preserving competition and innovation in the solar industry. For these reasons, TFR supports SB 1697.

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.