Texans for Fiscal Responsibility has issued the following vote notice for March 5th, 2025 

Texas House of Representatives

None

Texas Senate

Subject: Senate Bill 21 (SB 21) – State Bitcoin Reserve

• Author: State Sen. Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown)
• Caption: Relating to the establishment and administration of the Texas Strategic Bitcoin Reserve for the purpose of investing in cryptocurrency and the investment authority of the comptroller of public accounts over the reserve and certain other state funds.
• TFR Position:  OPPOSE
• Background: 
  • SB 21 establishes the Texas Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, a special fund outside the state treasury, completely managed by the Comptroller to invest in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. While the bill could diversify Texas’ financial portfolio and hedge against inflation, the bill presents several risks. It funds a highly speculative and volatile asset, all at the cost of taxpayers. Moving these funds outside the treasury limits legislative oversight, reducing accountability and increasing the risk of mismanagement. Using taxpayer dollars to gamble on cryptocurrency is an unnecessary financial risk that undermines fiscal responsibility and limited government principles. The legislature should seek to lower regulations or barriers to cryptocurrency use and adoption, rather than using more of the people’s money in a new government fund. For these reasons, TFR opposes SB 21.

Subject:  Senate Bill 764 (SB 764) – Standardizes regulatory processes

• Author: State Sen. Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo)
• Caption: Relating to the procedure for a hearing by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation on the denial of an electrician’s license or disciplinary action against an electrician.
• TFR Position:  SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 764 standardizes the process by which an electrician is denied an electricians license or disciplinary action is taken. A consistent regulatory framework for these processes helps prevent distortions, confusion or conflicting rules. For these reasons, TFR supports SB 794.

Subject:  Senate Bill 790 (SB 790) – Customer and Landlord Disputes

• Author: State Sen. Carol Alvarado (D-Houston)
• Caption: Relating to the procedure for resolving certain customer complaints before the Public Utility Commission of Texas.
• TFR Position:  NEUTRAL / AMEND
• Background: 
  • Senate Bill 790 seeks to streamline tenant disputes over water and wastewater bills by allowing the PUC to bypass formal administrative procedures. While intended to expedite minor billing disputes, this bill expands government intervention in private rental agreements and weakens could weaken due process protections for landlords by removing Administrative Procedure Act oversight. The bill should be amended to ensure due process protections for both parties. For these reasons, TFR is NEUTRAL on SB 790. 

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.