Texans for Fiscal Responsibility has issued the following vote notice for March 6th, 2025 

Texas House of Representatives

None

Texas Senate

Subject: Senate Joint Resolution 34 (SJR 34) – Parental Rights Constitutional Amendment

• Author: State Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola)
• Caption: Proposing a constitutional amendment protecting the right of parents to raise their children.
• TFR Position:  SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SJR 34 proposes a constitutional amendment to codify the rights of parents over their own children. The amendment will help ensure Texas families are protected from government interference in the upbringing of children, and helps to preserve the natural rights of Texas parents and families. Therefore, TFR supports SJR 34.

Subject:  Senate Bill 10 (SB 10) – Ten Commandments in Schools

• Author: State Sen. Phil King (R-Weatherford)
• Caption: 
• TFR Position:  SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • SB 10 would require the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools. The Ten Commandments has an undeniable impact on the laws of the United States, and their display promotes recognition of these foundational principles and history, which are essential to a well ordered society. TFR supports SB 10.

Subject: Senate Bill 18 (SB 18) – Drag Queen Story Hour at Libraries

• Author: State Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola)
• Caption: Relating to prohibiting municipal libraries that host certain events from receiving state or other public funding.
• TFR Position:  SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • Senate Bill 18 prohibits taxpayer funds from going to public libraries that host sexualized drag-queen story hour. Taxpayer funds should never be used to host these events that can be used to sexualize children. For these reasons, TFR supports SB 18.

Subject: Senate Bill 19 (SB 19) – Banning Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying

• Author: State Sen. Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston)
• Caption: Relating to the use by a political subdivision of public funds for lobbying and certain other activities.
• TFR Position:  SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • Senate Bill 19 prohibits the practice of taxpayer-funded lobbying, in which local governments use taxpayer money to hire lobbyists to lobby the State Legislature in Austin. This is an unethical and immoral practice that wastes millions of taxpayer dollars every year, and violates the principles of a republican form of government. For these reasons, TFR supports SB 19.

Subject: Senate Bill 262 (SB 262) – Expanded Access to CPA License

• Author: State Sen. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock)
• Caption: Relating to eligibility requirements to practice public accountancy.
• TFR Position:  SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • Senate Bill 262 expands access to licensure as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Texas, by creating an additional pathway not currently authorized. This opens up opportunities for prospective CPAs, reducing government hurdles and barriers to entry. For this reason, TFR supports SB 262.

Subject: Senate Bill 495 (SB 495) – No ESG in Department of Insurance

• Author: State Sen. Kevin Sparks (R-Midland)
• Caption: Relating to eligibility requirements to practice public accountancy.
• TFR Position:  SUPPORT
• Background: 
  • Senate Bill 495 prohibits the Texas Department of Insurance from adopting or enforcing rules based on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) ratings unless explicitly authorized by statute. It aims to prevent external ESG models from influencing insurance regulations in Texas, ensuring oversight remains within the state’s control. The bill can help ensure that insurance regulations in Texas are based on financial risk rather than politically driven ESG criteria, preventing unnecessary regulatory burdens that could increase costs, promotes free-market principles, and protects Texans from potentially higher premiums. For these reasons, TFR supports SB 495.

Subject: Senate Bill 627 (SB 627) – Formally Eliminates Provisional Dietitians License

• Author: State Sen. Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo)
• Caption: Relating to the licensing and regulation of dietitians.
• TFR Position: NEUTRAL
• Background: 
  • Senate Bill 627 updates Texas law to reflect changes in the regulation of dietitians by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). It removes references to “provisional licensed dietitians,” and clarifies the rules governing dietitian licensure. The bill formally eliminates the option for a provisional dietitians license, solidifying limited and narrower options to enter this workforce, but cleans up regulations in the code. For these reasons, TFR is NEUTRAL on SB 627.

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.