TexasHB 19289th Legislature 2nd Called SessionHouseWALLET

Relating to the funding of law enforcement agencies in certain counties.

Sponsored By: Paul Bettencourt (Republican), Briscoe Cain, Charles Cunningham, Lacey Hull, Tom Oliverson, Steve Toth

Became Law

HARRIS COUNTYCity Government--Employees/OfficersCity Government--FinanceCounty Government--Employees/OfficersCounty Government--FinanceCounty Government--GeneralElections--GeneralFire Fighters & Police--GeneralLaw EnforcementProperty Interests--Property Owners AssociationSalaries & ExpensesCONSTABLESSHERIFFSCOMPTROLLER OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Property tax hikes blocked after illegal cuts

If the Comptroller finds the county moved law‑enforcement money without voter approval, the county cannot set a property tax rate above its no‑new‑revenue rate. This block lasts until the county restores the money and positions (with funding adjusted for inflation) or voters approve the changes. For that tax year, the law also treats the difference between the county’s actual tax rate and its voter‑approval tax rate as zero in state tax calculations. This limits rate increases for homeowners while the issue is fixed or approved.

Residents can report unauthorized law-enforcement cuts

If you live in the county and think it moved law‑enforcement money without voter approval, you can file a complaint with the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division. If asked, the Texas Comptroller must decide whether the county acted without voter approval. The Comptroller must send a written decision to state leaders and the county’s governing body.

Sheriff and constable money stays put

In a county with more than 3.3 million people, the county cannot move money appropriated to the sheriff’s or constable’s office into the general fund or another account. The county also cannot stop those offices from using available appropriated money for any lawful purpose when the auditor or treasurer says the money is available. Money from certain contracts must be credited to the sheriff’s or constable’s office, not the general fund. The county cannot cut the office’s regular budget by the amount of those contract receipts.

Voters must approve law-enforcement budget cuts

In a county with more than 3.3 million people, the county must hold an election before it moves certain law‑enforcement money. This applies when a new or changed budget takes unspent funds from a law‑enforcement agency, moves money for a specific law‑enforcement position to another agency, or makes other covered cuts. The county cannot put these changes in place unless voters approve them. The county can set the election 30 days after it is ordered, and normal uniform election date rules do not apply to this vote.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Paul Bettencourt

    Republican • Senate

  • Briscoe Cain

    House

  • Charles Cunningham

    House

  • Lacey Hull

    House

  • Tom Oliverson

    House

  • Steve Toth

    House

Cosponsors

  • Sam Harless

    House

  • Cody Harris

    House

  • Joan Huffman

    Republican • Senate

  • Terri Leo Wilson

    House

  • Will Metcalf

    House

  • Mayes Middleton

    Republican • Senate

  • Dennis Paul

    House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 178 • No: 96

Senate vote 8/27/2025

Record vote

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 8/27/2025

Record vote

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 8/27/2025

Record vote

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 8/27/2025

Record vote

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote 8/27/2025

Record vote

Yes: 89 • No: 48

House vote 8/27/2025

Record vote

Yes: 89 • No: 48

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (December 4, 2025)

    9/17/2025House
  2. Signed by the Governor

    9/17/2025House
  3. Sent to the Governor

    8/28/2025House
  4. Signed in the Senate

    8/28/2025Senate
  5. Signed in the House

    8/28/2025House
  6. Reported enrolled

    8/28/2025House
  7. Senate passage reported

    8/28/2025House
  8. Record vote

    8/27/2025Senate
  9. Passed

    8/27/2025Senate
  10. Read 3rd time

    8/27/2025Senate
  11. Record vote

    8/27/2025Senate
  12. Three day rule suspended

    8/27/2025Senate
  13. Record vote

    8/27/2025Senate
  14. Read 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading

    8/27/2025Senate
  15. Record vote

    8/27/2025Senate
  16. Rules suspended-Regular order of business

    8/27/2025Senate
  17. Co-sponsor authorized

    8/27/2025Senate
  18. Ordered not printed

    8/27/2025Senate
  19. Printing rule suspended

    8/27/2025Senate
  20. Reported favorably w/o amendments

    8/27/2025Senate
  21. Vote taken in committee

    8/27/2025Senate
  22. Considered in public hearing

    8/27/2025Senate
  23. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .

    8/27/2025Senate
  24. Posting rule suspended

    8/27/2025Senate
  25. Referred to Finance

    8/27/2025Senate

Bill Text

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