All Roll Calls
Yes: 102 • No: 25
TexasHB 19289th Legislature 2nd Called SessionHouse
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
Signed by Governor
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
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Sheriffs and constables keep dedicated funds
In Texas counties with more than 3.3 million people, sheriff and constable budget money cannot move to another county account. Counties cannot block lawful spending of those appropriations or restrict funds the county auditor or treasurer finds available. Contract receipts under Local Government Code Sections 85.025 or 86.026 must go to the office, not the general fund. Counties cannot cut the office's budget by the amount received. Those receipts count toward the office's appropriation in the fiscal year received for the law's funding protections.
Voters control covered law enforcement cuts
In Texas counties with more than 3.3 million people, voters must approve covered law enforcement budget cuts or transfers. Covered changes are measured against the prior fiscal year's adopted budget. These include transfers of unused law enforcement money or funding for a specific law enforcement job to another agency. Counties may schedule the election for the 30th day after ordering it; the Election Code's general provisions do not apply. The law takes effect on the 91st day after the legislative session's final day.
Unauthorized police cuts trigger tax limits
These rules apply to Texas counties with more than 3.3 million people. Anyone can report suspected unauthorized law enforcement funding changes to the Governor's Criminal Justice Division. At that division's request, the comptroller investigates and sends a written finding to county leaders and the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and House Speaker. A violation finding bars a county property tax rate above its no-new-revenue rate. The limit ends when voters approve every unauthorized change or the comptroller confirms all changes are reversed. Reversal requires restoring funding and resources to the original agency, with funding adjusted for inflation. In the finding year, the Tax Code Section 26.013 calculation treats the actual-rate minus voter-approval-rate difference as zero. The law sets no household tax savings amount.
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
Senate vote • 8/27/2025
Record vote
Yes: 21 • No: 5
House vote • 8/27/2025
Record vote
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 8/27/2025
Record vote
Yes: 21 • No: 5
Senate vote • 8/27/2025
Record vote
Yes: 21 • No: 5
Senate vote • 8/27/2025
Record vote
Yes: 21 • No: 5
House vote • 8/27/2025
Record vote
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • Unknown
Committee vote: Intergovernmental Affairs
Yes: 6 • No: 3
Senate vote • Unknown
Committee vote: Finance
Yes: 12 • No: 2
Actions Timeline
Effective on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (December 4, 2025)
9/17/2025HouseSigned by the Governor
9/17/2025HouseSent to the Governor
8/28/2025HouseSigned in the Senate
8/28/2025SenateSigned in the House
8/28/2025HouseReported enrolled
8/28/2025HouseSenate passage reported
8/28/2025HouseRecord vote
8/27/2025SenatePassed
8/27/2025SenateRead 3rd time
8/27/2025SenateRecord vote
8/27/2025SenateThree day rule suspended
8/27/2025SenateRecord vote
8/27/2025SenateRead 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading
8/27/2025SenateRecord vote
8/27/2025SenateRules suspended-Regular order of business
8/27/2025SenateCo-sponsor authorized
8/27/2025SenateOrdered not printed
8/27/2025SenatePrinting rule suspended
8/27/2025SenateReported favorably w/o amendments
8/27/2025SenateVote taken in committee
8/27/2025SenateConsidered in public hearing
8/27/2025SenateScheduled for public hearing on . . .
8/27/2025SenatePosting rule suspended
8/27/2025SenateReferred to Finance
8/27/2025Senate
Bill Text
Engrossed
Enrolled
House Committee Report
Introduced
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