Speaker Phelan's 88R Legislative Priorities

Speaker of the Texas House Dade Phelan announced several key legislative priorities for the chamber that focus on improving the privacy and security of all Texans as well as better supporting mothers and children in the state.

The following bills, which are part of the Texas House’s broader legislative priority package for the 88th Texas Legislature, have been recently filed by their respective bill authors and are based on Speaker Phelan’s extensive conversations with members over what issues the chamber should address during the session:

o House Bill 4 by Representative Capriglione, also known as the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act, would grant Texans new online rights, including the ability to crack down on how companies collect, and in instances profit from, their personal data.

o House Bill 12 by Representative Rose would extend Medicaid eligibility to new mothers in Texas to a year after the delivery of their child, significantly increasing the length of time moms can access critical postpartum health coverage.

o House Bill 18 by Representative Slawson, also known as the Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment (SCOPE) Act, would equip Texas parents with tools to keep their children safe online, including the ability to put a stop to addictive algorithms and prevent companies from collecting private information.

o House Bill 300 by Representative Howard would exempt, among other essential baby items, diapers and wipes, along with feminine hygiene products from the state’s sales tax, helping to make those items for mothers and families in the state more affordable.

“I am so proud of the hard work that members of the Texas House have already put into these four legislative proposals, which reflect some of the most pressing issues on the minds of Texans today,” Speaker Phelan said. “These bills are great starting points for our chamber as we work to get them over the finish line this legislative session, and I thank Representatives Capriglione, Rose, Slawson and Howard for their leadership.”

“As I have said before, it is essential that the Texas House makes meaningful progress this year on better supporting mothers and children in the state — and that starts with extending health coverage for new moms to a full year,” Speaker Phelan added. “Additionally, I am eager to see our chamber take on Big Tech, which for too long has taken advantage of the data and privacy of Texans and especially our children, who are vulnerable to predatory and addicting algorithms and advertisements on social media platforms. Putting Texans and Texas parents back in the driver’s seat on this issue is a priority for our chamber this session.”

Speaker of the Texas House Dade Phelan also announced that House Bill 2, which would provide meaningful, lasting property tax relief, is a priority for the chamber this legislative session and was filed this afternoon by Representative Morgan Meyer.

House Bill 2, also known as the Property Tax Relief Act, would lower school district property taxes by 28% and reduce the limit on annual appraisal increases to 5% for all types of property in the state, shielding homeowners, small business owners and other property owners from sudden increases in values to their property that are oftentimes unsustainable. House Bill 2 would result in the largest property tax cut in Texas history, saving homeowners in the state $460 on their annual property tax bill in 2024, which would grow to $590 in 2025.

Representative Meyer also filed House Joint Resolution 1, which would put House Bill 2 on the Texas ballot if passed by the Legislature, leaving it up to voters to decide whether it is adopted as state law.

“Skyrocketing property taxes have become unaffordable for too many residents in this state, and I thank Representative Meyer for filing legislation that would bring real relief to Texas taxpayers by making much-needed improvements to the state’s appraisal system,” Speaker Phelan said. “This bill is a great building block for our state to continue to thrive, and I look forward to the Texas House passing House Bill 2 this legislative session.”

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The Speaker added additional key legislative priorities of the chamber that are aimed at defending the state’s economic growth over the past two years and creating an opportunity for even more development as population continues to expand at a rapid pace.

The following bills, which make up the Texas House’s broader legislative priorities package for the 88th Texas Legislature, were filed this week:

House Bill 5 by Representative Hunter, also known as the Texas Jobs & Security Act, would provide Texas with a critical economic development tool to create additional jobs, investments, and tax revenue, keeping the state competitive in drawing businesses to relocate or expand here. Under House Bill 5, the incentives would be targeted and temporary in attracting large-scale, capital-intensive projects related to the manufacturing, national security, and energy infrastructure industries. Texas taxpayers would also have transparency into how those state incentive dollars are used, the number of jobs created and the full economic impact of such projects on communities.

House Bill 8 by Representative VanDeaver would establish a new funding model for community colleges in Texas that recognizes and rewards such institutions for the important role they play with associate degrees, non-credit workforce education programs and other credentials of value that will be required in more than 60% of jobs in the state over the next decade. House Bill 8 would also create a new scholarship program, increasing the opportunity for economically disadvantaged high school students to enroll in dual credit courses, and expand access to higher education opportunities across the state by creating new shared services for institutions through the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, enabling colleges to expand their range of offered academic and workforce programs.

House Bill 19 by Representative Murr would create a business court system in Texas, strengthening the state’s already strong pro-business reputation that has driven economic and job growth to the state. A specialized court system for complex business cases in the state would establish a new avenue for those companies to solve their legal matters in a fair, streamlined, and consistent manner.

“We have a good thing going here in Texas, and I thank Representatives Hunter, VanDeaver and Murr for authoring measures that seek to continue that trend line in our state,” Speaker Phelan said. “As Texas continues to grow and attract even more business that creates jobs and spurs local economies, our state must ensure that we have the kinds of tools to keep us competitive with others on a national and global scale. With so much job growth happening in our state, it’s also important that we have the necessary avenues that foster workforce development to keep up with demand. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Texas House on discussing these three legislative proposals in the coming weeks and passing them out of our chamber.”

Speaker of the Texas House Dade Phelan announced three priorities for the chamber this legislative session that focus on building a more resilient Texas by expanding the state’s framework for broadband development, dedicating dollars toward improving water infrastructure and cutting burdensome red tape around property development projects in the state.

The following bills were filed and are a part of the Texas House’s broader legislative priorities package for the 88th Texas Legislature:

House Bill 9 by Representative Ashby would create the Texas Broadband Infrastructure Fund to administer the state’s broadband development program, foster community outreach for expansion and affordability efforts and ensure the universal service program is fully funded, among other things. Under House Bill 9, the Texas Legislature would have guidance over the appropriations of the fund and maintain flexibility to address rapidly evolving technology and consumer needs. Representative Ashby has also filed House Joint Resolution 125, which would put House Bill 9 on the Texas ballot if passed by the Legislature, leaving it up to voters to decide whether it is adopted as state law.

House Bill 10 by Representative King would dedicate billions of dollars toward water development projects in Texas, improving the state’s water infrastructure and security amid rising demand. Under the legislation, which would create the Texas Water Fund, applicants of existing programs administered by the Texas Water Development Board could receive assistance in financing new water sources for the state, including projects to acquire water from other states and develop infrastructure to transport water. House Bill 10 would also create a technical assistance program for water loss audits and require the Texas Water Development Board to report updates to the Legislature every 5 years. Representative King has also filed House Joint Resolution 130, which would put House Bill 10 on the Texas ballot if passed by the Legislature, leaving it up to voters to decide whether it is adopted as state law.

House Bill 14 by Representative Harris would streamline the approval process for property development and building reviews, requiring cities and counties that fail to complete such projects in a timely manner to utilize third-party reviewers.

“The Texas Legislature must continue to support our state’s rapidly increasing demand for internet, water and housing, and I appreciate Representatives Ashby, King and Harris for filing legislation that would lay the necessary foundations to continue fostering those efforts,” Speaker Phelan said. “Members of the Texas House will discuss this legislation and more in the coming weeks, and I look forward to our chamber passing these proposals during the 88th Legislature.”