88th Legislative Success Summary

The Mansfield Chamber Celebrates Success in 88th Texas Legislative Session

This year's legislative session in Texas has been intense, with a record 8,046 bills filed during the regular 140-day period. Following two special sessions, it's time to reflect on the Chamber's advocacy triumphs and the passage of laws in line with our legislative goals.

Overview

The Mansfield Chamber's state legislative agenda is designed to foster and enhance the overall well-being and prosperity of the Texas economy. It aims to sustain the current economic success of our state and region by crafting robust policies that provide the essential tools, talent, infrastructure, and healthcare systems for economic and communal growth. These policy priorities are intentionally wide-ranging, aiming to represent the voice, vision, and interests of our diverse chamber members, their businesses, employees, and clients.

Workforce & Education

HB 8 – Community College Finance (Bill Carriers: VanDeaver & Creighton)

Electeds from our Community who co-authored – Rep. Cook, Rep. Turner

Electeds from our Community who co-sponsored – Sen. Birdwell, Sen. West

This bill establishes an outcomes-based funding model for community colleges that rewards colleges for positive outcomes, ensures equitable access through financial aid, and helps community colleges increase capacity to meet rapidly changing workforce. HB 8 will help implement the recommendations of the Texas Commission on Community College Finance by providing $683M for the state’s 50 public community colleges. Furthermore, this bill will aid in expanding Community colleges throughout the state and allow more people to become career-ready in Texas!

Signed by Governor effective 09-01-2023, except Sections 1, 2 ,3, 4, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 19, 25, 28, 29, 31, 45, and 51 take effect immediately.

HB 9 – Broadband Development and Funding (Bill Carriers: Ashby & Huffman)

Electeds from our Community who co-authored – Rep. Cook, Rep. Turner

Elected from our Community who co-sponsored – Sen. West

HB 9 Created the Texas Broadband Fund, which invests $1.5B in broadband development to meet the needs of 2.8 million households and 7 million Texans, who lack access to quality broadband. By expanding the broadband network here in Texas, more members of our community can aid in developing our economy.

Signed by Governor, effective 01-01-2024 if HJR 125 is approved by voters.

Economic Development

SB 2 – Property Tax Relief (Bill Carriers: Bettencourt & Meyer) 2^nd Special Session

Electeds from our Community who co-authored –Sen. Birdwell, Sen. King, Sen. West

Electeds from our Community who co-sponsored – Rep. Burns, Rep. Cook

SB 2 Provides property tax relief through the public-school finance system, exemptions, limitations on appraisals and taxes, and property tax administration. This bill helped to end the stalemate in the house and senate over property taxes and gave Texans a break from increasing property tax burdens.

Signed by Governor, effective 07-22-2023.

HB 4 – Consumers Personal Data (Bill Carriers: Capriglione & Hughes)

Electeds from our Community who co-authored – Rep. Burns, Rep. Cook, Rep. Harrison

Elected from our Community who co-sponsored – Sen. West

This bill Established a state data privacy standard that enables private sector innovation and protects the privacy and security of consumer data. Privacy is an important part of consumer choice, and this bill will help to add to the trust consumers have with local business.

Signed by Governor, effective 07-01-2024, except Sect 541.055 takes effect 01-01-2025.

HB 5 - Economic Development – The Texas Jobs Act (Bill Carriers: Hunter & Schwertner)

Elected from our Community who co-authored – Rep. Cook

Elected from our Community who co-sponsored – Sen. West

The Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology, & Innovation Act is a new economic development incentive program that will encourage investment in the state, attract new businesses, and create jobs.

Signed by Governor, effective 01-01-2024, Section 10 effective 09-01-2023.

Infrasturcture

HB 9 – Broadband Development and Funding (Bill Carriers: Ashby & Huffman)

Electeds from our Community who co-authored – Rep. Burns, Rep. Cook, Rep. Turner

Elected from our Community who co-sponsored – Sen. West

HB 9 Created the Texas Broadband Fund which invests $1.5B in broadband development to meet the needs of 2.8 million households, and 7 million Texans, who lack access to quality broadband. By expanding the broadband network here in Texas, more members of our community will aid in growing our economy.

Signed by Governor, if HJR 125 is approved by voters, will take effect 01-01-2024.

SB 28 – Texas Water Development Board Financial Assistance (Bill Carriers: Perry & Tracey King)

Elected from our Community who co-authored – Sen. West

Elected from our Community who co-sponsored – Rep. Cook

The Texas Water Development Board Financial Assistance Bill created the Texas Water Fund, administered by the Texas Water Development Board, will provide $1B of state investment in innovative water sources to increase supply, including desalination. Expanding water access to the state will help with continued infrastructure and economic development for local business.

Signed by Governor, effective 09.01.2023, Sect 6 effective 01.01.2024 if SJR 75 approved by voters.

Health & Wellbeing

Health & Wellbeing

HB 12 – 12 Months Maternal Health Care (Bill Carriers: Rose & Kolkhorst)

Electeds from our Community who co-authored – Rep. Cook, Rep. Turner

Elected from our Community who co-sponsored – Sen. West

HB 12 Provides extended health care for women through Medicaid coverage for 12 months postpartum in an effort to decrease maternal mortality rates in Texas. By helping mothers continue their healthcare longer postpartum, our future generations will be safer and healthier.

Signed by Governor 06-18-2023, effective immediately.

HB 290 – Health Plan Options for Employers (Bill Carriers: Oliverson & Hancock)

* Sen. Hancock was the main sponsor of this bill.

HB 290 Creates a new pathway for chambers to offer health insurance to their member companies. Chambers of Commerce in Texas work to provide a variety of services for their members, and expanding health insurance capabilities will help in their efforts to make a major economic impact in their communities.

Signed, effective 09-01-2023.

HB 1 Major Buisness Budget Wins

HB 1 Major Business Budget Wins (Bill Carriers: Bonnen & Huffman)

Elected from our Community who co-sponsored – Sen. West

Texas Enterprise Fund - $150 million
Community Colleges (HB 8) - $683 million in additional funding
Nearly $17.6 billion in property tax relief, including $12.2 billion in new tax cuts from the passage of SB 3 & SJR 3.
Texas University Fund – $3 billion
Broadband funding (HB 9 contingency) - $1.5 billion (Federal dollars are available on a 4:1 match)
Texas Semiconductor Innovation Consortium - $698 million
CPA (SB 28 & SJR 75) – Texas Water Fund - $1 billion
Texas Space Commission - $350 million
- Construct facilities adjacent to Johnson Space Center - $200 million
- Texas Space Commission $150 million
TAMU - quantum and artificial intelligence chip fabrication - $200 million
Continued funding within the Office of the Governor to operate foreign trade offices to promote Texas investment and tourism. Including dedicated funding to support an economic development office in Taiwan.
Appropriated $150 million to the Moving Image Industry Incentive Program to incentivize investment from the moving image industry and create jobs in Texas.

Additional Workforce & Education

HB 1595 HB 2575 HB 2060 HB 4363 HB 2294

HB 1595

HB 1595 – Texas University Fund (Bill Carriers: Bonnen & Huffman)

Elected from our Community who co-sponsored – Sen. West

HB 1595 Redesignates the National Research University Fund as the Texas University Fund and offers performance-based funding for research institutions. This redesignation will allow universities to accelerate their progress in fulfilling the Building a Talent Strong Texas program that was established by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Signed by Governor, if HJR 3 is approved by voters, will take effect 01-01-2024.

HB 2575

HB 2575 – Workforce Diploma Program (Bill Carriers: Button & Hancock)

Elected from our Community who co-sponsored – Sen. West

HB 2575 Postpones the expiration of the workforce diploma pilot program and specifies that for a provider to be eligible under the program, the provider must be working in partnership with an entity that can authorize and grant a high school diploma.

Signed by Governor, effective 09-01-2023.

HB 2060

HB 2060 – Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council (Bill Carriers: Capriglione & Parker)

Elected from our Community who co-authored – Rep. Cook

HB 2060 Establishes an Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council to study and monitor the use of AI systems by state agencies in Texas. AI is part of the next generation of technology and has the potential to change the way we do business. The AI Advisory Council will explore ways to cut bureaucracy in favor of AI opportunities while also monitoring the ways this technology will not be able to be used.

Signed by Governor, effective 09-01-2023.

HB 4363

HB 4363 – Establishes the Future Texas Teachers Scholarship (Bill Carriers: Kuempel & Hinojosa)

HB 4363 was written to help recruit, prepare and retain a diversified teacher workforce. Teachers are some of the most important members of our society, and growing the number of teachers will help to ensure the next generation of Texans are ready to enter careers and further their education.

Signed by Governor 06-13-2023, effect immediately.

HB 2294

SB 2294 – Texas First (Bill Carriers: Creighton & Kuempel)

SB 2294 Expands eligibility of the Texas First program to more higher education institutions and establishes programs that facilitate early high school graduation and early enrollment into higher education institutions. As one of the most productive workforces in the country, it is incredibly important to continue educating Texans and to ensure they are ready to enter higher education.

Signed by Governor, effective 09-01-2023.

Additional Economic Development

HB 3447 HB 5174

HB 3447

HB 3447 – Texas Space Commission (Bill Carriers: Bonnen & Huffman)

Elected from our Community who co-sponsored – Sen. West

HB 3447 Establishes the Texas Space Commission and Texas Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium to leverage state resources on major space-related initiatives and fosters continued investment in the state's space economy. With NASA and other space-related associations gaining more economic impact, it’s important to ensure that Texas continues to lead the way in space exploration.

Signed by Governor, effective 09-01-2023.

HB 5174

HB 5174 – Establishment of Texas Semiconductor Innovation Consortium (Bill Carriers: Bonnen & Huffman)

Elected from our Community who co-sponsored – Sen. West

HB 5174 Leverages expertise and capacity of institutions of higher education, industry, and nonprofit stakeholders to ensure ongoing semiconductor innovation. Semi-conductors are one of the leading industries in Texas, and the continued expansion will aid in job creation and further economic development.

Signed by Governor 06-09-2023, effective immediately.

Additional Infrastructure

HB 2230 SCR 2

HB 2230

HB 2230 – Extends Proposition 1 (Bill Carriers: Canales & Nichols)

HB 2230 Enhances transportation funding by extending Proposition 1 allocations of oil and gas severance taxes to the State Highway Fund from 2034 to 2042 as established by voters in 2014. This proposition is of high importance to the continued improvement of Texas infrastructure and will aid in further economic growth in the state.

Signed by Governor, effective 09-01-2023.

SCR 2

SCR 2 – Extension of Prop 7 State Highway/Infrastructure Funding (Bill Carriers: Nichols & Canales)

SCR 2 Enhances transportation funding by extending Proposition 7’s allocation of vehicle sales taxes (2039) and sales taxes (2042) to the State Highway Fund, as established by voters in 2015. Our highway system is continuously expanding, and this extension will aid in the improvement of our states roadways.

Signed by Governor.

Additional Health & Wellbeing

HB 2100 SB 25 SB 26 SB 840

HB 2100

HB 2100 – Mental Health Professionals Loan Repayment (Bill Carriers: Price & Schwertner)

Elected from our Community who co-sponsored – Sen. West

HB 2100 Expands loan repayment assistance to mental health professionals who provide services either to patients in a state hospital or to individuals receiving community-based mental health services from a local mental health authority. With mental health being of immense importance to our workforce, incentivizing more individuals to become mental health professionals will help expand the programs in Texas and create an even more productive workforce.

Signed by Governor, effective 09-01-2023.

SB 25

SB 25 – Registered Nurse Loan Repayment (Bill Carriers: Kolkhorst & Klick)

Electeds from our Community who authored – Sen. King, Sen. West

SB 25 Establishes a grant program to support nursing education and training and allows part-time nursing faculty to be eligible for loan repayment assistance. In a post-COVID world, the importance of nurses cannot be overstated; this bill will develop further growth in our nursing industry and promote a healthier population.

Signed by Governor 06-18-2023, effective immediately.

SB 26

SB 26 – Mental Health Care Support (Bill Carriers: Kolkhorst & Jetton)

Electeds from our Community who authored – Sen. King, Sen. West

SB 26 Established a grant program for community-based mental and behavioral health systems to increase access to care for mental health patients across the state. Furthering our mental health systems improves our state’s holistic healthcare goals and allows for an even more productive work force and community.

Signed by Governor 06-19-2023, effective immediately.

SB 840

SB 840 – Workplace Violence Penalties (Bill Carriers: West & Anchia)

Elected from our Community who authored – Sen. West

Elected from our Community who co-sponsored – Rep. Cook, Rep. Turner

SB 840 Increases the criminal penalty for assaulting hospital personnel to a third-degree felony. Healthcare personnel are incredibly important to our society, and ensuring their safety in the workplace is a high priority. This bill helps to deter criminals and serve justice to those who assault our healthcare professionals who keep us safe.

Signed by Governor 05-24-2023, effective immediately.

88th Legislative Success Summary

The Mansfield Chamber Celebrates Success in 88th Texas Legislative Session

Overview

Additional Workforce & Education

Additional Economic Development

Additional Infrastructure

Additional Health & Wellbeing

Get In Touch!

Mansfield

The Chamber

Resources

Socialize