A new bill authored by State Rep. Shelby Slawson in the Texas House seeks to restrict how political subdivisions use public funds, particularly regarding lobbying and related expenditures, according to the Texas Legislature website.
The bill on City Government, County Government, and Taxation category, introduced as HB 83 during the 89(2) legislative session on Friday, Aug. 15, was formally listed with the short title: ’Relating to the repeal of the additional ad valorem taxes imposed as a result of a change of use of certain land’.
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill restricts political subdivisions in Texas from using public funds for lobbying activities. Specifically, it prohibits hiring individuals required to register as lobbyists to influence members of the legislature and paying nonprofit associations primarily representing political subdivisions if they employ lobbyists. Taxpayers or residents of a political subdivision can seek injunctive relief and recover reasonable attorney’s fees if these activities occur. The bill also amends rules for county judges or commissioners involved with nonprofit organizations or associations, barring them from spending public funds in ways that contradict these new limitations. Furthermore, the bill affects how counties can use their general funds for associations and prohibits any association from political campaign activities if they receive taxpayer funding. It takes effect 91 days after the legislative session ends.
Shelby Slawson, a member of the House Committee on Appropriations, proposed another two bills during the 89(2) legislative session. She is also a member of the House Committee on Appropriations – S/C on Articles I, IV, & V and a member of the House Committee on Human Services.
Bills in Texas go through a multi-step legislative process, including committee review, debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching a final decision. Each session, there are typically thousands of bills introduced, but only a portion successfully navigate the process to become law.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
| Legislative Session | Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 89(2) | HB 96 | 08/15/2025 | Relating to the use by a political subdivision of public funds for lobbying activities |
| 89(2) | HB 150 | 08/15/2025 | Relating to a members ability to establish service credit for a year in which they are eligible for office |
| 89(R) | HB 5526 | 03/14/2025 | Relating to a school security volunteer program for public schools in certain counties |
| 89(R) | HB 4851 | 03/13/2025 | Relating to the reliability of the electricity supply chain |
| 89(R) | HB 4611 | 03/12/2025 | Relating to certain voluntary registries in relation to the adoption of or the termination of parental rights regarding a child |
| 89(R) | HB 4583 | 03/12/2025 | Relating to the dissolution of a public utility agency |
| 89(R) | HB 4554 | 03/12/2025 | Relating to procedures for residential eviction suits |
| 89(R) | HB 4073 | 03/07/2025 | Relating to a biennial audit of the effectiveness and efficiencies of state services provided to homeless individuals |
| 89(R) | HB 3924 | 03/06/2025 | Relating to the open carrying of a handgun by a uniformed school marshal |
| 89(R) | HB 125 | 02/28/2025 | Relating to the creation of the Tarleton State University College of Osteopathic Medicine |
| 89(R) | HB 3197 | 02/21/2025 | Relating to the creation of the Tarleton State University College of Osteopathic Medicine |
| 89(R) | HB 2958 | 02/18/2025 | Relating to the drug testing of certain persons seeking benefits under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program |
| 89(R) | HB 2456 | 02/05/2025 | Relating to the flying and display of flags by public schools |
| 89(R) | HB 2169 | 01/28/2025 | Relating to certain contracts for the lease, license, sale, use, or distribution of the State Bar of Texas’ intellectual property |
| 89(R) | HB 2153 | 01/28/2025 | Relating to the designation of a portion of U.S. Highway 377 in Hood and Johnson Counties as the Bob Cornett Parkway |
| 89(R) | HB 1827 | 01/13/2025 | Relating to the repeal of the additional ad valorem taxes imposed as a result of a change of use of certain land |
| 89(R) | HB 1088 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to the statute of limitations on a health care liability claim involving certain gender modification drugs provided to and procedures performed on a minor |
