Monitoring the Session
Patterns

List of feelings

The bill creates no duty, no penalty, no agency and no deadline.

41 bills

Rule

The bill creates no duty, no penalty, no agency and no deadline. It states a position and changes nothing.

Receipt: The operative section, with no shall, no penalty and no date in it.

Checked at the filing stage.

HB 5605 · 89RSmells

Troxclair Rural Water Bill’s Only Operative Verb Is ‘May’

Died in committeeInitial review
Rep. Ellen Troxclair (R-19)
Details · HB 5605

Businesses in counties under 50,000 may use other methods. Federal law still says what it says.

List of feelings
QUICK READ: 119 WORDS The bill as filed runs 119 words, counting the existing law it amends and the text it strikes. The median 89R bill as filed runs 441 words (derived, 8,702 graded bills, snapshot Oct 19, 2026).NEVER GOT A HEARING Filed Mar 14, 2025 and referred to the House Natural Resources committee. No public hearing. The bill died.

Filed Mar 14, 2025

HB 5230 · 89RSmells

Johnson Emergency Training Bill Lets Districts Require Four Free Courses

Died in committeeInitial review
Rep. Charlene Ward Johnson (D-139)
Details · HB 5230

The verb is “may.” Skip it and nothing changes. No state agency enforces or funds it.

List of feelings
ZOMBIE BILL Died 2 times: 88R HB 3255 by Rep. Manuel (Died in committee) and this bill (Died in committee). Checked against 88R only.NEVER GOT A HEARING Filed Mar 14, 2025 and referred to the House Public Education committee. No public hearing. The bill died.

Filed Mar 14, 2025

HB 5206 · 89RSmells

Guillen Water Bill Allows A 24-Hour Heads-Up Before Complaint Tests

Died in committeeInitial review
Rep. Ryan Guillen (R-31)
Details · HB 5206

A complaint comes in? The commission “may” warn the system first. It never has to.

List of feelings
QUICK READ: 126 WORDS The bill as filed runs 126 words, counting the existing law it amends and the text it strikes. The median 89R bill as filed runs 441 words (derived, 8,702 graded bills, snapshot Oct 19, 2026).

Filed Mar 14, 2025

HB 4950 · 89RSmells

Canales Bill Tells 200-Foot Structures To Follow Existing Federal Law

Did not passNeeds review
Rep. Terry Canales (D-40)
Details · HB 4950

The bill adds one sentence. No penalty, no enforcer, no deadline!

List of feelings
QUICK READ: 127 WORDS The bill as filed runs 127 words, counting the existing law it amends and the text it strikes. The median 89R bill as filed runs 441 words (derived, 8,702 graded bills, snapshot Oct 19, 2026).STALLED AFTER COMMITTEE Voted out of the House Transportation committee 11-0 on May 1, 2025. Placed on the General State Calendar on May 13, 2025. The bill died.

Filed Mar 13, 2025

HB 4334 · 89RSmells

Capitol Repeater Bill Lets The Board Spend ‘Any Available Money’

Died in committeeInitial review
Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins (D-120)
Details · HB 4334

No duty, no deadline, no new money. The board “may” install them. Or not.

List of feelings
QUICK READ: 129 WORDS The bill as filed runs 129 words, counting the existing law it amends and the text it strikes. The median 89R bill as filed runs 441 words (derived, 8,702 graded bills, snapshot Oct 19, 2026).NEVER GOT A HEARING Filed Mar 11, 2025 and referred to the House State Affairs subcommittee on Telecommunications & Broadband. No public hearing. The bill died.

Filed Mar 11, 2025

SB 2232 · 89RNo flags

October 21 is Unplug Texas Day

Became law, effective Sep 1, 2025Initial review
Sen. Adam Hinojosa (R-27)
Details · SB 2232

Parks agencies may hold programs. Nobody has to do anything.

Noted, not charged

QUICK READ: 129 WORDS The bill as filed runs 129 words, counting the existing law it amends and the text it strikes. The median 89R bill as filed runs 441 words (derived, 8,702 graded bills, snapshot Oct 19, 2026).

Filed Mar 11, 2025

SB 2023 · 89RSmells

Pauper Burial Grant Program Hangs On One ‘May’

Did not passNeeds review
Sen. César Blanco (D-29)
Details · SB 2023

A dedicated account for county burial and cremation grants. The program itself is optional.

New fee, fund, board or appointeesList of feelings
STALLED AFTER COMMITTEE Voted out of the Senate Health & Human Services committee 7-2 on Apr 10, 2025. Taken up on the floor on Apr 16, 2025 and passed to engrossment, with no final vote. The bill died.

Filed Mar 6, 2025

HB 3748 · 89RSmells

Manuel Bill Says Agency ‘May’ Repay Staff, Using Existing Resources

Did not passNeeds review
Rep. Christian Manuel (D-22)
Details · HB 3748

Client wrecks a caseworker’s property? The department may pay. Or not.

List of feelings
QUICK READ: 119 WORDS The bill as filed runs 119 words, counting the existing law it amends and the text it strikes. The median 89R bill as filed runs 441 words (derived, 8,702 graded bills, snapshot Oct 19, 2026).GOT HALFWAY Passed the House on May 2, 2025. Died in the Senate: voted out of the Health & Human Services committee 8-0, no floor vote.

Filed Mar 4, 2025

SB 1821 · 89RSmells

Johnson Bill Says Child-Care Facilities ‘May’ Share Immunization Rates

Died in committeeInitial review
Sen. Nathan Johnson (D-16)
Details · SB 1821

The only operative verb is “may.” No duty, no penalty, no deadline.

List of feelings
ZOMBIE BILL Died 2 times: 88R SB 77 (Died in committee) and this bill (Died in committee). Checked against 88R only.NEVER GOT A HEARING Filed Mar 3, 2025 and referred to the Senate Health & Human Services committee. No public hearing. The bill died.

Filed Mar 3, 2025

HB 3511 · 89RSmells

Anchía ERCOT Bill Makes The EV Power Program Optional

Did not passNeeds review
Rep. Rafael Anchía (D-103)
Details · HB 3511

Both grants are a “may.” Nothing changes until the commission chooses to act.

List of feelings
ACROSS THE AISLE Joint authors: 1 Republican, 4 Democrats. Party as the Legislative Reference Library lists it for the 89th Legislature.GOT HALFWAY Passed the House on Apr 30, 2025. Died in the Senate: received, never referred to a committee.

Filed Feb 28, 2025

SB 1771 · 89RSmells

Hughes Bill Tells Structures Over 500 Feet To Obey Federal Law

Died in committeeInitial review
Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-1)
Details · SB 1771

Federal law already applies. The bill adds no penalty, no enforcer and no deadline.

List of feelings
QUICK READ: 127 WORDS The bill as filed runs 127 words, counting the existing law it amends and the text it strikes. The median 89R bill as filed runs 441 words (derived, 8,702 graded bills, snapshot Oct 19, 2026).NEVER GOT A HEARING Filed Feb 28, 2025 and referred to the Senate Transportation committee. No public hearing. The bill died.

Filed Feb 28, 2025

HB 3371 · 89RSmells

Metcalf Border Bill Says The Governor “May” Bill Congress $4.72B

Died in committeeNeeds review
Rep. Will Metcalf (R-16)
Details · HB 3371

Nobody has to do anything. The $4.72B and $6.54B minimums expire August 31, 2026.

List of feelingsDelayed start
ACROSS THE AISLE Joint authors: 3 Republicans, 1 Democrat. Party as the Legislative Reference Library lists it for the 89th Legislature.GOT HALFWAY Passed the House on May 8, 2025. Died in the Senate: never got out of the Finance committee.

Filed Feb 26, 2025

HB 2890 · 89RSmells

Patterson Gas Compact Bill Lets The Governor Act, No Deadline

Became lawNeeds review
Rep. Jared Patterson (R-106)
Details · HB 2890

The governor “may.” No deadline, no penalty, no duty. Nothing changes unless the governor acts.

List of feelings
INSTANT LAW Took effect immediately, on May 28, 2025. 833 of the 1,185 graded 89R laws took effect Sep 1, 2025 (derived from the bill histories, snapshot Oct 19, 2026).ACROSS THE AISLE Joint authors: 4 Republicans, 1 Democrat. Party as the Legislative Reference Library lists it for the 89th Legislature.

Filed Feb 14, 2025

HB 2808 · 89RSmells

Rose’s Homeless Youth Bill Runs Entirely On ‘May’

Died in committeeInitial review
Rep. Toni Rose (D-110)
Details · HB 2808

The department may run it, may write rules, may use money. Nothing requires it to exist!

List of feelings
ZOMBIE BILL Died 2 times: 88R HB 2181 (Died in committee) and this bill (Died in committee). Checked against 88R only.NEVER GOT A HEARING Filed Feb 13, 2025 and referred to the House Intergovernmental Affairs committee. No public hearing. The bill died.

Filed Feb 13, 2025

HB 2746 · 89RSmells

Campos Bill Lets The Housing Department Never Start The Pilot

Died in committeeInitial review
Rep. Elizabeth "Liz" Campos (D-119)
Details · HB 2746

Text-to-donate for homeless services is a “may.” If it starts, overhead takes up to 10 percent.

List of feelingsNew fee, fund, board or appointees
ZOMBIE BILL Died 2 times: 88R HB 834 (Did not pass) and this bill (Died in committee). Checked against 88R only.NEVER GOT A HEARING Filed Feb 12, 2025 and referred to the House Intergovernmental Affairs committee. No public hearing. The bill died.

Filed Feb 12, 2025

SB 1168 · 89RSmells

Hinojosa Bill Color-Codes Disaster Households, Then Makes Looking Optional

Died in committeeInitial review
Sen. Adam Hinojosa (R-27)
Details · SB 1168

Red for kids, flashing for help. Relief crews “may” patrol for the lights, or not.

List of feelings
ZOMBIE BILL Died 2 times: 88R HB 1078 by Rep. Martinez (Did not pass) and this bill (Died in committee). Checked against 88R only.NEVER GOT A HEARING Filed Feb 7, 2025 and referred to the Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs committee. No public hearing. The bill died.

Filed Feb 7, 2025

HB 2480 · 89RSmells

Talarico Accessory Dwelling Bill Says ‘May’ And Binds No One

Died in committeeInitial review
Rep. James Talarico (D-50)
Details · HB 2480

Almost all optional. The one limit, on age or employment rules, doesn’t reach “other law.”

List of feelingsThe hole
FEE INCLUDED The caption of the graded version (introduced) reads: “relating to municipal and county regulation of accessory dwelling units; authorizing fees.”NEVER GOT A HEARING Filed Feb 5, 2025 and referred to the House Land & Resource Management committee. No public hearing. The bill died.

Filed Feb 5, 2025

HB 2090 · 89RSmells

Martinez Disaster Bill Color-Codes Your Family, Rescuers Optional

Died in committeeInitial review
Rep. Armando "Mando" Martinez (D-39)
Details · HB 2090

Blue adults, red kids, yellow pets, flashing for medical help. Crews “may patrol”. Nobody has to respond.

List of feelings
ZOMBIE BILL Died 2 times: 88R HB 1078 (Did not pass) and this bill (Died in committee). Checked against 88R only.NEVER GOT A HEARING Filed Jan 24, 2025 and referred to the House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs committee. No public hearing. The bill died.

Filed Jan 24, 2025

HB 825 · 89RSmells

Gervin-Hawkins Bill Says School Accountability Rules ‘May Be Delayed’

Died in committeeInitial review
Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins (D-120)
Details · HB 825

Delayed by whom? The bill names nobody. No duty, no deadline, all optional.

List of feelings
ZOMBIE BILL Died 2 times: 88R HB 1121 (Died in committee) and this bill (Died in committee). Checked against 88R only.NEVER GOT A HEARING Filed Nov 12, 2024 and referred to the House Public Education committee. No public hearing. The bill died.

Filed Nov 12, 2024

HB 724 · 89RSmells

Child-Care Health Notice Bill Requires Nothing

Died in committeeInitial review
Rep. Suleman Lalani (D-76)
Details · HB 724

The whole section says “may provide notice.” No duty, no deadline, no penalty.

List of feelings
ZOMBIE BILL Died 2 times: 88R HB 4001 (Died in committee) and this bill (Died in committee). Checked against 88R only.NEVER GOT A HEARING Filed Nov 12, 2024 and referred to the House Human Services committee. No public hearing. The bill died.

Filed Nov 12, 2024

HB 180 · 89RSmells

Border Protection Bill Requires Nothing But Envoy Disclosures

Did not passNeeds review
Rep. Ryan Guillen (R-31)
Details · HB 180

The governor “may” make deals with Mexico. No deadline, no funding, no penalty.

List of feelingsNew fee, fund, board or appointees
ACROSS THE AISLE Joint authors: 2 Republicans, 1 Democrat. Party as the Legislative Reference Library lists it for the 89th Legislature.GOT HALFWAY Passed the House on May 7, 2025. Died in the Senate: voted out of the Border Security committee 4-1, no floor vote.

Filed Nov 12, 2024

SB 181 · 89RSmells

Prison Gender Assessment Bill Comes Down To One ‘May’

Died in committeeInitial review
Sen. José Menéndez (D-26)
Details · SB 181

The department “may” adopt a gender-responsive version. No duty, no deadline, no consequence.

List of feelings
QUICK READ: 120 WORDS The bill as filed runs 120 words, counting the existing law it amends and the text it strikes. The median 89R bill as filed runs 441 words (derived, 8,702 graded bills, snapshot Oct 19, 2026).NEVER GOT A HEARING Filed Nov 12, 2024 and referred to the Senate Criminal Justice committee. No public hearing. The bill died.

Filed Nov 12, 2024

Sources

Derived stock: 41 tagged measures in the 89R published record. Each measure counts once for this pattern. Snapshot Nov 1, 2026 at 2:09 PM CST.

A pattern tag is not a Certified scam grade. Grades, headlines and charges follow the published record.

Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person.

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