Monitoring the Session

HB 1089

Paul Gulf Coast Bill Banks Money For Army Corps Projects

Became law

Verdict: Smells

SmellsReviewed
Rep. Dennis PaulRHouse 129
Why it's charged
New fee, fund, board or appointees

THE TEXT

“The gulf coast protection account is a dedicated account in the general revenue fund administered by the land office”…

Bill text, introduced version (I)

The bill creates a new dedicated state account. The caption says so plainly, so this is a tag, not a trick.

New fee, fund, board or appointees

Reviewed · Nov 1, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade

Caption

relating to creation of the gulf coast protection account to be administered by the General Land Office.

Caption from analyzed text · version I.

Summary

Gifts, grants and legislative money, spent only on the state’s local share.

The bill creates a new dedicated account inside the state's general revenue fund, called the gulf coast protection account, run by the General Land Office. It can hold gifts, grants, and money the Legislature puts in, and it can be spent only on the state's local share of Army Corps of Engineers coastal storm projects tied to the Gulf Coast Protection District. The money is subject to audit by the state auditor, and the bill takes effect immediately with a two-thirds vote or on September 1, 2025.

Labels

Labels: INSTANT LAW. Took effect immediately, on May 24, 2025. 833 of the 1,185 graded 89R laws took effect Sep 1, 2025 (derived from the bill histories, snapshot Oct 19, 2026).CROSS-PARTY HANDOFF. Lead author Dennis Paul (R) in the House. Lead sponsor Carol Alvarado (D) in the Senate. Party as the Legislative Reference Library lists it for the 89th Legislature.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB1089 · 2024-11-12

SOLD BY

Rep. Dennis PaulRHouse 129 Rep. Terri Leo WilsonRHouse 23

+ 18 coauthors

ITEM

relating to creation of the gulf coast protection account to be administered by the General Land Office.

WHAT IT DOES

Gifts, grants and legislative money, spent only on the state’s local share.

The bill creates a new dedicated account inside the state's general revenue fund, called the gulf coast protection account, run by the General Land Office. It can hold gifts, grants, and money the Legislature puts in, and it can be spent only on the state's local share of Army Corps of Engineers coastal storm projects tied to the Gulf Coast Protection District. The money is subject to audit by the state auditor, and the bill takes effect immediately with a two-thirds vote or on September 1, 2025.

CHARGES

[x] NEW FEE, FUND, BOARD OR APPOINTEESanalysis confidence 50%

THE TEXT

“The gulf coast protection account is a dedicated account in the general revenue fund administered by the land office”…

Bill text, introduced version (I)

The bill creates a new dedicated state account. The caption says so plainly, so this is a tag, not a trick.

TOTAL

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version E · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 7, 2025

The fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined because the amounts and timing of any appropriations, gifts, grants, or donations for the new Gulf Coast Protection Account are unknown at this time. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

HISTORY

  1. Filed
  2. Read first time
  3. Referred to Natural Resources
  4. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  5. Considered in public hearing
  6. Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
  7. Left pending in committee
  8. Considered in public hearing
  9. Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
  10. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  11. Committee report distributed
  12. Committee report sent to Calendars
  13. Considered in Calendars
  14. Placed on General State Calendar
  15. Read 2nd time
  16. Passed to engrossment
  17. Record vote RV#456
  18. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  19. Read 3rd time
  20. Passed
  21. Record vote RV#495
  22. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  23. Reported engrossed
  24. Received from the House
  25. Read first time
  26. Referred to Natural Resources
  27. Posting rule suspended
  28. Considered in public hearing
  29. Vote taken in committee
  30. Reported favorably w/o amendments
  31. Recommended for local & uncontested calendar
  32. Committee report printed and distributed
  33. Printing rule suspended
  34. Rules suspended-Intent Calendar
  35. Rules suspended-Regular order of business
  36. Record vote
  37. Read 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading
  38. Record vote
  39. Three day rule suspended
  40. Record vote
  41. Read 3rd time
  42. Passed
  43. Record vote
  44. Senate passage reported
  45. Reported enrolled
  46. Signed in the House
  47. Signed in the Senate
  48. Sent to the Governor
  49. Signed by the Governor
  50. Effective immediately
FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 123 yea · 20 nay

Senate · 28 yea · 3 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · Apr 24, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · May 9, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

All floor motions and other positions below.

Smells

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Dennis Paul

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$25KRichard Weekley$13KRoger Elswick$11,000

Not tied to this bill.

Sources

The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.

Derived itemized flow · Oct 28, 2024 to Aug 27, 2025. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$25,000.00

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$25,000.00

Cash
$25,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$25,000.00

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Jun 25, 2025. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101010120.

Richard Weekley$12,500.00

Richard Weekley

$12,500.00

Cash
$12,500.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$12,500.00

Also funds 0 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · on Jun 27, 2025. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Jun 27, 2025. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101010120.

Roger Elswick$11,000.00
Money

Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.

×

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$25,000.00

Cash
$25,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$25,000.00

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Jun 25, 2025. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101010120.

×

Richard Weekley

$12,500.00

Cash
$12,500.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$12,500.00

Also funds 0 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · on Jun 27, 2025. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Jun 27, 2025. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101010120.

Votes6

Senate May 9, 2025

Yea
28
Nay
3
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
0
Excused
0
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Sources

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 28, Nays 3. (Same as previous roll call)

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 28 (published)
  • Nay: 3 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 9, 2025

Yea
28
Nay
3
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
0
Excused
0
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Sources

Senator Eckhardt, on behalf of Senator Alvarado, moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that HB 1089 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 28, Nays 3.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 28 (published)
  • Nay: 3 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 9, 2025

Yea
28
Nay
3
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
0
Excused
0
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Sources

The bill was read second time and was passed to third reading by the following vote: Yeas 28, Nays 3. (Same as previous roll call)

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 28 (published)
  • Nay: 3 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 9, 2025

Yea
28
Nay
3
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
0
Excused
0
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Sources

Senator Eckhardt, on behalf of Senator Alvarado, moved to suspend the regular order of business and Senate Rule 5.14 to take up for consideration HB 1089 at this time on its second reading: HB 1089, Relating to creation of the gulf coast protection account to be administered by the General Land Office. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 28, Nays 3.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 28 (published)
  • Nay: 3 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House Apr 24, 2025

Yea
123
Nay
20
Present, not voting
2
Absent
4
Excused
1
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 495

HB 1089 was passed by (Record 495): 123 Yeas, 20 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 123 (published)
  • Nay: 20 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 4 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 1 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House Apr 23, 2025

Yea
121
Nay
23
Present, not voting
1
Absent
5
Excused
0
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 456

HB 1089 was passed to engrossment by (Record 456): 121 Yeas, 23 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 121 (published)
  • Nay: 23 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 1 (published)
  • Absent: 5 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Witnesses17
For
11
Against
0
On
6
Names

For

  • American Council of Engineering Companies of Texas1 registration
  • City of Houston1 registration
  • Dow1 registration
  • Galveston Park Board of Trustees1 registration
  • Greater Houston Partnership1 registration
  • Jefferson County Drainge District 71 registration
  • Texans for Responsible Aggregate Mining1 registration
  • Texas 20361 registration
  • Texas Association of Manufacturers1 registration
  • Texas Chemistry Council1 registration
  • Texas Gulf Coast Infrastructure Coalition (TGCIC)1 registration

On

  • Gulf Coast Protection District2 registrations
  • Texas General Land Office4 registrations
Sources

17 parsed registrations across the loaded witness lists.

Derived stock of witness registrations. Repeated appearances count separately. Organizations and self-representation appear as printed.

House witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Fiscal

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version E · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 7, 2025

The fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined because the amounts and timing of any appropriations, gifts, grants, or donations for the new Gulf Coast Protection Account are unknown at this time. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

How this was graded

Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.

Sources

Texas House · Filed Nov 12, 2024

05/24/2025 E Effective immediately

Texas Legislature Online · Introduced · House Committee Report · Engrossed · Senate Committee Report · Enrolled

Data snapshot Nov 1, 2026 at 3:08 PM CST. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Coauthors
Jeff BarryRHouse 29 Cecil Bell Jr.RHouse 3 Brad BuckleyRHouse 54 Benjamin BumgarnerRHouse 63 Briscoe CainRHouse 128 Charles CunninghamRHouse 127 Mano DeAyalaRHouse 133 James FrankRHouse 69 Gary GatesRHouse 28 Ryan GuillenRHouse 31 Richard HayesRHouse 57 Lacey HullRHouse 138 Janie LopezRHouse 37 Don McLaughlinRHouse 80 Matt MorganRHouse 26 Tom OliversonRHouse 130 Angelia OrrRHouse 13 Cody VasutRHouse 25
Sponsors
Carol AlvaradoDSenate 6

House committee · Natural Resources · Committee vote 11 aye, 0 nay, 2 absent · Out of committee

Senate committee · Natural Resources · Committee vote 8 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent · Out of committee

Companion

SB 795 by Alvarado (identical)

Subjects

Coastal Affairs & Beaches

Disaster Preparedness & Relief

Special Districts & Authorities--Miscellaneous

State Finances--Appropriations

State Finances--Management & Control

Water--General

GENERAL LAND OFFICE

Text

The text as introduced · 377 words

89R138 ANG-F

By: Paul
H.B. No. 1089

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to creation of the gulf coast protection account to be

administered by the General Land Office.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 31, Natural Resources

Code, is amended by adding Section 31.070 to read as follows:

Sec. 31.070. GULF COAST PROTECTION ACCOUNT. (a) The gulf

coast protection account is a dedicated account in the general

revenue fund administered by the land office under this section and

rules adopted by the land office.

(b) The gulf coast protection account consists of:

(1) money from gifts, donations, and grants; and

(2) money appropriated, credited, or transferred to

the account by the legislature.

(c) Money in the gulf coast protection account may be used

only to pay for expenditures that:

(1) are necessary to fulfill nonfederal sponsor

obligations under agreements with the United States Army Corps of

Engineers for implementing projects included in the plan

recommended by the Coastal Texas Protection and Restoration

Feasibility Study Final Report and Final Environmental Impact

Statement dated August 2021 issued by the Galveston District,

Southwestern Division, of the United States Army Corps of Engineers

and the land office;

(2) comply with the terms of a local cooperation

agreement executed by the land office and the Gulf Coast Protection

District established under Chapter 9502, Special District Local

Laws Code; and

(3) are for projects that:

(A) are necessary or useful for the protection of

the portion of the gulf coast located within the territory of the

district; or

(B) would benefit the district and are designated

as Coastal Storm Risk Management Projects within the Coastal Texas

Study.

(d) The legislature finds that the expenditure of money in

the gulf coast protection account in accordance with Subsection (c)

serves a public purpose.

(e) The expenditure of money in the gulf coast protection

account is subject to audit by the state auditor.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives

a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as

provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this

Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this

Act takes effect September 1, 2025.