Monitoring the Session

HB 1130

cavern owners post a warning sign, get a lawsuit shield

Became law

Verdict: No flags

No flagsInitial review
Rep. Carrie IsaacRHouse 73

Initial review · graded Oct 22, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade

Caption

relating to liability of a cavern entity for injuries arising from certain activities.

Caption from analyzed text · version S.

Summary

Negligence, poor training or intentional harm can still land them in court.

The bill shields businesses that own or run commercial caverns from lawsuits over injuries to visitors during recreational or educational cavern activities, as long as they post a required warning sign at each cavern entrance. It touches cavern owners and operators and the visitors who tour or explore their caverns. Visitors keep the right to sue when an injury comes from the business's negligence, a dangerous condition it knew or should have known about, poor employee training, or intentional harm, and the change applies only to claims arising after the law takes effect.

Labels

Labels: INSTANT LAW. Took effect immediately, on May 29, 2025. 833 of the 1,185 graded 89R laws took effect Sep 1, 2025 (derived from the bill histories, snapshot Oct 19, 2026).

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB1130 · 2024-11-12

SOLD BY

Rep. Carrie IsaacRHouse 73 Rep. Richard HayesRHouse 57

+ 4 coauthors

ITEM

relating to liability of a cavern entity for injuries arising from certain activities.

WHAT IT DOES

Negligence, poor training or intentional harm can still land them in court.

The bill shields businesses that own or run commercial caverns from lawsuits over injuries to visitors during recreational or educational cavern activities, as long as they post a required warning sign at each cavern entrance. It touches cavern owners and operators and the visitors who tour or explore their caverns. Visitors keep the right to sue when an injury comes from the business's negligence, a dangerous condition it knew or should have known about, poor employee training, or intentional harm, and the change applies only to claims arising after the law takes effect.

CHARGES

[ ] NONE FOUND

TOTAL

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version F · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version F · May 14, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

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 Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
  4. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  5. Considered in public hearing
  6. Committee substitute considered in committee
  7. Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
  8. Left pending in committee
  9. Considered in public hearing
  10. Committee substitute considered in committee
  11. Reported favorably as substituted
  12. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  13. Committee report distributed
  14. Committee report sent to Calendars
  15. Considered in Calendars
  16. Placed on General State Calendar
  17. Read 2nd time
  18. Passed to engrossment
  19. Record vote RV#333
  20. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  21. Read 3rd time
  22. Passed
  23. Record vote RV#386
  24. Reported engrossed
  25. Received from the House
  26. Read first time
  27. Referred to State Affairs
  28. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  29. Considered in public hearing
  30. Left pending in committee
  31. Considered in public hearing
  32. Vote taken in committee
  33. Reported favorably as substituted
  34. Recommended for local & uncontested calendar
  35. Committee report printed and distributed
  36. Placed on local & uncontested calendar
  37. Laid before the Senate
  38. Read 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading
  39. Vote recorded in Journal
  40. Three day rule suspended
  41. Record vote
  42. Read 3rd time
  43. Passed
  44. Record vote
  45. Senate passage as amended reported
  46. Senate Amendments distributed
  47. Senate Amendments Analysis distributed
  48. House concurs in Senate amendment(s)
  49. Record vote RV#2997
  50. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  51. Text of Senate Amendment(s)
  52. Reported enrolled
  53. Signed in the House
  54. House concurs in Senate amendment(s)-reported
  55. Signed in the Senate
  56. Sent to the Governor
  57. Signed by the Governor
  58. Effective immediately
FILED UNDER

SPEECH AND LAWFARE

THE TEXT

…“a cavern entity is not liable to any person for a”…

Bill text, Senate committee report version (S)

The bill gives cavern businesses a lawsuit shield for visitor injuries once they post a warning sign, though it keeps claims for negligence, known hazards, poor training and intentional harm.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 138 yea · 9 nay

Senate · 31 yea · 0 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · Apr 23, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · May 14, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

All floor motions and other positions below.

No flags

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Carrie Isaac

Donors

Jared Broderick$26,285American Fireworks$26KTexans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$20K

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 29, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. 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.

Jared Broderick$26,284.58
American Fireworks$26,000.00

American Fireworks

$26,000.00

Cash
$0.00
Paid by others
$26,000.00
Total
$26,000.00
fundraiser $26,000.00

Also funds 0 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 4, 2025 to Jul 3, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

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

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jul 4, 2025 to Jul 3, 2026. 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: 101062888, 101069223.

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$20,083.33

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$20,083.33

Cash
$20,000.00
Paid by others
$83.33
Total
$20,083.33
fundraiser $83.33

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 · Jun 25, 2025 to Oct 15, 2026. 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: 101011492, 101062888, 101070788.

Money

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

×

American Fireworks

$26,000.00

Cash
$0.00
Paid by others
$26,000.00
Total
$26,000.00
fundraiser $26,000.00

Also funds 0 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 4, 2025 to Jul 3, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

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

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jul 4, 2025 to Jul 3, 2026. 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: 101062888, 101069223.

×

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$20,083.33

Cash
$20,000.00
Paid by others
$83.33
Total
$20,083.33
fundraiser $83.33

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 · Jun 25, 2025 to Oct 15, 2026. 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: 101011492, 101062888, 101070788.

Votes6

House May 19, 2025

Yea
112
Nay
10
Present, not voting
3
Absent
8
Excused
17
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 2997

Representative Isaac moved to concur in the senate amendments to HB 1130. The motion to concur in the senate amendments to HB 1130 prevailed by (Record 2997): 112 Yeas, 10 Nays, 3 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 112 (published)
  • Nay: 10 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 3 (published)
  • Absent: 8 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 17 (derived from named list)

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

Senate May 14, 2025

Final passage

Yea
31
Nay
0
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to third reading, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records final passage. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Sources

HB 1130 (Campbell) Relating to liability of a cavern entity for injuries arising from certain activities. (viva voce vote) (31-0) (31-0)

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

  • Yea: 31 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

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

Senate May 14, 2025

Suspension of the three-day rule

Yea
31
Nay
0
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to third reading, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records suspension of the three-day rule. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Sources

HB 1130 (Campbell) Relating to liability of a cavern entity for injuries arising from certain activities. (viva voce vote) (31-0) (31-0)

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

  • Yea: 31 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

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

Senate May 14, 2025

Passage to third reading

Yea
Not printed
Nay
Not printed
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to third reading, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records passage to third reading. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Voice vote. No numeric tally or individual yeas are inferred.

Sources

HB 1130 (Campbell) Relating to liability of a cavern entity for injuries arising from certain activities. (viva voce vote) (31-0) (31-0)

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

  • Yea: Not printed
  • Nay: Not printed
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

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

House Apr 23, 2025

Yea
138
Nay
9
Present, not voting
2
Absent
1
Excused
0
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 386

HB 1130 was passed by (Record 386): 138 Yeas, 9 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 138 (published)
  • Nay: 9 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 1 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

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

House Apr 22, 2025

Yea
137
Nay
11
Present, not voting
1
Absent
0
Excused
1
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 333

CSHB 1130 was passed to engrossment by (Record 333): 137 Yeas, 11 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 137 (published)
  • Nay: 11 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 1 (published)
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 1 (derived from named list)

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

Witnesses6
For
4
Against
2
On
0
Names

For

  • Natural bridge caverns1 registration
  • Self1 registration
  • Texas Travel Alliance2 registrations

Against

  • Self2 registrations
Sources

6 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.

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

Fiscal

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version F · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version F · May 14, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

How this was graded

Analysis of text version S by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 22, 2026, against the published rubric.

Sources

Texas House · Filed Nov 12, 2024

05/29/2025 E Effective immediately

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

Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:19 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Coauthors
Briscoe CainRHouse 128 Mark DorazioRHouse 122 Penny Morales ShawDHouse 148 Keresa RichardsonRHouse 61
Sponsors
Donna CampbellRSenate 25

House committee · Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence · Committee vote 11 aye, 0 nay · Out of committee

Senate committee · State Affairs · Committee vote 10 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent · Out of committee

Companion

SB 847 by Campbell (similar)

Subjects

Civil Remedies & Liabilities

RECREATIONAL & CULTURAL FACILITIES

SIGNS

Text

The text as introduced · 475 words

89R4348 AMF-F

By: Isaac
H.B. No. 1130

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to liability of a cavern entity for injuries arising from

certain activities.

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

SECTION 1. Title 4, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is

amended by adding Chapter 75C to read as follows:

CHAPTER 75C. LIMITED LIABILITY FOR CAVERN ACTIVITIES

Sec. 75C.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:

(1) "Cavern activity" means an activity inside a

cavern at a cavern area for recreational or educational purposes.

(2) "Cavern activity participant" means an

individual, other than an employee of a cavern entity, who engages

in a cavern activity.

(3) "Cavern activity participant injury" means an

injury sustained by a cavern activity participant, including bodily

injury, emotional distress, death, property damage, or any other

loss arising from the person's participation in a cavern activity.

(4) "Cavern area" means a commercial property with a

natural cavern designed to provide cavern access for cavern

activities.

(5) "Cavern entity" means a person engaged in the

business of owning or operating a cavern area.

Sec. 75C.002. LIMITED LIABILITY. (a) Except as provided by

Subsection (b), a cavern entity is not liable to any person for a

cavern activity participant injury if, at the time of the cavern

activity participant injury, the warning prescribed by Section

75C.003 was posted in accordance with that section.

(b) This section does not limit liability for an injury:

(1) proximately caused by:

(A) the cavern entity's negligence with regard to

the safety of the cavern area or cavern activity participant;

(B) a potentially dangerous condition at the

cavern area, of which the cavern entity knew or reasonably should

have known; or

(C) the cavern entity's failure to train or

improper training of an employee of the cavern entity actively

involved in the cavern area or a cavern activity; or

(2) intentionally caused by the cavern entity.

Sec. 75C.003. POSTED WARNING. For the purposes of

limitation of liability under Section 75C.002(a), a cavern entity

must post and maintain a sign in a clearly visible location at each

entrance to a cavern at a cavern area. The sign must contain the

following language:

WARNING

TEXAS LAW (CHAPTER 75C, CIVIL PRACTICE AND REMEDIES CODE) LIMITS

THE LIABILITY OF THE OWNER OR OPERATOR OF A CAVERN FOR INJURIES OR

DEATH OF A CAVERN ACTIVITY PARTICIPANT RESULTING FROM A CAVERN

ACTIVITY.

SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only

to a cause of action that accrues on or after the effective date of

this Act.

SECTION 3. 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.