HB 1497
Cain’s bill putting a nativity scene on the Capitol grounds
Died in committee
Verdict: No flags
Initial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade
Caption
relating to the placement of a nativity scene on the Capitol grounds.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Summary
State Preservation Board sets it up every December, at least.
The bill requires the State Preservation Board to put up a nativity scene on the State Capitol grounds for at least the month of December every year. It touches the State Preservation Board and the Capitol grounds. It also says the nativity scene does not count against the existing limit on monuments, and the rule starts September 1, 2025.
Labels
Labels: QUICK READ: 112 WORDS. The bill as filed runs 112 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 Dec 3, 2024 and referred to the House Culture, Recreation & Tourism committee. No public hearing. The bill died.
Receipt
The receipt
89R-HB1497 · 2024-12-03
SOLD BY
+ 2 more authors, 87 coauthors
ITEM
relating to the placement of a nativity scene on the Capitol grounds.
WHAT IT DOES
State Preservation Board sets it up every December, at least.
The bill requires the State Preservation Board to put up a nativity scene on the State Capitol grounds for at least the month of December every year. It touches the State Preservation Board and the Capitol grounds. It also says the nativity scene does not count against the existing limit on monuments, and the rule starts September 1, 2025.
CHARGES
[ ] NONE FOUND
TOTAL
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
HISTORY
- Filed
- Read first time
- Referred to Culture, Recreation & Tourism
FILED UNDER
No verified beat found.
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
Donors
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 May 28, 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.
Teans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$5,000.00
Teans for Lawsuit Reform PAC
$5,000.00
- Cash
- $5,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $5,000.00
Also funds 0 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · on Jul 3, 2025. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.
Sources
Derived itemized flow · on Jul 3, 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: 101033926.
Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
Teans for Lawsuit Reform PAC
$5,000.00
- Cash
- $5,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $5,000.00
Also funds 0 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · on Jul 3, 2025. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.
Sources
Derived itemized flow · on Jul 3, 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: 101033926.
Votes
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
Fiscal
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
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 Dec 3, 2024
03/11/2025 H Referred to Culture, Recreation & Tourism: Mar 11 2025 3:26PM
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
House committee · Culture, Recreation & Tourism · Final status: Died in committee
Companion
SB 515 by Middleton (identical)
Subjects
Holidays
Religion
STATE CAPITOL BUILDING & GROUNDS
STATE PRESERVATION BOARD
Text
The text as introduced · 112 words
By: Cain H.B. No. 1497 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the placement of a nativity scene on the Capitol grounds. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 443, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 443.01528 to read as follows: Sec. 443.01528. HOLIDAY NATIVITY SCENE. (a) The State Preservation Board shall place a nativity scene on the State Capitol grounds during at least the month of December each year. (b) A nativity scene described by Subsection (a) of this section is not a monument subject to the limitation prescribed under Section 443.0152(a-1). SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.