Monitoring the Session

HB 180

Border Protection Bill Requires Nothing But Envoy Disclosures

Did not pass

Verdict: Smells

SmellsNeeds review
Rep. Ryan GuillenRHouse 31
Both charges, and why
List of feelings

THE TEXT

…“the governor may coordinate, develop, and execute agreements with”…

Bill text, engrossed version (E)

The core operative verb is 'may', and the bill otherwise opens with a findings article. Nothing has to happen. The only duty is the disclosure rule for envoys, and it applies only if the governor chooses to appoint them.

List of feelings
New fee, fund, board or appointees

THE TEXT

“(b) The governor may appoint one or more individuals”…

Bill text, engrossed version (E)

The bill authorizes new appointed positions, with no stated number, to negotiate with Mexican authorities and operate inside Mexico.

New fee, fund, board or appointees

Needs review · 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 border protection agreements between this state and the United Mexican States.

Caption from analyzed text · version E.

Summary

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

The bill lets the governor make border protection agreements with Mexico and with Mexican states, and lets the governor appoint people to meet with Mexican officials to work out those agreements. It touches the governor's office, any appointed negotiators, and Mexican local, state and federal authorities. On the ground, nothing is required: the governor gains permission to negotiate and appoint envoys, who must file state financial disclosures, but no agreement, deadline, funding or penalty is mandated.

Labels

Labels: 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.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB180 · 2024-11-12

SOLD BY

Rep. Ryan GuillenRHouse 31 Rep. Eddie MoralesDHouse 74 Rep. John McQueeneyRHouse 97

+ 7 coauthors

ITEM

relating to border protection agreements between this state and the United Mexican States.

WHAT IT DOES

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

The bill lets the governor make border protection agreements with Mexico and with Mexican states, and lets the governor appoint people to meet with Mexican officials to work out those agreements. It touches the governor's office, any appointed negotiators, and Mexican local, state and federal authorities. On the ground, nothing is required: the governor gains permission to negotiate and appoint envoys, who must file state financial disclosures, but no agreement, deadline, funding or penalty is mandated.

CHARGES

[x] LIST OF FEELINGSanalysis confidence 50%

THE TEXT

…“the governor may coordinate, develop, and execute agreements with”…

Bill text, engrossed version (E)

The core operative verb is 'may', and the bill otherwise opens with a findings article. Nothing has to happen. The only duty is the disclosure rule for envoys, and it applies only if the governor chooses to appoint them.

[x] NEW FEE, FUND, BOARD OR APPOINTEESanalysis confidence 60%

THE TEXT

“(b) The governor may appoint one or more individuals”…

Bill text, engrossed version (E)

The bill authorizes new appointed positions, with no stated number, to negotiate with Mexican authorities and operate inside Mexico.

TOTAL

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version E · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 12, 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 s/c on State-Federal Relations by Speaker
  4. Scheduled for public hearing in s/c on . . .
  5. Considered by s/c in public hearing
  6. Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in subcommittee
  7. Left pending in subcommittee
  8. Recalled from subcommittee
  9. Considered in formal meeting
  10. Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
  11. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  12. Committee report distributed
  13. Committee report sent to Calendars
  14. Considered in Calendars
  15. Placed on General State Calendar
  16. Read 2nd time
  17. Amended 1-Guillen
  18. Passed to engrossment as amended
  19. Record vote RV#1531
  20. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  21. Read 3rd time
  22. Passed
  23. Record vote RV#1604
  24. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  25. Reported engrossed
  26. Received from the House
  27. Read first time
  28. Referred to Border Security
  29. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  30. Considered in public hearing
  31. Left pending in committee
  32. Posting rule suspended
  33. Considered in public hearing
  34. Vote taken in committee
  35. Reported favorably w/o amendments
  36. Committee report printed and distributed
  37. Placed on intent calendar
  38. Not again placed on intent calendar
FILED UNDER

GOVERNMENT GROWTH UNDER A CONSERVATIVE BANNER

THE TEXT

“(b) The governor may appoint one or more individuals”…

Bill text, engrossed version (E)

The bill authorizes the governor to create an open-ended number of appointed envoy positions to negotiate border agreements with Mexico.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 114 yea · 33 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 7, 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

Ryan Guillen

Donors

Frontera Texas PAC$160KTexas Sands PAC$121KAssociated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund$23K

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 · Jul 1, 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.

Frontera Texas PAC$160,007.97

Frontera Texas PAC

$160,007.97

Cash
$0.00
Paid by others
$160,007.97
Total
$160,007.97
Other filed descriptions $73,500.00mail $40,000.00mailing $19,429.94texting $18,144.37digital $8,211.55printing $722.11

Also funds 3 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Nov 5, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 30, 2025 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.

Report IDs: 101033369, 101062168, 101070155, 101073001.

Texas Sands PAC$120,875.00

Texas Sands PAC

$120,875.00

Cash
$113,500.00
Paid by others
$7,375.00
Total
$120,875.00
polling $7,375.00

Also funds 121 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 3, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 14, 2024 to Sep 25, 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: 100989191, 101033369, 101062168, 101073001.

Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund$22,795.90

Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund

$22,795.90

Cash
$0.00
Paid by others
$22,795.90
Total
$22,795.90
polling $15,000.00Other filed descriptions $7,352.14texting $443.76

Also funds 20 other sitting lawmakers.

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

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 15, 2025 to Sep 10, 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: 101033369, 101070155.

Money

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

×

Frontera Texas PAC

$160,007.97

Cash
$0.00
Paid by others
$160,007.97
Total
$160,007.97
Other filed descriptions $73,500.00mail $40,000.00mailing $19,429.94texting $18,144.37digital $8,211.55printing $722.11

Also funds 3 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Nov 5, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 30, 2025 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.

Report IDs: 101033369, 101062168, 101070155, 101073001.

×

Texas Sands PAC

$120,875.00

Cash
$113,500.00
Paid by others
$7,375.00
Total
$120,875.00
polling $7,375.00

Also funds 121 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 3, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 14, 2024 to Sep 25, 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: 100989191, 101033369, 101062168, 101073001.

×

Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund

$22,795.90

Cash
$0.00
Paid by others
$22,795.90
Total
$22,795.90
polling $15,000.00Other filed descriptions $7,352.14texting $443.76

Also funds 20 other sitting lawmakers.

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

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 15, 2025 to Sep 10, 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: 101033369, 101070155.

Votes2

House May 7, 2025

Yea
114
Nay
33
Present, not voting
2
Absent
1
Excused
0
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 1604

HB 180 was passed by (Record 1604): 114 Yeas, 33 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 114 (published)
  • Nay: 33 (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 May 6, 2025

Yea
115
Nay
23
Present, not voting
1
Absent
9
Excused
2
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 1531

HB 180, as amended, was passed to engrossment by (Record 1531): 115 Yeas, 23 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 115 (published)
  • Nay: 23 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 1 (published)
  • Absent: 9 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 2 (derived from named list)

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

Witnesses3
For
2
Against
1
On
0
Names

For

  • Self; South Texans’ Property Rights Association2 registrations

Against

  • Self1 registration
Sources

3 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 E · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 12, 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 E by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 22, 2026, against the published rubric.

Sources

Texas House · Filed Nov 12, 2024

05/26/2025 S Not again placed on intent calendar

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

Data snapshot Nov 1, 2026 at 1:38 PM CST. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Coauthors
Keith BellRHouse 4 Briscoe CainRHouse 128 Cody HarrisRHouse 8 Richard HayesRHouse 57 Will MetcalfRHouse 16 Angelia OrrRHouse 13 David SpillerRHouse 68
Sponsors
Brian BirdwellRSenate 22

House committee · Intergovernmental Affairs · Committee vote 6 aye, 3 nay, 2 absent · Out of committee

Senate committee · Border Security · Committee vote 4 aye, 1 nay · Out of committee

Subjects

MEXICO

UNITED MEXICAN STATES

County Government--General

Courts--General

Education--Higher--Institutions & Programs

Governor

Intergovernmental Relations

Property Interests--Real Property

State Finances--Management & Control

BORDER

Text

The text as introduced · 276 words

89R355 RDS-F

By: Guillen
H.B. No. 180

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to border protection agreements between this state and the

United Mexican States.

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

ARTICLE 1. LEGISLATIVE FINDING

SECTION 1.01. (a) The legislature, acting with the

governor, has the solemn duty to protect and defend the citizens of

this state and maintain sovereignty over this state's borders.

(b) An individual entering this state from a foreign country

shall enter through a legal port of entry.

ARTICLE 2. BORDER PROTECTION AGREEMENTS

SECTION 2.01. Title 7, Government Code, is amended by

adding Chapter 795 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 795. BORDER PROTECTION AGREEMENTS WITH UNITED MEXICAN

STATES

Sec. 795.001. AUTHORITY FOR AGREEMENTS AND ENGAGEMENT WITH

AUTHORITIES OF UNITED MEXICAN STATES. (a) On behalf of this state,

the governor may coordinate, develop, and execute agreements with

the United Mexican States and the states of the United Mexican

States regarding the authority of this state to protect and defend

its citizens.

(b) The governor may appoint a group of individuals

responsible for meeting in person with the appropriate local,

state, and federal authorities of the United Mexican States to

coordinate, develop, and execute agreements under Subsection (a).

The group appointed under this subsection may operate within the

United Mexican States as practicable.

ARTICLE 3. EFFECTIVE DATE

SECTION 3.01. 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.