Monitoring the Session

HB 2259

bill setting the font for mail-in ballot instructions

Became law, effective Sep 1, 2025

Verdict: No flags

No flagsInitial review
Rep. Mano DeAyalaRHouse 133

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 instructions for an application form for an early voting ballot.

Caption from analyzed text · version I.

Summary

One page, portrait, Calibri or Aptos, 12-point. Bold where it counts.

The bill orders the Texas secretary of state to write instructions for the official mail-in ballot application form under set format rules. The instructions must fit on one letter-size page in portrait layout, use Calibri or Aptos font at 12-point or the largest size that fits, and use bold print to tie each instruction to an item on the form. The secretary must also produce these instructions in each language suited to the state's population, starting September 1, 2025.

Labels

Labels: CROSS-PARTY HANDOFF. Lead author Mano DeAyala (R) in the House. Lead sponsor Judith Zaffirini (D) in the Senate. Party as the Legislative Reference Library lists it for the 89th Legislature.ACROSS THE AISLE. Joint authors: 1 Republican, 1 Democrat. Party as the Legislative Reference Library lists it for the 89th Legislature.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB2259 · 2025-01-30

SOLD BY

Rep. Mano DeAyalaRHouse 133 Rep. Philip CortezDHouse 117

ITEM

relating to the instructions for an application form for an early voting ballot.

WHAT IT DOES

One page, portrait, Calibri or Aptos, 12-point. Bold where it counts.

The bill orders the Texas secretary of state to write instructions for the official mail-in ballot application form under set format rules. The instructions must fit on one letter-size page in portrait layout, use Calibri or Aptos font at 12-point or the largest size that fits, and use bold print to tie each instruction to an item on the form. The secretary must also produce these instructions in each language suited to the state's population, starting September 1, 2025.

CHARGES

[ ] NONE FOUND

TOTAL

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version E · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 7, 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 Elections
  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#1083
  18. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  19. Read 3rd time
  20. Passed
  21. Record vote RV#1124
  22. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  23. Reported engrossed
  24. Received from the House
  25. Read first time
  26. Referred to State Affairs
  27. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  28. Considered in public hearing
  29. Left pending in committee
  30. Considered in public hearing
  31. Vote taken in committee
  32. Reported favorably w/o amendments
  33. Recommended for local & uncontested calendar
  34. Committee report printed and distributed
  35. Placed on local & uncontested calendar
  36. Laid before the Senate
  37. Read 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading
  38. Vote recorded in Journal
  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 on 9/1/25
FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 131 yea · 1 nay

Senate · 31 yea · 0 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 1, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · May 25, 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

Mano DeAyala

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$866KTexas Conservative Majority PAC$306KAssociated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund$271K

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 17, 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.

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$865,510.35

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$865,510.35

Cash
$50,000.00
Paid by others
$815,510.35
Total
$865,510.35
advertising $805,200.00polling $10,310.35

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 23, 2025 to Oct 22, 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: 101009776, 101017937, 101062872, 101069959, 101072290.

Texas Conservative Majority PAC$305,800.00

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$305,800.00

Cash
$75,000.00
Paid by others
$230,800.00
Total
$305,800.00
canvassing $175,000.00advertising $50,000.00polling $5,800.00

Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.

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

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Sep 8, 2026 to Oct 23, 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: 101069959, 101072290.

Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund$271,400.04

Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund

$271,400.04

Cash
$0.00
Paid by others
$271,400.04
Total
$271,400.04
advertising $136,000.00mailers $70,417.04television $30,000.00polling $16,400.00Other filed descriptions $10,583.00digital $8,000.00

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 · Jun 25, 2025 to Oct 22, 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: 101009776, 101069959, 101072290.

Money

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

×

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$865,510.35

Cash
$50,000.00
Paid by others
$815,510.35
Total
$865,510.35
advertising $805,200.00polling $10,310.35

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 23, 2025 to Oct 22, 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: 101009776, 101017937, 101062872, 101069959, 101072290.

×

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$305,800.00

Cash
$75,000.00
Paid by others
$230,800.00
Total
$305,800.00
canvassing $175,000.00advertising $50,000.00polling $5,800.00

Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.

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

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Sep 8, 2026 to Oct 23, 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: 101069959, 101072290.

×

Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund

$271,400.04

Cash
$0.00
Paid by others
$271,400.04
Total
$271,400.04
advertising $136,000.00mailers $70,417.04television $30,000.00polling $16,400.00Other filed descriptions $10,583.00digital $8,000.00

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 · Jun 25, 2025 to Oct 22, 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: 101009776, 101069959, 101072290.

Votes5

Senate May 25, 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 2259 (Zaffirini) Relating to the instructions for an application form for an early voting ballot. (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 25, 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 2259 (Zaffirini) Relating to the instructions for an application form for an early voting ballot. (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 25, 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 2259 (Zaffirini) Relating to the instructions for an application form for an early voting ballot. (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 May 1, 2025

Yea
131
Nay
1
Present, not voting
1
Absent
4
Excused
13
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 1124

HB 2259 was passed by (Record 1124): 131 Yeas, 1 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 131 (published)
  • Nay: 1 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 1 (published)
  • Absent: 4 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 13 (derived from named list)

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

House Apr 30, 2025

Yea
138
Nay
5
Present, not voting
2
Absent
1
Excused
4
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 1083

HB 2259 was passed to engrossment by (Record 1083): 138 Yeas, 5 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 138 (published)
  • Nay: 5 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 1 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 4 (derived from named list)

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

Witnesses19
For
15
Against
1
On
3
Names

For

  • AARP Texas1 registration
  • ACLU of Texas1 registration
  • Common Cause Texas1 registration
  • Disability1 registration
  • Self9 registrations
  • Self; Harris county ballot security1 registration
  • Texas Silver-Haired Legislature1 registration

Against

  • Self1 registration

On

  • Secretary of State1 registration
  • Self1 registration
  • Texas Secretary of State1 registration
Sources

19 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 7, 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 I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.

Sources

Texas House · Filed Jan 30, 2025

06/20/2025 E Effective on 9/1/25

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

Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Sponsors
Judith ZaffiriniDSenate 21

House committee · Elections · Committee vote 7 aye, 0 nay, 2 absent · Out of committee

Senate committee · State Affairs · Committee vote 11 aye, 0 nay · Out of committee

Subjects

Elections--Early Voting

Elections--General

SECRETARY OF STATE

Text

The text as introduced · 212 words

89R6271 MPF-D

By: DeAyala
H.B. No. 2259

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the instructions for an application form for an early

voting ballot.

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

SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 84, Election Code, is

amended by adding Section 84.0112 to read as follows:

Sec. 84.0112. OFFICIAL APPLICATION FORM INSTRUCTIONS. (a)

The secretary of state shall prescribe instructions to be printed

for the officially prescribed application form for an early voting

ballot. The instructions must:

(1) be presented in portrait orientation on a single

piece of paper that is 8-1/2 by 11 inches;

(2) be printed in Calibri or Aptos font in at least

12-point font or the largest font size that allows the instructions

to fit on a single piece of paper, as determined by the secretary;

and

(3) contain bold print, as determined necessary by the

secretary, to adequately relate the instructions to an item on the

application.

(b) The secretary shall prescribe instructions to be

printed along with the officially prescribed application form for

an early voting ballot in each language appropriate to the

demographic composition of this state in the form and manner

prescribed by Subsection (a).

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.