Monitoring the Session

HB 2437

Rosenthal Budget Bill Applies Only In Counties Over 3 Million

Did not pass

Verdict: Smells

SmellsInitial review
Rep. Jon E. RosenthalDHouse 135
Why it's charged
Bracket bill

THE TEXT

“This section applies only to a district located wholly in a county with a population of more than three million.”

Bill text, introduced version (I)

The population bracket aims these budget rules at districts in only the very largest county or counties. The caption's word "certain" flags that the bill is narrow but does not say where it applies.

Bracket bill

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 adoption and amendment of an annual budget by certain emergency services districts.

Caption from analyzed text · version I.

Summary

Caption just says “certain.” Budgets post online 72 hours ahead, and changes need three yes votes.

The bill sets budget rules for emergency services districts located wholly in a county with more than three million people. Those district boards must post a proposed budget online at least 72 hours before adopting it, and must post any budget amendment 72 hours ahead with a set public notice and agenda items for comment and a vote. After adoption, the budget can be changed only at an open meeting, after public comment, and only if three or more board members vote yes.

Labels

Labels: STALLED AFTER COMMITTEE. Voted out of the House Intergovernmental Affairs committee 10-0 on May 6, 2025. Never placed on a calendar. The bill died.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB2437 · 2025-02-05

SOLD BY

Rep. Jon E. RosenthalDHouse 135

ITEM

relating to the adoption and amendment of an annual budget by certain emergency services districts.

WHAT IT DOES

Caption just says “certain.” Budgets post online 72 hours ahead, and changes need three yes votes.

The bill sets budget rules for emergency services districts located wholly in a county with more than three million people. Those district boards must post a proposed budget online at least 72 hours before adopting it, and must post any budget amendment 72 hours ahead with a set public notice and agenda items for comment and a vote. After adoption, the budget can be changed only at an open meeting, after public comment, and only if three or more board members vote yes.

CHARGES

[x] BRACKET BILLanalysis confidence 45%

THE TEXT

“This section applies only to a district located wholly in a county with a population of more than three million.”

Bill text, introduced version (I)

The population bracket aims these budget rules at districts in only the very largest county or counties. The caption's word "certain" flags that the bill is narrow but does not say where it applies.

TOTAL

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version I · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version I · May 1, 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 County & Regional Government 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 public hearing
  10. Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
  11. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  12. Committee report distributed
  13. Committee report sent to Calendars
FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

Smells

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Jon E. Rosenthal

Donors

Susan Sarofim$100,000Lone Star Project Nonfederal$85KDonald Henley$59,000

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 · Jul 2, 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.

Susan Sarofim$100,000.00
Lone Star Project Nonfederal$85,000.00

Lone Star Project Nonfederal

$85,000.00

Cash
$75,000.00
Paid by others
$10,000.00
Total
$85,000.00
Other filed descriptions $10,000.00

Also funds 1 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Mar 25, 2026 to Sep 22, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Mar 25, 2026 to Sep 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: 101056369, 101068193.

Donald Henley$59,000.00
Money

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

×

Lone Star Project Nonfederal

$85,000.00

Cash
$75,000.00
Paid by others
$10,000.00
Total
$85,000.00
Other filed descriptions $10,000.00

Also funds 1 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Mar 25, 2026 to Sep 22, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Mar 25, 2026 to Sep 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: 101056369, 101068193.

Votes

No floor vote loaded for this bill.

Witnesses2
For
1
Against
1
On
0
Names

For

  • Self1 registration

Against

  • Texas State Association of Fire and Emergency Districts1 registration
Sources

2 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 fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version I · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version I · May 1, 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 Feb 5, 2025

05/13/2025 H Committee report sent to Calendars

Texas Legislature Online · Introduced · House Committee Report

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

House committee · Intergovernmental Affairs · Committee vote 10 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent · Out of committee

Subjects

County Government--Finance

Health--Emergency Services & Personnel

Open Meetings

Special Districts & Authorities--Miscellaneous

PUBLIC NOTICE

Text

The text as introduced · 448 words

By: Rosenthal
H.B. No. 2437

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the adoption and amendment of an annual budget by

certain emergency services districts.

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

SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 775, Health and Safety

Code, is amended by adding Section 775.079 to read as follows:

Sec. 775.079. ADOPTION AND AMENDMENT OF ANNUAL BUDGET IN

CERTAIN DISTRICTS. (a) This section applies only to a district

located wholly in a county with a population of more than three

million.

(b) The board shall prepare and adopt the district's annual

budget in the manner provided by this section.

(c) The board, after notice, shall hold an open meeting to

consider the proposed budget for the following fiscal year.

Adoption of the budget may occur at the same meeting at which the

board takes final action to set the tax rate if the board complies

with Section 775.074(d-1).

(d) At least 72 hours before holding a meeting to adopt a

proposed budget for the following fiscal year, the board shall post

the proposed budget on the district's Internet website in the same

location on the website that a proposed tax rate to be adopted is

posted.

(e) After the board adopts the budget, the board may not

amend the budget except as provided by Subsections (f) and (g).

(f) The board, after notice, may amend the budget after its

initial adoption only at an open meeting. The board shall:

(1) not later than 72 hours before the meeting, post

the proposed amendment on the district's Internet website in the

same location on the website that a proposed tax rate to be adopted

is posted; and

(2) include in the notice of the meeting:

(A) the following statement: "The Board of the

(name of county) Emergency Services District No. (district number)

will consider an amendment to the district's adopted budget. The

public is encouraged to review the proposed amendment to the budget

posted on the district's website and to attend the meeting to offer

comments regarding the proposed amendment. (district Internet

website address)"; and

(B) the following agenda items:

(i) "Public comment on the proposed

amendment to the budget"; and

(ii) "Action to adopt or reject the

proposed amendment to the budget".

(g) After allowing comments from the public regarding the

proposed amendment, the board may amend the budget only if three or

more members of the board vote in favor of adopting the proposed

amendment.

(h) The board shall give notice of a meeting held under this

section in the manner provided by Chapter 551, Government Code, and

this section.

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