HB 2547
Cain Bill Bans ‘Remote’ Disabling Tech, No Remote Required
Died in committee
Verdict: Smells
Why it's charged
Dragnet
THE CAPTION
“relating to the prohibited manufacture and sale of motor vehicles”…
Caption, introduced version (I)
THE TEXT
“"Remote vehicle disabling technology" means any application or device, including software, firmware, and hardware, that, when activated or engaged, allows a person to disable the operation of a motor vehicle.”
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The caption and section title target remote disabling technology, but the definition never requires the device to work remotely. As written, any device or software that lets a person disable a vehicle could fall under the sales ban, including ordinary local anti-theft or shutoff features.
DragnetInitial 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 prohibited manufacture and sale of motor vehicles equipped with remote vehicle disabling technology.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Summary
Any device that lets a person disable a vehicle counts. Ignition interlocks get a pass.
The bill bars vehicle manufacturers from building, distributing, assembling or selling motor vehicles equipped with technology that lets a person disable the vehicle. It also bars dealers from selling or trading such vehicles, and licensed manufacturers and dealers who break the rule can lose their state license. Ignition interlock devices are exempt, and manufacturers and dealers do not have to comply until January 1, 2026.
Labels
Labels: NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Feb 6, 2025 and referred to the House State Affairs committee. No public hearing. The bill died.
Receipt
The receipt
89R-HB2547 · 2025-02-06
SOLD BY
+ 9 coauthors
ITEM
relating to the prohibited manufacture and sale of motor vehicles equipped with remote vehicle disabling technology.
WHAT IT DOES
Any device that lets a person disable a vehicle counts. Ignition interlocks get a pass.
The bill bars vehicle manufacturers from building, distributing, assembling or selling motor vehicles equipped with technology that lets a person disable the vehicle. It also bars dealers from selling or trading such vehicles, and licensed manufacturers and dealers who break the rule can lose their state license. Ignition interlock devices are exempt, and manufacturers and dealers do not have to comply until January 1, 2026.
CHARGES
[x] DRAGNETanalysis confidence 55%
THE CAPTION
“relating to the prohibited manufacture and sale of motor vehicles”…
Caption, introduced version (I)
THE TEXT
“"Remote vehicle disabling technology" means any application or device, including software, firmware, and hardware, that, when activated or engaged, allows a person to disable the operation of a motor vehicle.”
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The caption and section title target remote disabling technology, but the definition never requires the device to work remotely. As written, any device or software that lets a person disable a vehicle could fall under the sales ban, including ordinary local anti-theft or shutoff features.
TOTAL
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
HISTORY
- Filed
- Read first time
- Referred to State Affairs
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 Feb 6, 2025
03/17/2025 H Referred to State Affairs: Mar 17 2025 2:32PM
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:19 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
House committee · State Affairs · Final status: Died in committee
Companion
SB 381 by Middleton (identical)
Subjects
Vehicles & Traffic--Equipment
Vehicles & Traffic--General
Text
The text as introduced · 243 words
89R4021 RDR-D By: Cain H.B. No. 2547 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the prohibited manufacture and sale of motor vehicles equipped with remote vehicle disabling technology. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter K, Chapter 547, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Section 547.619 to read as follows: Sec. 547.619. REMOTE VEHICLE DISABLING TECHNOLOGY PROHIBITED. (a) In this section: (1) "Dealer" and "manufacturer" have the meanings assigned by Section 503.001. (2) "Motor vehicle" has the meaning assigned by Section 502.001. (3) "Remote vehicle disabling technology" means any application or device, including software, firmware, and hardware, that, when activated or engaged, allows a person to disable the operation of a motor vehicle. The term does not include an ignition interlock device, as defined by Article 42A.408, Code of Criminal Procedure. (b) A manufacturer may not manufacture, distribute, assemble, or sell a motor vehicle that is equipped with remote vehicle disabling technology. (c) A dealer may not sell or exchange a motor vehicle that is equipped with remote vehicle disabling technology. (d) A license holder under Chapter 2301, Occupations Code, who violates this section is subject to the revocation of the license under Section 2301.651(a)(4), Occupations Code. SECTION 2. Notwithstanding Section 547.619, Transportation Code, as added by this Act, a manufacturer or dealer is not required to comply with that section before January 1, 2026. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.