Monitoring the Session

HB 2788

Button Bill Closes Records That “May Reveal” Fraud Methods

Became law

Verdict: Smells

SmellsNeeds review
Rep. Angie Chen ButtonRHouse 112
Why it's charged
Dragnet

THE CAPTION

“relating to fraud detection information and the public information”…

Caption, introduced version (I)

THE TEXT

“"Fraud detection information" means any information, including risk assessments, reports, data, protocols, technology specifications, manuals, instructions, investigative materials, crossmatches, mental impressions, and communications that may reveal the methods or means by which the commission prevents, detects, investigates, or evaluates fraud”…

Bill text, introduced version (I)

The definition reaches any report, data or communication that only "may reveal" fraud methods. That could pull general records about how well fraud controls work out of public view, not just the anti-fraud playbook itself.

Dragnet

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 fraud detection information and the public information law.

Caption from analyzed text · version I.

Summary

Reports, data, manuals and communications at the Texas Workforce Commission. Now off-limits to records requests.

This bill makes a new category called fraud detection information at the Texas Workforce Commission secret under the state's public information law. It covers the commission's unemployment benefits and unemployment tax programs, and anyone who files a public records request for those records. Risk assessments, reports, data, manuals, crossmatches, investigative materials and communications that may reveal how the commission catches fraud would no longer be released to the public.

Labels

Labels: INSTANT LAW. Took effect immediately, on Jun 20, 2025. 833 of the 1,185 graded 89R laws took effect Sep 1, 2025 (derived from the bill histories, snapshot Oct 19, 2026).CROSS-PARTY HANDOFF. Lead author Angie Chen Button (R) in the House. Lead sponsor Nathan Johnson (D) in the Senate. Party as the Legislative Reference Library lists it for the 89th Legislature.ACROSS THE AISLE. Joint authors: 4 Republicans, 1 Democrat. Party as the Legislative Reference Library lists it for the 89th Legislature.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB2788 · 2025-02-13

SOLD BY

+ 2 more authors

ITEM

relating to fraud detection information and the public information law.

WHAT IT DOES

Reports, data, manuals and communications at the Texas Workforce Commission. Now off-limits to records requests.

This bill makes a new category called fraud detection information at the Texas Workforce Commission secret under the state's public information law. It covers the commission's unemployment benefits and unemployment tax programs, and anyone who files a public records request for those records. Risk assessments, reports, data, manuals, crossmatches, investigative materials and communications that may reveal how the commission catches fraud would no longer be released to the public.

CHARGES

[x] DRAGNETanalysis confidence 45%

THE CAPTION

“relating to fraud detection information and the public information”…

Caption, introduced version (I)

THE TEXT

“"Fraud detection information" means any information, including risk assessments, reports, data, protocols, technology specifications, manuals, instructions, investigative materials, crossmatches, mental impressions, and communications that may reveal the methods or means by which the commission prevents, detects, investigates, or evaluates fraud”…

Bill text, introduced version (I)

The definition reaches any report, data or communication that only "may reveal" fraud methods. That could pull general records about how well fraud controls work out of public view, not just the anti-fraud playbook itself.

TOTAL

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version E · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 9, 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 Trade, Workforce & Economic Development
  4. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  5. Considered in public hearing
  6. Committee substitute considered in committee
  7. Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
  8. Left pending in committee
  9. Considered in public hearing
  10. Committee substitute considered in committee
  11. Reported favorably as substituted
  12. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  13. Committee report distributed
  14. Committee report sent to Calendars
  15. Considered in Calendars
  16. Placed on General State Calendar
  17. Read 2nd time
  18. Passed to engrossment
  19. Read 3rd time
  20. Passed
  21. Record vote RV#1410
  22. Reported engrossed
  23. Received from the House
  24. Read first time
  25. Referred to Economic Development
  26. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  27. Considered in public hearing
  28. Left pending in committee
  29. Considered in public hearing
  30. Vote taken in committee
  31. Reported favorably w/o amendments
  32. Recommended for local & uncontested calendar
  33. Committee report printed and distributed
  34. Placed on intent calendar
  35. Rules suspended-Regular order of business
  36. Read 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading
  37. Vote recorded in Journal
  38. Three day rule suspended
  39. Record vote
  40. Read 3rd time
  41. Passed
  42. Record vote
  43. Senate passage reported
  44. Reported enrolled
  45. Signed in the House
  46. Signed in the Senate
  47. Sent to the Governor
  48. Signed by the Governor
  49. Effective immediately
FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 141 yea · 6 nay

Senate · 31 yea · 0 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 6, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · May 20, 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

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 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$762,071.41

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$762,071.41

Cash
$55,000.00
Paid by others
$707,071.41
Total
$762,071.41
advertising $195,740.00digital $125,000.00tv $125,000.00grassroots $121,840.00mail $61,081.06Other filed descriptions $45,000.00polling $33,410.35

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 27, 2025 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: 100992420, 101010417, 101032581, 101042428, 101058017, 101069955.

Texas Conservative Majority PAC$632,800.00

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$632,800.00

Cash
$102,000.00
Paid by others
$530,800.00
Total
$632,800.00
canvassing $300,000.00digital $225,000.00polling $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 · Feb 20, 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: 101035728, 101058017, 101069955.

Texas Sands PAC$264,500.00

Texas Sands PAC

$264,500.00

Cash
$264,500.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$264,500.00

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 23, 2025 to Oct 9, 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: 101010417, 101035728, 101058017, 101069955.

Money

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

×

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$762,071.41

Cash
$55,000.00
Paid by others
$707,071.41
Total
$762,071.41
advertising $195,740.00digital $125,000.00tv $125,000.00grassroots $121,840.00mail $61,081.06Other filed descriptions $45,000.00polling $33,410.35

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 27, 2025 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: 100992420, 101010417, 101032581, 101042428, 101058017, 101069955.

×

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$632,800.00

Cash
$102,000.00
Paid by others
$530,800.00
Total
$632,800.00
canvassing $300,000.00digital $225,000.00polling $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 · Feb 20, 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: 101035728, 101058017, 101069955.

×

Texas Sands PAC

$264,500.00

Cash
$264,500.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$264,500.00

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 23, 2025 to Oct 9, 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: 101010417, 101035728, 101058017, 101069955.

Votes4

Senate May 20, 2025

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.

Sources

Senator Johnson moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that HB 2788 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 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 20, 2025

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.

Sources

Senator Johnson moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that HB 2788 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 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 20, 2025

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.

Voice vote. No numeric tally or individual yeas are inferred.

Sources

The bill was read second time and was passed to third reading by a viva voce vote.

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 6, 2025

Yea
141
Nay
6
Present, not voting
1
Absent
2
Excused
0
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 1410

HB 2788 was passed by (Record 1410): 141 Yeas, 6 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 141 (published)
  • Nay: 6 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 1 (published)
  • Absent: 2 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

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

Witnesses9
For
5
Against
1
On
3
Names

For

  • City of Fort Worth1 registration
  • City of San Antonio2 registrations
  • Self1 registration
  • Texas Association of School Boards1 registration

Against

  • Self1 registration

On

  • Self1 registration
  • Texas Workforce Commission1 registration
  • The Texas Workforce Commission1 registration
Sources

9 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 9, 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 13, 2025

06/20/2025 E Effective immediately

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

Data snapshot Nov 1, 2026 at 1:46 PM CST. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Sponsors

House committee · Trade, Workforce & Economic Development · Committee vote 10 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent · Out of committee

Senate committee · Economic Development · Committee vote 5 aye, 0 nay · Out of committee

Subjects

Labor--Unemployment

FRAUD

WORKFORCE COMMISSION, TEXAS

Text

The text as introduced · 283 words

By: Button
H.B. No. 2788

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to fraud detection information and the public information

law.

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

SECTION 1. Section 301.085, Government Code, is amended by

amending Subsections (a) and (c) to read as follows:

Sec. 301.085. UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION , [ AND ] JOB

MATCHING SERVICES INFORMATION , AND FRAUD DETECTION INFORMATION ;

OFFENSE; PENALTY. (a) In this section:

(1) "Job matching services information" means

information in the records of the commission that pertains to the

commission's job matching services provided to employers and job

seekers through the Internet, workforce centers, or other means.

(2) "Unemployment compensation information" means

information in the records of the commission that pertains to the

administration of Subtitle A, including any information collected,

received, developed, or maintained in the administration of

unemployment compensation benefits or the unemployment

compensation tax system.

(3) "Fraud detection information" means any

information, including risk assessments, reports, data, protocols,

technology specifications, manuals, instructions, investigative

materials, crossmatches, mental impressions, and communications

that may reveal the methods or means by which the commission

prevents, detects, investigates, or evaluates fraud in the

administration of unemployment compensation benefits and the

unemployment compensation tax programs.

(c) Unemployment compensation information , [ and ] job

matching services information , and fraud detection information are

not public information for purposes of Chapter 552, Government

Code.

SECTION 2. 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.