Monitoring the Session

HB 2894

bill opening disabled veteran tax aid to any city

Became law, effective Sep 1, 2025

Verdict: No flags

No flagsInitial review
Rep. Hillary HicklandRHouse 55

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 provision of state aid to certain local governments disproportionately affected by the granting of ad valorem tax relief to disabled veterans.

Caption from analyzed text · version I.

Summary

Not just cities next to a military base anymore.

The bill widens the state program that pays cities and counties back for property tax revenue they lose because of the disabled veteran property tax exemption. Today only cities next to a military base and counties with a base can qualify; the bill lets any Texas city qualify. Cities not next to a base must lose at least 10 percent of their general fund revenue to the exemption before the state pays, while base-adjacent cities and base counties keep the existing 2 percent threshold.

Labels

Labels: ACROSS THE AISLE. Joint authors: 3 Republicans, 2 Democrats. Party as the Legislative Reference Library lists it for the 89th Legislature.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB2894 · 2025-02-14

SOLD BY

Rep. Hillary HicklandRHouse 55 Rep. Barbara Gervin-HawkinsDHouse 120 Rep. Alan SchoolcraftRHouse 44

+ 2 more authors, 4 coauthors

ITEM

relating to the provision of state aid to certain local governments disproportionately affected by the granting of ad valorem tax relief to disabled veterans.

WHAT IT DOES

Not just cities next to a military base anymore.

The bill widens the state program that pays cities and counties back for property tax revenue they lose because of the disabled veteran property tax exemption. Today only cities next to a military base and counties with a base can qualify; the bill lets any Texas city qualify. Cities not next to a base must lose at least 10 percent of their general fund revenue to the exemption before the state pays, while base-adjacent cities and base counties keep the existing 2 percent threshold.

CHARGES

[ ] NONE FOUND

TOTAL

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version F · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version F · May 20, 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 Ways & Means
  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 formal meeting
  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. Amended 1-Spiller
  17. Record vote RV#364
  18. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  19. Passed to engrossment as amended
  20. Record vote RV#365
  21. Read 3rd time
  22. Passed
  23. Record vote RV#412
  24. Reported engrossed
  25. Received from the House
  26. Read first time
  27. Referred to Finance
  28. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  29. Considered in public hearing
  30. Testimony taken in committee
  31. Vote taken in committee
  32. Reported favorably as substituted
  33. Committee report printed and distributed
  34. Placed on intent calendar
  35. Co-sponsor authorized
  36. Rules suspended-Regular order of business
  37. Vote recorded in Journal
  38. Read 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading
  39. Vote recorded in Journal
  40. Three day rule suspended
  41. Record vote
  42. Read 3rd time
  43. Passed
  44. Record vote
  45. Senate passage as amended reported
  46. Senate Amendments distributed
  47. Senate Amendments Analysis distributed
  48. House concurs in Senate amendment(s)
  49. Record vote RV#3427
  50. Text of Senate Amendment(s)
  51. House concurs in Senate amendment(s)-reported
  52. Reported enrolled
  53. Signed in the House
  54. Signed in the Senate
  55. Sent to the Governor
  56. Signed by the Governor
  57. Effective on 9/1/25
FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 148 yea · 0 nay

Senate · 30 yea · 1 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · Apr 23, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · May 19, 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

Hillary Hickland

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$310KTexas Conservative Majority PAC$135KCourt Reform Action for Families Texas PAC$25K

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 31, 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$310,226.49

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$310,226.49

Cash
$50,000.00
Paid by others
$260,226.49
Total
$310,226.49
mail $134,060.64advertising $105,955.50polling $20,210.35

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 30, 2025 to Oct 15, 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: 101005755, 101019808, 101048921, 101069141, 101072319.

Texas Conservative Majority PAC$135,152.00

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$135,152.00

Cash
$10,000.00
Paid by others
$125,152.00
Total
$135,152.00
canvassing $125,152.00

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 Sep 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: 101069141.

Court Reform Action for Families Texas PAC$25,000.00

Court Reform Action for Families Texas PAC

$25,000.00

Cash
$25,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$25,000.00

Also funds 32 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Feb 20, 2026 to Oct 14, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Sep 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: 101069141.

Money

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

×

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$310,226.49

Cash
$50,000.00
Paid by others
$260,226.49
Total
$310,226.49
mail $134,060.64advertising $105,955.50polling $20,210.35

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 30, 2025 to Oct 15, 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: 101005755, 101019808, 101048921, 101069141, 101072319.

×

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$135,152.00

Cash
$10,000.00
Paid by others
$125,152.00
Total
$135,152.00
canvassing $125,152.00

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 Sep 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: 101069141.

×

Court Reform Action for Families Texas PAC

$25,000.00

Cash
$25,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$25,000.00

Also funds 32 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Feb 20, 2026 to Oct 14, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Sep 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: 101069141.

Votes7

House May 23, 2025

Yea
137
Nay
0
Present, not voting
2
Absent
1
Excused
10
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 3427

Representative Hickland moved to concur in the senate amendments to HB 2894. The motion to concur in the senate amendments to HB 2894 prevailed by (Record 3427): 137 Yeas, 0 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 137 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 1 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 10 (derived from named list)

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

Senate May 19, 2025

Yea
30
Nay
1
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

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

Senate journal

Names were not printed for yea. Only the named positions are included in member records.

Sources

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1. (Same as previous roll call)

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

  • Yea: 30 (published)
  • Nay: 1 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

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

Senate May 19, 2025

Yea
30
Nay
1
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

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

Senate journal

Names were not printed for yea. Only the named positions are included in member records.

Sources

Senator Flores moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSHB 2894 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1.

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

  • Yea: 30 (published)
  • Nay: 1 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

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

Senate May 19, 2025

Yea
Not printed
Nay
Not printed
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

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

Senate journal

Names were not printed for yea. Only the named positions are included in member records.

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

Sources

Senator Flores moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSHB 2894 at this time on its second reading: CSHB 2894, Relating to the provision of state aid to certain local governments disproportionately affected by the granting of ad valorem tax relief to disabled veterans. The motion prevailed. Senator Schwertner asked to be recorded as voting "Nay" on suspension of the regular order of business. 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 Apr 23, 2025

Yea
148
Nay
0
Present, not voting
2
Absent
0
Excused
0
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 412

HB 2894 was passed by (Record 412): 148 Yeas, 0 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 148 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

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

House Apr 22, 2025

Yea
145
Nay
0
Present, not voting
2
Absent
2
Excused
1
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 365

HB 2894, as amended, was passed to engrossment by (Record 365): 145 Yeas, 0 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 145 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 2 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 1 (derived from named list)

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

House Apr 22, 2025

Yea
145
Nay
0
Present, not voting
2
Absent
2
Excused
1
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 364

Amendment No. 1 was adopted by (Record 364): 145 Yeas, 0 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 145 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 2 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 1 (derived from named list)

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

Witnesses27
For
20
Against
0
On
7
Names

For

  • City of Harker Heights1 registration
  • City of Temple2 registrations
  • City of Temple, Texas1 registration
  • Self4 registrations
  • Self; City of Harker Heights3 registrations
  • Self; LAMPASAS COUNTY1 registration
  • Self; Lampasas County1 registration
  • Self; LAMPASAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT1 registration
  • Self; The city of harker heights1 registration
  • Self; VFW Department of Texas1 registration
  • Texas Coalition of Veterans Organizations2 registrations
  • Texas Farm Bureau1 registration
  • Texas Municipal League1 registration

On

  • Bell County1 registration
  • City of Killeen1 registration
  • Comptroller of Public Accounts2 registrations
  • Self2 registrations
  • Self; Heart of Texas Defense Alliance / Governor’s Committee to Support the Military1 registration
Sources

27 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 fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version F · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version F · May 20, 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 14, 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.

Coauthors
David CookRHouse 96 Penny Morales ShawDHouse 148 Mihaela PlesaDHouse 70 David SpillerRHouse 68
Sponsors
Pete FloresRSenate 24
Cosponsors
Royce WestDSenate 23

House committee · Ways & Means · Committee vote 13 aye, 0 nay · Out of committee

Senate committee · Finance · Committee vote 14 aye, 1 nay · Out of committee

Subjects

City Government--Finance

County Government--Finance

Disabilities, Persons with

Military & Veterans

Taxation--Property-Exemptions

Text

The text as introduced · 321 words

89R11519 JBD-D

By: Hickland
H.B. No. 2894

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the provision of state aid to certain local governments

disproportionately affected by the granting of ad valorem tax

relief to disabled veterans.

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

SECTION 1. Section 140.011(a)(2), Local Government Code, is

amended to read as follows:

(2) "Local government" means:

(A) a municipality [ adjacent to a United States

military installation ]; and

(B) a county in which a United States military

installation is wholly or partly located.

SECTION 2. Section 140.011(b), Local Government Code, is

amended to read as follows:

(b) To serve the state purpose of ensuring that the cost of

providing ad valorem tax relief to disabled veterans is shared

equitably among the residents of this state, a local government is

entitled to a disabled veteran assistance payment from the state

for each fiscal year that the local government is a qualified local

government. A local government is a qualified local government for

a fiscal year if the amount of lost ad valorem tax revenue

calculated under Subsection (c) for that fiscal year is equal to or

greater than :

(1) two percent of the local government's general fund

revenue for that fiscal year if the local government is:

(A) a municipality adjacent to a United States

military installation; or

(B) a county described by Subsection (a)(2)(B);

and

(2) 10 percent of the local government's general fund

revenue for that fiscal year if the local government is a

municipality other than a municipality described by Subdivision

(1)(A) .

SECTION 3. Section 140.011(a)(2), Local Government Code, as

amended by this Act, applies only to the eligibility of a local

government to apply for a disabled veteran assistance payment

beginning with the fiscal year of the local government that ends in

the 2025 tax year.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.