Monitoring the Session

HB 3788

Spiller Bill Lets Hospital Authorities With No Hospital Fund Nonprofits

Became law, effective Sep 1, 2025

Verdict: Smells

SmellsInitial review
Rep. David SpillerRHouse 68
Why it's charged
Bracket bill

THE TEXT

“a municipality with a population of less than 30,000 [ 15,000 ];”

Bill text, engrossed version (E)

The bill widens an existing population bracket, which sits beside a county bracket of 2.4 million or more, so a special rule in Section 262.039 reaches more small-town authorities. The text does not show the bracket aiming at one place, so this is a mild instance.

Bracket bill

Initial review · graded Oct 22, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade

Caption

relating to the operations of municipal hospital authorities.

Caption from analyzed text · version E.

Summary

Revenue bonds too. Board sets how directors are chosen. Population bracket rises to 30,000 from 15,000.

The bill lets a city hospital authority that no longer runs a hospital spend its assets on a wide range of health and "general welfare" projects, including grants to nonprofits, and borrow money through revenue bonds to pay for them. It touches the boards of these authorities, the cities that appoint their directors, and nonprofits that could receive their money. In practice, an authority with no hospital can keep an office, fund clinics or nonprofits, take on new bond debt, and let its own board set how all of its directors are chosen.

Labels

Labels: NO AUTOGRAPH. Became law without the governor's signature on Jun 20, 2025.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB3788 · 2025-03-05

SOLD BY

ITEM

relating to the operations of municipal hospital authorities.

WHAT IT DOES

Revenue bonds too. Board sets how directors are chosen. Population bracket rises to 30,000 from 15,000.

The bill lets a city hospital authority that no longer runs a hospital spend its assets on a wide range of health and "general welfare" projects, including grants to nonprofits, and borrow money through revenue bonds to pay for them. It touches the boards of these authorities, the cities that appoint their directors, and nonprofits that could receive their money. In practice, an authority with no hospital can keep an office, fund clinics or nonprofits, take on new bond debt, and let its own board set how all of its directors are chosen.

CHARGES

[x] BRACKET BILLanalysis confidence 35%

THE TEXT

“a municipality with a population of less than 30,000 [ 15,000 ];”

Bill text, engrossed version (E)

The bill widens an existing population bracket, which sits beside a county bracket of 2.4 million or more, so a special rule in Section 262.039 reaches more small-town authorities. The text does not show the bracket aiming at one place, so this is a mild instance.

TOTAL

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version E · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 17, 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 Intergovernmental Affairs
  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. Passed to engrossment
  17. Record vote RV#2392
  18. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  19. Read 3rd time
  20. Passed
  21. Record vote RV#2466
  22. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  23. Reported engrossed
  24. Received from the House
  25. Read first time
  26. Referred to Local Government
  27. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  28. Considered in public hearing
  29. Testimony taken in committee
  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. Vote recorded in Journal
  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. Filed without the Governor's signature
  50. Effective on 9/1/25
FILED UNDER

DEBT AND SPECIAL DISTRICTS

THE TEXT

“The authority may issue revenue bonds and other notes in accordance with this chapter to undertake any initiative authorized by this section.”

Bill text, engrossed version (E)

The bill gives hospital authorities that no longer run a hospital new power to borrow through revenue bonds and notes for broad public health and general welfare projects.

TAXPAYER-FUNDED NGOS

THE TEXT

“providing direct or indirect financial assistance to a nonprofit organization that:”

Bill text, engrossed version (E)

The bill lets a public hospital authority route its assets to nonprofits for health care, wellness and disease prevention work instead of doing that work itself.

GOVERNMENT GROWTH UNDER A CONSERVATIVE BANNER

THE TEXT

“owning, operating, or funding an : (A) administrative office; or”…

Bill text, engrossed version (E)

The bill lets an authority with no hospital keep owning, operating or funding an administrative office, which keeps the body alive after its hospital is gone.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 118 yea · 23 nay

Senate · 28 yea · 3 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 14, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · May 21, 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 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.

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$40,000.00

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$40,000.00

Cash
$40,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$40,000.00

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 24, 2025 to Oct 18, 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: 101009978, 101031338, 101071836.

Max Poynor$10,000.00
Texas REALTORS Political Action Committee$10,000.00

Texas REALTORS Political Action Committee

$10,000.00

Cash
$10,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$10,000.00

Also funds 140 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 2, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 12, 2024 to Jun 30, 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: 100987103, 101057871.

Money

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

×

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$40,000.00

Cash
$40,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$40,000.00

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 24, 2025 to Oct 18, 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: 101009978, 101031338, 101071836.

×

Texas REALTORS Political Action Committee

$10,000.00

Cash
$10,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$10,000.00

Also funds 140 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 2, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 12, 2024 to Jun 30, 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: 100987103, 101057871.

Votes5

Senate May 21, 2025

Yea
28
Nay
3
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
0
Excused
0
Names

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

Senate journal

Sources

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 28, Nays 3. (Same as previous roll call)

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

  • Yea: 28 (published)
  • Nay: 3 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

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

Senate May 21, 2025

Yea
28
Nay
3
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
0
Excused
0
Names

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

Senate journal

Sources

Senator Parker moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that HB 3788 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 28, Nays 3.

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

  • Yea: 28 (published)
  • Nay: 3 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

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

Senate May 21, 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 Parker moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration HB 3788 at this time on its second reading: HB 3788, Relating to the operations of municipal hospital authorities. The motion prevailed. Senators Huffman, Hughes, and Sparks 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 May 14, 2025

Yea
118
Nay
23
Present, not voting
2
Absent
4
Excused
3
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 2466

HB 3788 was passed by (Record 2466): 118 Yeas, 23 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 118 (published)
  • Nay: 23 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 4 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 3 (derived from named list)

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

House May 13, 2025

Yea
118
Nay
22
Present, not voting
2
Absent
3
Excused
5
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 2392

HB 3788 was passed to engrossment by (Record 2392): 118 Yeas, 22 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 118 (published)
  • Nay: 22 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 3 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 5 (derived from named list)

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

Witnesses4
For
4
Against
0
On
0
Names

For

  • Decatur Hospital Authority; Tomball Hospital Authority1 registration
  • Self1 registration
  • Self; Decatur Hospital Authority and Tomball Hospital Authority1 registration
  • Self; Torch1 registration
Sources

4 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 E · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 17, 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 E by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 22, 2026, against the published rubric.

Sources

Texas House · Filed Mar 5, 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 4:19 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Sponsors

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

Senate committee · Local Government · Committee vote 6 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent · Out of committee

Companion

SB 2829 by Parker (identical)

Subjects

Special Districts & Authorities--Hospital

BONDS

Text

The text as introduced · 816 words

89R9961 SRA-F

By: Spiller
H.B. No. 3788

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the operations of municipal hospital authorities.

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

SECTION 1. Section 262.011(b), Health and Safety Code, is

amended to read as follows:

(b) The number of directors shall be determined at the time

the authority is created. The number may be changed by amendment of

the ordinance or ordinances creating the authority unless

prohibited by a [ the ] resolution [ authorizing the issuance of

bonds ] or [ by the ] trust indenture described by Section 262.012

[ securing the bonds ]. A [ However, a ] reduction in the number of

directors may not shorten the term of an incumbent director.

SECTION 2. Sections 262.012(a), (b), and (f), Health and

Safety Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) The governing body or governing bodies shall appoint the

initial directors of the authority for terms not to exceed two years

except as otherwise provided by this section. If the authority

includes more than one municipality, each governing body shall

appoint an equal number of directors unless the governing bodies

agree otherwise.

(b) The board may prescribe in the [ The ] resolution

authorizing the issuance of revenue bonds or the trust indenture

securing the bonds , in an agreement securing notes of any kind

issued by the authority, or in another resolution [ may prescribe ]

the method of selecting [ a majority of ] the directors and the term

of office of those directors . Except as provided by Subsections

(c), (d), and (e), the method of selecting the directors and the

term of office of those directors prescribed by the board may not be

changed except by a subsequent resolution adopted by the board.

The [ , and the ] terms of directors appointed before the issuance of

the bonds are subject to the resolution or trust indenture. The

governing body or governing bodies shall appoint any [ the ]

remaining directors.

(f) An officer or employee of a municipality in the

authority or an employee of the authority is not eligible for

appointment as a director.

SECTION 3. Section 262.0331, Health and Safety Code, is

amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c) to

read as follows:

(a) If, after the sale or closing of a hospital under

Section 262.033, the authority does not own or operate a hospital,

the board may use the authority's available assets to promote

public health and general welfare initiatives that the board

determines will benefit the residents served by the authority,

including:

(1) owning, operating, or funding an :

(A) administrative office; or

(B) indigent health care clinic, medical

research facility, fitness or physical health center, medical

training or education facility, or other health care facility;

(2) providing direct or indirect financial assistance

to a nonprofit organization that:

(A) owns or operates a hospital, indigent health

care clinic, medical research facility, medical training facility,

or other health care facility; or

(B) supports an initiative promoting health

education, wellness, or disease prevention; and

(3) undertaking any other activity that the board

determines is necessary or appropriate to improve public health,

promote wellness, prevent disease, or enhance the general welfare

of the residents served by the authority.

(c) The authority may issue revenue bonds and other notes in

accordance with this chapter to undertake any initiative authorized

by this section.

SECTION 4. Section 262.039(a), Health and Safety Code, is

amended to read as follows:

(a) This section applies only to an authority that:

(1) is located in:

(A) a county with a population of 2.4 million or

more; or

(B) a municipality with a population of less than

30,000 [ 15,000 ];

(2) has assets that exceed the amount of any

outstanding bonds issued under Subchapter D; and

(3) does not operate a hospital.

SECTION 5. Section 262.041, Health and Safety Code, is

amended to read as follows:

Sec. 262.041. REVENUE BONDS. (a) The authority may issue

revenue bonds to provide funds for any of the authority's purposes ,

including the purposes described by Sections 262.0331 and 262.034,

regardless of whether the authority owns or operates a hospital .

(b) Revenue bonds must be payable from, and secured by a

pledge of, revenues from :

(1) the operation of one or more hospitals and any

other revenues from the ownership or investment of [ owning ]

hospital property ; or

(2) any initiative described by Section 262.0331 or

any facility or service described by Section 262.034 .

(c) Additionally, revenue bonds may be secured by a mortgage

or deed of trust on real property owned by the authority or by a

chattel mortgage on the authority's personal property.

SECTION 6. Sections 262.034(d), (e), (f), and (g), Health

and Safety Code, are repealed.

SECTION 7. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.