Monitoring the Session

HB 3954

Cole Bill Picks One Hotel Tax City By Its German Festival

Died in committee

Verdict: Smells

SmellsInitial review
Rep. Sheryl ColeDHouse 46
Why it's charged
Bracket bill

THE TEXT

“hosts an annual German festival”

Bill text, House committee report version (H)

The new list entry uses a population range, a two-county rule and a festival test to point at what appears to be a single city without naming it. The caption does say "certain municipalities," so the narrowness is partly disclosed.

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 authority of certain municipalities to use certain tax revenue derived from a hotel and convention center project.

Caption from analyzed text · version H.

Summary

The clues: 10,000 to 75,000 people, two counties, and “an annual German festival.”

The bill adds one more city to the list of places allowed to keep and use certain state and local tax money generated by a hotel and convention center project. The new city is described only by numbers and landmarks: 10,000 to 75,000 people, spread across two counties, one of them the county that holds the State Capitol, and host of an annual German festival. That one city gains the same hotel and convention center tax benefits the other listed cities already have, starting right away or on September 1, 2025.

Labels

Labels: GOT HALFWAY. Passed the House on May 15, 2025. Died in the Senate: never got out of the Economic Development committee.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB3954 · 2025-03-06

SOLD BY

ITEM

relating to the authority of certain municipalities to use certain tax revenue derived from a hotel and convention center project.

WHAT IT DOES

The clues: 10,000 to 75,000 people, two counties, and “an annual German festival.”

The bill adds one more city to the list of places allowed to keep and use certain state and local tax money generated by a hotel and convention center project. The new city is described only by numbers and landmarks: 10,000 to 75,000 people, spread across two counties, one of them the county that holds the State Capitol, and host of an annual German festival. That one city gains the same hotel and convention center tax benefits the other listed cities already have, starting right away or on September 1, 2025.

CHARGES

[x] BRACKET BILLanalysis confidence 55%

THE TEXT

“hosts an annual German festival”

Bill text, House committee report version (H)

The new list entry uses a population range, a two-county rule and a festival test to point at what appears to be a single city without naming it. The caption does say "certain municipalities," so the narrowness is partly disclosed.

TOTAL

Net to General Revenue · FY 2026$0

LBB estimate, flow · fiscal note version H · ( ) = negative · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version H · May 4, 2025

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB3954, Committee Report 1st House, Substituted: an impact of $0 through the biennium ending August 31, 2027. However, there would be a negative impact beginning in fiscal year 2030 and continuing for 10 years.

First year · FY 2026 · $0

Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds

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. Committee substitute considered in committee
  10. Reported favorably as substituted
  11. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  12. Committee report distributed
  13. Committee report sent to Calendars
  14. Considered in Calendars
  15. Placed on General State Calendar
  16. Read 2nd time
  17. Passed to engrossment
  18. Record vote RV#2521
  19. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  20. Read 3rd time
  21. Passed
  22. Record vote RV#2636
  23. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  24. Reported engrossed
  25. Received from the House
  26. Read first time
  27. Referred to Economic Development
FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 84 yea · 56 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 15, 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 29, 2024 to Jun 29, 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.

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC$10,000.00

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

$10,000.00

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

Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 13, 2024 to Apr 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: 100988744, 101010769, 101029923, 101061103.

Texas Sands PAC$8,000.00

Texas Sands PAC

$8,000.00

Cash
$8,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$8,000.00

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 3, 2024 to Jun 29, 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: 100988744, 101061103.

Texans for Reasonable Solutions PAC$5,000.00

Texans for Reasonable Solutions PAC

$5,000.00

Cash
$5,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$5,000.00

Also funds 81 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Aug 23, 2024 to Oct 22, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Nov 6, 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: 101029923.

Money

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

×

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

$10,000.00

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

Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 13, 2024 to Apr 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: 100988744, 101010769, 101029923, 101061103.

×

Texas Sands PAC

$8,000.00

Cash
$8,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$8,000.00

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 3, 2024 to Jun 29, 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: 100988744, 101061103.

×

Texans for Reasonable Solutions PAC

$5,000.00

Cash
$5,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$5,000.00

Also funds 81 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Aug 23, 2024 to Oct 22, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Nov 6, 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: 101029923.

Votes2

House May 15, 2025

Yea
84
Nay
56
Present, not voting
3
Absent
3
Excused
4
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 2636

HB 3954 was passed by (Record 2636): 84 Yeas, 56 Nays, 3 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 84 (published)
  • Nay: 56 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 3 (published)
  • Absent: 3 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 4 (derived from named list)

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

House May 14, 2025

Yea
84
Nay
48
Present, not voting
2
Absent
10
Excused
6
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 2521

CSHB 3954 was passed to engrossment by (Record 2521): 84 Yeas, 48 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 84 (published)
  • Nay: 48 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 10 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 6 (derived from named list)

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

Witnesses10
For
7
Against
0
On
3
Names

For

  • City of Pflugerville2 registrations
  • City of pflugerville1 registration
  • Self1 registration
  • Self; City of Pflugerville1 registration
  • Texas Hotel & Lodging Association1 registration
  • Texas Travel Alliance1 registration

On

  • Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts3 registrations
Sources

10 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
Net to General Revenue · FY 2026$0

LBB estimate, flow · fiscal note version H · ( ) = negative · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version H · May 4, 2025

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB3954, Committee Report 1st House, Substituted: an impact of $0 through the biennium ending August 31, 2027. However, there would be a negative impact beginning in fiscal year 2030 and continuing for 10 years.

First year · FY 2026 · $0

Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

How this was graded

Analysis of text version H by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 22, 2026, against the published rubric.

Sources

Texas House · Filed Mar 6, 2025

05/21/2025 S Referred to Economic Development

Texas Legislature Online · Introduced · House Committee Report · Engrossed

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

House committee · Ways & Means · Committee vote 12 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent · Out of committee

Senate committee · Economic Development · Final status: Died in committee

Companion

SB 1071 by Eckhardt (identical)

Subjects

TRAVIS COUNTY

Taxation--Hotel, Motel Occupancy

Taxation--Sales

CONVENTIONS & CONVENTION CENTERS

Text

The text as introduced · 2,478 words

89R9683 JBD-D

By: Cole
H.B. No. 3954

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the authority of certain municipalities to receive

certain tax revenue derived from a hotel and convention center

project and to pledge certain tax revenue for the payment of

obligations related to the project.

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

SECTION 1. Section 351.152, Tax Code, is amended to read as

follows:

Sec. 351.152. APPLICABILITY. This subchapter applies only

to:

(1) a municipality described by Section

351.001(7)(B);

(2) a municipality described by Section

351.001(7)(D);

(3) a municipality described by Section

351.001(7)(E);

(4) a municipality described by Section

351.102(e)(3);

(5) a municipality that contains more than 70 percent

of the population of a county with a population of 1.5 million or

more;

(6) a municipality with a population of 175,000 or

more but less than 200,000 that is partially located in at least one

county with a population of 125,000 or more;

(7) a municipality with a population of 250,000 or

more but less than one million that is located in one county with a

population of 2.5 million or more;

(8) a municipality with a population of 180,000 or

more that:

(A) is located in two counties, each with a

population of 100,000 or more; and

(B) contains an American Quarter Horse Hall of

Fame and Museum;

(9) a municipality with a population of 96,000 or more

that is located in a county that borders Lake Palestine;

(10) a municipality with a population of 96,000 or

more that is located in a county that contains the headwaters of the

San Gabriel River;

(11) a municipality with a population of at least

95,000 that is located in a county that is bisected by United States

Highway 385 and has a population of not more than 170,000;

(12) a municipality with a population of 110,000 or

more but less than 135,000 at least part of which is located in a

county with a population of less than 135,000;

(13) a municipality with a population of 28,000 or

more but less than 31,000 that is located in two counties, each of

which has a population of 900,000 or more and a southern border with

a county with a population of 2.5 million or more;

(14) a municipality with a population of 200,000 or

more but less than 300,000 that contains a component institution of

the Texas Tech University System;

(15) a municipality with a population of 95,000 or

more that:

(A) is located in more than one county; and

(B) borders Lake Lewisville;

(16) a municipality with a population of 45,000 or

more that:

(A) contains a portion of Cedar Hill State Park;

(B) is located in two counties, one of which has a

population of 2.5 million or more and one of which has a population

of 190,000 or more; and

(C) has adopted a capital improvement plan for

the construction or expansion of a convention center facility;

(17) a municipality with a population of less than

10,000 that:

(A) is almost wholly located in a county with a

population of 900,000 or more that is adjacent to a county with a

population of 2.5 million or more;

(B) is partially located in a county with a

population of 2.1 million or more that is adjacent to a county with

a population of 2.5 million or more;

(C) has a visitor center and museum located in a

19th-century rock building in the municipality's downtown; and

(D) has a waterpark open to the public;

(18) a municipality with a population of 60,000 or

more that:

(A) borders Lake Ray Hubbard; and

(B) is located in two counties, one of which has a

population of less than 110,000;

(19) a municipality with a population of 110,000 or

more that:

(A) borders Clear Lake; and

(B) is primarily located in a county with a

population of less than 355,000;

(20) a municipality with a population of less than

2,000 that:

(A) is located adjacent to a bay connected to the

Gulf of Mexico;

(B) is located in a county with a population of

290,000 or more that is adjacent to a county with a population of

four million or more; and

(C) has a boardwalk on the bay;

(21) a municipality with a population of 75,000 or

more that:

(A) is located wholly in one county with a

population of 800,000 or more that is adjacent to a county with a

population of four million or more; and

(B) has adopted a capital improvement plan for

the construction or expansion of a convention center facility;

(22) a municipality with a population of less than

70,000 that is located in three counties, at least one of which has

a population of four million or more;

(23) an eligible coastal municipality with a

population of 2,900 or more but less than 5,000;

(24) a municipality with a population of 90,000 or

more but less than 150,000 that:

(A) is located in three counties; and

(B) contains a branch campus of a component

institution of the University of Houston System;

(25) a municipality that is:

(A) primarily located in a county with a

population of four million or more; and

(B) connected by a bridge to a municipality

described by Subdivision (20);

(26) a municipality with a population of 25,000 or

more but less than 30,000 that:

(A) contains a portion of Mustang Bayou; and

(B) is wholly located in a county with a

population of less than 500,000;

(27) a municipality with a population of 70,000 or

more but less than 90,000 that is located in two counties, one of

which has a population of four million or more and the other of

which has a population of less than 50,000;

(28) a municipality with a population of 10,000 or

more that:

(A) is wholly located in a county with a

population of four million or more; and

(B) has a city hall located less than three miles

from a space center operated by an agency of the federal government;

(29) a municipality that is the county seat of a

county:

(A) through which the Pedernales River flows; and

(B) in which the birthplace of a president of the

United States is located;

(30) a municipality that contains a portion of U.S.

Highway 79 and State Highway 130;

(31) a municipality with a population of 70,000 or

more but less than 115,000 that is located in two counties, one of

which has a population of 1.1 million or more but less than 1.9

million;

(32) a municipality with a population of less than

25,000 that contains a museum of Western American art;

(33) a municipality with a population of 50,000 or

more that is the county seat of a county that contains a portion of

the Sam Houston National Forest;

(34) a municipality with a population of less than

25,000 that:

(A) contains a cultural heritage museum; and

(B) is located in a county that borders the

United Mexican States and the Gulf of Mexico;

(35) a municipality that is the county seat of a county

that:

(A) has a population of 115,000 or more;

(B) is adjacent to a county with a population of

2.1 million or more; and

(C) hosts an annual peach festival;

(36) a municipality that is the county seat of a county

that:

(A) has a population of 800,000 or more; and

(B) is adjacent to a county with a population of

four million or more;

(37) a municipality with a population of less than

10,000 that:

(A) contains a component university of The Texas

A&M University System; and

(B) is located in a county adjacent to a county

that borders Oklahoma;

(38) a municipality with a population of less than

17,000 that:

(A) is located in two counties, each of which has

a population of 900,000 or more but less than two million; and

(B) hosts an annual Cajun Festival;

(39) a municipality with a population of 13,000 or

more that:

(A) is located on an international border; and

(B) is located in a county:

(i) with a population of less than 400,000;

and

(ii) in which at least one World Birding

Center site is located;

(40) a municipality with a population of 3,200 or more

that:

(A) is located on an international border; and

(B) is located not more than five miles from a

state historic site that serves as a visitor center for a state park

that contains 300,000 or more acres of land;

(41) a municipality with a population of 36,000 or

more that is adjacent to at least two municipalities described by

Subdivision (15);

(42) a municipality with a population of 28,000 or

more that is located in a county with a population of 240,000 or

more that contains a portion of the Blanco River and in which is

located a historic railroad depot and heritage center;

(43) a municipality located in a county that has a

population of not more than 300,000 and in which a component

university of the University of Houston System is located;

(44) a municipality with a population of less than

500,000 that is:

(A) located in two counties; and

(B) adjacent to a municipality described by

Subdivision (31);

(45) a municipality that:

(A) has a population of more than 67,000; and

(B) is located in two counties with 90 percent of

the municipality's territory located in a county with a population

of at least 800,000, and the remaining territory located in a county

with a population of at least four million;

(46) a municipality that:

(A) has a population of 100,000 or more; and

(B) is wholly located in, but is not the county

seat of, a county with a population of one million or more:

(i) in which all or part of a municipality

with a population of one million or more is located; and

(ii) that is adjacent to a county with a

population of 2.5 million or more;

(47) a municipality that is the county seat of a county

bordering the Gulf of Mexico and the United Mexican States;

(48) a municipality that is bisected by the Guadalupe

River and is the county seat of a county with a population of

170,000 or more;

(49) a municipality with a population of 70,000 or

more but less than 150,000 that borders Joe Pool Lake;

(50) a municipality with a population of 115,000 or

more that borders the Neches River;

(51) a municipality described by Section 351.101(k);

(52) a municipality that is the county seat of a

county:

(A) through which the Brazos River flows; and

(B) in which a national monument is located;

(53) a municipality with a population of 45,000 or

more that:

(A) is not the county seat of a county;

(B) is located in a single county; and

(C) contains a portion of Lake Lewisville;

(54) a municipality that is the county seat of a county

with a population of more than 900,000 that is adjacent to two

counties, each of which has a population of more than 1.8 million;

(55) a municipality that hosts an annual wine festival

and is located in three counties, each of which has a population of

more than 900,000;

(56) a municipality that has a population of at least

150,000 but less than 1,300,000 and is partially located in a county

that contains a portion of Cedar Creek Reservoir;

(57) a municipality that is located in a county that

contains a portion of Cedar Creek Reservoir and in which a private

college is located;

(58) a municipality that is the county seat of a

county:

(A) with a population of one million or more;

(B) in which all or part of a municipality with a

population of one million or more is located; and

(C) that is located adjacent to a county with a

population of 2.5 million or more;

(59) a municipality that is the county seat of a county

that contains a portion of Cedar Creek Reservoir and borders a

county with a population of more than 240,000;

(60) a municipality with a population of more than

80,000 but less than 150,000 that is located in a county with a

population of more than 369,000 but less than 864,000 that contains

part of an active duty United States Army installation;

(61) a municipality with a population of 750,000 or

more that is located in a county with a population of 1.5 million or

less;

(62) a municipality with a population of less than

7,000 that contains a country music hall of fame;

(63) a municipality with a population of 35,000 or

more that contains a railroad museum and is located in a county

that:

(A) has a population of 800,000 or more; and

(B) is adjacent to a county with a population of

four million or more; [ and ]

(64) a municipality:

(A) that is the county seat of a county:

(i) with a population of 60,000 or less; and

(ii) that borders the Rio Grande; and

(B) in which is located a United States military

fort listed in the National Register of Historic Places ; and

(65) a municipality that:

(A) has a population of 10,000 or more but less

than 75,000;

(B) is located in two counties, one of which is a

county in which the State Capitol is located; and

(C) hosts an annual German festival .

SECTION 2. Section 351.157(b), Tax Code, is amended to read

as follows:

(b) This section applies only to:

(1) a municipality described by Section 351.152(3);

(1-a) a municipality described by Section 351.152(5);

(2) a municipality described by Section 351.152(6);

(3) a municipality described by Section 351.152(7);

(4) a municipality described by Section 351.152(10);

(4-a) a municipality described by Section

351.152(14);

(5) a municipality described by Section 351.152(16);

(6) a municipality described by Section 351.152(22);

(7) a municipality described by Section 351.152(25);

(8) a municipality described by Section 351.152(34);

(9) a municipality described by Section 351.152(35);

(10) a municipality described by Section 351.152(36);

(11) a municipality described by Section 351.152(38);

(11-a) a municipality described by Section

351.152(41);

(12) a municipality described by Section 351.152(43);

(13) a municipality described by Section 351.152(46);

(14) a municipality described by Section 351.152(47);

(15) a municipality described by Section 351.152(49);

(16) a municipality described by Section 351.152(53);

(17) a municipality described by Section 351.152(54);

(18) a municipality described by Section 351.152(56);

[ and ]

(19) a municipality described by Section 351.152(58) ;

and

(20) a municipality described by Section 351.152(65) .

SECTION 3. 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.