Monitoring the Session

HB 4144

retired firefighters and peace officers get a critical-illness benefit

Became law, effective Sep 1, 2025

Verdict: No flags

No flagsInitial review
Rep. Chris TurnerDHouse 101

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 supplemental benefits for retired firefighters and peace officers diagnosed with certain diseases or illnesses.

Caption from analyzed text · version I.

Summary

One time, for listed cancers, heart attacks or strokes within three years.

The bill requires every state agency and local government to give a retired firefighter or peace officer a one-time critical-illness benefit, or comparable health plan coverage, if that retiree is diagnosed within three years of retiring with one of the cancers, heart attacks or strokes already listed in existing law. The cash benefit equals the retiree's final yearly salary or $100,000, whichever is less, and the insurance commissioner must raise the $100,000 cap for inflation every ten years. It covers only firefighters and peace officers who retire on or after January 1, 2026, and the employers who must pay them.

Labels

Labels: BUZZER BEATER. Final vote May 30, 2025: the House concurred in the Senate amendments. 3 days before the session ended Jun 2, 2025.CROSS-PARTY HANDOFF. Lead author Chris Turner (D) in the House. Lead sponsor Mayes Middleton (R) in the Senate. Party as the Legislative Reference Library lists it for the 89th Legislature.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-HB4144 · 2025-03-10

SOLD BY

Rep. Chris TurnerDHouse 101 Rep. Benjamin BumgarnerRHouse 63 Rep. Jared PattersonRHouse 106

+ 2 more authors, 5 coauthors

ITEM

relating to supplemental benefits for retired firefighters and peace officers diagnosed with certain diseases or illnesses.

WHAT IT DOES

One time, for listed cancers, heart attacks or strokes within three years.

The bill requires every state agency and local government to give a retired firefighter or peace officer a one-time critical-illness benefit, or comparable health plan coverage, if that retiree is diagnosed within three years of retiring with one of the cancers, heart attacks or strokes already listed in existing law. The cash benefit equals the retiree's final yearly salary or $100,000, whichever is less, and the insurance commissioner must raise the $100,000 cap for inflation every ten years. It covers only firefighters and peace officers who retire on or after January 1, 2026, and the employers who must pay them.

CHARGES

[ ] NONE FOUND

TOTAL

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version F · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version F · May 29, 2025

The fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined due to the fact that the number of qualifying retired peace officers and firefighters is unknown.

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 s/c on Workforce by Speaker
  4. Scheduled for public hearing in s/c on . . .
  5. Considered by s/c in public hearing
  6. Committee substitute considered in s/c
  7. Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in subcommittee
  8. Left pending in subcommittee
  9. Recalled from subcommittee
  10. Considered in formal meeting
  11. Committee substitute considered in committee
  12. Reported favorably as substituted
  13. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  14. Committee report distributed
  15. Committee report sent to Calendars
  16. Considered in Calendars
  17. Placed on General State Calendar
  18. Read 2nd time
  19. Passed to engrossment
  20. Record vote RV#2533
  21. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  22. Read 3rd time
  23. Passed
  24. Record vote RV#2646
  25. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  26. Reported engrossed
  27. Received from the House
  28. Read first time
  29. Referred to Finance
  30. Posting rule suspended
  31. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  32. Considered in public hearing
  33. Vote taken in committee
  34. Reported favorably w/o amendments
  35. Committee report printed and distributed
  36. Co-sponsor authorized
  37. Placed on intent calendar
  38. Rules suspended-Regular order of business
  39. Read 2nd time
  40. Amendment(s) offered FA1 Middleton
  41. Amended
  42. Vote recorded in Journal
  43. Passed to 3rd reading as amended
  44. Vote recorded in Journal
  45. Three day rule suspended
  46. Record vote
  47. Read 3rd time
  48. Passed
  49. Record vote
  50. Senate passage as amended reported
  51. Senate Amendments distributed
  52. Senate Amendments Analysis distributed
  53. House concurs in Senate amendment(s)
  54. Record vote RV#4080
  55. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  56. Text of Senate Amendment(s)
  57. House concurs in Senate amendment(s)-reported
  58. Reported enrolled
  59. Signed in the House
  60. Signed in the Senate
  61. Sent to the Governor
  62. Signed by the Governor
  63. Effective on 9/1/25
FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 132 yea · 8 nay

Senate · 31 yea · 0 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 15, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · May 28, 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

Chris Turner

Donors

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC$108KTexas REALTORS Political Action Committee$100KTexas Sands PAC$84K

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 27, 2024 to Jun 1, 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$107,500.00

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

$107,500.00

Cash
$107,500.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$107,500.00

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 6, 2024 to Feb 21, 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: 100985193, 101006969, 101027154, 101035221, 101040103.

Texas REALTORS Political Action Committee$100,389.10

Texas REALTORS Political Action Committee

$100,389.10

Cash
$70,000.00
Paid by others
$30,389.10
Total
$100,389.10
mail $25,664.64text $3,089.24event $1,125.00Other filed descriptions $260.22advertising $250.00

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 4, 2024 to Mar 3, 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: 100985193, 101006969, 101027154, 101040103, 101064980.

Texas Sands PAC$84,000.00

Texas Sands PAC

$84,000.00

Cash
$84,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$84,000.00

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 6, 2024 to Feb 6, 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: 100985193, 101040103.

Money

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

×

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

$107,500.00

Cash
$107,500.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$107,500.00

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 6, 2024 to Feb 21, 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: 100985193, 101006969, 101027154, 101035221, 101040103.

×

Texas REALTORS Political Action Committee

$100,389.10

Cash
$70,000.00
Paid by others
$30,389.10
Total
$100,389.10
mail $25,664.64text $3,089.24event $1,125.00Other filed descriptions $260.22advertising $250.00

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 4, 2024 to Mar 3, 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: 100985193, 101006969, 101027154, 101040103, 101064980.

×

Texas Sands PAC

$84,000.00

Cash
$84,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$84,000.00

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 6, 2024 to Feb 6, 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: 100985193, 101040103.

Votes6

House May 30, 2025

Yea
107
Nay
29
Present, not voting
3
Absent
5
Excused
6
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 4080

Representative Turner moved to concur in the senate amendments to HB 4144. The motion to concur in the senate amendments to HB 4144 prevailed by (Record 4080): 107 Yeas, 29 Nays, 3 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 107 (published)
  • Nay: 29 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 3 (published)
  • Absent: 5 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 6 (derived from named list)

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

Senate May 28, 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

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 28, 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 Middleton moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that HB 4144 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 28, 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

HB 4144 as amended 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 15, 2025

Yea
132
Nay
8
Present, not voting
2
Absent
5
Excused
3
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 2646

HB 4144 was passed by (Record 2646): 132 Yeas, 8 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 132 (published)
  • Nay: 8 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 5 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 3 (derived from named list)

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

House May 14, 2025

Yea
132
Nay
0
Present, not voting
2
Absent
7
Excused
9
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 2533

CSHB 4144 was passed to engrossment by (Record 2533): 132 Yeas, 0 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 132 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 7 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 9 (derived from named list)

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

Witnesses13
For
12
Against
1
On
0
Names

For

  • Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT)2 registrations
  • Dallas Police Assciation1 registration
  • Harris County Deputies' Organiation FOP #391 registration
  • Self1 registration
  • Self; Houston Police Officers’ Union1 registration
  • Self; Laredo Firefighters association1 registration
  • Self; Laredo firefighters association1 registration
  • Self; Texas State Association of Firefighters1 registration
  • Sheriffs’ Association of Texas (SAT)1 registration
  • Texas Municipal Police Association (TMPA)1 registration
  • Texas State Association of Fire Fighters1 registration

Against

  • City of San Antonio1 registration
Sources

13 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 first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version F · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version F · May 29, 2025

The fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined due to the fact that the number of qualifying retired peace officers and firefighters is unknown.

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 Mar 10, 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
Elizabeth "Liz" CamposDHouse 119 Linda GarciaDHouse 107 Marc LaHoodRHouse 121 Janie LopezRHouse 37 Penny Morales ShawDHouse 148
Sponsors
Mayes MiddletonRSenate 11
Cosponsors
Brent HagenbuchRSenate 30 Adam HinojosaRSenate 27 Juan "Chuy" HinojosaDSenate 20

House committee · Trade, Workforce & Economic Development · Committee vote 9 aye, 0 nay, 2 absent · Out of committee

Senate committee · Finance · Committee vote 15 aye, 0 nay · Out of committee

Subjects

Fire Fighters & Police--General

Health--Other Diseases & Medical Conditions

Insurance--Health & Accident

Labor--Workers' Compensation

Political Subdivisions

Retirement Systems--Police & Firefighters

State Agencies, Boards & Commissions

State Employees

CANCER

INSURANCE, COMMISSIONER OF

WORKERS' COMPENSATION, COMMISSIONER OF (V91AZ)

Text

The text as introduced · 359 words

89R11179 SCL-D

By: Turner
H.B. No. 4144

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to supplemental benefits for retired firefighters and

peace officers diagnosed with certain diseases or illnesses.

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

SECTION 1. Chapter 607, Government Code, is amended by

adding Subchapter D to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER D. BENEFITS FOR CERTAIN DISEASES OR ILLNESSES SUFFERED

BY RETIRED FIREFIGHTERS AND PEACE OFFICERS

Sec. 607.151. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1) "Consumer price index" means the average over a

calendar year of the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers

(CPI-U), U.S. City Average, published monthly by the United States

Bureau of Labor Statistics, or its successor in function.

(2) "Firefighter" has the meaning assigned by Section

607.051.

(3) "Governmental entity" means a state agency or

political subdivision.

(4) "Peace officer" has the meaning assigned by

Section 607.051.

Sec. 607.152. BENEFITS FOR CANCER, ACUTE MYOCARDIAL

INFARCTION, OR STROKE. (a) A governmental entity shall provide to

a firefighter or peace officer who retires from the entity a

critical-illness supplemental income benefit or comparable health

benefit plan coverage in accordance with this section if the

firefighter or peace officer is diagnosed with a disease described

by Section 607.055 or 607.056 not later than the third anniversary

of the date the firefighter or peace officer retires.

(b) The value of the supplemental income benefit provided

under Subsection (a) is the lesser of:

(1) the firefighter's or peace officer's final yearly

salary; or

(2) $100,000.

(c) A governmental entity providing a supplemental income

benefit under Subsection (a) may provide the benefit in a lump sum

payment or equal payments over three consecutive months.

(d) Not later than September 1 of each year ending in a five,

the commissioner of insurance by rule shall adjust the amount

described by Subsection (b)(2) by an amount equal to the percentage

increase, if any, in the consumer price index for the preceding 10

years.

SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only

to a firefighter or peace officer who retires on or after January 1,

2026.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.