HB 4344: utility commission can pull criminal history on staff and contractors

Caption

relating to access to and use of criminal history record information by the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

Summary

FBI records too. All stay confidential and get destroyed after use.

The bill lets the Public Utility Commission of Texas pull criminal history records on job applicants, current employees, and people who contract or may contract with it, from the FBI, the state public safety department, and other Texas criminal justice agencies. It reaches anyone who works for the commission or sells it goods or services, not just new hires. The records stay confidential, FBI records may never be released, and the commission must now destroy the records once it has used them, starting September 1, 2025.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB4344 · 2025-03-11

SOLD BY

Rep. Ana HernandezDHouse 143

ITEM

relating to access to and use of criminal history record information by the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

WHAT IT DOES

FBI records too. All stay confidential and get destroyed after use.

The bill lets the Public Utility Commission of Texas pull criminal history records on job applicants, current employees, and people who contract or may contract with it, from the FBI, the state public safety department, and other Texas criminal justice agencies. It reaches anyone who works for the commission or sells it goods or services, not just new hires. The records stay confidential, FBI records may never be released, and the commission must now destroy the records once it has used them, starting September 1, 2025.

CHARGES

[ ] NONE FOUND

TOTAL

No significant 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

Mar 11, 2025Filed
Apr 1, 2025Read first time
Apr 1, 2025Referred to State Affairs
Apr 9, 2025Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
Apr 9, 2025Considered in public hearing
Apr 9, 2025Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
Apr 9, 2025Left pending in committee
Apr 14, 2025Considered in public hearing
Apr 14, 2025Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
Apr 23, 2025Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
Apr 23, 2025Committee report distributed
Apr 25, 2025Committee report sent to Calendars
Apr 28, 2025Considered in Calendars
May 1, 2025Placed on General State Calendar
May 1, 2025Read 2nd time
May 1, 2025Passed to engrossment
May 1, 2025Record vote RV#1217
May 1, 2025Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
May 2, 2025Read 3rd time
May 2, 2025Passed
May 2, 2025Record vote RV#1318
May 2, 2025Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
May 2, 2025Reported engrossed
May 5, 2025Received from the House
May 5, 2025Read first time
May 5, 2025Referred to Business & Commerce
May 13, 2025Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
May 13, 2025Considered in public hearing
May 13, 2025Left pending in committee
May 15, 2025Considered in public hearing
May 15, 2025Vote taken in committee
May 15, 2025Reported favorably as substituted
May 15, 2025Recommended for local & uncontested calendar
May 15, 2025Committee report printed and distributed
May 19, 2025Placed on intent calendar
May 19, 2025Rules suspended-Regular order of business
May 19, 2025Read 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading
May 19, 2025Vote recorded in Journal
May 19, 2025Three day rule suspended
May 19, 2025Record vote
May 19, 2025Read 3rd time
May 19, 2025Passed
May 19, 2025Record vote
May 20, 2025Senate passage as amended reported
May 20, 2025Senate Amendments distributed
May 20, 2025Senate Amendments Analysis distributed
May 23, 2025House concurs in Senate amendment(s)
May 23, 2025Record vote RV#3428
May 23, 2025Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
May 23, 2025Text of Senate Amendment(s)
May 23, 2025House concurs in Senate amendment(s)-reported
May 24, 2025Reported enrolled
May 25, 2025Signed in the House
May 25, 2025Signed in the Senate
May 26, 2025Sent to the Governor
Jun 20, 2025Signed by the Governor
Jun 20, 2025Effective on 9/1/25

FILED UNDER

SURVEILLANCE STATE

THE TEXT

“obtain through the Federal Bureau of Investigation”…

Bill text, Senate committee report version (S)

The bill opens FBI and state criminal history databases to the utility commission for checks on its employees and current or would-be contractors.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 130 yea · 5 nay

Senate · 31 yea · 0 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 2, 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

Ana Hernandez

Donors

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC$35K Texas REALTORS Political Action Committee$15K Border Health PAC$10K

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 · Jul 1, 2024 to Oct 22, 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$35,000.00

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

$35,000.00

Cash: $35,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $35,000.00

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 10, 2024 to Sep 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: 100987003, 101013859, 101020093, 101059809, 101070083.

Texas REALTORS Political Action Committee$15,000.00

Texas REALTORS Political Action Committee

$15,000.00

Cash: $15,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $15,000.00

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 · Nov 1, 2024 to Sep 25, 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: 100987003, 101072690.

Border Health PAC$10,000.00

Border Health PAC

$10,000.00

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

Also funds 17 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Oct 28, 2024 to Aug 26, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Nov 26, 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: 101020093.

Money

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

×

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

$35,000.00

Cash: $35,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $35,000.00

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 10, 2024 to Sep 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: 100987003, 101013859, 101020093, 101059809, 101070083.

×

Texas REALTORS Political Action Committee

$15,000.00

Cash: $15,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $15,000.00

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 · Nov 1, 2024 to Sep 25, 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: 100987003, 101072690.

×

Border Health PAC

$10,000.00

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

Also funds 17 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Oct 28, 2024 to Aug 26, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Nov 26, 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: 101020093.

Votes6

House May 23, 2025

Yea: 126
Nay: 8
Present, not voting: 2
Absent: 4
Excused: 10

Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 3428

Representative Walle moved to concur in the senate amendments to HB 4344. The motion to concur in the senate amendments to HB 4344 prevailed by (Record 3428): 126 Yeas, 8 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

Yea: 126 (published)
Nay: 8 (published)
Present, not voting: 2 (published)
Absent: 4 (derived from named list)
Excused: 10 (derived from named list)

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

Senate May 19, 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 Blanco moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSHB 4344 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 19, 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 Blanco moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSHB 4344 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 19, 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 2, 2025

Yea: 130
Nay: 5
Present, not voting: 1
Absent: 3
Excused: 11

Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 1318

HB 4344 was passed by (Record 1318): 130 Yeas, 5 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

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

Yea: 130 (published)
Nay: 5 (published)
Present, not voting: 1 (published)
Absent: 3 (derived from named list)
Excused: 11 (derived from named list)

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

House May 1, 2025

Yea: 133
Nay: 9
Present, not voting: 1
Absent: 3
Excused: 4

Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 1217

HB 4344 was passed to engrossment by (Record 1217): 133 Yeas, 9 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

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

Yea: 133 (published)
Nay: 9 (published)
Present, not voting: 1 (published)
Absent: 3 (derived from named list)
Excused: 4 (derived from named list)

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

Witnesses14

For: 12
Against: 0
On: 2

Names

For

AEP Texas4 registrations
Association of Electric Companies of Texas1 registration
Associoation of Electric Companies of Texas1 registration
Self1 registration
Southwestern Elec. Power Co. (SWEPCO)1 registration
Texas chapter of US Green Building Council1 registration
Texas Electric Cooperatives1 registration
Texas Public Power Association2 registrations

On

Public Utility Commision of Texas1 registration
Public Utility Commission of Texas1 registration

Sources

14 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 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 S by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 22, 2026, against the published rubric.

Sources

Texas House · Filed Mar 11, 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.

Companion

SB 2698 by Blanco (identical)

Subjects

Labor--General

Protection of Personal Information

Utilities--General

CONTRACTORS & SUBCONTRACTORS

CRIMINAL RECORDS

CRIMINAL JUSTICE, TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF

PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION

Text

The text as introduced · 447 words

89R9646 SCR-D

By: Hernandez
H.B. No. 4344

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to access to and use of criminal history record

information by the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

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

SECTION 1. Section 411.14031, Government Code, is amended

by amending Subsections (a), (b), and (c) and adding Subsections

(a-1) and (b-1) to read as follows:

(a) The Public Utility Commission of Texas is entitled to

obtain as provided by Subsection (a-1) [ from the department ]

criminal history record information [ maintained by the department ]

that relates to :

(1) an applicant for employment with the commission;

(2) an employee of the commission who is granted

access to:

(A) the records of an independent organization

certified by the Public Utility Commission of Texas under Section

39.151, Utilities Code; or

(B) critical infrastructure information that is

confidential under state or federal law; or

(3) a person who enters into a contract with the

commission and is granted under that contract access to information

in the commission's records that is confidential under state or

federal law [ a person undergoing a background and criminal history

check under Section 12.107, Utilities Code ].

(a-1) Subject to Section 411.087 and consistent with the

public policy of this state, the Public Utility Commission of Texas

is entitled to:

(1) obtain through the Federal Bureau of Investigation

criminal history record information maintained or indexed by that

bureau that pertains to a person described by Subsection (a); and

(2) obtain from the department or any other criminal

justice agency in this state criminal history record information

maintained by the department or that criminal justice agency that

relates to a person described by Subsection (a).

(b) Criminal history record information obtained under

Subsection (a-1) [ (a):

[ (1) ] is for the exclusive use of the Public Utility

Commission of Texas and is privileged and confidential .

(b-1) The Public Utility Commission of Texas may not release

or disclose to any person criminal history record information

obtained from the Federal Bureau of Investigation under Subsection

(a-1)(1). Criminal history record information obtained by the

Public Utility Commission of Texas under Subsection (a-1)(2) [ ; and

[ (2) ] may not be released or disclosed to any person or

agency except on court order or with the consent of the person who

is the subject of the information.

(c) The Public Utility Commission of Texas shall [ may ]

destroy criminal history record information obtained under this

section [ Subsection (a) ] after the information is used for the

purpose authorized by this section.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

Verdict: No flags

The receipt

SOLD BY

ITEM

WHAT IT DOES

CHARGES

TOTAL

HISTORY

SIGNED FOR BY

Donors

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

Texas REALTORS Political Action Committee

Border Health PAC

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

Texas REALTORS Political Action Committee

Border Health PAC

House May 23, 2025

Senate May 19, 2025

Senate May 19, 2025

Senate May 19, 2025

House May 2, 2025

House May 1, 2025

For

On

Companion