Monitoring the SessionHB 606
Died in committee
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
relating to de novo review and interpretation of state laws and state agency rules by reviewing court judges and administrative law judges.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Ambiguous provision? Tie goes to less agency power.
The bill tells Texas judges and administrative law judges to decide for themselves what state laws, agency rules, and agency guidance mean, without deferring to the agency's own reading. When a case involving a state agency turns on an ambiguous provision, the judge must break the tie in favor of less agency power. This touches every state agency, plus anyone who sues or is sued by one, and it shifts close calls in court and administrative hearings away from the agencies.
Labels: ZOMBIE BILL. Died 2 times: 88R HB 1947 (Did not pass) and this bill (Died in committee). Checked against 88R only.BACK FROM THE DEAD. Same text as a bill filed before that died: 88R HB 1947 (Did not pass). Filed in 2 sessions, counting this one. Checked against 88R only.TRY NO. 2. Filed in 2 sessions: 88R and 89R. Checked against 88R only.NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Nov 12, 2024 and referred to the House Delivery of Government Efficiency committee. No public hearing. The bill died.
89R-HB606 · 2024-11-12
relating to de novo review and interpretation of state laws and state agency rules by reviewing court judges and administrative law judges.
Ambiguous provision? Tie goes to less agency power.
The bill tells Texas judges and administrative law judges to decide for themselves what state laws, agency rules, and agency guidance mean, without deferring to the agency's own reading. When a case involving a state agency turns on an ambiguous provision, the judge must break the tie in favor of less agency power. This touches every state agency, plus anyone who sues or is sued by one, and it shifts close calls in court and administrative hearings away from the agencies.
[ ] NONE FOUND
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
No verified beat found.
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
Not tied to this bill.
The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.
Derived itemized flow · Nov 1, 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.
$37,500.00
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.
TeamDerived itemized flow · Nov 22, 2024 to Oct 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: 101013450, 101032507, 101072627.
Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
$37,500.00
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.
TeamDerived itemized flow · Nov 22, 2024 to Oct 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: 101013450, 101032507, 101072627.
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.
Filed 2 times: 88R and 89R. Checked against 88R only.
by Rep. Harrison, same lead author · Did not pass · same text
Introduced textLast action, May 11, 2023: Placed on General State Calendar
Relating to de novo review and interpretation of state laws and state agency rules by reviewing court judges and administrative law judges.
Caption, 88R bill history
Texas House · Filed Nov 12, 2024
03/04/2025 H Referred to Delivery of Government Efficiency: Mar 4 2025 3:37PM
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
House committee · Delivery of Government Efficiency · Final status: Died in committee
Courts--Judges
State Agencies, Boards & Commissions
State Agencies, Boards & Commissions--Admin. Procedure
STATE AGENCIES' RULES
The text as introduced · 424 words
By: Harrison H.B. No. 606 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to de novo review and interpretation of state laws and state agency rules by reviewing court judges and administrative law judges. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subtitle A, Chapter 21, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 21.013 to read as follows: Sec. 21.013. DE NOVO REVIEW OF STATE LAW PROVISION BY REVIEWING COURT JUDGE; INTERPRETATION OF AMBIGUOUS STATE LAW PROVISION. (a) In this section, "provision of state law" means: (1) a state statute; (2) a rule a state agency adopts; or (3) an opinion letter, manual, or other guidance document a state agency issues interpreting the meaning, scope, or effect of a state statute or state agency rule. (b) In interpreting a provision of state law, a reviewing court judge shall interpret the meaning and effect of the provision de novo, without deference to a state agency's interpretation of the provision. (c) In an action brought by or against a state agency concerning an ambiguous provision of state law, after applying all other rules and canons of interpretation, a reviewing court judge shall resolve the ambiguity in favor of limiting state agency authority. SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 2003, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 2003.026 to read as follows: Sec. 2003.026. DE NOVO REVIEW OF STATE LAW PROVISION IN ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING; INTERPRETATION OF AMBIGUOUS STATE LAW PROVISION. (a) In this section, "provision of state law" means: (1) a state statute; (2) a rule a state agency adopts; or (3) an opinion letter, manual, or other guidance document a state agency issues interpreting the meaning, scope, or effect of a state statute or state agency rule. (b) An administrative law judge who conducts a hearing that requires the judge to interpret a provision of state law shall interpret the meaning and effect of the provision de novo, without deference to a state agency's interpretation of the provision. (c) An administrative law judge who conducts a hearing brought by or against a state agency concerning an ambiguous provision of state law, after applying all other rules and canons of interpretation, shall resolve the ambiguity in favor of limiting state agency authority. 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 on September 1, 2025.