Monitoring the Session

HB 718

bill bars colleges from dorm deals with developers stiffing contractors

Became law, effective Sep 1, 2025

Verdict: No flags

No flagsInitial review
Rep. Cecil Bell Jr.RHouse 3

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 prohibiting a public institution of higher education from partnering with certain private entities for the construction of a student housing facility.

Caption from analyzed text · version I.

Summary

The trigger: a pending lawsuit or lien over unpaid vendors.

The bill bars Texas public colleges and universities from signing a contract to partner with a private company to build student housing if that company has a pending lawsuit or lien over unpaid contractors, subcontractors, or vendors. It touches public institutions of higher education and the private developers that partner with them on dorm projects. Starting with contracts signed on or after September 1, 2025, schools must screen out developers facing nonpayment claims, while existing contracts stay under the old rules.

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.DO-OVER. Reworked text of a bill filed before that died: 88R HB 2724 (Died in committee). 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.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB718 · 2024-11-12

SOLD BY

Rep. Cecil Bell Jr.RHouse 3

ITEM

relating to prohibiting a public institution of higher education from partnering with certain private entities for the construction of a student housing facility.

WHAT IT DOES

The trigger: a pending lawsuit or lien over unpaid vendors.

The bill bars Texas public colleges and universities from signing a contract to partner with a private company to build student housing if that company has a pending lawsuit or lien over unpaid contractors, subcontractors, or vendors. It touches public institutions of higher education and the private developers that partner with them on dorm projects. Starting with contracts signed on or after September 1, 2025, schools must screen out developers facing nonpayment claims, while existing contracts stay under the old rules.

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 29, 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 Higher Education
  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. Postponed 4/29/25 10:00 AM
  17. Laid out as postponed business
  18. Amended 1-C. Bell
  19. Passed to engrossment as amended
  20. Record vote RV#805
  21. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  22. Read 3rd time
  23. Passed
  24. Record vote RV#962
  25. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  26. Reported engrossed
  27. Received from the House
  28. Read first time
  29. Referred to Education K-16
  30. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  31. Considered in public hearing
  32. Testimony taken in committee
  33. Left pending in committee
  34. Considered in public hearing
  35. Vote taken in committee
  36. Reported favorably as substituted
  37. Recommended for local & uncontested calendar
  38. Committee report printed and distributed
  39. Placed on local & uncontested calendar
  40. Laid before the Senate
  41. Read 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading
  42. Vote recorded in Journal
  43. Three day rule suspended
  44. Record vote
  45. Read 3rd time
  46. Passed
  47. Record vote
  48. Senate passage as amended reported
  49. Senate Amendments distributed
  50. Senate Amendments Analysis distributed
  51. House concurs in Senate amendment(s)
  52. Record vote RV#4070
  53. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  54. Text of Senate Amendment(s)
  55. House concurs in Senate amendment(s)-reported
  56. Reported enrolled
  57. Signed in the House
  58. Signed in the Senate
  59. Sent to the Governor
  60. Signed by the Governor
  61. Effective on 9/1/25
FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 131 yea · 6 nay

Senate · 31 yea · 0 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · Apr 30, 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

Cecil Bell Jr.

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$303KDUSTIN BURROWS CAMPAIGN$84KTexas Conservative Majority 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 · Aug 30, 2024 to Apr 2, 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$303,416.00

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$303,416.00

Cash
$77,500.00
Paid by others
$225,916.00
Total
$303,416.00
mail $151,916.00advertising $57,250.00polling $16,750.00

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 · Nov 14, 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: 101012348, 101016762, 101032999, 101036177, 101041213, 101061435.

DUSTIN BURROWS CAMPAIGN$84,000.00

DUSTIN BURROWS CAMPAIGN

$84,000.00

Cash
$75,000.00
Paid by others
$9,000.00
Total
$84,000.00
polling $9,000.00

Also funds 39 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Sep 13, 2025 to Sep 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 29, 2025 to Jan 27, 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: 101032999, 101036177, 101041213.

Texas Conservative Majority PAC$83,505.68

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$83,505.68

Cash
$0.00
Paid by others
$83,505.68
Total
$83,505.68
canvassing $50,000.00Other filed descriptions $24,666.67polling $7,750.00texting $1,089.01

Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.

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

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Feb 9, 2026 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: 101041213, 101061435.

Money

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

×

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$303,416.00

Cash
$77,500.00
Paid by others
$225,916.00
Total
$303,416.00
mail $151,916.00advertising $57,250.00polling $16,750.00

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 · Nov 14, 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: 101012348, 101016762, 101032999, 101036177, 101041213, 101061435.

×

DUSTIN BURROWS CAMPAIGN

$84,000.00

Cash
$75,000.00
Paid by others
$9,000.00
Total
$84,000.00
polling $9,000.00

Also funds 39 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Sep 13, 2025 to Sep 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 29, 2025 to Jan 27, 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: 101032999, 101036177, 101041213.

×

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$83,505.68

Cash
$0.00
Paid by others
$83,505.68
Total
$83,505.68
canvassing $50,000.00Other filed descriptions $24,666.67polling $7,750.00texting $1,089.01

Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.

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

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Feb 9, 2026 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: 101041213, 101061435.

Votes6

House May 30, 2025

Yea
136
Nay
0
Present, not voting
2
Absent
6
Excused
6
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 4070

Representative C. Bell moved to concur in the senate amendments to HB 718. The motion to concur in the senate amendments to HB 718 prevailed by (Record 4070): 136 Yeas, 0 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 136 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 6 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 6 (derived from named list)

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

Senate May 28, 2025

Final passage

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.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to third reading, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records final passage. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Sources

CSHB 718 (Parker) Relating to prohibiting a public institution of higher education from partnering with certain private entities for the construction of a student housing facility. (viva voce vote) (31-0) (31-0)

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

Suspension of the three-day rule

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.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to third reading, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records suspension of the three-day rule. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Sources

CSHB 718 (Parker) Relating to prohibiting a public institution of higher education from partnering with certain private entities for the construction of a student housing facility. (viva voce vote) (31-0) (31-0)

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

Passage to third reading

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.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to third reading, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records passage to third reading. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Voice vote. No numeric tally or individual yeas are inferred.

Sources

CSHB 718 (Parker) Relating to prohibiting a public institution of higher education from partnering with certain private entities for the construction of a student housing facility. (viva voce vote) (31-0) (31-0)

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 Apr 30, 2025

Yea
131
Nay
6
Present, not voting
2
Absent
6
Excused
5
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 962

HB 718 was passed by (Record 962): 131 Yeas, 6 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 131 (published)
  • Nay: 6 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 6 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 5 (derived from named list)

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

House Apr 29, 2025

Yea
137
Nay
9
Present, not voting
1
Absent
3
Excused
0
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 805

HB 718, as amended, was passed to engrossment by (Record 805): 137 Yeas, 9 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 137 (published)
  • Nay: 9 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 1 (published)
  • Absent: 3 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

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

Witnesses3
For
2
Against
1
On
0
Names

For

  • Greystar Construction and Development1 registration
  • Self1 registration

Against

  • Self1 registration
Sources

3 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 29, 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 I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.

FILED BEFORE

Filed 2 times: 88R and 89R. Checked against 88R only.

88R HB 2724

by Rep. Cecil Bell, same lead author · Died in committee · reworked

Introduced text

Last action, Mar 13, 2023: Referred to Higher Education

Relating to prohibiting a public institution of higher education from partnering with certain private entities for the construction of a student housing facility.

Caption, 88R bill history

Sources

Texas House · Filed Nov 12, 2024

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 6:51 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Sponsors
Tan ParkerRSenate 12

House committee · Higher Education · Committee vote 10 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent · Out of committee

Senate committee · Education K-16 · Committee vote 9 aye, 0 nay, 2 absent · Out of committee

Subjects

Education--Higher--General

Housing--Finance

Housing--General

Purchasing--General

State Agencies, Boards & Commissions

CONTRACTORS' LIENS

Text

The text as introduced · 217 words

89R1243 CXP-D

By: Bell of Montgomery
H.B. No. 718

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to prohibiting a public institution of higher education

from partnering with certain private entities for the construction

of a student housing facility.

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

SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is

amended by adding Section 51.9273 to read as follows:

Sec. 51.9273. CERTAIN PARTNERSHIPS TO CONSTRUCT STUDENT

HOUSING FACILITIES PROHIBITED. (a) In this section, "institution

of higher education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003.

(b) An institution of higher education may not enter into a

contract to partner with a private entity to construct a student

housing facility if the entity has a pending action or lien against

the entity or entity's property relating to a claim for nonpayment

of a contractor, subcontractor, or vendor.

SECTION 2. Section 51.9273, Education Code, as added by

this Act, applies only to a contract entered into on or after the

effective date of this Act. A contract entered into before the

effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the

date the contract was entered into, and the former law is continued

in effect for that purpose.

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