Verdict: No flags
No flags Initial review
Rep. Philip Cortez D House 117
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 the issuance of Central Catholic High School specialty
license plates.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Summary Logo plus “With Loyal Hearts.”
The bill orders the state motor vehicle department to issue a specialty license plate with the Central Catholic High School logo and the words "With Loyal Hearts." It touches the department and drivers who choose to buy the plate, and the department must design it with a representative of the San Antonio school. After the department takes its administrative costs, the rest of the plate fee goes to the state general revenue fund, not to the school.
Labels Labels: NO AUTOGRAPH. Became law without the governor's signature on Jun 20, 2025. DO-OVER. Reworked text of a bill filed before that died: 88R HB 229 (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-HB791 · 2024-11-12
ITEM relating to the issuance of Central Catholic High School specialty
license plates.
WHAT IT DOES Logo plus “With Loyal Hearts.”
The bill orders the state motor vehicle department to issue a specialty license plate with the Central Catholic High School logo and the words "With Loyal Hearts." It touches the department and drivers who choose to buy the plate, and the department must design it with a representative of the San Antonio school. After the department takes its administrative costs, the rest of the plate fee goes to the state general revenue fund, not to the school.
TOTAL No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
LBB estimate · fiscal note version E · source
Sources
Fiscal note · version E · May 12, 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 Nov 12, 2024 Filed Mar 5, 2025 Read first time Mar 5, 2025 Referred to Transportation Apr 3, 2025 Scheduled for public hearing on . . . Apr 3, 2025 Considered in public hearing Apr 3, 2025 Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee Apr 3, 2025 Left pending in committee Apr 17, 2025 Considered in public hearing Apr 17, 2025 Recommended to be sent to Local & Consent Apr 17, 2025 Reported favorably w/o amendment(s) Apr 23, 2025 Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator Apr 23, 2025 Committee report distributed Apr 24, 2025 Comm. report sent to Local & Consent Calendar Apr 25, 2025 Considered in Local & Consent Calendars Apr 25, 2025 Transferred to Calendars Committee Apr 25, 2025 Committee report sent to Calendars Apr 25, 2025 Considered in Calendars Apr 29, 2025 Placed on General State Calendar Apr 29, 2025 Read 2nd time Apr 29, 2025 Passed to engrossment Apr 29, 2025 Record vote RV#876 Apr 30, 2025 Read 3rd time Apr 30, 2025 Passed Apr 30, 2025 Record vote RV#1021 Apr 30, 2025 Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal Apr 30, 2025 Reported engrossed Apr 30, 2025 Received from the House May 6, 2025 Read first time May 6, 2025 Referred to Transportation May 14, 2025 Scheduled for public hearing on . . . May 14, 2025 Considered in public hearing May 14, 2025 Vote taken in committee May 14, 2025 Reported favorably w/o amendments May 14, 2025 Recommended for local & uncontested calendar May 14, 2025 Committee report printed and distributed May 16, 2025 Placed on intent calendar May 19, 2025 Rules suspended-Regular order of business May 19, 2025 Vote recorded in Journal May 19, 2025 Read 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading May 19, 2025 Vote recorded in Journal May 19, 2025 Three day rule suspended May 19, 2025 Record vote May 19, 2025 Read 3rd time May 19, 2025 Passed May 19, 2025 Record vote May 20, 2025 Senate passage reported May 20, 2025 Reported enrolled May 21, 2025 Signed in the House May 21, 2025 Signed in the Senate May 22, 2025 Sent to the Governor Jun 20, 2025 Filed without the Governor's signature Jun 20, 2025 Effective on 9/1/25 FILED UNDER SIGNED FOR BY House · 99 yea · 34 nay
Senate · 30 yea · 1 nay
Sources House: Final passage · Apr 30, 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
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 28, 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.
Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC $44,000.00 Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC $44,000.00
Cash $44,000.00
Paid by others $0.00
Total $44,000.00 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 6, 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: 100985407, 101008363, 101026711, 101035640, 101039466, 101052595, 101071633.
Texas Sands PAC $37,000.00 Texas Sands PAC $37,000.00
Cash $37,000.00
Paid by others $0.00
Total $37,000.00 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 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.
Report IDs: 100985407, 101039466, 101071633.
Physicians for Free Market Healthcare PAC $35,000.00 Physicians for Free Market Healthcare PAC $35,000.00
Cash $35,000.00
Paid by others $0.00
Total $35,000.00 Also funds 33 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jun 30, 2025 to Oct 22, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
Team Sources Derived itemized flow · Sep 22, 2025 to Oct 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: 101026711, 101035640, 101071633.
Money Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
× Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC $44,000.00
Cash $44,000.00
Paid by others $0.00
Total $44,000.00 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 6, 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: 100985407, 101008363, 101026711, 101035640, 101039466, 101052595, 101071633.
× Texas Sands PAC $37,000.00
Cash $37,000.00
Paid by others $0.00
Total $37,000.00 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 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.
Report IDs: 100985407, 101039466, 101071633.
× Physicians for Free Market Healthcare PAC $35,000.00
Cash $35,000.00
Paid by others $0.00
Total $35,000.00 Also funds 33 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jun 30, 2025 to Oct 22, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
Team Sources Derived itemized flow · Sep 22, 2025 to Oct 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: 101026711, 101035640, 101071633.
Votes5
Senate May 19, 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
The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1. (Same as previous roll call)
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 19, 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 Menéndez moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that HB 791 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 19, 2025
Yea Not printed
Nay Not printed
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.
Voice vote. No numeric tally or individual yeas are inferred.
Sources
Senator Menéndez moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration HB 791 at this time on its second reading: HB 791, Relating to the issuance of Central Catholic High School specialty license plates. The motion prevailed. Senator Sparks asked to be recorded as voting "Nay" on suspension of the regular order of business. 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 Apr 30, 2025
Yea 99
Nay 34
Present, not voting 2
Absent 4
Excused 11
Names
Davis, A. Yea Louderback Nay Schoolcraft Excused Allen Yea Hernandez Yea Rodríguez Ramos Yea Hopper Nay Orr Yea Button Yea Johnson Yea Martinez Yea Walle Yea Gervin-Hawkins Yea Bumgarner Nay Buckley Excused Money Nay Harrison Nay Cain Nay Landgraf Yea Noble Nay Tepper Yea Fairly Yea Harris Davila Nay Isaac Yea Garcia Hernandez Yea Bell, C. Yea Ward Johnson Yea Cunningham Excused Geren Yea Turner Yea Manuel Yea Morales, C. Yea Ordaz Yea Harris Yea Vasut Nay Hefner Yea Phelan Yea Alders Nay Cook Nay Lowe Nay Spiller Yea Villalobos Nay Paul Yea Bernal Excused McLaughlin Yea Howard Yea Darby Yea Mr. Speaker Present, not voting Morales, E. Yea Campos Yea Troxclair Nay Gámez Yea Zwiener Yea Gates Yea VanDeaver Yea Wu Yea Hinojosa Excused Capriglione Yea Bonnen Yea Dutton Yea Kerwin Absent Hickland Nay Vo Excused Lozano Nay Frank Excused Talarico Yea Lopez, J. Yea Holt Excused Patterson Nay Dean Yea Barry Yea Leach Yea González, J. Yea Shofner Nay Moody(C) Present, not voting Bryant Yea Bucy Yea Lujan Yea McQueeney Yea Smithee Yea Jones, J. Yea Rosenthal Yea Garcia, J. Yea Pierson Nay Bell, K. Yea King Yea Richardson Nay Hull Nay Simmons Yea Garcia, L. Yea Flores Yea DeAyala Yea LaHood Yea Dorazio Yea Perez, M. Yea González, M. Yea Morgan Nay Shaheen Yea Plesa Yea Olcott Nay Schofield Yea Little Nay Meyer Yea Schatzline Nay Collier Yea Longoria Yea Curry Yea Dyson Yea Morales Shaw Yea Cortez Yea Guerra Yea Anchía Yea Romero Yea Lopez, R. Yea Bowers Yea Hayes Absent Raymond Yea Reynolds Yea Guillen Yea Bhojani Yea Harless Yea Thompson Yea Muñoz Yea Slawson Nay Luther Nay Cole Yea Gerdes Absent Kitzman Excused Lambert Yea Toth Nay Lalani Absent Leo Wilson Nay Canales Nay Wilson Nay Meza Yea Hunter Excused Craddick Yea Oliverson Nay Rose Yea Tinderholt Nay Ashby Excused Martinez Fischer Yea Wharton Yea Swanson Yea Jones, V. Yea Goodwin Yea Perez, V. Yea Virdell Yea Metcalf Nay Davis, Y. Yea Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.
House journal
Sources
Record 1021
HB 791 was passed by (Record 1021): 99 Yeas, 34 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.
Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.
Yea: 99 (published) Nay: 34 (published) Present, not voting: 2 (published) Absent: 4 (derived from named list) Excused: 11 (derived from named list) House journal . Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.
House Apr 29, 2025
Yea 109
Nay 38
Present, not voting 2
Absent 1
Excused 0
Names
Davis, A. Yea Louderback Nay Schoolcraft Yea Allen Yea Hernandez Yea Rodríguez Ramos Yea Hopper Nay Orr Nay Button Yea Johnson Yea Martinez Yea Walle Yea Gervin-Hawkins Yea Bumgarner Yea Buckley Yea Money Nay Harrison Nay Cain Nay Landgraf Yea Noble Nay Tepper Yea Fairly Yea Harris Davila Nay Isaac Yea Garcia Hernandez Yea Bell, C. Yea Ward Johnson Yea Cunningham Yea Geren Yea Turner Yea Manuel Yea Morales, C. Yea Ordaz Yea Harris Yea Vasut Nay Hefner Nay Phelan Yea Alders Nay Cook Nay Lowe Nay Spiller Yea Villalobos Nay Paul Yea Bernal Yea McLaughlin Yea Howard Yea Darby Yea Mr. Speaker Present, not voting Morales, E. Yea Campos Yea Troxclair Nay Gámez Yea Zwiener Yea Gates Yea VanDeaver Yea Wu Yea Hinojosa Yea Capriglione Yea Bonnen Yea Dutton Yea Kerwin Yea Hickland Nay Vo Yea Lozano Nay Frank Yea Talarico Yea Lopez, J. Yea Holt Nay Patterson Nay Dean Yea Barry Yea Leach Yea González, J. Yea Shofner Nay Moody(C) Present, not voting Bryant Yea Bucy Yea Lujan Yea McQueeney Yea Smithee Yea Jones, J. Yea Rosenthal Yea Garcia, J. Yea Pierson Nay Bell, K. Yea King Yea Richardson Yea Hull Nay Simmons Yea Garcia, L. Yea Flores Yea DeAyala Yea LaHood Yea Dorazio Yea Perez, M. Yea González, M. Yea Morgan Nay Shaheen Nay Plesa Yea Olcott Nay Schofield Yea Little Nay Meyer Yea Schatzline Nay Collier Yea Longoria Yea Curry Yea Dyson Yea Morales Shaw Yea Cortez Yea Guerra Yea Anchía Yea Romero Yea Lopez, R. Yea Bowers Yea Hayes Yea Raymond Yea Reynolds Yea Guillen Yea Bhojani Yea Harless Yea Thompson Yea Muñoz Yea Slawson Nay Luther Nay Cole Yea Gerdes Nay Kitzman Yea Lambert Yea Toth Nay Lalani Yea Leo Wilson Nay Canales Nay Wilson Nay Meza Yea Hunter Yea Craddick Yea Oliverson Nay Rose Absent Tinderholt Nay Ashby Yea Martinez Fischer Yea Wharton Yea Swanson Nay Jones, V. Yea Goodwin Yea Perez, V. Yea Virdell Yea Metcalf Nay Davis, Y. Yea Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.
House journal
Sources
Record 876
HB 791 was passed to engrossment by (Record 876): 109 Yeas, 38 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.
Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.
Yea: 109 (published) Nay: 38 (published) Present, not voting: 2 (published) Absent: 1 (derived from named list) Excused: 0 (derived from named list) House journal . Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.
Witnesses5
For 3
Against 0
On 2
Names
For
Self 1 registration Self; CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL 1 registration The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops 1 registration
On
Texas Department of Motor Vehicles 1 registration TxDMV 1 registration
Sources
5 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 E · source
Sources
Fiscal note · version E · May 12, 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 229 by Rep. Cortez, same lead author · Died in committee · reworked
Introduced text Last action, May 4, 2023: Referred to Transportation
Relating to the issuance of Central Catholic High School specialty license plates. 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 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
Sponsors House committee · Transportation · Committee vote 9 aye, 0 nay, 4 absent · Out of committee
Senate committee · Transportation · Committee vote 9 aye, 0 nay · Out of committee
Subjects Fees & Other Nontax Revenue--State
Vehicles & Traffic--Vehicle Registration
LICENSE PLATES
MOTOR VEHICLES, TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF
Text The text as introduced · 157 words
89R3767 SRA-D
By: Cortez
H.B. No. 791
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the issuance of Central Catholic High School specialty
license plates.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter G, Chapter 504, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 504.683 to read as follows:
Sec. 504.683. CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL LICENSE PLATES.
(a) The department shall issue specialty license plates that
include the words "With Loyal Hearts" on the bottom of each plate
and the logo of Central Catholic High School on the left side of
each plate. The department shall design the plates in consultation
with a representative of Central Catholic High School in San
Antonio.
(b) After deduction of the department's administrative
costs, the remainder of the fee for issuance of the license plates
shall be deposited to the credit of the general revenue fund.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
Monitoring 