Monitoring the SessionHB 919
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 the offense of unlawful use of public funds for communications relating to a measure.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Local officials can’t fund talk about their own measures, factual descriptions included. Class A misdemeanor.
The bill bars local government officers and employees from knowingly spending public money on any communication about a ballot measure that their own government put on the ballot, except for legally required election notices. It also repeals the current subsections that address factual descriptions of measures, so the existing ban on political advertising becomes a broader ban on any publicly funded communication about the measure. Breaking the rule is a Class A misdemeanor offense for spending that happens on or after September 1, 2025.
Labels: ZOMBIE BILL. Died 2 times: 88R HB 3018 (Died in committee) 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 3018 (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.NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Nov 12, 2024 and referred to the House State Affairs committee. No public hearing. The bill died.
89R-HB919 · 2024-11-12
relating to the offense of unlawful use of public funds for communications relating to a measure.
Local officials can’t fund talk about their own measures, factual descriptions included. Class A misdemeanor.
The bill bars local government officers and employees from knowingly spending public money on any communication about a ballot measure that their own government put on the ballot, except for legally required election notices. It also repeals the current subsections that address factual descriptions of measures, so the existing ban on political advertising becomes a broader ban on any publicly funded communication about the measure. Breaking the rule is a Class A misdemeanor offense for spending that happens on or after September 1, 2025.
[ ] NONE FOUND
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
THE TEXT
“a communication relating to a measure submitted at an election as a result of an official action adopted or approved by the political subdivision, other than notice required under Chapter 4”
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The bill limits what local governments can say with public money about measures they place on the ballot, backed by a misdemeanor offense.
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 · Died in committee · same text
Introduced textLast action, Mar 14, 2023: Referred to State Affairs
Relating to the offense of unlawful use of public funds for communications relating to a measure.
Caption, 88R bill history
Texas House · Filed Nov 12, 2024
03/06/2025 H Referred to State Affairs: Mar 6 2025 11:42AM
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:19 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
House committee · State Affairs · Final status: Died in committee
Elections--General
Political Subdivisions
ADVERTISING
The text as introduced · 261 words
By: Harrison H.B. No. 919 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the offense of unlawful use of public funds for communications relating to a measure. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. The heading to Section 255.003, Election Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 255.003. UNLAWFUL USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS BY EMPLOYEE OR OFFICER OF POLITICAL SUBDIVISION [ FOR POLITICAL ADVERTISING ]. SECTION 2. Sections 255.003(a) and (c), Election Code, are amended to read as follows: (a) An officer or employee of a political subdivision may not knowingly spend or authorize the spending of public funds for : (1) political advertising ; or (2) a communication relating to a measure submitted at an election as a result of an official action adopted or approved by the political subdivision, other than notice required under Chapter 4 . (c) A person who violates Subsection (a) [ or (b-1) ] commits an offense. An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor. SECTION 3. Sections 255.003(b) and (b-1), Election Code, are repealed. SECTION 4. The change in law made by this Act applies only to the use of public funds or resources that occurs on or after the effective date of this Act. The use of public funds or resources that occurs before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect before the effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.