SB 2178
Hagenbuch Bill Bans Nonprofit Funding Except When It Fits Agency Duties
Died in committee
Verdict: Smells
Why it's charged
The hole
THE TEXT
“reasonably related to the duties and functions of the agency.”
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The ban covers sponsoring or funding nonprofits, news media and private events. This exception lets out any spending reasonably related to the agency's duties, which is the normal reason an agency spends at all, so the main case escapes the restriction the caption advertises.
The holeInitial review · graded Oct 22, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade
Caption
relating to a restriction on the authority of a state agency to spend appropriated money to provide financial support to certain organizations and events.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Summary
The exception: anything “reasonably related to the duties and functions of the agency.” Little actually stops.
The bill bars state agencies from using appropriated money to sponsor, partner with, donate to, or fund news media or nonprofit groups, or to sponsor private events. It exempts any such spending that state law specifically authorizes or that is reasonably related to the agency's duties and functions, and it still allows newspaper subscriptions and job-related continuing education. Because nearly any agency spending can be framed as related to that agency's duties, little actually stops on the ground when the bill takes effect September 1, 2025.
Labels
Labels: NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Mar 10, 2025 and referred to the Senate Finance committee. No public hearing. The bill died.
Receipt
The receipt
89R-SB2178 · 2025-03-10
SOLD BY
ITEM
relating to a restriction on the authority of a state agency to spend appropriated money to provide financial support to certain organizations and events.
WHAT IT DOES
The exception: anything “reasonably related to the duties and functions of the agency.” Little actually stops.
The bill bars state agencies from using appropriated money to sponsor, partner with, donate to, or fund news media or nonprofit groups, or to sponsor private events. It exempts any such spending that state law specifically authorizes or that is reasonably related to the agency's duties and functions, and it still allows newspaper subscriptions and job-related continuing education. Because nearly any agency spending can be framed as related to that agency's duties, little actually stops on the ground when the bill takes effect September 1, 2025.
CHARGES
[x] THE HOLEanalysis confidence 55%
THE TEXT
“reasonably related to the duties and functions of the agency.”
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The ban covers sponsoring or funding nonprofits, news media and private events. This exception lets out any spending reasonably related to the agency's duties, which is the normal reason an agency spends at all, so the main case escapes the restriction the caption advertises.
TOTAL
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
HISTORY
- Received by the Secretary of the Senate
- Filed
- Read first time
- Referred to Finance
FILED UNDER
THE TEXT
“sponsor, partner with, donate to, or otherwise provide financial support to a news media or nonprofit organization”
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The bill aims to stop state agencies from funding nonprofits and news media, but its duties-and-functions exception leaves agency money able to keep flowing to those groups.
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 27, 2024 to Jun 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.
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$50,000.00
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC
$50,000.00
- Cash
- $50,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $50,000.00
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.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Jun 23, 2025 to Sep 8, 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: 101010787, 101032653.
Denton County Republican Lincoln Cabinet PAC$25,000.00
Denton County Republican Lincoln Cabinet PAC
$25,000.00
- Cash
- $25,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $25,000.00
Also funds 1 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Apr 8, 2026 to Apr 21, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.
Sources
Derived itemized flow · on Apr 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: 101058859.
Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC
$50,000.00
- Cash
- $50,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $50,000.00
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.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Jun 23, 2025 to Sep 8, 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: 101010787, 101032653.
Denton County Republican Lincoln Cabinet PAC
$25,000.00
- Cash
- $25,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $25,000.00
Also funds 1 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Apr 8, 2026 to Apr 21, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.
Sources
Derived itemized flow · on Apr 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: 101058859.
Votes
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
Fiscal
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
How this was graded
Adversarial review by claude-opus-5-5 at high effort: sent to the editor.
Confirming read by claude-fable-5-1 at high effort: Smells.
Opus 5.5 reviewed the candidate before Fable's confirmation read.
Analysis of text version I by claude-fable-5-1, Oct 22, 2026, against the published rubric.
Sources
Texas Senate · Filed Mar 10, 2025
03/24/2025 S Referred to Finance
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
Senate committee · Finance · Final status: Died in committee
Subjects
Charitable & Nonprofit Organizations
State Agencies, Boards & Commissions
State Finances--Management & Control
Text
The text as introduced · 232 words
89R16150 CS-D By: Hagenbuch S.B. No. 2178 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to a restriction on the authority of a state agency to spend appropriated money to provide financial support to certain organizations and events. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 2113, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 2113.108 to read as follows: Sec. 2113.108. FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR CERTAIN ORGANIZATIONS AND EVENTS. (a) Except as otherwise provided by this section, a state agency may not spend appropriated money to: (1) sponsor, partner with, donate to, or otherwise provide financial support to a news media or nonprofit organization; or (2) sponsor or otherwise provide financial support for a private event. (b) The restriction provided by Subsection (a) does not apply to an expenditure by a state agency that is: (1) specifically authorized by a provision of state law or the state constitution; or (2) reasonably related to the duties and functions of the agency. (c) This section does not restrict the ability of a state agency to use appropriated money to: (1) purchase a subscription to a newspaper or other periodical; or (2) pay the costs associated with attendance at a continuing education course by an employee of the agency if the course is related to the employee's employment position. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.