SB 2235
Bettencourt’s bill bans local climate fees
Died in committee
Verdict: No flags
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 authority of a political subdivision to impose a fee to fund a climate or environmental project.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Summary
No fee for any climate or environmental project.
The bill bars cities, counties and other local governments from charging any fee to pay for a climate or environmental project. It reaches every political subdivision and anyone who would pay such a fee, and it defines those projects broadly, including cutting greenhouse gases, adapting to climate change, reducing pollution, or raising public awareness, while leaving out basic sanitation and trash service. Starting September 1, 2025, local governments cannot use fees, charges, assessments or permit payments to fund that kind of work.
Labels
Labels: NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Mar 11, 2025 and referred to the Senate Local Government committee. No public hearing. The bill died.
Receipt
The receipt
89R-SB2235 · 2025-03-11
SOLD BY
ITEM
relating to the authority of a political subdivision to impose a fee to fund a climate or environmental project.
WHAT IT DOES
No fee for any climate or environmental project.
The bill bars cities, counties and other local governments from charging any fee to pay for a climate or environmental project. It reaches every political subdivision and anyone who would pay such a fee, and it defines those projects broadly, including cutting greenhouse gases, adapting to climate change, reducing pollution, or raising public awareness, while leaving out basic sanitation and trash service. Starting September 1, 2025, local governments cannot use fees, charges, assessments or permit payments to fund that kind of work.
CHARGES
[ ] NONE FOUND
TOTAL
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
HISTORY
- Received by the Secretary of the Senate
- Filed
- Read first time
- Referred to Local Government
FILED UNDER
No verified beat found.
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
Donors
Donors report through Friends of Paul Bettencourt.
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 30, 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.
MoneyMissing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
Votes
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
Fiscal
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
How this was graded
Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.
Sources
Texas Senate · Filed Mar 11, 2025
03/25/2025 S Referred to Local Government
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 · Local Government · Final status: Died in committee
Companion
HB 4313 by Bell, Cecil (identical)
Subjects
Environment--General
Fees & Other Nontax Revenue--Local
Political Subdivisions
Text
The text as introduced · 196 words
89R8374 JBD-D By: Bettencourt S.B. No. 2235 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the authority of a political subdivision to impose a fee to fund a climate or environmental project. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 140, Local Government Code, is amended by adding Section 140.014 to read as follows: Sec. 140.014. FEE FOR CLIMATE OR ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT PROHIBITED. (a) In this section: (1) "Climate or environmental project" means a project undertaken by a political subdivision to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, mitigate the impacts of climate change, adapt to the effects of climate change, reduce the amount of pollutants reaching the environment, or contribute to public awareness of related matters. The term does not include basic sanitation or waste disposal services provided by a political subdivision. (2) "Fee" includes any fee, charge, assessment, or similar payment required by a political subdivision for a privilege, service, authorization, permit, license, registration, certification, filing, or other action or approval by the political subdivision. (b) A political subdivision may not impose a fee to fund a climate or environmental project. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.