SB 2601: Blanco Property Damage Bill Also Bars Claim-Based Rate Hikes

Caption

relating to a program to compensate landowners for property damage caused by certain criminal activities.

Summary

Landowners get paid for police-response damage too. Insurers can’t count those claims against your rates.

The bill widens the attorney general's existing program that pays landowners for damage to farm and ranch land caused by trespassers tied to border crime, adding smuggling-related offenses to the definition of border crime and covering damage from police responses. It reaches landowners and lessees of agricultural land, who can now be paid for debris, pollutants, and soil restoration, though a lessee needs a notarized statement from the landowner to collect for trespasser damage. It also bars insurers from raising rates because a policyholder made a claim tied to a documented incident, starting with policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026.

Labels

Labels: BUZZER BEATER. Final vote May 31, 2025: the House adopted the conference committee report. 2 days before the session ended Jun 2, 2025.CROSS-PARTY HANDOFF. Lead author César Blanco (D) in the Senate. Lead sponsor Ryan Guillen (R) in the House. Party as the Legislative Reference Library lists it for the 89th Legislature.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-SB2601 · 2025-03-13

SOLD BY

Sen. César BlancoDSenate 29

+ 6 coauthors

ITEM

relating to a program to compensate landowners for property damage caused by certain criminal activities.

WHAT IT DOES

Landowners get paid for police-response damage too. Insurers can’t count those claims against your rates.

The bill widens the attorney general's existing program that pays landowners for damage to farm and ranch land caused by trespassers tied to border crime, adding smuggling-related offenses to the definition of border crime and covering damage from police responses. It reaches landowners and lessees of agricultural land, who can now be paid for debris, pollutants, and soil restoration, though a lessee needs a notarized statement from the landowner to collect for trespasser damage. It also bars insurers from raising rates because a policyholder made a claim tied to a documented incident, starting with policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026.

CHARGES

[x] CAPTION MISMATCHanalysis confidence 50%

THE TEXT

“In setting rates, an insurer may not consider whether a claim has been made by or on behalf of a policyholder”…

Bill text, introduced version (I)

The caption describes only a compensation program run by the state. The body also adds a rate-setting rule for private insurers in the Insurance Code, which the caption does not mention.

TOTAL

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version F · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version F · May 30, 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

Mar 13, 2025Received by the Secretary of the Senate
Mar 13, 2025Filed
Apr 3, 2025Read first time
Apr 3, 2025Referred to Border Security
Apr 15, 2025Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
Apr 15, 2025Considered in public hearing
Apr 15, 2025Testimony taken in committee
Apr 15, 2025Vote taken in committee
Apr 16, 2025Reported favorably as substituted
Apr 16, 2025Recommended for local & uncontested calendar
Apr 16, 2025Committee report printed and distributed
Apr 23, 2025Placed on intent calendar
Apr 24, 2025Co-author authorized
Apr 24, 2025Not again placed on intent calendar
Apr 24, 2025Placed on local & uncontested calendar
Apr 24, 2025Laid before the Senate
Apr 24, 2025Read 2nd time & passed to engrossment
Apr 24, 2025Vote recorded in Journal
Apr 24, 2025Three day rule suspended
Apr 24, 2025Record vote
Apr 24, 2025Read 3rd time
Apr 24, 2025Passed
Apr 24, 2025Record vote
Apr 24, 2025Reported engrossed
Apr 25, 2025Received from the Senate
Apr 28, 2025Read first time
Apr 28, 2025Referred to State Affairs
May 12, 2025Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
May 12, 2025Considered in public hearing
May 12, 2025Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
May 12, 2025Left pending in committee
May 12, 2025Considered in formal meeting
May 12, 2025Committee substitute considered in committee
May 12, 2025Reported favorably as substituted
May 19, 2025Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
May 19, 2025Committee report distributed
May 19, 2025Committee report sent to Calendars
May 20, 2025Considered in Calendars
May 22, 2025Placed on General State Calendar
May 22, 2025Read 2nd time
May 22, 2025Passed to 3rd reading
May 22, 2025Record vote RV#3297
May 22, 2025Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
May 23, 2025Read 3rd time
May 23, 2025Passed
May 23, 2025Record vote RV#3373
May 23, 2025Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
May 23, 2025House passage as amended reported
May 26, 2025House amendment(s) laid before the Senate
May 26, 2025Read
May 26, 2025Senate refuses to concur
May 26, 2025Senate requests conference committee
May 26, 2025Senate appoints conferees
May 26, 2025Senate refuses to concur-reported
May 26, 2025Senate requests conference committee-reported
May 26, 2025Senate appoints conferees-reported
May 27, 2025House grants request for conference committee
May 27, 2025House appoints conferees
May 27, 2025House grants request for conf comm-reported
May 27, 2025House appoints conferees-reported
May 29, 2025Conference committee report filed
May 30, 2025Conf. Comm. Report distributed
May 30, 2025Senate adopts conference committee report
May 30, 2025Record vote
May 31, 2025Senate adopts conf. comm. report-reported
May 31, 2025House adopts conference committee report
May 31, 2025Record vote RV#4103
May 31, 2025Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
May 31, 2025House adopts conf. comm. report-reported
Jun 1, 2025Reported enrolled
Jun 1, 2025Signed in the Senate
Jun 2, 2025Signed in the House
Jun 2, 2025Sent to the Governor
Jun 20, 2025Signed by the Governor
Jun 20, 2025Effective on 9/1/25

FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 139 yea · 0 nay

Senate · 31 yea · 0 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 23, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · Apr 24, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

All floor motions and other positions below.

Smells

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

César Blanco

Donors

Agave Democratic Infrastructure Fund$26K Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC$25K Border Health PAC$25K

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 · Jul 10, 2024 to Jun 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.

Agave Democratic Infrastructure Fund$25,750.00

Agave Democratic Infrastructure Fund

$25,750.00

Cash: $25,000.00
Paid by others: $750.00
Total: $25,750.00

consulting $750.00

Also funds 5 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Nov 22, 2024 to Oct 12, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Nov 25, 2024 to Dec 13, 2024. 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: 100989095.

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC$25,000.00

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

$25,000.00

Cash: $25,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $25,000.00

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 · Oct 3, 2024 to Jan 26, 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: 100989095, 101009709, 101033590, 101060872.

Border Health PAC$25,000.00

Border Health PAC

$25,000.00

Cash: $25,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $25,000.00

Also funds 17 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Oct 28, 2024 to Aug 26, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Dec 14, 2024. 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: 100989095.

Money

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

×

Agave Democratic Infrastructure Fund

$25,750.00

Cash: $25,000.00
Paid by others: $750.00
Total: $25,750.00

consulting $750.00

Also funds 5 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Nov 22, 2024 to Oct 12, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Nov 25, 2024 to Dec 13, 2024. 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: 100989095.

×

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

$25,000.00

Cash: $25,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $25,000.00

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 · Oct 3, 2024 to Jan 26, 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: 100989095, 101009709, 101033590, 101060872.

×

Border Health PAC

$25,000.00

Cash: $25,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $25,000.00

Also funds 17 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Oct 28, 2024 to Aug 26, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Dec 14, 2024. 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: 100989095.

Votes7

House May 31, 2025

Yea: 129
Nay: 0
Present, not voting: 2
Absent: 6
Excused: 13

Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 4103

Representative Guillen moved to adopt the conference committee report on SB 2601. The motion to adopt the conference committee report on SB 2601 prevailed by (Record 4103): 129 Yeas, 0 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

Yea: 129 (published)
Nay: 0 (published)
Present, not voting: 2 (published)
Absent: 6 (derived from named list)
Excused: 13 (derived from named list)

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

Senate May 30, 2025

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.

Sources

On motion of Senator Blanco, the Conference Committee Report was adopted by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 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.

House May 23, 2025

Yea: 139
Nay: 0
Present, not voting: 1
Absent: 3
Excused: 7

Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 3373

SB 2601 was passed by (Record 3373): 139 Yeas, 0 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

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

Yea: 139 (published)
Nay: 0 (published)
Present, not voting: 1 (published)
Absent: 3 (derived from named list)
Excused: 7 (derived from named list)

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

House May 22, 2025

Yea: 141
Nay: 0
Present, not voting: 2
Absent: 4
Excused: 3

Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 3297

CSSB 2601 was passed to third reading by (Record 3297): 141 Yeas, 0 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

Yea: 141 (published)
Nay: 0 (published)
Present, not voting: 2 (published)
Absent: 4 (derived from named list)
Excused: 3 (derived from named list)

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

Senate Apr 24, 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 engrossment, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records final passage. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Sources

CSSB 2601 (Blanco) Relating to the landowner compensation program. (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 Apr 24, 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 engrossment, 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

CSSB 2601 (Blanco) Relating to the landowner compensation program. (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 Apr 24, 2025

Passage to engrossment

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 engrossment, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records passage to engrossment. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

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

Sources

CSSB 2601 (Blanco) Relating to the landowner compensation program. (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.

Witnesses11

For: 7
Against: 2
On: 2

Names

For

Self; South Texans’ Property Rights Association2 registrations
Self; Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association1 registration
Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association1 registration
Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops1 registration
Texas Farm Bureau2 registrations

Against

Self2 registrations

On

Office of the Attorney General2 registrations

Sources

11 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 30, 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.

Sources

Texas Senate · Filed Mar 13, 2025

06/20/2025 E Effective on 9/1/25

Texas Legislature Online · Introduced · Senate Committee Report · Engrossed · House Committee Report · Enrolled

Data snapshot Nov 1, 2026 at 3:20 PM CST. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Coauthors

Brian BirdwellRSenate 22

Sarah EckhardtDSenate 14

Pete FloresRSenate 24

Juan "Chuy" HinojosaDSenate 20

Lois KolkhorstRSenate 18

Judith ZaffiriniDSenate 21

Companion

HB 246 by Guillen (similar)

Subjects

Agriculture

Crimes--Against Property

Insurance--Insurers & Agents

Insurance--Property & Casualty

Law Enforcement

State Finances--Management & Control

BORDER

ATTORNEY GENERAL

Text

The text as introduced · 418 words

By: Blanco
S.B. No. 2601

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a program to compensate landowners for property damage

caused by certain criminal activities.

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

SECTION 1. Article 56C.001(2), Code of Criminal Procedure,

is amended to read as follows:

(2) "Border crime" means conduct:

(A) constituting an offense under:

(i) Subchapter D, Chapter 481, Health and

Safety Code;

(ii) Section 20.05 , 20.06, or 38.04, Penal

Code; or

(iii) Chapter 20A, Penal Code; and

(B) involving transnational criminal activity.

SECTION 2. Article 56C.003, Code of Criminal Procedure, is

amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (b-1) and

(c-1) to read as follows:

(a) From money appropriated for the purpose, the attorney

general shall establish and administer a program to compensate

landowners and lessees who suffer real property damage on

agricultural land caused by:

(1) a trespasser as a result of an offense under

Chapter 28, Penal Code, that was committed in the course of or in

furtherance of a border crime; or

(2) a law enforcement response to a trespasser who was

engaged in a border crime.

(b-1) For purposes of Subsection (a), damage caused to

agricultural land includes any debris, pollutants, or contaminants

left on the land during the applicable incident, and compensation

awarded under this article may include an amount necessary to

restore the soil to its agricultural use.

(c-1) The attorney general may not award compensation under

this article to a lessee for real property damage caused by a

trespasser described by Subsection (a)(1) unless the lessee

provides a notarized statement from the landowner authorizing the

lessee to directly receive compensation awarded under this article

for the damage.

SECTION 3. Section 2251.052, Insurance Code, is amended by

adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:

(a-1) In setting rates, an insurer may not consider whether

a claim has been made by or on behalf of a policyholder in relation

to an event documented by a report described by Article 56C.003(c),

Code of Criminal Procedure.

SECTION 4. Section 2251.052(a-1), Insurance Code, as added

by this Act, applies only to an insurance policy that is delivered,

issued for delivery, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. A

policy delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed before January 1,

2026, is governed by the law as it existed immediately 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.

Verdict: Smells

The receipt

SOLD BY

ITEM

WHAT IT DOES

CHARGES

TOTAL

HISTORY

SIGNED FOR BY

Donors

Agave Democratic Infrastructure Fund

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

Border Health PAC

Agave Democratic Infrastructure Fund

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

Border Health PAC

House May 31, 2025

Senate May 30, 2025

House May 23, 2025

House May 22, 2025

Senate Apr 24, 2025

Senate Apr 24, 2025

Senate Apr 24, 2025

For

Against

On

Companion