SB 2736
Tax Zones In 2 Million-Plus Cities Must Use City Lawyers
Died in committee
Verdict: Smells
Why it's charged
Bracket bill
THE TEXT
“This subsection applies only to a reinvestment zone created by a municipality with a population of at least two million.”
Bill text, introduced version (I)
A population floor of two million aims this Tax Code change at the zones of very few cities, and possibly only one. The caption does say "certain" zones, but the text never says which city the bill is aimed at.
Bracket billInitial 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 requirement that the board of directors of certain tax increment reinvestment zones utilize the services of the legal department of the municipality that created the zone.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Summary
The caption says “certain” zones and the text names no city. Very few qualify, possibly one.
The bill requires the board of a tax increment reinvestment zone to use the legal department of the city that created the zone as its main lawyer. It applies only to zones created by a city with at least two million people, and the city attorney may hire and oversee outside lawyers for the zone when needed. Existing legal contracts stay in place, but any renewal, change or extension on or after September 1, 2025, must follow the new rule.
Labels
Labels: NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Mar 13, 2025 and referred to the Senate Economic Development committee. No public hearing. The bill died.
Receipt
The receipt
89R-SB2736 · 2025-03-13
SOLD BY
ITEM
relating to the requirement that the board of directors of certain tax increment reinvestment zones utilize the services of the legal department of the municipality that created the zone.
WHAT IT DOES
The caption says “certain” zones and the text names no city. Very few qualify, possibly one.
The bill requires the board of a tax increment reinvestment zone to use the legal department of the city that created the zone as its main lawyer. It applies only to zones created by a city with at least two million people, and the city attorney may hire and oversee outside lawyers for the zone when needed. Existing legal contracts stay in place, but any renewal, change or extension on or after September 1, 2025, must follow the new rule.
CHARGES
[x] BRACKET BILLanalysis confidence 60%
THE TEXT
“This subsection applies only to a reinvestment zone created by a municipality with a population of at least two million.”
Bill text, introduced version (I)
A population floor of two million aims this Tax Code change at the zones of very few cities, and possibly only one. The caption does say "certain" zones, but the text never says which city the bill is aimed at.
TOTAL
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
HISTORY
- Received by the Secretary of the Senate
- Filed
- Read first time
- Referred to Economic Development
FILED UNDER
No verified beat found.
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 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.
Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC$15,000.00
Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC
$15,000.00
- Cash
- $15,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $15,000.00
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.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Dec 13, 2024 to Jun 5, 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: 100987960, 101029944, 101057026.
Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC
$15,000.00
- Cash
- $15,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $15,000.00
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.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Dec 13, 2024 to Jun 5, 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: 100987960, 101029944, 101057026.
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 13, 2025
04/03/2025 S Referred to Economic Development
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 · Economic Development · Final status: Died in committee
Subjects
City Government--General
Economic & Industrial Development--General
Lawyers
Taxation--City
REINVESTMENT ZONES
Text
The text as introduced · 227 words
89R15901 BEF-D By: Cook S.B. No. 2736 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the requirement that the board of directors of certain tax increment reinvestment zones utilize the services of the legal department of the municipality that created the zone. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 311.010, Tax Code, is amended by adding Subsection (j) to read as follows: (j) The board of directors of a reinvestment zone to which this subsection applies shall utilize the legal department of the municipality that created the zone as the zone's primary legal counsel. If the city attorney for the municipality that created the reinvestment zone determines that it is necessary, the city attorney may retain and oversee outside legal counsel for the zone. This subsection applies only to a reinvestment zone created by a municipality with a population of at least two million. SECTION 2. Section 311.010(j), Tax Code, as added by this Act, does not apply to a contract or agreement for legal services entered into before the effective date of this Act, except that Section 311.010(j), Tax Code, as added by this Act, does apply to any renewal, modification, or extension of the contract or agreement that occurs on or after the effective date of this Act. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.