Monitoring the Session

SB 2778

bill raising ESD employee spending limit from $2,000 to $50,000

Became law, effective Sep 1, 2025

Verdict: No flags

No flagsInitial review
Sen. Adam HinojosaRSenate 27

Initial review · graded Oct 19, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade

Caption

relating to the amount of an expenditure that may be paid by an emergency services district employee without board approval.

Caption from analyzed text · version I.

Summary

No board approval needed up to $50,000!

The bill raises the dollar limit on what a bonded emergency services district employee can pay out without going to the district board first, from $2,000 to $50,000. It touches emergency services districts, their boards, and the employees the board has authorized to sign checks. Starting September 1, 2025, district staff can pay bills up to $50,000 on their own signature, and only spending above that must be presented to and approved by the board.

Labels

Labels: BUZZER BEATER. Final vote May 30, 2025: the Senate adopted the conference committee report. 3 days before the session ended Jun 2, 2025.NO AUTOGRAPH. Became law without the governor's signature on Jun 20, 2025.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-SB2778 · 2025-03-14

SOLD BY

Sen. Adam HinojosaRSenate 27

ITEM

relating to the amount of an expenditure that may be paid by an emergency services district employee without board approval.

WHAT IT DOES

No board approval needed up to $50,000!

The bill raises the dollar limit on what a bonded emergency services district employee can pay out without going to the district board first, from $2,000 to $50,000. It touches emergency services districts, their boards, and the employees the board has authorized to sign checks. Starting September 1, 2025, district staff can pay bills up to $50,000 on their own signature, and only spending above that must be presented to and approved by the board.

CHARGES

[ ] NONE FOUND

TOTAL

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version F · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version F · May 27, 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

  1. Received by the Secretary of the Senate
  2. Filed
  3. Read first time
  4. Referred to Local Government
  5. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  6. Considered in public hearing
  7. Testimony taken in committee
  8. Left pending in committee
  9. Considered in public hearing
  10. Vote taken in committee
  11. Reported favorably w/o amendments
  12. Recommended for local & uncontested calendar
  13. Committee report printed and distributed
  14. Placed on intent calendar
  15. Rules suspended-Regular order of business
  16. Vote recorded in Journal
  17. Read 2nd time & passed to engrossment
  18. Vote recorded in Journal
  19. Three day rule suspended
  20. Record vote
  21. Read 3rd time
  22. Passed
  23. Record vote
  24. Reported engrossed
  25. Received from the Senate
  26. Read first time
  27. Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs
  28. Considered in formal meeting
  29. Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
  30. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  31. Committee report distributed
  32. Committee report sent to Calendars
  33. Considered in Calendars
  34. Placed on General State Calendar
  35. Read 2nd time
  36. Passed to 3rd reading
  37. Record vote RV#3241
  38. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  39. Read 3rd time
  40. Amendment fails of adoption 1-Oliverson
  41. Record vote RV#3320
  42. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  43. Passed
  44. Record vote RV#3321
  45. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  46. Vote reconsidered
  47. Vote reconsidered
  48. Amended 1-Oliverson
  49. Record vote RV#3379
  50. Passed as amended
  51. Record vote RV#3380
  52. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  53. House passage as amended reported
  54. House amendment(s) laid before the Senate
  55. Read
  56. Senate refuses to concur
  57. Senate requests conference committee
  58. Senate appoints conferees
  59. Senate refuses to concur-reported
  60. Senate requests conference committee-reported
  61. Senate appoints conferees-reported
  62. House grants request for conference committee
  63. House appoints conferees
  64. House grants request for conf comm-reported
  65. House appoints conferees-reported
  66. Conference committee report filed
  67. Conf. Comm. Report distributed
  68. House adopts conference committee report
  69. Record vote RV#4051
  70. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  71. House adopts conf. comm. report-reported
  72. Senate adopts conference committee report
  73. Record vote
  74. Reported enrolled
  75. Senate adopts conf. comm. report-reported
  76. Signed in the Senate
  77. Signed in the House
  78. Sent to the Governor
  79. Filed without the Governor's signature
  80. Effective on 9/1/25
FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 108 yea · 33 nay

Senate · 29 yea · 2 nay

Sources

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

Senate: Final passage · May 6, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

All floor motions and other positions below.

No flags

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Adam Hinojosa

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$100KMayes Middleton$34,597Greg Abbott Campaign$33K

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 28, 2024 to May 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.

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$100,000.00

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$100,000.00

Cash
$100,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$100,000.00

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.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Oct 28, 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: 100989239.

Mayes Middleton$34,596.72
Greg Abbott Campaign$33,489.82

Greg Abbott Campaign

$33,489.82

Cash
$0.00
Paid by others
$33,489.82
Total
$33,489.82
travel $16,942.43text $12,002.83event $4,544.56

Also funds 9 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Oct 29, 2024 to Sep 2, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Oct 29, 2024 to Nov 12, 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: 100989239.

Money

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

×

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$100,000.00

Cash
$100,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$100,000.00

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.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Oct 28, 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: 100989239.

×

Greg Abbott Campaign

$33,489.82

Cash
$0.00
Paid by others
$33,489.82
Total
$33,489.82
travel $16,942.43text $12,002.83event $4,544.56

Also funds 9 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Oct 29, 2024 to Sep 2, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Oct 29, 2024 to Nov 12, 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: 100989239.

Votes10

Senate May 30, 2025

Yea
29
Nay
2
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
0
Excused
0
Names

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

Senate journal

Sources

On motion of Senator A. Hinojosa, the Conference Committee Report was adopted by the following vote: Yeas 29, Nays 2.

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

  • Yea: 29 (published)
  • Nay: 2 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

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

House May 29, 2025

Yea
97
Nay
39
Present, not voting
1
Absent
7
Excused
6
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 4051

Representative Lujan moved to adopt the conference committee report on SB 2778. The motion to adopt the conference committee report on SB 2778 prevailed by (Record 4051): 97 Yeas, 39 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 97 (published)
  • Nay: 39 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 1 (published)
  • Absent: 7 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 6 (derived from named list)

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

House May 23, 2025

Yea
108
Nay
33
Present, not voting
1
Absent
1
Excused
7
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 3380

SB 2778, as amended, was passed by (Record 3380): 108 Yeas, 33 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 108 (published)
  • Nay: 33 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 1 (published)
  • Absent: 1 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 7 (derived from named list)

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

House May 23, 2025

Yea
141
Nay
0
Present, not voting
1
Absent
1
Excused
7
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 3379

Amendment No. 1 was adopted by (Record 3379): 141 Yeas, 0 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 141 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 1 (published)
  • Absent: 1 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 7 (derived from named list)

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

House May 23, 2025

Yea
86
Nay
49
Present, not voting
3
Absent
5
Excused
7
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 3321

SB 2778 was passed by (Record 3321): 86 Yeas, 49 Nays, 3 Present, not voting. (The vote was reconsidered later today, and SB 2778 was amended and was passed, as amended, by Record No. 3380.)

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

  • Yea: 86 (published)
  • Nay: 49 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 3 (published)
  • Absent: 5 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 7 (derived from named list)

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

House May 23, 2025

Yea
87
Nay
47
Present, not voting
5
Absent
4
Excused
7
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 3320

Amendment No. 1 failed of adoption (not receiving the necessary two-thirds vote) by (Record 3320): 87 Yeas, 47 Nays, 5 Present, not voting. (The vote was reconsidered later today, and Amendment No. 1 was adopted by Record No. 3379.)

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

  • Yea: 87 (published)
  • Nay: 47 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 5 (published)
  • Absent: 4 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 7 (derived from named list)

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

House May 22, 2025

Yea
89
Nay
49
Present, not voting
2
Absent
4
Excused
6
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 3241

SB 2778 was passed to third reading by (Record 3241): 89 Yeas, 49 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 89 (published)
  • Nay: 49 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 4 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 6 (derived from named list)

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

Senate May 6, 2025

Yea
29
Nay
2
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
0
Excused
0
Names

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

Senate journal

Sources

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 29, Nays 2. (Same as previous roll call)

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

  • Yea: 29 (published)
  • Nay: 2 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

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

Senate May 6, 2025

Yea
29
Nay
2
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
0
Excused
0
Names

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

Senate journal

Sources

Senator A. Hinojosa moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that SB 2778 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 29, Nays 2.

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

  • Yea: 29 (published)
  • Nay: 2 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

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

Senate May 6, 2025

Yea
Not printed
Nay
Not printed
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

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

Senate journal

Names were not printed for yea. Only the named positions are included in member records.

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

Sources

Senator A. Hinojosa moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration SB 2778 at this time on its second reading: SB 2778, Relating to the amount of an expenditure that may be paid by an emergency services district employee without board approval. The motion prevailed. Senators Hancock and Hughes asked to be recorded as voting "Nay" on suspension of the regular order of business. The bill was read second time and was passed to engrossment by a viva voce vote.

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.

Witnesses12
For
11
Against
1
On
0
Names

For

  • Bexar County ESD Association1 registration
  • Self1 registration
  • Self; Bexar County Emergency Services Districts Association1 registration
  • Self; Bexar County ESD Association1 registration
  • Self; Bexar County ESD No. 21 registration
  • Self; Montgomery co emergency service district 61 registration
  • Self; Montgomery County ESD #31 registration
  • Self; Montgomery County ESD11 registration
  • Self; Parker County ESD No. 1, Texas Fire Chiefs Association1 registration
  • Self; Porter FD, Montgomery Co. ESD 61 registration
  • Texas State Association of Fire and Emergency Districts1 registration

Against

  • County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas1 registration
Sources

12 parsed registrations across the loaded witness lists.

Derived stock of witness registrations. Repeated appearances count separately. Organizations and self-representation appear as printed.

Senate witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Fiscal

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version F · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version F · May 27, 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 19, 2026, against the published rubric.

Sources

Texas Senate · Filed Mar 14, 2025

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

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

Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 6:51 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Sponsors
John LujanRHouse 118 Will MetcalfRHouse 16

House committee · Intergovernmental Affairs · Committee vote 8 aye, 2 nay, 1 absent · Out of committee

Senate committee · Local Government · Committee vote 6 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent · Out of committee

Companion

HB 1646 by Lujan (identical)

Subjects

Health--Emergency Services & Personnel

Special Districts & Authorities--Miscellaneous

Text

The text as introduced · 193 words

89R4154 MCF-D

By: Hinojosa of Nueces
S.B. No. 2778

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the amount of an expenditure that may be paid by an

emergency services district employee without board approval.

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

SECTION 1. Section 775.073(b), Health and Safety Code, is

amended to read as follows:

(b) The board by resolution may allow a district employee

who has executed a bond in an amount equal to the amount required

for the district treasurer to sign an instrument to disburse

district funds. An expenditure of more than $50,000 [ $2,000 ] may

not be paid unless the expenditure is presented to the board and the

board approves the expenditure.

SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only

to a purchase made on or after the effective date of this Act. A

purchase made before the effective date of this Act 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 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.