Monitoring the Session

SB 2807

Hagenbuch Bill Says Truck Safety Tools Aren’t Evidence Of Employment

Became law, effective Sep 1, 2025

Verdict: No flags

No flagsInitial review
Sen. Brent HagenbuchRSenate 30

Initial 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 the considerations when determining whether an operator of a motor vehicle is an employee of a motor carrier or an independent contractor.

Caption from analyzed text · version H.

Summary

Carriers can require devices, software and training without nudging a driver toward employee status.

The bill says a trucking company's use of safety tools cannot be counted as evidence that a driver is its employee rather than an independent contractor. It touches motor carriers and the drivers who work with them, along with anyone deciding driver employment status under state law. On the ground, carriers can require safety devices, software, training or policies tied to those tools without that fact pushing a driver toward employee status.

Labels

Labels: BUZZER BEATER. Final vote May 30, 2025: the Senate concurred in the House amendments. 3 days before the session ended Jun 2, 2025.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-SB2807 · 2025-03-14

SOLD BY

Sen. Brent HagenbuchRSenate 30

ITEM

relating to the considerations when determining whether an operator of a motor vehicle is an employee of a motor carrier or an independent contractor.

WHAT IT DOES

Carriers can require devices, software and training without nudging a driver toward employee status.

The bill says a trucking company's use of safety tools cannot be counted as evidence that a driver is its employee rather than an independent contractor. It touches motor carriers and the drivers who work with them, along with anyone deciding driver employment status under state law. On the ground, carriers can require safety devices, software, training or policies tied to those tools without that fact pushing a driver toward employee status.

CHARGES

[ ] NONE FOUND

TOTAL

Net to General Revenue · FY 2026$0

LBB estimate, flow · fiscal note version F · ( ) = negative · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version F · May 29, 2025

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB2807, As Passed 2nd House: an impact of $0 through the biennium ending August 31, 2027. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.

First year · FY 2026 · $0

Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds

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 Transportation
  5. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  6. Considered in public hearing
  7. Testimony taken in committee
  8. Vote taken in committee
  9. Reported favorably w/o amendments
  10. Committee report printed and distributed
  11. Placed on intent calendar
  12. Rules suspended-Regular order of business
  13. Vote recorded in Journal
  14. Read 2nd time
  15. Amendment(s) offered FA1 Johnson
  16. Amended
  17. Vote recorded in Journal
  18. Passed to engrossment as amended
  19. Vote recorded in Journal
  20. Three day rule suspended
  21. Record vote
  22. Read 3rd time
  23. Passed
  24. Record vote
  25. Reported engrossed
  26. Received from the Senate
  27. Read first time
  28. Referred to Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
  29. Posting rule suspended
  30. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  31. Considered in public hearing
  32. Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
  33. Left pending in committee
  34. Considered in public hearing
  35. Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
  36. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  37. Committee report distributed
  38. Committee report sent to Calendars
  39. Considered in Calendars
  40. Placed on General State Calendar
  41. Read 2nd time
  42. Passed to 3rd reading
  43. Read 3rd time
  44. Postponed 5/28/25 7:30 AM
  45. Record vote RV#3663
  46. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  47. Laid out as postponed business
  48. Amended 1-Capriglione
  49. Passed as amended
  50. Record vote RV#3920
  51. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  52. House passage as amended reported
  53. House amendment(s) laid before the Senate
  54. Read
  55. Senate concurs in House amendment(s)
  56. Record vote
  57. Senate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported
  58. Reported enrolled
  59. Signed in the Senate
  60. Signed in the House
  61. Sent to the Governor
  62. Signed by the Governor
  63. Effective on 9/1/25
FILED UNDER

SPEECH AND LAWFARE

THE TEXT

…“may not be considered when determining whether the operator of a motor vehicle is an employee or joint employee of the motor carrier or an independent contractor for purposes of state law”

Bill text, House committee report version (H)

The bill removes one category of evidence from driver misclassification disputes, which narrows the claims drivers can bring against motor carriers.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 96 yea · 42 nay

Senate · 30 yea · 1 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 28, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · Apr 30, 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

Brent Hagenbuch

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$50KDenton County Republican Lincoln Cabinet PAC$25KJohn Kleinheinz$25,000

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.

Team
Sources

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.

John Kleinheinz$25,000.00
Money

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.

Team
Sources

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.

Votes6

Senate May 30, 2025

Yea
30
Nay
1
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.

Sources

Senator Hagenbuch moved to concur in the House amendment to SB 2807. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1.

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

  • Yea: 30 (published)
  • Nay: 1 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

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

House May 28, 2025

Yea
96
Nay
42
Present, not voting
2
Absent
3
Excused
7
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 3920

SB 2807, as amended, was passed by (Record 3920): 96 Yeas, 42 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 96 (published)
  • Nay: 42 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 3 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 7 (derived from named list)

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

House May 27, 2025

Yea
87
Nay
52
Present, not voting
3
Absent
5
Excused
3
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 3663

Representative Curry moved to postpone consideration of SB 2807 until 7:30 a.m. tomorrow. The motion prevailed by (Record 3663): 87 Yeas, 52 Nays, 3 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 87 (published)
  • Nay: 52 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 3 (published)
  • Absent: 5 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 3 (derived from named list)

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

Senate Apr 30, 2025

Yea
30
Nay
1
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.

Sources

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1. (Same as previous roll call)

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

  • Yea: 30 (published)
  • Nay: 1 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

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

Senate Apr 30, 2025

Yea
30
Nay
1
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.

Sources

Senator Hagenbuch moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that SB 2807 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1.

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

  • Yea: 30 (published)
  • Nay: 1 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

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

Senate Apr 30, 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

SB 2807 as amended 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.

Witnesses11
For
10
Against
1
On
0
Names

For

  • AAA Texas1 registration
  • American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA)2 registrations
  • Double Diamond Transport1 registration
  • Refrigerated Transport Inc.1 registration
  • Self; Scopelitis1 registration
  • Texans for Lawsuit Reform1 registration
  • Texans for Lawsuit Reform (TLR)1 registration
  • Texas Trucking Association2 registrations

Against

  • Texas Trial Lawyers Association1 registration
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
Net to General Revenue · FY 2026$0

LBB estimate, flow · fiscal note version F · ( ) = negative · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version F · May 29, 2025

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB2807, As Passed 2nd House: an impact of $0 through the biennium ending August 31, 2027. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.

First year · FY 2026 · $0

Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

How this was graded

Analysis of text version H by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 22, 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 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Sponsors
Pat CurryRHouse 56

House committee · Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence · Committee vote 6 aye, 5 nay · Out of committee

Senate committee · Transportation · Committee vote 9 aye, 0 nay · Out of committee

Subjects

Crimes--Miscellaneous

Occupational Regulation--Other Trades & Professions

Safety

Vehicles & Traffic--General

Vehicles & Traffic--Rules of Road

ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS, STATE OFFICE OF

MOTOR VEHICLES, TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION

TRANSPORTATION, TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF

Text

The text as introduced · 224 words

89R19455 TYPED

By: Hagenbuch
S.B. No. 2807

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the considerations when determining whether an operator

of a motor vehicle is an employee of a motor carrier or an

independent contractor.

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

SECTION 1. Subtitle F, Title 7, Transportation Code, is

amended by adding Chapter 644A to read as follows:

CHAPTER 644A. MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY IMPROVEMENT: EMPLOYMENT STATUS

Sec. 644A.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:

(1) "Motor carrier" has the meaning assigned by

Section 643.001.

(2) "Motor carrier safety improvement" means any

device, equipment, software, technology, procedure, training,

policy, program, or operational practice that is intended and

primarily used to improve or facilitate:

(A) compliance with traffic safety or motor

carrier safety laws;

(B) safety of a motor vehicle;

(C) safety of an operator of a motor vehicle; and

(D) safety of third-party users of public

roadways.

Sec. 644A.002. EMPLOYMENT STATUS. The deployment,

implementation, or use of a motor carrier safety improvement by or

as required by a motor carrier or a related entity, including

through contract, may not be considered when determining whether

the operator of a motor vehicle is an employee or joint employee of

the motor carrier or an independent contractor for purposes of

state law.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.