Monitoring the SessionSB 2953
Died in committee
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
relating to the awarding of contracts by the Texas Department of Transportation for certain materials used in road construction projects.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Only when those materials cost more or last less.
The bill bars the Texas Department of Transportation from favoring a road-materials bid because it uses materials chosen on environmental, social, and governance grounds, including carbon emissions. The ban applies only when those materials are less cost effective or less durable than other materials for the same project. Starting September 1, 2025, TxDOT bid reviewers cannot pick a greener but costlier or weaker material on the basis of those criteria.
Labels: ZOMBIE BILL. Died 2 times: 88R HB 2977 by Rep. Caroline Harris (Did not pass) and this bill (Died in committee). Checked against 88R only.BACK FROM THE DEAD. Same text as a bill filed before that died: 88R HB 2977 by Rep. Caroline Harris (Did not pass). Filed in 2 sessions, counting this one. Checked against 88R only.TRY NO. 2. Filed in 2 sessions: 88R and 89R. Checked against 88R only.QUICK READ: 150 WORDS. The bill as filed runs 150 words, counting the existing law it amends and the text it strikes. The median 89R bill as filed runs 441 words (derived, 8,702 graded bills, snapshot Oct 19, 2026).NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Mar 14, 2025 and referred to the Senate Transportation committee. No public hearing. The bill died.
89R-SB2953 · 2025-03-14
relating to the awarding of contracts by the Texas Department of Transportation for certain materials used in road construction projects.
Only when those materials cost more or last less.
The bill bars the Texas Department of Transportation from favoring a road-materials bid because it uses materials chosen on environmental, social, and governance grounds, including carbon emissions. The ban applies only when those materials are less cost effective or less durable than other materials for the same project. Starting September 1, 2025, TxDOT bid reviewers cannot pick a greener but costlier or weaker material on the basis of those criteria.
[ ] NONE FOUND
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
No verified beat found.
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
Not tied to this bill.
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.
$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.
TeamDerived 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.
$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.
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.
Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
$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.
TeamDerived 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.
$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.
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.
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.
Filed 2 times: 88R and 89R. Checked against 88R only.
by Rep. Caroline Harris, different lead author · Did not pass · same text
Introduced textLast action, May 11, 2023: Placed on General State Calendar
Relating to the awarding of contracts by the Texas Department of Transportation for certain materials used in road construction projects.
Caption, 88R bill history
Texas Senate · Filed Mar 14, 2025
04/07/2025 S Referred to Transportation
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 · Transportation · Final status: Died in committee
HB 408 by Harris Davila (identical)
Environment--General
Transportation--Miscellaneous
COMPETITIVE BIDDING
CONSTRUCTION & BUILDING MATERIALS
TRANSPORTATION, TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF
The text as introduced · 150 words
89R2937 SRA-D By: Hagenbuch S.B. No. 2953 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the awarding of contracts by the Texas Department of Transportation for certain materials used in road construction projects. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 223, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Section 223.0471 to read as follows: Sec. 223.0471. PROHIBITED PREFERENCE FOR CERTAIN BIDS BASED ON USE OF ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND GOVERNANCE CRITERIA FOR MATERIAL SELECTION. In comparing bids for materials to be used in a project to which this chapter applies, the department may not give a preference to a bid that proposes using certain materials based on environmental, social, and governance criteria, including carbon emission criteria, if the proposed materials are less cost effective or durable than alternative materials for the same project. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.