Monitoring the SessionSB 861
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 distribution of funds designated for the low-income vehicle repair assistance, retrofit, and accelerated vehicle retirement program.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
By January 1, 2026, if the legislature appropriates it.
The bill orders the state environmental commission to send leftover money from the old low-income vehicle repair and retirement program back to the counties that collected those fees, by January 1, 2026. It touches counties that took part in the program and remitted the fees, and only money the legislature actually appropriates for this purpose can be paid out. Counties get their share in rough proportion to the fees collected in their area and may spend it only on the local air quality programs already allowed under existing law, and the section expires September 1, 2029.
Labels: ZOMBIE BILL. Died 2 times: 88R SB 607 (Died in committee) and this bill (Died in committee). Checked against 88R only.BACK FROM THE DEAD. Same text as a bill filed before that died: 88R SB 607 (Died in committee). 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.NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Jan 22, 2025 and referred to the Senate Finance committee. No public hearing. The bill died.
89R-SB861 · 2025-01-22
relating to the distribution of funds designated for the low-income vehicle repair assistance, retrofit, and accelerated vehicle retirement program.
By January 1, 2026, if the legislature appropriates it.
The bill orders the state environmental commission to send leftover money from the old low-income vehicle repair and retirement program back to the counties that collected those fees, by January 1, 2026. It touches counties that took part in the program and remitted the fees, and only money the legislature actually appropriates for this purpose can be paid out. Counties get their share in rough proportion to the fees collected in their area and may spend it only on the local air quality programs already allowed under existing law, and the section expires September 1, 2029.
[ ] 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 · Jul 1, 2024 to Oct 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.
$129,500.00
Also funds 121 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 3, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamDerived itemized flow · Nov 27, 2024 to May 12, 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: 100990378, 101033698, 101040111, 101052272.
Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
$129,500.00
Also funds 121 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 3, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamDerived itemized flow · Nov 27, 2024 to May 12, 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: 100990378, 101033698, 101040111, 101052272.
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 Sen. Johnson, same lead author · Died in committee · same text
Introduced textLast action, Feb 17, 2023: Referred to Natural Resources & Economic Development
Relating to the distribution of funds designated for the low-income vehicle repair assistance, retrofit, and accelerated vehicle retirement program.
Caption, 88R bill history
Texas Senate · Filed Jan 22, 2025
04/03/2025 S Referred to Finance
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 · Finance · Final status: Died in committee
HB 1361 by Hernandez (identical)
County Government--Finance
Environment--Air
Vehicles & Traffic--General
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, TEXAS COMMISSION ON
The text as introduced · 253 words
89R1423 DRS-D By: Johnson S.B. No. 861 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the distribution of funds designated for the low-income vehicle repair assistance, retrofit, and accelerated vehicle retirement program. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter G, Chapter 382, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Section 382.221 to read as follows: Sec. 382.221. DISTRIBUTION OF LOW-INCOME VEHICLE REPAIR ASSISTANCE, RETROFIT, AND ACCELERATED VEHICLE RETIREMENT PROGRAM FUNDS. (a) This section applies only to a county that: (1) is or was a participating county; and (2) has remitted to the state fees collected for the low-income vehicle repair assistance, retrofit, and accelerated vehicle retirement program. (b) Notwithstanding Sections 382.202(g), 382.209, and 382.220, not later than January 1, 2026, the commission shall distribute to the counties described by Subsection (a) all available money collected before September 1, 2025, under Section 382.202(e) or 382.302 that was designated for the low-income vehicle repair assistance, retrofit, and accelerated vehicle retirement program and is appropriated by the legislature for the purposes described by this subsection. (c) The commission shall distribute the money in reasonable proportion to the amount of fees collected under Section 382.202(e) or 382.302 in those counties or in the regions in which those counties are located. (d) A county that receives money under this section may use the money only to fund a program authorized by Section 382.220(b). (e) This section expires September 1, 2029. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.