Monitoring the Session

SB 974

teachers can serve on appraisal review boards

Vetoed

Verdict: No flags

No flagsInitial review
Sen. Sarah EckhardtDSenate 14

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

Caption

relating to the eligibility of a person employed by a school district as a teacher to serve on the appraisal review board of an appraisal district.

Caption from analyzed text · version I.

Summary

A carve-out from the taxing unit employee ban.

The bill changes the rule that bars employees of taxing units from serving on a county appraisal review board, the panel that hears property owners' value protests. It carves out one group: people employed by a school district as teachers, who would now be eligible to serve even though a school district is a taxing unit. Starting September 1, 2025, school teachers could sit on appraisal review boards, while other taxing-unit employees and officers remain barred.

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.ZOMBIE BILL. Died 2 times: 88R SB 361 (Vetoed) and this bill (Vetoed). Checked against 88R only.BACK FROM THE DEAD. Same text as a bill filed before that died: 88R SB 361 (Vetoed). 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.ACROSS THE AISLE. Joint authors: 3 Republicans, 4 Democrats. Party as the Legislative Reference Library lists it for the 89th Legislature.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-SB974 · 2025-01-29

SOLD BY

Sen. Sarah EckhardtDSenate 14 Sen. Paul BettencourtRSenate 7 Sen. Molly CookDSenate 15

+ 4 more authors

ITEM

relating to the eligibility of a person employed by a school district as a teacher to serve on the appraisal review board of an appraisal district.

WHAT IT DOES

A carve-out from the taxing unit employee ban.

The bill changes the rule that bars employees of taxing units from serving on a county appraisal review board, the panel that hears property owners' value protests. It carves out one group: people employed by a school district as teachers, who would now be eligible to serve even though a school district is a taxing unit. Starting September 1, 2025, school teachers could sit on appraisal review boards, while other taxing-unit employees and officers remain barred.

CHARGES

[ ] NONE FOUND

TOTAL

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version H · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version H · May 21, 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. Record vote
  17. Read 2nd time & passed to engrossment
  18. Record vote
  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 s/c on Property Tax Appraisals by Speaker
  28. Scheduled for public hearing in s/c on . . .
  29. Considered by s/c in public hearing
  30. Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in subcommittee
  31. Left pending in subcommittee
  32. Considered by s/c in formal meeting
  33. Reported from s/c favorably w/o amendment(s)
  34. Considered in formal meeting
  35. Committee substitute considered in committee
  36. Reported favorably as substituted
  37. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  38. Committee report distributed
  39. Committee report sent to Calendars
  40. Considered in Calendars
  41. Placed on General State Calendar
  42. Read 2nd time
  43. Failed to pass to 3rd reading
  44. Record vote RV#3772
  45. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  46. 1 hr. notice-for reconsideration
  47. Vote reconsidered
  48. Record vote RV#3797
  49. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  50. Passed to 3rd reading
  51. Record vote RV#3798
  52. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  53. Read 3rd time
  54. Passed
  55. Record vote RV#3901
  56. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  57. House passage as amended reported
  58. House amendment(s) laid before the Senate
  59. Read
  60. Senate concurs in House amendment(s)
  61. Record vote
  62. Senate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported
  63. Reported enrolled
  64. Signed in the Senate
  65. Signed in the House
  66. Sent to the Governor
  67. Vetoed by the Governor
FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 80 yea · 56 nay

Senate · 21 yea · 8 nay

Sources

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

Senate: Final passage · Mar 20, 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

Sarah Eckhardt

Donors

Donald Henley$117,500Dale Linebarger$38,769Stephen McNally$24,000

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 · 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.

Donald Henley$117,500.00
Dale Linebarger$38,769.25
Stephen McNally$24,000.00
Money

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

Votes9

Senate May 30, 2025

Yea
23
Nay
8
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 Eckhardt moved to concur in the House amendment to SB 974. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 23, Nays 8.

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

  • Yea: 23 (published)
  • Nay: 8 (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 28, 2025

Yea
80
Nay
56
Present, not voting
2
Absent
5
Excused
7
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 3901

SB 974 was passed by (Record 3901): 80 Yeas, 56 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 80 (published)
  • Nay: 56 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 5 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 7 (derived from named list)

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

House May 27, 2025

Yea
94
Nay
51
Present, not voting
1
Absent
1
Excused
3
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 3798

CSSB 974 was passed to third reading by (Record 3798): 94 Yeas, 51 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 94 (published)
  • Nay: 51 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 1 (published)
  • Absent: 1 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 3 (derived from named list)

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

House May 27, 2025

Yea
93
Nay
47
Present, not voting
1
Absent
6
Excused
3
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 3797

Representative Harris moved to reconsider the vote by which CSSB 974 failed to pass to third reading by Record No. 3772. The motion to reconsider prevailed by (Record 3797): 93 Yeas, 47 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 93 (published)
  • Nay: 47 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 1 (published)
  • Absent: 6 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 3 (derived from named list)

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

House May 27, 2025

Yea
67
Nay
79
Present, not voting
1
Absent
0
Excused
3
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 3772

CSSB 974 failed to pass to third reading by (Record 3772): 67 Yeas, 79 Nays, 1 Present, not voting. (The vote was reconsidered later today, and CSSB 974 passed to third reading by Record No. 3798.)

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

  • Yea: 67 (published)
  • Nay: 79 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 1 (published)
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 3 (derived from named list)

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

Senate Mar 20, 2025

Yea
21
Nay
8
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
0
Excused
2
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 21, Nays 8.

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

  • Yea: 21 (published)
  • Nay: 8 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 2 (derived from named list)

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

Senate Mar 20, 2025

Yea
24
Nay
5
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
0
Excused
2
Names

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

Senate journal

Sources

Senator Eckhardt moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that SB 974 be placed on its third reading and final passage: SB 974, Relating to the eligibility of a person employed by a school district as a teacher to serve on the appraisal review board of an appraisal district. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 24, Nays 5.

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

  • Yea: 24 (published)
  • Nay: 5 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 2 (derived from named list)

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

Senate Mar 20, 2025

Yea
21
Nay
8
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
0
Excused
2
Names

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

Senate journal

Sources

The bill was read second time and was passed to engrossment by the following vote: Yeas 21, Nays 8. (Same as previous roll call)

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

  • Yea: 21 (published)
  • Nay: 8 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 2 (derived from named list)

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

Senate Mar 20, 2025

Yea
21
Nay
8
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
0
Excused
2
Names

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

Senate journal

Sources

Senator Eckhardt moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration SB 974 at this time on its second reading: SB 974, Relating to the eligibility of a person employed by a school district as a teacher to serve on the appraisal review board of an appraisal district. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 21, Nays 8.

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

  • Yea: 21 (published)
  • Nay: 8 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 2 (derived from named list)

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

Witnesses18
For
12
Against
6
On
0
Names

For

  • Self3 registrations
  • Self; Texas Association of Appraisal Districts1 registration
  • TASB1 registration
  • Texas AFT1 registration
  • Texas Association of School Boards1 registration
  • Texas Associaton of Appraisal Districts1 registration
  • Texas State Teachers Association2 registrations
  • Texas Taxpayers and Research Association1 registration
  • Texas Taxpayers and Research Association - (TTARA)1 registration

Against

  • Self6 registrations
Sources

18 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

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version H · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version H · May 21, 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 20, 2026, against the published rubric.

FILED BEFORE

Filed 2 times: 88R and 89R. Checked against 88R only.

88R SB 361

by Sen. Eckhardt, same lead author · Vetoed · same text

Introduced text

Last action, Jun 16, 2023: Vetoed by the Governor

Relating to the eligibility of a person employed by a school district as a teacher to serve on the appraisal review board of an appraisal district.

Caption, 88R bill history

Sources

Texas Senate · Filed Jan 29, 2025

06/22/2025 E Vetoed by the Governor

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
Chris TurnerDHouse 101

House committee · Ways & Means · Committee vote 10 aye, 2 nay, 1 absent · Out of committee

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

Subjects

Education--Primary & Secondary--Teachers

Taxation--Property-Appeal of Tax Decisions

Taxation--Property-Appraisals & Appraisal Districts

Text

The text as introduced · 153 words

89R4378 MLH-D

By: Eckhardt, et al.
S.B. No. 974

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the eligibility of a person employed by a school

district as a teacher to serve on the appraisal review board of an

appraisal district.

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

SECTION 1. Section 6.412(c), Tax Code, is amended to read as

follows:

(c) Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, a [ A ]

person is ineligible to serve on the appraisal review board if the

person is a member of the board of directors, [ an ] officer, or

employee of the appraisal district, an employee of the comptroller,

or a member of the governing body, officer, or employee of a taxing

unit. A person employed by a school district as a teacher may serve

on the appraisal review board.

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