A new bill authored by State Rep. Money in the Texas House seeks to enhance oversight and enforcement of standards for migrant labor housing facilities in Texas, according to the Texas Legislature website.
The bill on Education and Taxation category, introduced as HB 164 during the 89(1) legislative session on Tuesday, July 22, was formally listed with the short title: ’Relating to a study of alternative methods of taxation to replace revenue lost to political subdivisions if ad valorem taxes are abolished’.
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill modifies regulations surrounding migrant labor housing facilities in Texas, including adjusting civil penalties. Any breaches of the subchapter or its associated rules are subject to a minimum daily penalty of $50 per occupant. The bill authorizes the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, county attorneys, or the attorney general to take legal action to collect penalties. Migrant workers can also file complaints about violations. Operators must address complaints within a specified timeframe; failure to comply prompts inspections. The bill prohibits retaliation against those seeking to enforce housing rights, facilitates interagency collaboration to identify unlicensed facilities, and provides educational resources to stakeholders. The changes apply to violations occurring on or after Sept. 1, 2025, the act’s effective date. The department must adopt necessary rules to enforce these provisions by March 1, 2026.
Brent Money, a member of the House Committee on Agriculture & Livestock, proposed another two bills during the 89(1) legislative session. He is also a member of the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence.
Bills in Texas go through a multi-step legislative process, including committee review, debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching a final decision. Each session, there are typically thousands of bills introduced, but only a portion successfully navigate the process to become law.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
| Legislative Session | Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 89(1) | HB 163 | 07/22/2025 | Relating to the protection of an unborn child’s rights and criminal liability and justification for prohibited conduct |
| 89(1) | HB 127 | 07/18/2025 | Relating to the use by a political subdivision of public funds for lobbying activities |
| 89(R) | HB 5691 | 04/25/2025 | Relating to the creation of the Wolf Creek Municipal Management District No. 1; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes; granting a limited power of eminent domain |
| 89(R) | HB 5561 | 03/14/2025 | Relating to the diversion of certain foster youth from the juvenile justice system, including through emergency behavior intervention by certain persons providing foster care services |
| 89(R) | HB 5485 | 03/14/2025 | Relating to the standards for a school district’s library collection development policies; providing a civil penalty |
| 89(R) | HB 5454 | 03/14/2025 | Relating to the authority of a county to regulate certain land uses |
| 89(R) | HB 4727 | 03/13/2025 | Relating to the authority of a physical therapist to treat a patient without a referral |
| 89(R) | HB 4725 | 03/13/2025 | Relating to a sales tax exemption for the sale, lease, or installation of distributed energy systems for residential and business use |
| 89(R) | HB 4708 | 03/12/2025 | Relating to the Texas Ethics Commission’s jurisdiction to administer and enforce laws against certain persons |
| 89(R) | HB 4364 | 03/11/2025 | Relating to the collection of remittance transfer fees for use in enhancing border security; authorizing a fee; providing a civil penalty |
| 89(R) | HB 4363 | 03/11/2025 | Relating to battery energy storage facilities; authorizing fees |
| 89(R) | HB 4362 | 03/11/2025 | Relating to the diagnosis, maintenance, and repair of electronics-enabled implements of agriculture |
| 89(R) | HB 4360 | 03/11/2025 | Relating to the exemption of tangible personal property from ad valorem taxation; making conforming changes |
| 89(R) | HB 4008 | 03/06/2025 | Relating to a study by the office of the governor regarding the implementation in this state of the processes and methodologies used by the United States DOGE Service |
| 89(R) | HB 4007 | 03/06/2025 | Relating to the authority of a county to adopt subdivision requirements that include reasonable specifications for lot size, setback lines, and side lot lines |
| 89(R) | HB 4006 | 03/06/2025 | Relating to the suspension and removal from office of a district attorney, criminal district attorney, or county attorney of a political subdivision of this state |
| 89(R) | HB 4005 | 03/06/2025 | Relating to the election dates for certain special and runoff elections |
| 89(R) | HB 4004 | 03/06/2025 | Relating to the eligibility of property for certain ad valorem tax incentives if a wind-powered energy device or a solar energy device has been installed or constructed on the property |
| 89(R) | HB 4003 | 03/06/2025 | Relating to parental consent for certain activities engaged in by a school district employee or contractor with respect to the parent’s child |
| 89(R) | HB 4002 | 03/06/2025 | Relating to parental rights in public education and prohibiting instruction regarding sexual orientation or gender identity for public school students |
| 89(R) | HB 4001 | 03/06/2025 | Relating to the definition and use of the terms “male” and “female” for purposes of certain government documents |
| 89(R) | HB 3401 | 02/26/2025 | Relating to repealing insupportability as a ground for divorce |
| 89(R) | HB 3399 | 02/26/2025 | Relating to the provision of procedures and treatments for gender transitioning, gender reassignment, or gender dysphoria and the use of public money or public assistance to provide those procedures or treatments |
| 89(R) | HB 3018 | 02/19/2025 | Relating to a study of alternative methods of taxation to replace revenue lost to political subdivisions if ad valorem taxes are abolished |
| 89(R) | HB 3017 | 02/19/2025 | Relating to imposing an additional franchise tax on certain solar and wind energy producers |
| 89(R) | HB 2930 | 02/18/2025 | Relating to the eligibility of land for appraisal for ad valorem tax purposes as qualified open-space land |
| 89(R) | HB 2197 | 01/29/2025 | Relating to the protection of an unborn child’s rights and criminal liability and justification for prohibited conduct |
