HB 2059
AN ACT relating to references to "taxpayer money" in state documents,
89th Regular Session
Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended
Awaiting Committee Assignment
Bill filed, pending referral to House committee
Committee
Not yet assigned
Fiscal Note
Not available
What This Bill Does
Requires state officials and agencies to use the specific phrase "taxpayer money" when referring to tax-generated funds in official documents, publications, and web pages, instead of alternative terms. The requirement does not apply to legislative documents, documents involving money held in trust for specific beneficiaries, or agency rule publications that require specific statutory language. The law will take effect on September 1, 2025, mandating a standardized terminology for describing public funds across Texas state communications.
Subject Areas
Bill Text
relating to references to "taxpayer money" in state documents, BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 2051, Government Code, is amended by adding Subchapter G to read as follows: SUBCHAPTER G. STATE DOCUMENT REFERENCES TO TAXPAYER MONEY Sec. 2051.251. REFERENCES TO TAXPAYER MONEY. (a) A state official or state agency that, in an official document, publication, or notice published or issued in print or on a publicly accessible Internet web page, undertakes to refer to money originating from taxes that is held by this state, a state agency, or a state official and may be used only for a public purpose of this state may not refer to that money by a term or phrase other than the phrase "taxpayer money" except as provided by this section. The official or agency shall use the phrase "taxpayer money" instead of other common terms or phrases for money described by this (b) Subsection (a) does not apply to a reference to money this state holds in trust for the benefit of a person other than this state or a governmental entity of this state. (c) Subsection (a) does not apply to a legislative document (1) a bill, a resolution, an analysis of a bill or resolution, or a description of the contents of one of those types of documents, that is used or may be used in the legislative (d) Subsection (a) does not apply to a document concerning, or a publication of, state agency rules that for reasons of legal clarity must rely on phrasing used in state statutes or the Texas SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
Bill Sponsors
Legislators who authored or co-sponsored this bill.
Bill History
Bill filed: AN ACT relating to references to "taxpayer money" in state documents,
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