Relating to certain sister-city agreements between governmental entities and foreign countries and communities.
HB 128 prohibits Texas governmental entities (including cities, counties, and state agencies) from establishing, maintaining, or renewing sister-city agreements with countries designated as "foreign adversaries" (China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia) or communities within those countries. It requires existing agreements with such countries to be terminated by October 1, 2025. The law defines "sister-city agreements" as formal partnerships fostering cultural, educational, and tourism exchanges with foreign communities. The prohibition expires on January 1, 2027, making it a temporary policy change affecting all Texas local and state governments.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
Signed into Law
Jun 2025
Introduced Mar 14, 2025
Signed Jun 20, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons
What changed between versions
Engrossed
→
Enrolled
·
3 edits
·
Jun 20, 2025
MINOR
This bill was updated from its 'Engrossed' version to the final 'Enrolled' version ready for the Governor's signature. The substantive policy content remains unchanged, with modifications primarily involving formatting, spacing, and the addition of certification signatures from legislative officers. No new policies, definitions, or requirements were added or removed in this version.
TECHNICAL
Formatting and spacing were adjusted throughout the document to match official enrolled bill standards.
Certification signatures and voting records from the House and Senate were added to the end of the bill.
Drafting notes, bill numbers, and page markers from the engrossed version were removed.
Floor votes · House Apr 30, 2025
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
48
Key actions
16
Committee
11
Jun 20, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor
executive
May 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed in the Senate
upper
May 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed in the House
lower
May 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Senate passage reported
lower
May 25, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
May 15, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
May 15, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendments
upper
May 13, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
May 8, 2025
Upper · Passed
Left pending in committee
upper
May 5, 2025
Committee
Referred to State Affairs
upper
May 5, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
Apr 30, 2025
Introduced
Received from the House
upper
Apr 30, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
Apr 29, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed to engrossment
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
Apr 16, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
lower
Apr 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in committee
lower
Apr 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
lower
Mar 14, 2025
Committee
Referred to Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
lower
Mar 14, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
4 primary · 15 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Angelia Orr
RRepublican
P
Cole Hefner
RRepublican
P
Don McLaughlin
RRepublican
P
Lois Kolkhorst
RRepublican
Co
Ben Bumgarner
RRepublican
Co
Carrie Isaac
RRepublican
Co
Cody Harris
RRepublican
Co
Ellen Troxclair
RRepublican
Co
Giovanni Capriglione
RRepublican
Co
Greg Bonnen
RRepublican
Co
Hillary Hickland
RRepublican
Co
Janie Lopez
RRepublican
Co
Janis Holt
RRepublican
Co
Jeff Leach
RRepublican
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