Relating to the minimum wage and a requirement for a biennial study and report on the living wage in this state.

HB 5163 sets Texas' minimum wage at $15 per hour (or the federal rate, whichever is higher) starting September 1, 2025, directly affecting employers and workers covered by minimum wage laws. It requires the Texas Workforce Commission to conduct a biennial study and report on the "living wage" every two years, analyzing regional cost-of-living factors like housing, food, healthcare, and childcare. The report must include data on jobs paying at least minimum wage, housing affordability, small business trends, and healthcare access for minimum-wage workers. This bill replaces the current minimum wage structure and mandates specific, measurable data collection to inform future policy decisions.