HR 559 Texas House · 89th Legislature (2025)

Expressing support for the protection of COFA islanders residing in Texas, reaffirming their rights afforded under the Compacts of Free Association, and recognizing March 18, 2025, as COFA Day in Texas.

This Texas House resolution (HR 559) expresses support for residents from the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau - known as COFA islanders - who live in Texas. It affirms their rights under the U.S. agreements with these Pacific island nations (Compacts of Free Association) and designates March 18, 2025, as "COFA Day" in Texas. The resolution does not create new laws or alter existing policies; it is a symbolic recognition of the 5,000 COFA residents in Texas who contribute to the state’s economy and military. It follows federal COFA amendments (effective March 18, 2024) that restored benefits like VA care and in-state tuition for COFA islanders.
Sub-Topics: DACA & Dreamers
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Mar 14, 2025 Last action May 19, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Enrolled · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill text was reformatted from a standard legislative introduction to an enrolled version with proper spacing and alignment. The substantive content of the resolution remains identical, expressing support for COFA islanders and designating March 18, 2025 as COFA Day in Texas. A new line about digital content accessibility standards was added at the top, likely for administrative purposes.
Scope change
No substantive change to the bill's scope or applicability; the resolution's provisions remain the same.
TECHNICAL

Added a line about digital content accessibility standards at the beginning of the document.

Removed original formatting markers and page numbers from the introduced version.

Reformatted text layout with proper spacing and alignment for the enrolled version.

Floor votes · House May 19, 2025

How they voted

122–1
Passed · 24 other
Total votes 147
May 19, 2025
D Democratic61
50 Yea 11
81% Yea
R Republican86
72 Yea 1 Nay 13
83% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
19
Key actions
1
Committee
7
May 19, 2025
House · Passed
Adopted
May 1, 2025
House · Reported by committee
Committee report sent to Calendars
Apr 30, 2025
House · Reported by committee
Committee report distributed
Apr 28, 2025
House · Reported by committee
Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
Apr 28, 2025
House · Reported by committee
Recalled from subcommittee
Mar 27, 2025
House · Reported by committee
Left pending in subcommittee
Mar 27, 2025
House · Reported by committee
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in subcommittee
Mar 19, 2025
House · Referred to committee
Referred to s/c on State-Federal Relations by Speaker
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Brad Buckley
Brad Buckley
RRepublican
TX
54