SB 2010 Texas Senate · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to the authority of a political subdivision to establish and operate a guaranteed income program.

SB 2010 prohibits Texas political subdivisions (like cities and counties) from establishing or operating guaranteed income programs - defined as direct cash payments, gift cards, or similar financial assistance to individuals - unless explicitly authorized by federal law. The bill bans the use of state or local public funds to support such programs, even if federally permitted, and exempts only short-term work-conditioned programs requiring employment or training. Existing programs in effect before the bill's effective date may continue until January 1, 2026, or their expiration. This legislation directly affects local governments seeking to implement unconditional cash assistance initiatives.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Mar 6, 2025 Last action May 10, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Engrossed · 5 edits · Apr 23, 2025
MODERATE
The bill was reformatted from a draft introduction to an engrossed version with substantive policy changes. The definition of 'guaranteed income program' was expanded to include direct or indirect financial assistance like gift cards and monetary transfers. Federal law authorization was added as a condition for allowing such programs, and public funds cannot be used to support them if federally authorized. A new exemption was created for short-term employment programs requiring job training.
Scope change
The bill now explicitly ties program authorization to federal law provisions and adds restrictions on using public funds for federally authorized programs.
DEFINITION

Definition of guaranteed income program expanded to include indirect financial assistance like gift cards and monetary transfers

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement that programs must be explicitly authorized by federal law to be permitted

FISCAL

Prohibited use of state and local public funds to support federally authorized guaranteed income programs

EXEMPTIONS

Created exemption for short-term employment programs requiring job training as a condition for receiving payments

ENFORCEMENT

Clarified that pre-existing ordinances can continue until January 1, 2026 or their expiration

Floor votes · Senate Apr 22, 2025

How they voted

219
Passed
Total votes 30
Apr 22, 2025
D Democratic10
1 Yea 9 Nay
90% Nay
R Republican20
20 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
34
Key actions
10
Committee
10
May 10, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
May 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
Apr 30, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
lower
Apr 28, 2025
Committee
Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs
lower
Apr 28, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
Apr 24, 2025
Introduced
Received from the Senate
lower
Apr 23, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Apr 22, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (21-9)
senate
Apr 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
Apr 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
upper
Apr 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Apr 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Left pending in committee
upper
Apr 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
Mar 17, 2025
Committee
Referred to Local Government
upper
Mar 17, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
2 primary · 3 co-sponsors

Sponsors