Texas Congressional Bills

in committee · Texas · House Apr 23, 2026

HRES 1210: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives in support of the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) nuclear security role.

This resolution expresses the House of Representatives' support for the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) crucial role in global nuclear security and safety. It encourages the United States and other IAEA member states to ensure the Agency has reliable and sufficient resources, including financial contributions to its Nuclear Security Fund, to successfully carry out its duties.

Topics ✓ Energy

in committee · Texas · House Apr 23, 2026

HR 8488: AI Data Center Site Selection Transparency Act of 2026

This bill requires developers of artificial intelligence data centers to publicly disclose project details, such as location and environmental impact, at least 180 days before taking definitive construction steps. To ensure community awareness, the legislation mandates that developers engage local media, post on social media, send direct mail, place physical signs at the site, and provide materials in multiple languages. Additionally, the bill restricts the use of non-disclosure agreements with government entities and requires independent third-party environmental impact analyses funded by the developers. The Federal Trade Commission is designated as the enforcement agency, with violations treated as unfair or deceptive acts under existing federal law.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Technology

in committee · Texas · House Apr 23, 2026

HR 8487: Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act

The Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act expands federal support for certified community behavioral health clinics (CCBHCs) by modifying how these facilities are funded under Medicaid and Medicare. Under the new rules, states and the federal government will use a prospective payment system to pay CCBHCs based on the cost of providing care rather than per-visit fees, while also extending coverage to additional services like primary health care. The legislation establishes a new grant program to help clinics operate and expand, creates a national data system to track clinic performance, and introduces an accreditation requirement to ensure quality standards are met. Additionally, the bill extends liability protections to clinicians working in these clinics and removes certain financial barriers for Medicare patients seeking care at CCBHCs.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Texas · House Apr 23, 2026

HR 8484: Hazard Pay for Health Care Heroes Act

The Hazard Pay for Health Care Heroes Act establishes a grant program to provide financial compensation and safety resources to essential health care workers during declared emergencies or disasters. This legislation directly affects medical providers, support staff, and other frontline workers whose jobs cannot be performed remotely, such as orderlies and janitors in health care settings. Under the bill, eligible facilities can receive federal funds to pay workers an additional hourly rate of up to $13 for hazardous duties, with a yearly cap of $25,000 per employee, while also allowing funds for protective equipment and alternative transportation. The program is triggered by various federal or state emergency declarations and authorizes the necessary funding to implement these hazard pay measures.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Summer L. Lee (D) · 22 co-sponsors

in committee · Texas · House Apr 23, 2026

HR 8475: Savings Opportunity and Affordable Repayment Act

Savings Opportunity and Affordable Repayment Act This bill creates a new income-driven repayment plan for student loans called the Savings Opportunity and Affordable Repayment (SOAR) plan. The SOAR plan has similar provisions to, but further expands on, the Department of Education's (ED's) final rule published on July 10, 2023, that created the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan. The SAVE plan was blocked by federal courts. The bill directs ED to carry out a SOAR plan program that complies with specified requirements. The bill allows all federal student loan types to be eligible for repayment under the SOAR plan, including Parent PLUS Loans and Federal Family Education Loans. Under the SOAR plan, a federal student loan borrower whose income is at or below 250% of the federal poverty level (FPL) has $0 monthly payments. A borrower whose income is over 250% of the FPL pays 5% of their discretionary income on loans obtained for undergraduate study and 10% of their discretionary income for all other outstanding loans (e.g., loans obtained for graduate study). Additionally, under the SOAR plan, holders of eligible federal student loans (e.g., ED or private lenders) must apply 50% of the borrower's monthly payment toward outstanding principal. The other 50% must be applied in the following order: (1) accrued charges and collection costs on the loan, (2) outstanding interest, and (3) outstanding principal. ED must forgive any loan balance that remains outstanding after a specified maximum repayment period (e.g., 10 years or 15 years).

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Texas · House Apr 23, 2026

HR 8468: Protecting American Railroad Workers’ Jobs Act of 2026

The Protecting American Railroad Workers' Jobs Act of 2026 requires freight trains crossing the southern border into the United States to stop for crew changes and safety inspections. Under this bill, only railroad workers who are U.S. nationals or lawfully authorized aliens with a primary reporting point in the U.S. may operate these trains after the stop. The legislation also prohibits crew members from performing any duties while physically outside the United States. These provisions directly affect railroad carriers operating freight trains across the Mexico border and the workers employed on those trains.

Topics ✗ Immigration ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

in committee · Texas · House Apr 23, 2026

HR 8460: Territorial Protection and Sovereignty Act

This bill, titled the Territorial Protection and Sovereignty Act, ends the Temporary Protected Status program for individuals currently holding that status in the United States. It requires that any existing status grants terminate immediately upon the law's enactment. Affected individuals must depart the country within 60 days of the bill becoming effective to avoid being classified as unlawfully present. The legislation removes the specific legal protections previously established under Section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✗ Immigration

in committee · Texas · House Apr 23, 2026

HR 8092: Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Modernization Act of 2026

This bill modernizes housing assistance programs for Native American tribes and Native Hawaiians by streamlining environmental reviews, extending funding authorization through 2032, and expanding loan guarantee options. Key provisions include consolidating environmental review requirements to reduce paperwork for tribes, allowing 99-year leasehold interests on trust lands for housing, and creating new rental assistance specifically for homeless or at-risk Native American veterans. The legislation also clarifies rent rules, waives certain housing counseling certifications for tribal entities, exempts tribal housing projects from some federal civil rights and Buy America requirements, and establishes a direct loan guarantee process for tribal housing projects.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Troy Downing (R) · 50 co-sponsors

in committee · Texas · Senate Apr 22, 2026

S 4374: Airpower Acceleration Act of 2026

The Airpower Acceleration Act of 2026 grants the Department of Defense authority to purchase F-35 and F-15EX fighter jets through multiyear contracts. It also permits the procurement of key aircraft components in advance to streamline production schedules. The legislation establishes minimum inventory levels for Air Force fighter aircraft that must be maintained between 2026 and 2035. Additionally, it authorizes an increase in the F-15EX fleet size to 329 aircraft, requiring new planes to replace older F-15E models.

in committee · Texas · House Apr 22, 2026

HR 8443: End H–1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026

This bill proposes a comprehensive overhaul of the H-1B visa program by pausing new issuances for three years and capping the annual limit at 25,000 visas. It would eliminate the current lottery system, replacing it with a process that prioritizes employers offering the highest wages, while also restricting visa holders to a maximum stay of three years and banning them from holding multiple jobs simultaneously. The legislation further mandates that all H-1B workers be paid at least $200,000 annually, prohibits staffing agencies from sponsoring these visas, and bars federal agencies from hiring or petitioning for H-1B workers. Additionally, the bill would end employment authorization for foreign students and interns, and generally prevent most nonimmigrants from adjusting their status to become permanent residents while in the United States.

Topics ✗ Immigration ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Texas · House Apr 22, 2026

HR 8440: ZELDIN Act

The ZELDIN Act requires the Environmental Protection Agency to obtain explicit approval from both chambers of Congress before dismissing any lawsuits or withdrawing referrals related to claims about the release of known or likely carcinogens. Additionally, the bill mandates that the EPA consult with its Office of General Counsel before terminating grants and prohibits agencies from penalizing recipients for delays caused by legal challenges to those terminations. The legislation also establishes a private right of action allowing harmed individuals to sue the EPA for injunctive relief and damages, while setting a specific sunset date of January 20, 2029, for the law's provisions.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · Texas · House Apr 22, 2026

HR 8411: Original Legislation to Give TSA Employees a Raise

This bill proposes a 15 percent pay increase for career employees of the Transportation Security Administration, including agents and officers who are not senior executives or high-level appointees. The raise would take effect starting with the first pay period following the law's enactment and would apply to both basic pay rates and compensation bands under the TSA's core system. The legislation directly affects TSA staff members who fall under the career employee definition, ensuring they receive the salary adjustment in their next eligible paycheck.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

Texas Congressional Bills

Bill results