A new bill authored by State Rep. Kerwin in the Texas House seeks to restrict governmental contracts with companies identified as foreign adversaries or federally banned, aiming to protect state interests, according to the Texas Legislature website.
The bill on State Finances and Taxation category, introduced as HB 129 during the 89(1) legislative session on Friday, July 18, was formally listed with the short title: ’Relating to the dedication of certain surplus state revenue for school district maintenance and operations ad valorem tax relief’.
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill amends the Government Code to prohibit foreign adversary companies and federally banned companies from participating in contracts with governmental entities in Texas for goods or services, unless no other options exist and the contract does not pose a greater threat than the service or goods themselves. A vendor must certify that they are not prohibited from contracting under the new rules, and false certification can lead to immediate contract termination and barring from state contracts for five years. A civil penalty may be enacted against violators, with the penalty being the greater of twice the contract’s value or $250,000. The attorney general may enforce the penalty. The act takes effect Sept. 1, 2025.
Helen Kerwin, a member of the House Committee on Culture, Recreation & Tourism, proposed another two bills during the 89(1) legislative session. She is also a member of the House Committee on Public Education.
Bills in Texas go through a multi-step legislative process, including committee review, debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching a final decision. Each session, there are typically thousands of bills introduced, but only a portion successfully navigate the process to become law.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
| Legislative Session | Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 89(1) | HB 131 | 07/18/2025 | Relating to the exemption from ad valorem taxation of property owned by an organization engaged primarily in performing charitable functions |
| 89(1) | HB 130 | 07/18/2025 | Relating to the repeal of or limitations on certain state and local taxes, including school district maintenance and operations ad valorem taxes, the enactment of state and local value added taxes, and related school finance reform; imposing taxes |
| 89(R) | HB 5671 | 04/11/2025 | Relating to the election of directors for and the authority to issue bonds of the Johnson County Special Utility District |
| 89(R) | HB 5478 | 03/14/2025 | Relating to the exemption from ad valorem taxation of property owned by an organization engaged primarily in performing charitable functions |
| 89(R) | HB 5461 | 03/14/2025 | Relating to eligibility for supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits following certain parental truancy convictions |
| 89(R) | HB 5332 | 03/14/2025 | Relating to the issuance of excess axle or gross weight permits |
| 89(R) | HB 5022 | 03/13/2025 | Relating to the prohibition of immunization with a product containing mRNA material |
| 89(R) | HB 4648 | 03/12/2025 | Relating to the repeal of ad valorem taxes and certain state and local taxes, the enactment of a uniform state sales tax, and related school and local government finance reform; increasing the rate of a tax |
| 89(R) | HB 3590 | 03/03/2025 | Relating to the conduct of early voting by certain political subdivisions |
| 89(R) | HB 3231 | 02/24/2025 | Relating to the prosecution and punishment for the offense of trafficking of persons; increasing a criminal penalty |
| 89(R) | HB 3189 | 02/21/2025 | Relating to increasing the criminal penalty for certain conduct constituting the offense of trafficking of persons |
| 89(R) | HB 3182 | 02/21/2025 | Relating to the authority of certain municipalities to use certain tax revenue derived from a hotel and convention center project |
| 89(R) | HB 3153 | 02/21/2025 | Relating to hiring and employment requirements for persons in direct contact with children at certain facilities |
| 89(R) | HB 3087 | 02/20/2025 | Relating to the authority of a county to restrict sex offenders from child safety zones in the unincorporated area of the county; creating a criminal offense |
| 89(R) | HB 3049 | 02/19/2025 | Relating to the designation of animal control officers as first responders |
| 89(R) | HB 2991 | 02/18/2025 | Relating to the donation of blood by persons younger than 18 years of age; authorizing a civil penalty |
| 89(R) | HB 2743 | 02/12/2025 | Relating to the dedication of certain surplus state revenue for ad valorem tax relief |
| 89(R) | HB 2390 | 02/04/2025 | Relating to agreements between municipalities and counties and United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement to enforce federal immigration law |
| 89(R) | HB 2389 | 02/04/2025 | Relating to prohibiting the purchase of or acquisition of title to real property by and contracts or other agreements with certain aliens or foreign entities |
| 89(R) | HB 2388 | 02/04/2025 | Relating to the definition of a governmental body for the purposes of the public information law |
| 89(R) | HB 2220 | 01/29/2025 | Relating to the repeal of or limitations on certain state and local taxes, including school district maintenance and operations ad valorem taxes, the enactment of state and local value added taxes, and related school finance reform; imposing taxes |
| 89(R) | HB 2065 | 01/24/2025 | Relating to the overnight parking of a commercial motor vehicle in or near certain residential subdivisions |
| 89(R) | HB 2014 | 01/22/2025 | Relating to the election of the board of directors of the Somervell County Hospital District |
| 89(R) | HB 1952 | 01/17/2025 | Relating to the composition of county appraisal district boards of directors |
| 89(R) | HB 1674 | 12/19/2024 | Relating to the production, sale, and use of certain agricultural products containing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); creating a criminal offense |
