89R1167 KJE-D
By: Toth H.B. No. 2059
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to references to "taxpayer money" in state documents,
publications, and notices.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 2051, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter G to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER G. STATE DOCUMENT REFERENCES TO TAXPAYER MONEY
Sec. 2051.251. REFERENCES TO TAXPAYER MONEY. (a) A state
official or state agency that, in an official document,
publication, or notice published or issued in print or on a publicly
accessible Internet web page, undertakes to refer to money
originating from taxes that is held by this state, a state agency,
or a state official and may be used only for a public purpose of this
state may not refer to that money by a term or phrase other than the
phrase "taxpayer money" except as provided by this section. The
official or agency shall use the phrase "taxpayer money" instead of
other common terms or phrases for money described by this
subsection, including:
(1) government funds;
(2) government money;
(3) public funds;
(4) public money;
(5) state funds; and
(6) state money.
(b) Subsection (a) does not apply to a reference to money
this state holds in trust for the benefit of a person other than
this state or a governmental entity of this state.
(c) Subsection (a) does not apply to a legislative document
or publication, including:
(1) a bill, a resolution, an analysis of a bill or
resolution, or a description of the contents of one of those types
of documents, that is used or may be used in the legislative
process;
(2) a state statute; and
(3) the Texas Constitution.
(d) Subsection (a) does not apply to a document concerning,
or a publication of, state agency rules that for reasons of legal
clarity must rely on phrasing used in state statutes or the Texas
Constitution.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.