John Smithee

This bill uses taxpayer dollars to help repay education loans for certain mental health professionals who meet state-defined criteria. CPAC is wary of narrow, occupation-specific loan subsidies that distort the market instead of delivering broad tax relief and opposed this bill. The House passed this bill on 2025-05-28 by a vote of 75-58. The bill later became law.

This bill revises which gas distribution pipelines are subject to safety provisions and regulatory fees administered by the Railroad Commission. It risks layering additional compliance burdens that can raise energy costs for Texas families. CPAC resists regulatory expansions that drive up costs in the energy sector without clear, limited justification and opposed this bill. The House passed this bill on 2025-05-01 by a vote of 105-38. The bill later became law.

This bill changes standards for releasing certain defendants detained in jail pending trial, expanding opportunities for pretrial release. It risks putting repeat offenders back on the streets rather than prioritizing community safety. CPAC stands with victims and law enforcement against soft-on-crime pretrial release policies and opposed this bill. The House passed this bill on 2025-05-13 by a vote of 115-23. The Governor vetoed this bill.

This bill modifies procedures for renewing a license to carry a handgun, making it easier for law-abiding Texans to maintain their carry status. It removes unnecessary bureaucratic friction for responsible gun owners. CPAC defends Second Amendment rights and supported this bill. The House passed this bill on 2025-05-06 by a vote of 125-20. The bill later became law.

This bill defines 'biological sex' in state law and standardizes how governmental entities collect information about biological sex. It pushes back against radical gender ideology by keeping official data rooted in objective, biological facts. CPAC supports legally affirming biological reality and supported this bill. The House passed this bill on 2025-05-12 by a vote of 87-56. The bill later became law.

This bill addresses student union building fees at The University of Texas at El Paso, allowing the institution to assess or adjust these charges on students. It opens the door for higher mandatory fees in an era of already crushing college costs. CPAC opposes automatic fee and cost increases on students and opposed this bill. The House passed this bill on 2025-05-01 by a vote of 80-53. The bill later became law.

This bill grants an ad valorem tax exemption on the increased value of real property in certain counties arising from the construction of border security infrastructure and clarifies appraisal practices related to such projects. It rewards property owners who help secure the border from illegal crossings and cartel activity. CPAC supports border security and targeted tax relief for those who aid it and supported this bill. The House passed this bill on 2025-05-06 by a vote of 134-13. The bill later became law.

This bill addresses the execution of warrants for certain releasees on parole or mandatory supervision who violate electronic monitoring conditions. It strengthens enforcement tools to quickly respond when high-risk offenders break the rules. CPAC backs tough, enforceable conditions for parole and public safety and supported this bill. The House passed this bill on 2025-04-24 by a vote of 132-13. The bill later became law.

This bill prohibits certain transactions and logistical support between governmental entities and abortion providers or abortion assistance entities for obtaining abortions or related services. CPAC believes that abortion is always a human tragedy. CPAC supported this bill. The House passed this bill on 2025-05-22 by a vote of 87-58. The bill later became law.

This bill requires lobby registration for individuals lobbying on behalf of foreign adversaries and prohibits receiving certain compensation for those activities, with civil penalties. It shines a light on foreign influence operations and limits paid advocacy for hostile regimes. CPAC supports cracking down on foreign adversaries' influence in American government and supported this bill. The House passed this bill on 2025-06-01 by a vote of 101-36. The bill later became law.

This resolution urges Congress to enhance coordination among federal, state, and local authorities in deploying counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) for border security. It promotes better tools to combat cartel drone surveillance and smuggling operations. CPAC supports leveraging advanced technology to secure the border and supported this bill. The House passed this bill on 2025-05-07 by a vote of 134-2. The bill later became law.

This bill requires certain provisions in lease agreements for wind and solar power facilities to address issues like decommissioning, cleanup, and property protection. It safeguards landowners from being left with environmental and financial messes after politically favored green projects end. CPAC supports holding renewable developers accountable instead of subsidizing them and supported this bill. The House passed this bill on 2025-04-25 by a vote of 120-0. The bill later became law.

This bill establishes clearer procedures and safeguards for denying certain applications for a license to carry a handgun. It helps prevent bureaucratic abuse that could wrongfully strip law-abiding citizens of their right to carry. CPAC supports strong due process protections for Second Amendment rights and supported this bill. The House passed this bill on 2025-05-02 by a vote of 118-11. The bill later became law.

This bill allows non-enrolled students, including homeschoolers, to participate in University Interscholastic League (UIL) activities. It extends extracurricular opportunities without forcing families into the government school system. CPAC supports parental choice and equitable access to activities for homeschool and non-traditional students and supported this bill. The House passed this bill on 2025-05-27 by a vote of 109-28. The bill later became law.

This bill bolsters support for development of the nuclear energy industry in Texas, advancing a reliable, high-density source of baseload power. It promotes an energy strategy that protects grid stability and national security instead of relying on unreliable green mandates. CPAC supports an all-of-the-above energy policy that includes robust nuclear development and supported this bill. The House passed this bill on 2025-04-23 by a vote of 134-9. The bill later became law.

This bill authorizes certain sheriffs to enter into agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to enforce federal immigration law and creates a grant program to cover related costs. It turns local law enforcement into a force multiplier against illegal immigration and cartel crime. CPAC strongly supports robust cooperation with ICE and real immigration enforcement and supported this bill. The House passed this bill on 2025-06-01 by a vote of 89-52. The bill later became law.

This bill refines the requirements for certain court orders in suits affecting the parent-child relationship filed by the Department of Family and Protective Services. It seeks clearer judicial findings and procedures when the state intervenes in families. CPAC supports strong due process and transparency in child welfare cases to guard against government overreach and supported this bill. The House passed this bill on 2025-05-16 by a vote of 95-30. The bill did not become law.

This constitutional amendment requires denying bail to certain felony defendants who have prior qualifying convictions or who were already out on felony bail when they allegedly committed a new offense. It prioritizes public safety over catch-and-release policies for dangerous repeat offenders. CPAC supports tough-on-crime measures that keep violent criminals off the streets and supported this bill. The House passed this bill on 2025-05-27 by a vote of 97-40. The bill did not become law.