Bill Roundup: Feminist Policy In Texas - Part TWO

Partisan Priorities: How R’s and D’s approach feminist policy differently.

In Part One of “Feminist Policy in Texas,” we explored the record-breaking number of women serving in the Texas Legislature. We examined key bills addressing reproductive rights, healthcare, and crime-related issues. While representation is a powerful symbol of progress, the real test lies in the policies these lawmakers prioritize and pass.

However, feminist issues extend far beyond reproductive healthcare and crime prevention. In Part Two, we’ll dive into equally critical topics: labor protections, housing affordability, and accessible childcare. These issues touch on the economic and social realities that disproportionately affect women, especially those in marginalized communities.

With the 89th Legislative Session starting in only 19 days, it’s time to look at how Texas lawmakers—across party lines—are tackling these foundational challenges. Will they champion policies that uplift women and families, or will progress be stalled by partisan gridlock and ideological divides?

Let’s examine the bills that could make Texas more equitable or keep it locked in the past.

Acronyms:

• HB = House bill.

• SB = Senate bill.

• HD = House district.

• SD = Senate district.

• HJR/SJR = Joint resolutions/Constitutional amendments.

Don’t know what district you’re in? Find out here.

About the Texas bills.

The Texas Legislature began filing bills on November 12 and will continue until March 14, so we don’t know how many more bills will be filed. Only a fraction of the bills filed will get a hearing, and only a fraction of those will become law.

Labor protections - from Democratic women:

• HB419 by Terry Meza (D-HD105). In a career where women dominate, Meza’s bill would establish a minimum wage of $15 per hour requirement for school bus drivers in Texas.

• HB669 by Mary González (D-HD75). This worker-focused bill aims to improve transparency and accountability for wage theft in Texas.

• HB691 by Vikki Goodwin (D-HD47) proposes to raise the minimum wage in Texas to $19 per hour and ensure better protections for tipped employees.

• HB835 by Senfronia Thompson (D-HD141) addresses systemic wage discrimination and promotes pay equity by prohibiting discriminatory practices, wage history inquiries, and retaliation against wage discussions.

• HB1077 by Lauren Simmons (D-HD146) would give Texas public employees the right to collectively bargain and engage in strikes.

• HB1351 by Terry Meza (D-HD105) would establish a comprehensive family and medical leave policy for Texas employees, providing up to 30 days of leave per year for certain family or medical obligations. The bill includes provisions for wage replacement benefits for employees who do not receive paid leave from their employers.

• HB1676 by Ana Hernandez (D-HD143) proposes extending the period when an employee can file a wage claim with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC).

• SB339 by Sarah Eckhardt (D-SD14) authorizes municipalities and counties in Texas to establish local minimum wages that exceed the state minimum wage.

• HB1147 by Erin Gámez (D-HD38) creates a targeted pilot program to address the growing demand for soft skills in the workplace.

• HB1154 by Erin Gámez (D-HD38) establishes a skilled labor task force to tackle workforce challenges in Gulf Coast counties with large populations.

Labor protections - from Republican women:

Housing affordability - from Democratic women:

• HB492 by Christina Morales (D-HD145) strengthens the eligibility criteria for low-income housing tax credits, emphasizing responsible development, balanced housing distribution, and access to essential services.

• HB1104 by Sheryl Cole (D-HD46) establishes a targeted housing voucher program to support EMS personnel in medium-sized counties facing high housing costs.

• SB337 by Sarah Eckhardt (D-SD14) establishes the Texas Tenant Readiness and Landlord Incentive Pilot Program, administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA). The program aims to assist individuals and families experiencing homelessness or housing instability and incentivize landlords to support these efforts.

• HB203 by Vikki Goodwin (D-HD47) provides a framework for limiting property tax increases on leased residential properties while promoting affordable housing.

Housing affordability - from Republican women:

• HB287 by Caroline Harris Davila (R-HD52) mandates the Texas A&M University Texas Real Estate Research Center to conduct an annual study on the purchase and sale of single-family homes by institutional buyers (corporations, trusts, banks, etc.).

• HB293 by Valoree Swanson (R-HD150) gives state representatives veto power over the developments seeking low-income housing tax credits under the PAB program. 🙄

• HB1129 by Janie Lopez (R-HD37) expands the Homes for Texas Heroes Home Loan Program to include licensed mental health professionals.

Accessible childcare - from Democratic women:

• HB174 by Mary González (D-HD75) amends regulations for childcare facilities and registered family homes to improve inclusion and services for children with disabilities or special needs.

• HB175 by Mary González (D-HD75) incentivizes childcare providers to improve care quality and inclusivity through optional certifications under the Texas Rising Star Program.

• SB489 by Carol Alvarado (D-SD06) and Sarah Eckhardt (D-SD14) introduces a requirement that businesses seeking a property tax limitation agreement under Subchapter T, Chapter 403, Government Code, must provide or contribute to childcare services for their employees. (Note: Senators Borris Miles and Roland Gutierrez also authored this bill; both are Democrats.)

Accessible childcare - from Republican women:

• SB462 by Lois Kolkhorst (R-SD18) aims to support childcare workers by granting priority access to childcare services to children of childcare workers.

When addressing feminist policy issues, Texas women legislators from both parties have introduced a broad array of bills. Yet, the partisan divide is unmistakable in terms of priorities and approaches. Democratic women are tackling labor protections, housing affordability, and childcare access, focusing on systemic change and equity. In contrast, Republican women legislators have introduced proposals that seem to be about local control or targeted initiatives.

As the 89th Legislative Session approaches, the Texas Legislature has a real opportunity to confront systemic inequities and uplift women and families. Democratic women have led the way with bold proposals tackling labor, housing, and childcare, while Republican women have contributed targeted initiatives that reflect their party’s more incremental approach. The effectiveness of these efforts will depend on whether lawmakers can navigate Texas’s well-worn partisan divides.

Will Texas embrace policies prioritizing equity and opportunity, or will progress stall in the face of ideological resistance? The answer will shape the future of millions of women and families in the state. For now, we celebrate the growing presence of women in the Texas Legislature and their commitment to addressing the critical issues that affect us all.

• January 7: Joint Legislative Committee - Effects of Media on Minors

• January 14: The 89th Legislative Session begins.

• March 14: The last day Legislators can file bills.

• June 2: The 89th Legislative Session ends.

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