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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the authority of a political subdivision to establish |
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and operate a guaranteed income program. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 140, Local Government Code, is amended |
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by adding Section 140.014 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 140.014. PROHIBITION ON GUARANTEED INCOME PROGRAM. |
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(a) In this section, "guaranteed income program" means direct or |
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indirect financial assistance to an individual, including cash |
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payments, gift cards, or equivalent monetary transfers, whether |
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recurring or structured as separate distributions. |
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(b) Unless explicitly authorized by federal law, a |
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political subdivision may not adopt or enforce an ordinance, order, |
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regulation, or other measure that establishes or provides for the |
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operation of a guaranteed income program for individuals. |
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(c) If explicitly authorized by federal law, state and local |
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public funds may not be used to fund, administer, or support the |
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operation of the guaranteed income program in any capacity. |
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(d) This section does not apply to a short-term program that |
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is limited in duration and nonrenewable under which an individual |
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is required to seek employment, perform work, or attend meaningful |
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and verifiable career or job trainings as a condition for receiving |
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a payment. |
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SECTION 2. Notwithstanding Section 140.014, Local |
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Government Code, as added by this Act, an ordinance, order, |
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regulation, or other measure that establishes or provides for the |
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operation of a guaranteed income program, as defined by that |
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section, in effect before the effective date of this Act may be |
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enforced until the earlier of January 1, 2026, or the expiration of |
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the ordinance, order, regulation, or other measure. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |
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* * * * * |