In the final hours of which he could sign legislation into law, Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed 76 bills—a personal record number since he took office in 2015.
The amount falls just shy of the 82 bills vetoed by former Gov. Rick Perry during his first term in office in 2001.
Sunday, June 18 marked the last day the governor could sign bills into law or veto them. In Texas, any legislation not specifically vetoed by the governor becomes law.
Abbott had threatened earlier in the week to veto bills as the two chambers failed to reach a compromise on property tax relief, causing Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to say Abbott was “threatening to destroy” the work of the Legislature in a “ploy to apparently get his way[.]”
Indeed, in statements attached to the majority of his vetoed bills, Abbott offered the explanation, “This bill can be reconsidered at a future special session only after property tax relief is passed.”
On other bills, notably those by school choice opponents like State Reps. Glenn Rogers (R–Mineral Wells) and Ernest Bailes (R–Shepherd), Abbott said they could be considered after school choice legislation is passed.
Fifty-four Senate bills were vetoed, compared to 22 House bills. The vetoed bills represent around 6 percent of the 1,250 House and Senate bills that were sent to the governor.
The following bills were vetoed by Gov. Greg Abbott:
HB 181 Author: Johnson, Jarvis | Klick | Collier
Sponsor: Miles
Last Action: 06/17/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the establishment of the sickle cell disease registry.
HB 279 Author: Jetton | Bhojani | González, Jessica | Shaheen | Thierry
Sponsor: Bettencourt
Last Action: 05/24/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the prosecution and punishment of the offense of trafficking of persons.
HB 558 Author: Raymond
Sponsor: Paxton
Last Action: 06/17/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to prohibiting certain limitations on the operation of certain organizations that benefit veterans during a declared state of disaster.
HB 729 Author: Rose | Sherman, Sr.
Sponsor: West
Last Action: 06/17/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the statewide intellectual and developmental disability coordinating council.
HB 1466 Author: Clardy | Garcia
Sponsor: Johnson
Last Action: 06/17/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the regulation of certain continuing education programs.
HB 2138 Author: Kacal | Bailes | Morales, Eddie
Sponsor: Bettencourt
Last Action: 06/15/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the sale of charitable raffle tickets by certain nonprofit wildlife conservation associations.
HB 2416 Author: Paul | Thompson, Ed
Sponsor: Alvarado
Last Action: 06/17/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to creation of the gulf coast protection account to be administered by the General Land Office.
HB 2629 Author: Rogers | Geren | Longoria | Klick | Stucky
Sponsor: Middleton
Last Action: 06/18/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the reporting of direct campaign expenditures by certain persons and political committees.
HB 2879 Author: Oliverson | Morales, Eddie | Bell, Keith
Sponsor: Bettencourt
Last Action: 06/15/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to venue in certain actions involving a contract for an improvement to real property.
HB 2956 Author: Shine
Sponsor: Flores
Last Action: 06/18/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to municipal annexation of an area adjacent to contiguous or connecting railroad rights-of-way.
HB 3159 Author: Leach | Bucy
Sponsor: Hughes
Last Action: 06/17/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the use of an accessible absentee mail system by certain voters.
HB 3436 Author: Rogers
Sponsor: King
Last Action: 06/18/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the authority of the Texas Military Department to negotiate the release of a reversionary interest and certain other interests of the state in certain property in Palo Pinto County owned by the Palo Pinto County Livestock Association.
HB 4106 Author: Dean
Sponsor: Alvarado
Last Action: 06/18/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the procedure for resolving certain customer complaints before the Public Utility Commission of Texas.
HB 4128 Author: Murr | Spiller | Morales, Eddie
Sponsor: Zaffirini
Last Action: 06/17/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to associate judges for guardianship proceedings and protective services proceedings in certain courts.
HB 4158 Author: Schofield
Sponsor: Bettencourt
Last Action: 06/14/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the determination and reporting of the number of residence homesteads of elderly or disabled persons that are subject to the limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes that may be imposed on the properties by school districts.
HB 4219 Author: Lambert
Sponsor: Creighton
Last Action: 06/18/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the maximum rate or amount of interest of certain consumer loans.
HB 4759 Author: Campos | Bernal | Garcia | Leach | Morales Shaw
Sponsor: Menéndez
Last Action: 06/17/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to an attack by a dangerous dog; increasing criminal penalties.
HB 4779 Author: Bhojani | Moody | Rose | Darby | Leach
Sponsor: Whitmire
Last Action: 06/17/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the prosecution of the criminal offense of organized retail theft.
HB 5332 Author: Bailes
Sponsor: Creighton
Last Action: 06/18/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the creation of the Montgomery County Municipal Utility District No. 229; granting a limited power of eminent domain; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose fees and taxes.
HB 5358 Author: Rogers | Capriglione
Sponsor: King
Last Action: 06/18/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the creation of the Ranger Ridge Municipal Utility District of Palo Pinto County; granting a limited power of eminent domain; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes.
HB 5360 Author: Shine
Sponsor: Creighton
Last Action: 06/18/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the creation of the Deer Creek Ranch Municipal Utility District No. 1; granting a limited power of eminent domain; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes.
HB 5366 Author: Kacal
Sponsor: Kolkhorst
Last Action: 06/18/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the creation of the Grimes County Municipal Utility District No. 3; granting a limited power of eminent domain; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes.
SB 200 Author: Eckhardt
Sponsor: Howard
Last Action: 06/18/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the period for which an applicant for admission as an undergraduate student to a public institution of higher education is entitled to an academic fresh start.
SB 247 Author: Alvarado
Sponsor: Perez
Last Action: 06/16/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to specialty license plates issued for honorary consuls.
SB 261 Author: Springer
Sponsor: Ashby
Last Action: 06/18/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to titling and registration of assembled trailers.
SB 267 Author: King
Sponsor: Burrows | Frazier | Moody | Shaheen
Last Action: 06/16/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to law enforcement agency accreditation, including a grant program to assist agencies in becoming accredited.
SB 315 Author: Hall
Sponsor: Ramos
Last Action: 06/16/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the definition of telephone call for purposes of regulating telephone solicitations.
SB 335 Author: Schwertner
Sponsor: Hull
Last Action: 06/18/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to meetings of the Family and Protective Services Council broadcast over the Internet.
SB 348 Author: Springer
Sponsor: Meyer
Last Action: 06/16/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the prohibition on posting on the Internet information held by an appraisal district regarding certain residential property.
SB 361 Author: Eckhardt
Sponsor: Shine
Last Action: 06/16/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the eligibility of a person employed by a school district as a teacher to serve on the appraisal review board of an appraisal district.
SB 467 Author: Bettencourt
Sponsor: Leach
Last Action: 06/14/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to increasing the criminal penalty for the offense of criminal mischief involving impairment of a motor fuel pump.
SB 485 Author: Johnson
Sponsor: Oliverson | Jones, Jolanda
Last Action: 06/16/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to designating the second Saturday in October as Hospice and Palliative Care Day.
SB 498 Author: Johnson
Sponsor: Smithee
Last Action: 06/17/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the operation of statewide technology centers.
SB 526 Author: West
Sponsor: Cook | Garcia | Walle
Last Action: 06/16/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to requiring prior approval by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to offer a degree or certificate program to certain persons who are incarcerated or subject to involuntary civil commitment.
SB 796 Author: Middleton
Sponsor: Johnson, Ann
Last Action: 06/17/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to arbitration provisions in surplus lines insurance contracts.
SB 813 Author: Miles
Sponsor: Lopez, Ray | Reynolds | Morales Shaw | Guerra | Zwiener
Last Action: 06/17/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to providing notice to a state representative and senator of certain administrative actions of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
SB 987 Author: Kolkhorst
Sponsor: Gerdes
Last Action: 06/18/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the reporting of certain information regarding the payment of state money to certain vendors and counties.
SB 1051 Author: Hughes
Sponsor: Harris, Caroline
Last Action: 06/18/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to a uniform coordination of benefits questionnaire for health benefit plans.
SB 1080 Author: Kolkhorst
Sponsor: Gerdes
Last Action: 06/15/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to a mitigation program and fees for the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District.
SB 1367 Author: Creighton
Sponsor: Leach
Last Action: 06/18/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the confidentiality of certain information for employees of a county courthouse or the Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System and the employees’ family members.
SB 1393 Author: Middleton
Sponsor: Paul
Last Action: 06/17/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to eligibility for coverage by the Fair Access to Insurance Requirements Plan in certain areas.
SB 1399 Author: Schwertner
Sponsor: Bell, Keith
Last Action: 06/17/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the renewal and review of standard permits for certain concrete plants.
SB 1404 Author: Parker
Sponsor: Smithee | Morales Shaw
Last Action: 06/18/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the creation of a work group to study the benefits of coal-to-nuclear electric generating facility conversion.
SB 1431 Author: Hinojosa
Sponsor: Guerra
Last Action: 06/16/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the confidentiality of certain information for a current or former administrative law judge for the State Office of Administrative Hearings.
SB 1439 Author: Springer
Sponsor: Hefner
Last Action: 06/18/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the ad valorem taxation of tangible personal property held or used for the production of income by related business entities.
SB 1467 Author: Hancock
Sponsor: Price
Last Action: 06/18/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the disclosure of certain medical information by electronic means.
SB 1568 Author: Campbell
Sponsor: Shaheen
Last Action: 06/16/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the persons authorized or appointed to exercise the power of sale under the terms of a contract lien on real property.
SB 1614 Author: Perry
Sponsor: Price
Last Action: 06/18/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the computation of the cost of goods sold by television and radio broadcasters for purposes of the franchise tax.
SB 1615 Author: Zaffirini
Sponsor: Wilson
Last Action: 05/19/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the cosmetology licensure compact.
SB 1668 Author: Hughes
Sponsor: Turner
Last Action: 06/18/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to property owners’ associations, including condominium owners’ associations.
SB 1712 Author: Perry
Sponsor: Darby
Last Action: 06/16/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the purchase, sale, or lease of real property on behalf of a limited partnership or a limited liability company.
SB 1916 Author: Parker
Sponsor: Shine
Last Action: 06/18/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to publication of public improvement district service plans and assessments on certain public Internet websites.
SB 1979 Author: Hughes
Sponsor: Harris, Caroline
Last Action: 06/16/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to an annual study by the Texas A&M University Texas Real Estate Research Center of the purchase and sale of single-family homes by certain institutional buyers.
SB 1998 Author: Bettencourt
Sponsor: Shine
Last Action: 06/15/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the calculation of certain ad valorem tax rates.
SB 2010 Author: Schwertner | King
Sponsor: Slawson
Last Action: 06/18/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to required reporting by the wholesale electric market monitor for the ERCOT power region.
SB 2016 Author: Zaffirini
Sponsor: Goldman
Last Action: 06/17/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the licensing and regulation of dietitians.
SB 2035 Author: Bettencourt
Sponsor: Capriglione
Last Action: 06/13/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the issuance of certain anticipation notes and certificates of obligation.
SB 2052 Author: Nichols
Sponsor: Ashby
Last Action: 06/16/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to permit fees for groundwater wells imposed by the Southeast Texas Groundwater Conservation District.
SB 2192 Author: Hall
Sponsor: Bell, Keith
Last Action: 06/18/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the notice and petition for the creation of a municipal utility district in certain counties.
SB 2248 Author: Zaffirini
Sponsor: Murr
Last Action: 06/18/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to guardianships for persons who are incapacitated; changing a fee.
SB 2260 Author: Blanco
Sponsor: Rose
Last Action: 06/16/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to management review of certain investigations conducted by the Department of Family and Protective Services.
SB 2269 Author: Perry
Sponsor: Shine
Last Action: 06/18/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to discontinuing group self-insurance coverage and dissolving the Texas self-insurance group guaranty fund and trust fund under the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act.
SB 2275 Author: Hughes
Sponsor: Smithee
Last Action: 06/17/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the authority of the Supreme Court of Texas to adopt certain rules.
SB 2277 Author: Zaffirini
Sponsor: Cook
Last Action: 06/18/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to special appointments in suits affecting the parent-child relationship.
SB 2292 Author: Zaffirini
Sponsor: Murr
Last Action: 06/18/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to bond requirements for certain judges.
SB 2379 Author: Schwertner
Sponsor: Harris, Caroline
Last Action: 06/16/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to aquifer storage and recovery projects that transect a portion of the Edwards Aquifer.
SB 2399 Author: Schwertner
Sponsor: Guillen
Last Action: 06/18/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the authority of the Public Utility Commission of Texas to regulate Voice over Internet Protocol services.
SB 2453 Author: Menéndez
Sponsor: Hernandez
Last Action: 06/16/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to certain regulations adopted by governmental entities for the building products, materials, or methods used in the construction of residential or commercial buildings.
SB 2474 Author: Hinojosa
Sponsor: Jetton
Last Action: 06/18/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to civil and administrative penalties assessed for violations of statutes or rules governing chemical dependency treatment facilities.
SB 2493 Author: Middleton
Sponsor: Bryant
Last Action: 06/15/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to repairs made pursuant to a tenant’s notice of intent to repair and the refund of a tenant’s security deposit.
SB 2597 Author: Creighton
Sponsor: Bell, Cecil
Last Action: 06/16/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the creation of the Montgomery County Municipal Utility District No. 237; granting a limited power of eminent domain; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes.
SB 2598 Author: Paxton
Sponsor: Frazier
Last Action: 06/16/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the creation of the Honey Creek Improvement District No. 1; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments and fees.
SB 2604 Author: Miles
Sponsor: Thompson, Senfronia
Last Action: 06/16/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the creation of the Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 589; granting a limited power of eminent domain; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes.
SB 2605 Author: Flores
Sponsor: Buckley
Last Action: 06/16/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the creation of the Knob Creek Municipal Utility District of Bell County; granting a limited power of eminent domain; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes.
SB 2613 Author: Parker
Sponsor: Stucky
Last Action: 06/16/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the creation of the Tabor Ranch Municipal Management District; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes; granting a limited power of eminent domain.
SB 2616 Author: Zaffirini
Sponsor: Flores
Last Action: 06/16/2023 E Vetoed by the Governor
Caption: Relating to the creation of the Travis County Municipal Utility District No. 27; granting a limited power of eminent domain; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes.
