Legislation aimed at fulfilling Democrat Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa’s campaign promise to send $1,500 checks to Texas households contains no citizenship requirement, potentially allowing illegal aliens to qualify for the payments.
State Sen. Roland Gutierrez (D-San Antonio) filed Senate Bill 297, which would appropriate $17 billion from the state’s Economic Stabilization Fund to provide one-time payments in response to what the legislation calls a statewide “household affordability emergency.”
Texas’ Economic Stabilization Fund, commonly known as the Rainy Day Fund, was established in 1988 to provide a financial reserve during economic downturns and other emergencies.
The fund is projected to reach $28.48 billion by the end of fiscal year 2027. Gutierrez’ proposed $17 billion expenditure would amount to nearly 60 percent of that projected balance.
Hinojosa campaigned on providing $1,500 relief checks from the fund. Gutierrez’ legislation would establish a program to distribute those payments.
Under the proposal, a qualifying household must have maintained its usual residence in Texas as of January 1, 2027, and be represented by an adult or emancipated minor.
The bill does not require recipients to be U.S. citizens or legally present in the country.
Applicants could establish residency using a lease, utility bill, school record, government correspondence, or even a sworn declaration.
The legislation also prohibits conditioning eligibility on income, employment, homeownership, property tax liability, or whether household members have filed income tax returns.
The comptroller would be responsible for administering the program and preventing fraudulent or duplicate payments, though the legislation does not explicitly require verification of citizenship or immigration status.
The $17 billion appropriation would require approval from two-thirds of the members present in each chamber of the Legislature.
Texas Scorecard asked Hinojosa’s team whether she supports limiting the payments to U.S. citizens or believes illegal aliens should also be eligible.
Gutierrez’ office was also asked whether the legislation’s omission of a citizenship requirement was intentional.
Neither office responded before publication.
