Relating to the payment of gratuities to tipped employees; creating a criminal offense.

HB 2472 requires employers to pay all credit or debit card tips directly to tipped employees (like waitstaff or bartenders) by their first payday after the tip is left. It prohibits employers from keeping any portion of these tips - such as for card processing fees - and declares this a felony (3rd degree) for violations. The law applies only to card tips, not cash tips, and takes effect September 1, 2025. This directly affects Texas tipped workers by ensuring they receive all customer tips left via card.