HB 34 Texas House · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to prohibiting the investment of state money in certain countries and in certain private business entities in those countries.

HB 34 prohibits Texas state investments in countries designated as "countries of concern" (including China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and any country the governor designates) and in private companies operating in those countries that meet specific criteria. It defines "scrutinized companies" as those engaged in certain business activities (like those linked to the Darfur genocide) or meeting other conditions outlined in the bill. The law applies to all state investment entities, requiring them to divest from or avoid purchasing securities in these entities. An exception allows investments in companies excluded by U.S. federal sanctions regimes.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
Signed into Law
Jun 2025
Introduced Mar 14, 2025 Signed Jun 20, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed Enrolled · 5 edits · Jun 20, 2025
MODERATE
The bill was finalized into its enrolled version with significant substantive changes to the investment restrictions. The most important change is the addition of new exemptions that allow companies to avoid divestment if they are U.S. persons or derive no more than 50% of their revenue from countries of concern. The definition of 'scrutinized company' was expanded to include companies controlled by governments, ruling parties, or militaries of countries of concern. The bill also added a new provision requiring the comptroller to include certain companies on the list by January 1, 2026.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to include more specific criteria for what constitutes a scrutinized company, while simultaneously adding exemptions that narrow the practical application of the restrictions for certain companies.
ELIGIBILITY

New exemptions added allowing companies to avoid divestment if they are U.S. persons or receive no more than 50% of annual global revenue from countries of concern

DEFINITION

Definition of 'scrutinized company' expanded to include companies controlled by governments, ruling political parties, or militaries of countries of concern

REQUIREMENT

New requirement for comptroller to include companies meeting specific criteria on the scrutinized list by January 1, 2026

ENFORCEMENT

Added exception to divestment requirements for private equity funds described in Section 2270.0207

TIMELINE

Bill effective date set to September 1, 2025, with comptroller list update deadline of January 1, 2026

Floor votes · Senate May 19, 2025 · House Apr 29, 2025

How they voted

282
Passed
Total votes 30
May 19, 2025
D Democratic10
8 Yea 2 Nay
80% Yea
R Republican20
20 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
59
Key actions
17
Committee
12
Amendments
6
Jun 20, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor
executive
May 25, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed in the Senate
upper
May 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed in the House
lower
May 23, 2025
Introduced
House concurs in Senate amendment(s)-reported
upper
May 23, 2025
Introduced
Text of Senate Amendment(s)
lower
May 23, 2025
Introduced
House concurs in Senate amendment(s)
lower
May 20, 2025
Introduced
Senate Amendments Analysis distributed
lower
May 20, 2025
Introduced
Senate Amendments distributed
lower
May 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
Senate passage as amended reported
lower
May 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
May 15, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
May 15, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
upper
May 13, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
May 8, 2025
Upper · Passed
Left pending in committee
upper
May 8, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
May 5, 2025
Committee
Referred to State Affairs
upper
May 5, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
Apr 30, 2025
Introduced
Received from the House
upper
Apr 30, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
Apr 29, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed to engrossment
lower
Apr 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
Apr 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
lower
Apr 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in committee
lower
Apr 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
lower
Mar 14, 2025
Committee
Referred to Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
lower
Mar 14, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
5 primary · 20 co-sponsors

Sponsors