Grassroots Priorities 2.0

HB2734

2nd Reading
Authored by Janis Holt (R)
View at Source

Caption: Relating to public assistance program fraud; creating a criminal offense.
Initially Referred to House Human Services Committee, chaired by a Republican

HB 2734 creates a new criminal offense for public assistance fraud by amending Section 32.32 of the Penal Code. It makes it a crime to intentionally or knowingly make a false or misleading written statement in an application to obtain benefits under programs such as the Child Health Plan, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). The bill establishes a graduated penalty structure, with offenses ranging from a Class C misdemeanor for fraud under $100 to a first-degree felony for fraud exceeding $300,000. The bill applies to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025.

Co-authors: Olcott (R); Shofner (R)

Feb 12, 2025

(H) Holt signed onto the bill as Author
(H) Filed

Mar 18, 2025

(H) Read first time
(H) Referred to the House Human Services, chaired by a Republican

Apr 24, 2025

(H) Shofner signed onto the bill as Coauthor

Apr 29, 2025

(H) Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
(H) Considered in public hearing
(H) Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
(H) Left pending in committee

May 1, 2025

(H) Considered in formal meeting
(H) Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)

May 5, 2025

(H) Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
(H) Committee report distributed
(H) Committee report sent to Calendars

May 7, 2025

(H) Considered in Calendars

May 9, 2025

(H) Olcott signed onto the bill as Coauthor
(H) Placed on General State Calendar
(H) Read 2nd time
(H) Point of order sustained
(H) Returned to committee

Lobbying Against/For/On This Bill

Against

(Tue 4/29/2025) Testifying before H Human Services as Lynn Cowles for Every Texan
(Tue 4/29/2025) Registering before H Human Services as Diana Forester for Texans Care for Children

For

(Tue 4/29/2025) Registering before H Human Services as Fran Rhodes for self (with True Texas Project)
(Tue 4/29/2025) Registering before H Human Services as Julie McCarty for self (with True Texas Project)

(Tue 4/29/2025) Registering before H Human Services as Steve Johnson for HHSC Office of Inspector General