Candidate websites
Railroad Commissioner
2026 Texas Railroad Commissioner — General Election · November 3, 2026
Official filing status and all displayed profile fields are shown with retained source evidence. Final ballot placement remains explicitly pending.
Last reviewed September 15, 2026Policy statements from campaign-controlled sources are labeled candidate positions; they are not independently presented as proven outcomes.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
JON ROSENTHAL
Only contact details published in official filing records, FEC filings, or a verified candidate-owned source with retained exact evidence appear here.
8624 HWY 6 · HOUSTON, TX 77095
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
Email: [email protected]
Mailing address: 8624 HWY 6
Mailing address: HOUSTON, TX 77095
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
Candidate: JON ROSENTHAL
Office: RAILROAD COMMISSIONER
Party: Democratic
Email: [email protected]
Publication here means only that the contact detail appeared in the cited filing. It is not an endorsement, and older filings may remain visible until an amended official record is captured.
Verified records and candidate-provided claims are labeled separately.
STATE REPRESENTATIVE
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
Occupation: STATE REPRESENTATIVE
25 yearS OF EXPERIENCE
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
25 yearS OF EXPERIENCE
For 25 years I worked in oil & gas as an Engineer, Project Manager, and Team Leader, and for four terms in the Texas House I’ve fought for good jobs, reliable energy, clean air and water, and honest government. Now I’m running for Railroad Commissioner to keep the lights on, lower your costs, and put Texans first.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
For 25 years I worked in oil & gas as an Engineer, Project Manager, and Team Leader, and for four terms in the Texas House I’ve fought for good jobs, reliable energy, clean air and water, and honest government. Now I’m running for Railroad Commissioner to keep the lights on, lower your costs, and put Texans first.
In the 80s, he dropped out of UT Austin and spent years working odd jobs, including as an Apprentice to a Licensed Journeyman Constructional Plumber, managing a Thundercloud Subs and then opening a car stereo repair shop – before deciding to go back and finish his degree in mechanical engineering.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
In the 80s, he dropped out of UT Austin and spent years working odd jobs, including as an Apprentice to a Licensed Journeyman Constructional Plumber, managing a Thundercloud Subs and then opening a car stereo repair shop – before deciding to go back and finish his degree in mechanical engineering.
Following the 2016 election, Jon turned his focus toward community organizing, starting an Indivisible group in Northwest Houston that grew to hundreds of members within weeks. In 2018, he ran for the Texas House and flipped District 135, which had been held by a single Republican incumbent for nearly a quarter-century – winning against an opponent who outspent him nearly seven to one. Since then, Jon has served four terms in the Texas Legislature. As the only career mechanical engineer in the Texas House, he has brought a rare technical perspective to the Energy Resources and Land & Resource Management committees – pushing for real weatherization requirements for the gas infrastructure that nearly killed the grid in 2021, fighting to keep utility companies from passing the cost of their own failures onto families, and advocating for the kind of accountability standards that the Railroad Commission has spent years refusing to enforce.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
Following the 2016 election, Jon turned his focus toward community organizing, starting an Indivisible group in Northwest Houston that grew to hundreds of members within weeks. In 2018, he ran for the Texas House and flipped District 135, which had been held by a single Republican incumbent for nearly a quarter-century – winning against an opponent who outspent him nearly seven to one. Since then, Jon has served four terms in the Texas Legislature. As the only career mechanical engineer in the Texas House, he has brought a rare technical perspective to the Energy Resources and Land & Resource Management committees – pushing for real weatherization requirements for the gas infrastructure that nearly killed the grid in 2021, fighting to keep utility companies from passing the cost of their own failures onto families, and advocating for the kind of accountability standards that the Railroad Commission has spent years refusing to enforce.
Winter Storm Uri was an epic failure at all levels of government. Gas supply failures during the freeze helped crash our electric grid. When the weather turns brutal, Texans shouldn’t have to cross their fingers and hope the power stays on.Reliability isn’t magic – it’s maintenance, standards, and accountability. As an engineer who’s been hands-on in the oilfield for decades, I know how gas delivery systems can fail and I’m an expert on keeping hydrocarbons flowing to power plants when it counts. Our goal is simple: a more reliable system with fewer outages, fewer surprises on your bill, and most importantly a power grid you can trust.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
Winter Storm Uri was an epic failure at all levels of government. Gas supply failures during the freeze helped crash our electric grid. When the weather turns brutal, Texans shouldn’t have to cross their fingers and hope the power stays on.Reliability isn’t magic – it’s maintenance, standards, and accountability. As an engineer who’s been hands-on in the oilfield for decades, I know how gas delivery systems can fail and I’m an expert on keeping hydrocarbons flowing to power plants when it counts. Our goal is simple: a more reliable system with fewer outages, fewer surprises on your bill, and most importantly a power grid you can trust.
A position shows what the candidate said—not FactVote's endorsement.
Each summary is supported by the candidate's own words from a campaign source, direct candidate response, or official primary record retained with the profile.
I believe the state should have policies that are guardrails for these massive systems, so we can implement a sensible approach to capitalize on this industry while we protect our communities. There needs to be both overarching statewide requirements and elements of local control.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
I believe the state should have policies that are guardrails for these massive systems, so we can implement a sensible approach to capitalize on this industry while we protect our communities. There needs to be both overarching statewide requirements and elements of local control.
Your bill should be boring and predictable. No junk fees, no decades of storm debt from preventable failures. We’ll demand prudence before pass-throughs, set price-smoothing standards, and make every rider understandable so families can budget and businesses can plan.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
Your bill should be boring and predictable. No junk fees, no decades of storm debt from preventable failures. We’ll demand prudence before pass-throughs, set price-smoothing standards, and make every rider understandable so families can budget and businesses can plan.
Texas leads the world in energy because we build and innovate and work hard. Many energy industry leaders have proven they can be profitable while being responsible to communities. We can help Texas move forward with common-sense “All of the Above” energy strategies. By requiring that we capture gas instead of flaring it, encouraging new plays like geothermal, and helping small operators modernize, we can cut waste, lower bills, and create thousands of skilled, homegrown good paying jobs—all by using the know-how Texans already have.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
Texas leads the world in energy because we build and innovate and work hard. Many energy industry leaders have proven they can be profitable while being responsible to communities. We can help Texas move forward with common-sense “All of the Above” energy strategies. By requiring that we capture gas instead of flaring it, encouraging new plays like geothermal, and helping small operators modernize, we can cut waste, lower bills, and create thousands of skilled, homegrown good paying jobs—all by using the know-how Texans already have.
Consumer protection on gas rates: require prudence reviews before companies pass storm costs to customers; block recovery of costs caused by negligence.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
Consumer protection on gas rates: require prudence reviews before companies pass storm costs to customers; block recovery of costs caused by negligence.
Let’s fight against corruption together. If you’re granting a company’s permit, you shouldn’t be cashing that company’s check – full stop. Texans deserve regulators who answer to them, not to corporate big money donors. We’ll ban industry money, publish who we meet with, and make enforcement visible so decisions are based on facts, not favors.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
Let’s fight against corruption together. If you’re granting a company’s permit, you shouldn’t be cashing that company’s check – full stop. Texans deserve regulators who answer to them, not to corporate big money donors. We’ll ban industry money, publish who we meet with, and make enforcement visible so decisions are based on facts, not favors.
No Texan should have to choose between a paycheck and their child’s health. Good jobs and clean air can – and must – coexist. We’ll bring modern monitoring, real enforcement, and clear rules so families aren’t breathing toxics or worrying about their tap water. That’s how we protect frontline neighborhoods and rural wells alike.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
No Texan should have to choose between a paycheck and their child’s health. Good jobs and clean air can – and must – coexist. We’ll bring modern monitoring, real enforcement, and clear rules so families aren’t breathing toxics or worrying about their tap water. That’s how we protect frontline neighborhoods and rural wells alike.
Flaring wastes fuel and money; abandoned wells leak methane and threaten land. We’ll make “polluter pays” real – raise surety bonds so cleanup is funded, plug orphan wells at scale, and restore property. That means less pollution while providing more local jobs doing the work.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
Flaring wastes fuel and money; abandoned wells leak methane and threaten land. We’ll make “polluter pays” real – raise surety bonds so cleanup is funded, plug orphan wells at scale, and restore property. That means less pollution while providing more local jobs doing the work.
Advance notice & plain-language consent for landowners near proposed waste pits or injection wells; real appeal rights with timelines that favor the public.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
Advance notice & plain-language consent for landowners near proposed waste pits or injection wells; real appeal rights with timelines that favor the public.
Statewide, we must require a resource management plan before allowing construction to start. There must be a plan for water and power, and we should not allow construction adjacent to residential areas.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
Statewide, we must require a resource management plan before allowing construction to start. There must be a plan for water and power, and we should not allow construction adjacent to residential areas.
Capture – don’t flare – natural gas with enforceable timelines; support small operators with compliance clinics and tech assistance to install capture and compression.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
Capture – don’t flare – natural gas with enforceable timelines; support small operators with compliance clinics and tech assistance to install capture and compression.
Ban industry donations to Railroad Commissioners (push statutory change).
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
Ban industry donations to Railroad Commissioners (push statutory change).
End routine flaring and venting – permit only true emergencies, with continuous monitoring and swift penalties. We can achieve this by mandating modern leak detection systems, holding major producers to strict capture baselines, and providing localized technical and infrastructure support to smaller, independent operators so they can capture and route this gas into the market efficiently rather than burning it into the sky. The proceeds from sales will both pay for the program and provide financial incentives to participate. It’s a WIN-WIN for industry, for the Railroad Commission, and for consumers and communities.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
End routine flaring and venting – permit only true emergencies, with continuous monitoring and swift penalties. We can achieve this by mandating modern leak detection systems, holding major producers to strict capture baselines, and providing localized technical and infrastructure support to smaller, independent operators so they can capture and route this gas into the market efficiently rather than burning it into the sky. The proceeds from sales will both pay for the program and provide financial incentives to participate. It’s a WIN-WIN for industry, for the Railroad Commission, and for consumers and communities.
Fund it with a small per-barrel surcharge on saltwater disposal (SWD), dedicated entirely to plugging orphan and zombie wells.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
Fund it with a small per-barrel surcharge on saltwater disposal (SWD), dedicated entirely to plugging orphan and zombie wells.
H₂S/chemical hazards: require site-specific emergency plans, alarms, and public notification for releases of sour gas and hazardous checmicals.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
H₂S/chemical hazards: require site-specific emergency plans, alarms, and public notification for releases of sour gas and hazardous checmicals.
That same resource management plan must be coordinated with local government to fit the locality and ensure communities are protected and aware. Communities have a right to disallow construction, and it is ultimately the industry’s responsibility to provide sufficient justification and incentive.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
That same resource management plan must be coordinated with local government to fit the locality and ensure communities are protected and aware. Communities have a right to disallow construction, and it is ultimately the industry’s responsibility to provide sufficient justification and incentive.
Stronger setback standards from homes, schools, and hospitals; require best-available control technology in frontline neighborhoods.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
Stronger setback standards from homes, schools, and hospitals; require best-available control technology in frontline neighborhoods.
Statewide guardrails ensure we don’t have a patchwork of regulations to navigate for industry, and including some local control helps ensure solutions that fit the particular locality and protect the community
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
Statewide guardrails ensure we don’t have a patchwork of regulations to navigate for industry, and including some local control helps ensure solutions that fit the particular locality and protect the community
“No new permits for bad actors” policy: suspend new drilling/injection permits for chronic violators until they remediate.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
“No new permits for bad actors” policy: suspend new drilling/injection permits for chronic violators until they remediate.
As Railroad Commissioner, Jon Rosenthal will use his 25+ years of engineering experience and his record of principled service in the Texas House to bring integrity back to the Commission. He’ll fight for safe, reliable, affordable energy and good-paying jobs for Texans – and a Texas that leads the future.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
As Railroad Commissioner, Jon Rosenthal will use his 25+ years of engineering experience and his record of principled service in the Texas House to bring integrity back to the Commission. He’ll fight for safe, reliable, affordable energy and good-paying jobs for Texans – and a Texas that leads the future.
Complete configured Texas Legislature journal record with selected highlights
The searchable archive contains 6,508 exact attributed records from Texas Legislature Online certified journals (5452 yes, 970 no, 14 present, 72 not voting, and 0 other published choices). The examples below are representative highlights, not a scorecard.
Coverage: January 11, 2023 through September 3, 2025These are descriptive counts from captured official records, not an ideology, effectiveness, or intent score. Subject labels are navigation aids assigned from official measure text. A vote does not establish why the candidate voted that way or support for every provision in a measure.
See all 6,508 recordsYeas 96, Nays 30, Present not voting 1
JON ROSENTHAL is recorded as voting yes in the official record for the motion prevailed by (record 167): 96 yeas, 30 nays, 1 present, not voting..
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
Amend CSHB 1 (senate committee report) in SECTION 5 of the bill, by striking added Section 141.0091(c), Health and Safety Code, and substituting the following:
Amend CSHB 1 (senate committee report) in SECTION 5 of the bill, by striking added Section 141.0091(c), Health and Safety Code, and substituting the following: (c) The executive commissioner by rule shall require a youth camp operator to, at each youth camp the operator operates: (1) maintain an operable radio capable of providing real-time weather alerts issued by the National Weather Service or a similar professional weather service at the camp; (2) install and maintain at the camp an emergency warning system that: (A) is capable of alerting all campers and camp occupants of an emergency; and (B) includes a public address system operable without reliance on an Internet connection; (3) monitor safety alerts issued: (A) by the National Weather Service or a similar professional weather service; and (B) by local river authorities, if applicable to the camp, or through other local emergency notification systems; and (4) certify the operator's compliance with this subsection. PROVIDING FOR ADJOURNMENT SINE DIE At 11:23 p.m., Representative Geren moved that, at the conclusion of the receipt of messages, the signing of bills and resolutions, and administrative actions, the house stand adjourned sine die in memory of the Honorable Jodie Anne Laubenberg of Collin County.
The motion prevailed by (Record 167): 96 Yeas, 30 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.
Yeas — Alders; Allen; Ashby; Barry; Bell, C.; Bell, K.; Bernal; Bhojani; Bonnen; Bowers; Bryant; Buckley; Bucy; Button; Canales; Capriglione; Cole; Collier; Craddick; Cunningham; Curry; Darby; Davis, A.; DeAyala; Dorazio; Dutton; Dyson; Fairly; Flores; Frank; Gámez; Garcia Hernandez; Gates; Gerdes; Geren; Gervin-Hawkins; González, J.; González, M.; Goodwin; Guillen; Harless; Harris; Harris Davila; Hefner; Hickland; Hinojosa; Howard; Hull; Hunter; Johnson; King; Kitzman; Lalani; Landgraf; Leach; Leo Wilson; Longoria; Lopez, J.; Lopez, R.; Lujan; Manuel; McQueeney; Metcalf; Meyer; Meza; Moody; Muñoz; Noble; Oliverson; Orr; Paul; Perez, M.; Perez, V.; Phelan; Raymond; Romero; Rose; Rosenthal; Shaheen; Simmons; Smithee; Spiller; Talarico; Tepper; Thompson; Troxclair; Turner; VanDeaver; Vasut; Villalobos; Vo; Walle; Ward Johnson; Wilson; Wu; Zwiener.
Rosenthal — YES
Yeas 120, Nays 4, Present not voting 1
JON ROSENTHAL is recorded as voting yes in the official record for sb 1 was passed by (record 164): 120 yeas, 4 nays, 1 present, not voting..
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
SB 1, A bill to be entitled An Act relating to campground and youth camp safety.
SB 1 was passed by (Record 164): 120 Yeas, 4 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.
Yeas — Alders; Allen; Barry; Bell, C.; Bell, K.; Bernal; Bhojani; Bonnen; Bowers; Bryant; Buckley; Bucy; Bumgarner; Button; Canales; Capriglione; Cole; Collier; Cook; Cortez; Craddick; Cunningham; Curry; Darby; Davis, A.; DeAyala; Dutton; Dyson; Fairly; Flores; Frank; Gámez; Garcia Hernandez; Gates; Gerdes; Geren; Gervin-Hawkins; González, J.; González, M.; Goodwin; Guillen; Harless; Harris; Harris Davila; Hayes; Hefner; Hickland; Holt; Hopper; Howard; Hull; Hunter; Isaac; Johnson; Kerwin; King; Kitzman; LaHood; Lalani; Landgraf; Leach; Leo Wilson; Little; Longoria; Lopez, J.; Lopez, R.; Louderback; Lozano; Lujan; Luther; Manuel; McLaughlin; McQueeney; Metcalf; Meyer; Meza; Money; Moody; Morgan; Muñoz; Noble; Oliverson; Orr; Patterson; Paul; Perez, M.; Perez, V.; Phelan; Pierson; Raymond; Richardson; Romero; Rose; Rosenthal; Schatzline; Schoolcraft; Shaheen; Shofner; Simmons; Slawson; Smithee; Spiller; Talarico; Tepper; Thompson; Tinderholt; Toth; Troxclair; Turner; VanDeaver; Vasut; Villalobos; Virdell; Vo; Walle; Ward Johnson; Wharton; Wilson; Wu; Zwiener.
Rosenthal — YES
Yeas 80, Nays 28, Present not voting 1
JON ROSENTHAL is recorded as voting no in the official record for hr 128, as amended, was adopted by (record 162): 80 yeas, 28 nays, 1 present, not voting..
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
HR 128, as amended, was adopted by (Record 162): 80 Yeas, 28 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.
Nays — Bowers; Bryant; Bucy; Cole; Collier; Dutton; Garcia Hernandez; Gervin-Hawkins; González, J.; Goodwin; Hinojosa; Howard; Lalani; Lopez, R.; Manuel; Meza; Moody; Perez, V.; Raymond; Romero; Rose; Rosenthal; Simmons; Talarico; Turner; Walle; Ward Johnson; Zwiener.
Rosenthal — NO
Yeas 129, Nays 0, Present not voting 2
JON ROSENTHAL is recorded as voting yes in the official record for the motion to adopt the conference committee report on sb 5 prevailed by (record 161): 129 yeas, 0 nays, 2 present, not voting..
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
SB 5 - CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT ADOPTED
The motion to adopt the conference committee report on SB 5 prevailed by (Record 161): 129 Yeas, 0 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.
Yeas — Alders; Allen; Ashby; Barry; Bell, C.; Bell, K.; Bernal; Bhojani; Bonnen; Bowers; Bryant; Buckley; Bucy; Bumgarner; Button; Cain; Canales; Capriglione; Cole; Collier; Cook; Craddick; Cunningham; Curry; Darby; Davis, A.; DeAyala; Dorazio; Dutton; Dyson; Fairly; Flores; Frank; Gámez; Garcia Hernandez; Gates; Gerdes; Geren; Gervin-Hawkins; González, J.; González, M.; Goodwin; Guillen; Harless; Harris; Harris Davila; Harrison; Hayes; Hefner; Hickland; Hinojosa; Holt; Hopper; Howard; Hull; Hunter; Isaac; Johnson; Kerwin; King; Kitzman; LaHood; Lalani; Lambert; Landgraf; Leach; Leo Wilson; Little; Longoria; Lopez, J.; Lopez, R.; Louderback; Lowe; Lozano; Lujan; Luther; Manuel; Martinez; McLaughlin; McQueeney; Metcalf; Meyer; Meza; Money; Moody; Morgan; Muñoz; Noble; Olcott; Oliverson; Orr; Patterson; Paul; Perez, M.; Perez, V.; Phelan; Pierson; Raymond; Richardson; Romero; Rosenthal; Schatzline; Schofield; Schoolcraft; Shaheen; Shofner; Simmons; Slawson; Smithee; Spiller; Swanson; Talarico; Tepper; Thompson; Tinderholt; Toth; Troxclair; Turner; VanDeaver; Vasut; Villalobos; Virdell; Vo; Walle; Ward Johnson; Wharton; Wilson; Wu; Zwiener.
Rosenthal — YES
Yeas 86, Nays 46, Present not voting 2
JON ROSENTHAL is recorded as voting no in the official record for sb 54 was passed by (record 153): 86 yeas, 46 nays, 2 present, not voting..
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
SB 54, A bill to be entitled An Act relating to election procedures regarding accepting a voter with a residence address that is not current and the immediate effect of a voter's registration after the registrar's receipt of certain change of address notices.
SB 54 was passed by (Record 153): 86 Yeas, 46 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.
Nays — Allen; Bernal; Bhojani; Bowers; Bryant; Bucy; Canales; Cole; Collier; Cortez; Davis, A.; Davis, Y.; Dutton; Flores; Gámez; Garcia, L.; Garcia Hernandez; Gervin-Hawkins; González, M.; Goodwin; Hernandez; Hinojosa; Howard; Lalani; Longoria; Lopez, R.; Martinez; Martinez Fischer; Meza; Moody; Muñoz; Ordaz; Perez, M.; Perez, V.; Raymond; Romero; Rose; Rosenthal; Simmons; Talarico; Thompson; Turner; Vo; Walle; Ward Johnson; Wu.
Rosenthal — NO
Yeas 85, Nays 45, Present not voting 2
JON ROSENTHAL is recorded as voting no in the official record for amendment no. 1, as amended, was adopted by (record 148): 85 yeas, 45 nays, 2 present, not voting..
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
Amend Amendment No. 1 by Shaheen to HB 18 by striking all below the enacting clause and substituting the following:
Amendment No. 1 - Point of Order Representative Martinez Fischer raised a point of order against further consideration of Amendment No. 1 under Article III, Section 40, of the Texas Constitution on the grounds that the subject matter of the amendment is not included in the field of legislation designated by the governor's proclamation. The point of order was withdrawn. Amendment No. 6 Representative Bucy offered the following amendment to Amendment No. 1: Amend Amendment No. 1 by Shaheen to HB 18 on page 2, lines 12 through 14, by striking "the per diem set by the Texas Ethics Commission for each day of a regular or special legislative session under Section 24a(e), Article III, Texas Constitution" and substituting "$2 million". Amendment No. 6 failed of adoption by (Record 146): 44 Yeas, 85 Nays, 2 Present, not voting. Yeas — Allen; Bernal; Bhojani; Bowers; Bryant; Bucy; Canales; Cole; Collier; Cortez; Davis, Y.; Dutton; Gámez; Garcia Hernandez; Gervin-Hawkins; González, M.; Goodwin; Hernandez; Hinojosa; Howard; Johnson; Lalani; Longoria; Lopez, R.; Martinez; Martinez Fischer; Meza; Moody; Muñoz; Ordaz; Perez, M.; Perez, V.; Raymond; Romero; Rose; Rosenthal; Simmons; Talarico; Thompson; Turner; Vo; Walle; Ward Johnson; Wu. Nays — Alders; Ashby; Barry; Bell, C.; Bell, K.; Bonnen; Buckley; Bumgarner; Button; Cain; Capriglione; Cook; Craddick; Cunningham; Curry; Darby; DeAyala; Dorazio; Dyson; Fairly; Frank; Gates; Gerdes; Geren; Guillen; Harless; Harris Davila; Harrison; Hayes; Hefner; Hickland; Holt; Hopper; Hull; Hunter; Isaac; Kerwin; King; Kitzman; LaHood; Lambert; Landgraf; Leach; Leo Wilson; Little; Lopez, J.; Louderback; Lowe; Lozano; Lujan; Luther; McLaughlin; McQueeney; Metcalf; Meyer; Money; Morgan; Noble; Olcott; Oliverson; Orr; Patterson; Paul; Phelan; Pierson; Richardson; Schatzline; Schofield; Schoolcraft; Shaheen; Shofner; Slawson; Smithee; Spiller; Swanson; Tepper; Tinderholt; Toth; Troxclair; VanDeaver; Vasut; Villalobos; Virdell; Wharton; Wilson. Present, not voting — Mr. Speaker; Harris(C). Absent, Excused — Anchía; Dean; González, J.; Guerra; Jones, J.; Manuel; Morales, E.; Morales Shaw; Plesa; Reynolds; Zwiener. Absent — Campos; Davis, A.; Flores; Garcia, J.; Garcia, L.; Jones, V.; Morales, C.; Rodríguez Ramos. Amendment No. 7 Representative Goodwin offered the following amendment to Amendment No. 1: Amend Amendment No. 1 by Shaheen to HB 18 as follows: On page 4, immediately following line 22, insert the following: Sec. 301.109. FALSE STATEMENT OF FACTS; CIVIL PENALTY. (a) A member of the legislature who reports or files a statement of facts under Section 301.074(e) alleging conduct that did not occur is liable for a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $5,000 for each statement reported or filed that is determined to not be true. (b) A person against whom a statement of facts is reported or filed that is determined to not be true under Subsection (a) may bring an action to recover the civil penalty under that subsection. Amendment No. 7 failed of adoption by (Record 147): 44 Yeas, 85 Nays, 2 Present, not voting. Yeas — Allen; Bernal; Bhojani; Bowers; Bryant; Bucy; Canales; Cole; Collier; Cortez; Davis, A.; Davis, Y.; Dutton; Flores; Gámez; Garcia Hernandez; Gervin-Hawkins; Goodwin; Hernandez; Hinojosa; Howard; Johnson; Lalani; Longoria; Lopez, R.; Martinez; Martinez Fischer; Meza; Muñoz; Ordaz; Perez, M.; Perez, V.; Raymond; Romero; Rose; Rosenthal; Simmons; Talarico; Thompson; Turner; Vo; Walle; Ward Johnson; Wu. Nays — Alders; Ashby; Barry; Bell, C.; Bell, K.; Bonnen; Buckley; Bumgarner; Button; Cain; Capriglione; Cook; Craddick; Cunningham; Curry; Darby; DeAyala; Dorazio; Dyson; Fairly; Frank; Gates; Gerdes; Geren; Guillen; Harless; Harris Davila; Harrison; Hayes; Hefner; Hickland; Holt; Hopper; Hull; Hunter; Isaac; Kerwin; King; Kitzman; LaHood; Lambert; Landgraf; Leach; Leo Wilson; Little; Lopez, J.; Louderback; Lowe; Lozano; Lujan; Luther; McLaughlin; McQueeney; Metcalf; Meyer; Money; Morgan; Noble; Olcott; Oliverson; Orr; Patterson; Paul; Phelan; Pierson; Richardson; Schatzline; Schofield; Schoolcraft; Shaheen; Shofner; Slawson; Smithee; Spiller; Swanson; Tepper; Tinderholt; Toth; Troxclair; VanDeaver; Vasut; Villalobos; Virdell; Wharton; Wilson. Present, not voting — Mr. Speaker; Harris(C). Absent, Excused — Anchía; Dean; González, J.; Guerra; Jones, J.; Manuel; Morales, E.; Morales Shaw; Plesa; Reynolds; Zwiener. Absent — Campos; Garcia, J.; Garcia, L.; González, M.; Jones, V.; Moody; Morales, C.; Rodríguez Ramos. Amendment No. 8 Representatives Bucy and Little offered the following amendment to Amendment No. 1: Amend Amendment No. 1 by Shaheen to HB 18 by striking all below the enacting clause and substituting the following: SECTION 1. The heading to Section 253.034, Election Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 253.034. RESTRICTIONS ON CONTRIBUTIONS DURING AND FOLLOWING [REGULAR] LEGISLATIVE SESSION. SECTION 2. Section 253.034, Election Code, is amended by adding Subsection (a-1) and amending Subsections (b) and (c) to read as follows: (a-1) During the period beginning on the date a special legislative session convenes and continuing through the date of final adjournment of the special legislative session, a person may not knowingly make a political contribution to: (1) a statewide officeholder; (2) a member of the legislature; or (3) a specific-purpose committee for supporting, opposing, or assisting a statewide officeholder or member of the legislature. (b) A statewide officeholder, a member of the legislature, or a specific-purpose committee for supporting, opposing, or assisting a statewide officeholder or member of the legislature may not knowingly accept a political contribution, and shall refuse a political contribution that is received, during an applicable [the] period prescribed by Subsection (a) or (a-1). A political contribution that is received and refused during that period shall be returned to the contributor not later than the 30th day after the date of receipt. A contribution made by United States mail or by common or contract carrier is not considered received during that period if it was properly addressed and placed with postage or carrier charges prepaid or prearranged in the mail or delivered to the contract carrier before the beginning of the period. The date indicated by the post office cancellation mark or the common or contract carrier documents is considered to be the date the contribution was placed in the mail or delivered to the common or contract carrier unless proven otherwise. (c) This section does not apply to a political contribution that was made and accepted with the intent that it be used: (1) in an election held or ordered during a [the] period prescribed by Subsection (a) or (a-1) in which the person accepting the contribution is a candidate if the contribution was made after the person appointed a campaign treasurer with the appropriate authority and before the person was sworn in for that office; (2) to defray expenses incurred in connection with an election contest; or (3) by a person who holds a state office or a member of the legislature if the person or member was defeated at the general election held immediately before the session is convened or by a specific-purpose political committee that supports or assists only that person or member. SECTION 3. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to a political contribution made on or after the effective date of this Act. A political contribution made before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the contribution was made, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect on the 91st day after the last day of the legislative session. Amendment No. 8 - Point of Order Representative Vasut raised a point of order against further consideration of Amendment No. 8 under Rule 11, Section 2, of the House Rules on the grounds that the amendment is not germane. (Landgraf in the chair) The point of order was withdrawn. Amendment No. 8 was withdrawn.
Amendment No. 1, as amended, was adopted by (Record 148): 85 Yeas, 45 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.
Nays — Allen; Bernal; Bhojani; Bowers; Bryant; Bucy; Canales; Cole; Collier; Cortez; Davis, Y.; Dutton; Gámez; Garcia, L.; Garcia Hernandez; Gervin-Hawkins; González, M.; Goodwin; Hernandez; Hinojosa; Howard; Johnson; Lalani; Longoria; Lopez, R.; Martinez; Martinez Fischer; Meza; Moody; Muñoz; Ordaz; Perez, M.; Perez, V.; Raymond; Romero; Rose; Rosenthal; Simmons; Talarico; Thompson; Turner; Vo; Walle; Ward Johnson; Wu.
Rosenthal — NO
Yeas 44, Nays 85, Present not voting 2
JON ROSENTHAL is recorded as voting yes in the official record for amendment no. 7 failed of adoption by (record 147): 44 yeas, 85 nays, 2 present, not voting..
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
Amend Amendment No. 1 by Shaheen to HB 18 on page 2, lines 12 through 14, by striking "the per diem set by the Texas Ethics Commission for each day of a regular or special legislative session under Section 24a(e), Article III, Texas Constitution" and substituting "$2 million".
Amendment No. 7 Representative Goodwin offered the following amendment to Amendment No. 1: Amend Amendment No. 1 by Shaheen to HB 18 as follows: On page 4, immediately following line 22, insert the following: Sec. 301.109. FALSE STATEMENT OF FACTS; CIVIL PENALTY. (a) A member of the legislature who reports or files a statement of facts under Section 301.074(e) alleging conduct that did not occur is liable for a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $5,000 for each statement reported or filed that is determined to not be true. (b) A person against whom a statement of facts is reported or filed that is determined to not be true under Subsection (a) may bring an action to recover the civil penalty under that subsection.
Amendment No. 7 failed of adoption by (Record 147): 44 Yeas, 85 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.
Yeas — Allen; Bernal; Bhojani; Bowers; Bryant; Bucy; Canales; Cole; Collier; Cortez; Davis, A.; Davis, Y.; Dutton; Flores; Gámez; Garcia Hernandez; Gervin-Hawkins; Goodwin; Hernandez; Hinojosa; Howard; Johnson; Lalani; Longoria; Lopez, R.; Martinez; Martinez Fischer; Meza; Muñoz; Ordaz; Perez, M.; Perez, V.; Raymond; Romero; Rose; Rosenthal; Simmons; Talarico; Thompson; Turner; Vo; Walle; Ward Johnson; Wu.
Rosenthal — YES
Yeas 85, Nays 47, Present not voting 2
JON ROSENTHAL is recorded as voting no in the official record for amendment no. 5 was adopted by (record 145): 85 yeas, 47 nays, 2 present, not voting..
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
HB 18 - (consideration continued)
Amendment No. 5 - Point of Order Representative Dutton raised a point of order against further consideration of Amendment No. 5 under Article III, Section 40, of the Texas Constitution. The speaker overruled the point of order, announcing his decision to the house as follows: Mr. Dutton raises a point of order against further consideration of the Little Amendment under Article III, Section 40, Texas Constitution on the grounds that the subject matter of the amendment is not included in the field of legislation designated by the governor's proclamation. The chair previously held that the class embraced by the bill is individual members and special-purpose political committees which operate as members' alter ego. 89 H. Jour. 2d C.S. 363 (2025). It follows that since special-purpose political committees operate as alter egos for legislators, they are encompassed within the governor's call language of "legislation to impose penalties or punishments for legislators who willfully absent themselves during a session." The pending amendment applies to a legislative caucus only if the caucus "also has a principal purpose of a special-purpose committee." Just as special-purpose committees are encompassed within the governor's call, so are legislative caucuses as defined by the amendment. Thus, the amendment falls within the governor's call. Accordingly, the point of order is respectfully overruled.
Amendment No. 5 was adopted by (Record 145): 85 Yeas, 47 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.
Nays — Allen; Bernal; Bhojani; Bowers; Bryant; Bucy; Canales; Cole; Collier; Cortez; Davis, A.; Davis, Y.; Dutton; Flores; Gámez; Garcia, L.; Garcia Hernandez; Gervin-Hawkins; González, M.; Goodwin; Hernandez; Hinojosa; Howard; Johnson; Lalani; Longoria; Lopez, R.; Martinez; Martinez Fischer; Meza; Moody; Muñoz; Ordaz; Perez, M.; Perez, V.; Raymond; Romero; Rose; Rosenthal; Simmons; Talarico; Thompson; Turner; Vo; Walle; Ward Johnson; Wu.
Rosenthal — NO
Every certified daily journal exposed by the official Texas journal API for the configured legislatures was inspected. Only an exact member label printed in a Yeas, Nays, Present-not-voting, Absent, or Absent-excused list becomes a personal record. Unanimous or voice outcomes without a printed member list, sponsorship, attendance outside a vote, and omitted names are not inferred.
Official filings may be amended after publication.
Texas Ethics Commission report-period totals for January 1, 2026 through June 30, 2026.
Texas figures are the totals and maintained-contribution balance reported for the displayed reporting period. They are not represented as a complete election-cycle aggregate.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
Filer ID: 82332
Filer name: Rosenthal, Jon E.
CTA office sought: Railroad Commissioner
Report ID: 101056369
Filer ID: 00082332
Total political contributions: $0.00
Total political expenditures: $119832.70
Total political contributions maintained: $64511.00
Outstanding loans: $0.00
Period covered: 2026-01-01 through 2026-06-30
Every profile claim points back to retained source evidence.
Texas Secretary of State
Open Texas Secretary of StateTexas Secretary of State
Open Texas Secretary of StateJON ROSENTHAL campaign
Open JON ROSENTHAL campaignJON ROSENTHAL campaign
Open JON ROSENTHAL campaignJON ROSENTHAL campaign
Open JON ROSENTHAL campaignLink checked September 15, 2026.
JON ROSENTHAL campaign
Open JON ROSENTHAL campaignLink checked September 15, 2026.
JON ROSENTHAL campaign
Open JON ROSENTHAL campaignLink checked September 15, 2026.
JON ROSENTHAL campaign
Open JON ROSENTHAL campaignLink checked September 15, 2026.
JON ROSENTHAL campaign
Open JON ROSENTHAL campaignLink checked September 15, 2026.
JON ROSENTHAL campaign
Open JON ROSENTHAL campaignLink checked September 15, 2026.
JON ROSENTHAL campaign
Open JON ROSENTHAL campaignLink checked September 15, 2026.
JON ROSENTHAL campaign
Open JON ROSENTHAL campaignLink checked September 15, 2026.
JON ROSENTHAL campaign
Open JON ROSENTHAL campaignLink checked September 15, 2026.
Texas Legislature Online certified journals
Open Texas Legislature Online certified journalsTexas Legislature Online certified journals
Open Texas Legislature Online certified journalsTexas Legislature Online certified journals
Open Texas Legislature Online certified journalsTexas Legislature Online certified journals
Open Texas Legislature Online certified journalsTexas Legislature Online certified journals
Open Texas Legislature Online certified journalsTexas Legislature Online certified journals
Open Texas Legislature Online certified journalsTexas Legislature Online certified journals
Open Texas Legislature Online certified journalsTexas Legislature Online certified journals
Open Texas Legislature Online certified journalsTexas Ethics Commission
Open Texas Ethics CommissionTexas Secretary of State
Open Texas Secretary of State