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HB 5606

OFF OF ECON EQUITY AND EMPOWER

103rd Regular Session Introduced by Dee Avelar and 4 co-sponsors

Establishes the Office of Economic Equity and Empowerment to coordinate equity programs and guide policy for underserved communities.

Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading January 5, 2025
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Bill Summary · HB 5606

Summary — HB 5606: “OFF OF ECON EQUITY AND EMPOWER”

Note: The legislative record provided contains procedural history but does not include the bill’s full text or section-by-section content. The title ("OFF OF ECON EQUITY AND EMPOWER") indicates the bill likely concerns creating or modifying an Office of Economic Equity and Empowerment (or similarly named entity). The summary below reports available facts, the procedural timeline, and reasonable, clearly‑labeled inferences where the text is not available.

Purpose (inferred)

  • Based on the bill title, the intent appears to be to establish, reorganize, or authorize functions for an Office of Economic Equity and Empowerment (or Office of Economic Equity and Empower). Such offices typically have duties like coordinating economic equity programs, advising on policy to reduce economic disparities, providing technical assistance to communities, and administering related grant or outreach programs.
  • Because the actual bill language is not included in the record provided, specific powers, duties, funding, reporting requirements, or statutory changes cannot be confirmed here.

Key procedural milestones (selected)

  • Filed: March 14, 2025 (bill number HB 5606 appears in the 2025 sequence).
  • Committee referrals and activity:
    • Referred to various committees across both chambers during 2024–2025 (Economic Opportunity & Equity; Executive; Education K‑16; Public Education; Labor & Public Employees; Assignments; Rules).
    • Committee substitute considered and adopted in multiple committees; House Committee Amendment No. 1 filed by Rep. Kam Buckner and adopted in Economic Opportunity & Equity Committee (voice vote).
    • Reported favorably (committee reports indicate favorable recommendation; at least one committee reported favorably without amendments).
  • Chamber actions:
    • Readings and calendar placements occurred repeatedly across 2024–2025 (multiple “placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading” entries and second/third reading entries).
    • Passed (recorded) on May 16, 2025 (record votes and statements of vote recorded).
    • Received by the other chamber on May 19, 2025; thereafter referred to Education K‑16 on May 20, 2025.
  • Recent actions (May 2025):
    • Public hearing(s) and testimony taken (late April/May 2025).
    • Committee reported favorably on May 27, 2025; placed on intent calendar May 28, 2025.
    • Co-sponsor authorizations recorded May 27–28, 2025.

Sponsors and committees

  • Sponsors (from record highlights): Rep. Kam Buckner (filed with Clerk); additional co‑sponsors added over time (e.g., Rep. Dagmara Avelar, Rep. Edgar González Jr., Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch, Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez). On Senate side, Chief Sponsor noted as Sen. Celina Villanueva; Sen. Don Harmon is listed as alternate chief sponsor and filed a Senate committee amendment.
  • Relevant committees: Economic Opportunity & Equity; Executive; Education K‑16; Public Education; Rules; Assignments; Joint Comm. on Labor and Public Employees.

Who would be affected

  • Likely affected parties (based on title): state executive branch (if an office is created or reorganized), community organizations and residents targeted by economic equity programs, local governments, and state agencies that coordinate on economic development and equity initiatives.
  • Fiscal impact: unknown from the record. Creation or expansion of an office typically has budgetary implications (staffing, administrative costs, program funds) — the bill’s fiscal note or appropriations language would specify amounts.

What is still unknown / recommended next steps to confirm details

  • The full bill text and fiscal note are needed to confirm:
    • Whether the bill creates a new office or renames/restructures an existing entity
    • Specific duties, authorities, and reporting or sunset requirements
    • Funding sources, appropriations, and estimated costs
    • Any grant programs, licensing, or regulatory changes
  • Where to look:
    • The official state legislature website for HB 5606 (bill text, fiscal notes, committee reports)
    • Committee hearing materials, testimony, and the committee substitute language (dated late April–early May 2025)
    • Journal entries for recorded votes and statements for context on legislative support

Current status (as of provided record)

  • Active and moving through the legislative process: committee hearings completed, reported favorably in committee (May 27, 2025), placed on the intent/general calendar (May 28, 2025), with co‑sponsors authorized. The bill has recorded passage activity (May 16, 2025) in one chamber and was transmitted to the other and referred to committee (Education K‑16) shortly thereafter.

If you want, I can:
- Look up the bill text and fiscal note (if you provide the state/legislature or allow me to access public sources), or
- Draft an explainer of common provisions typically included when a state creates an Office of Economic Equity and Empowerment so you can compare against the actual bill text.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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