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Bill

HB 2472

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

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Lauren Simmons

Texas bill creates criminal penalties for violations involving gratuity payments to tipped employees in service industry positions.

Referred to s/c on Workforce by Speaker
#credit&debitcards(s0388) #civilremedies&liabilities(i0065) #crimes--againstpersons--general(i0170) #labor--general(i0500) #labor--managementrelations(i0465) #labor--wages(i0485)
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Bill Summary · HB 2472

Legislative bill overview

HB 2472 relates to gratuity payments for tipped employees in Texas and establishes criminal penalties for violations. The bill was introduced by Representative Lauren Simmons and referred to the Workforce subcommittee. Specific details about what conduct triggers the criminal offense are not provided in the available action history.

Why is this important

Tipped employment involves complex payment structures that differ from standard wage arrangements, affecting hundreds of thousands of Texas workers. Creating criminal liability around gratuity handling could significantly reshape how restaurants, bars, hotels, and other service establishments manage tip payments and employee compensation.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of criminal penalties: Whether criminal charges are appropriate versus civil remedies for gratuity disputes, and what specific conduct warrants prosecution
  • Employer obligations vs. employee rights: The balance between protecting workers from tip misappropriation and preserving employer discretion in gratuity distribution policies
  • Interaction with federal wage law: How state-level criminal penalties align with or complicate existing federal tip credit regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act

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

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