AUSTIN (June 13, 2023) – Small business owners in Texas are grateful Governor Greg Abbott has signed the Texas Regulatory Consistency Act (HB 2127) into law. Championed by Rep. Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) and Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe), the law clarifies that business and labor standards are maintained under state and federal law, while more narrowly focused law on health, safety, and permitting of businesses will still fall under local authority. This clarification will help small business owners better comply with regulations, rather than being burdened by the complexity of multiple jurisdictions of law over their business practices.

Upon the Texas Regulatory Consistency Act becoming law, NFIB State Director Annie Spilman said:

“Today is a tremendous day for Texas job creators. In the past five years, our small business owners have faced no shortage of challenges – from onerous local mandates to skyrocketing property taxes. Uncertainty has been a hallmark of this economic environment. The Texas Regulatory Consistency Act provides immediate relief from the patchwork of regulations that threatens our job creators and our state’s vibrant economy. Our members are grateful to lawmakers here in Austin for standing up for small business owners in Texas.”

Background:

The Texas Regulatory Consistency Act was approved by the House on a bipartisan basis in April, before passing the Senate in May. NFIB and local job creators testified before both the House and Senate in support of the bill, with one NFIB member saying: “We need the protection of the state, when it comes to cities telling us how to run our businesses.”

READ: FACT CHECK: Patchwork of Regulations Threatens Texas Small Business Owners