SB 373: A $5,000 Cap on Checks to Texas Lawmakers

One donor. One check. How big can it be? For a Texas lawmaker, the bill text says there is no cap today. SB 373, filed today, would set one: $5,000.

Plain English summary

On November 13, 2026, Sen. Molly Cook filed Senate Bill 373. (FACT, SB 373 bill history)

The House twin is HB 774 by Rep. Zwiener, filed November 9. The Legislature's own site lists the two as identical. (FACT, HB 774 bill history)

Here is what the bill does. It is short. Four sections.

It adds a new Section 253.008 to the Texas Election Code. (FACT, SB 373 text)

A person, other than a political committee, could not give more than $5,000 to a candidate for statewide office or the Legislature, per election. (FACT, SB 373 text)

A political committee, a PAC, could not give more than $10,000 to that same candidate, per election. (FACT, SB 373 text)

The same caps cover a specific-purpose committee set up to back that candidate or oppose the opponent. (FACT, SB 373 text)

It also cuts one existing limit. Right now a statewide judicial candidate can take up to $25,000 in total from general-purpose PACs for an election. SB 373 drops that to $10,000. (FACT, SB 373 text, current amount shown in brackets)

It only counts money given after it takes effect. Effective date: September 1, 2027. (FACT, SB 373 text)

Why it matters

Texas already has contribution limits for judicial races. (FACT, Election Code Chapter 253)

This bill would add a cap for the people who write the laws. Governor. Lieutenant governor. Attorney general. Every state senator. Every state rep.

The way the bill is written tells you that cap is not there now. It creates the limit as a brand new section. (DOCUMENTED INFERENCE, from the bill text)

So a donor who could write a six-figure check and the family that gives $50 are playing under the same rule.

No dollar limit.

The receipt

This is not the first time this bill showed up.

Last session it was SB 2889 by Cook and HB 1020 by Zwiener. Same caption. Same subject. (FACT, SB 2889 history, HB 1020 history)

HB 1020 was referred to House State Affairs on March 7, 2025. SB 2889 was referred to Senate State Affairs on April 7, 2025. That referral is the last action listed for both. (FACT, bill histories)

There is one change in the new version. The 2025 bill said "a person" could not give more than $5,000. The 2026 bill says "a person, other than a political committee." That wording makes clear PACs get the $10,000 lane, not the $5,000 one. (FACT, HB 1020 text compared to SB 373 text)

Two days ago I wrote about SCR 2 and HCR 19. Those resolutions ask Congress for an amendment letting states limit election spending. (My article on SCR 2 and HCR 19)

That was a letter to Washington.

This is a bill in Austin.

What Ryan says

I am a candidate. I raise money. So I am going to say this plainly.

I want a race where the $25 from a welder in Gilmer counts for something.

I do not want a race decided before the first vote by who has the biggest donor on speed dial.

Show me the vote.

If a lawmaker thinks $5,000 is too low, say what number is right. Say it on the record. If they think there should be no limit at all, say that too. Out loud. In committee. With your name on it.

What I do not want is a second session where this bill gets referred and then nothing.

Same Capitol. Same bill. Same silence.

Give it a hearing.

What this does not prove

It does not prove the bill will pass. It has been filed and nothing else. (FACT, bill history)

It does not prove any current officeholder took a big check for a bad reason. I am not naming anybody. I am talking about the rule.

It does not prove $5,000 is the right number. That is a debate worth having.

It does not tell you the penalty for breaking the cap. The new section does not spell one out. (FACT, SB 373 text)

What it does prove

A bill to cap campaign checks to Texas statewide and legislative candidates is filed in both chambers for 2027. (FACT)

The same idea was filed in 2025 and the last recorded action was a committee referral. (FACT, 89R bill histories)

Texas limits money in judicial races, and this bill would add limits for statewide and legislative races. (FACT, Election Code Chapter 253 and SB 373 text)

The bottom line

$5,000 from a person. $10,000 from a PAC. Per election.

You can love that number or hate it.

But it deserves a hearing and a recorded vote.

Do not threaten anyone. Do not harass anyone. Do not contact anyone in my name. Read it. Share it. Send receipts, evidence, witnesses. Put eyes on the record.