Texas Governor Abbott Signs Several Pro-Business Bills Into Law

Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law several pro-business bills designed to support small businesses. The bills were filed by Republicans and one Democrat and passed with bipartisan support.

“Most businesses in the state are actually small businesses,” Abbott said at the bill signing at a Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership event. “They employ about half of all employees around the entire state. We wanted to make sure that we passed laws that would improve the process of doing business in the state, and we took strategic steps to achieve just that. The laws being signed today reduce barriers for small businesses and prioritize ordinary Texans.”

Pro-business bills were a legislative priority of both the Texas Senate and House and were introduced in response to the findings of a Small Business Freedom Council Abbott launched last year. The council was tasked with reviewing government efficiency for Texas businesses and providing recommendations to cut unnecessary government regulations.

Abbott also instructed the Office of Small Business Assistance to recommend what rules, fees and regulations should be eliminated that created barriers to the success of small businesses and entrepreneurs. After convening, the council published a report making recommendations that were incorporated into the bills Abbott signed.

Abbott signed HB 346 into law, which streamlines the fee process for new businesses. Currently, new business owners pay different fees to register their business with the state; fee amounts range in price and the registration process has been burdensome, the bill analysis says. The expenses and process “can be a barrier of entry, especially for small businesses with limited capital,” it states. “Considering Texas’ positive reputation as a business-friendly state, entrepreneurship should not be hindered by unnecessary regulations and fees.”