According to the Legislative Budget Board (LBB), HB 824 is not expected to have a significant fiscal impact on the State of Texas. The assumption is that any costs associated with implementing the new civics instruction requirements can be absorbed by the Texas Education Agency and other involved state entities using existing resources.

However, the bill does have implications for local governments, particularly public school districts. These districts are expected to incur costs related to adapting to the new instructional mandates. Specifically, expenses may arise from identifying and purchasing new instructional resources, updating current government course curricula to comply with the new requirements, and providing professional development and training for educators to effectively deliver the enhanced civics instruction. While the scale of these local costs will likely vary based on district size and existing instructional infrastructure, they represent an unfunded mandate that schools will have to manage within their local budgets.

Texas Policy Research recommends that lawmakers vote YES on HB 824 based on its clear alignment with core liberty principles, its modest fiscal footprint, and its targeted response to a civic knowledge gap among Texas high school graduates. As highlighted in the bill analysis, the purpose of HB 824 is to strengthen the foundation of democratic government by equipping students with practical knowledge of how government works, how to participate in elections, and who represents them across various levels of governance. This is in direct service to fostering informed, responsible citizenship—essential for maintaining a free society.

From a liberty-oriented lens, the bill promotes individual liberty by ensuring that students understand their rights and the mechanisms available to them for civic engagement. It also reinforces personal responsibility by preparing students to be active participants in their communities. Though the bill has no significant state fiscal impact, it does require local districts to modify curricula and train teachers, which are manageable and arguably necessary investments in democratic literacy.

Finally, HB 824 neither expands government authority nor imposes burdensome mandates on private actors. Instead, it ensures that public institutions—namely schools—adequately prepare students to participate in self-government. Given these factors, the legislation supports limited government, respects taxpayer resources, and strengthens civil society. Texas Policy Research recommends that lawmakers vote YES on HB 824.

• Individual Liberty: The bill empowers students with knowledge about their rights, elected representation, and how government functions. This kind of civic education enables individuals to better exercise their freedoms—such as voting, petitioning the government, and speaking out on public issues. An informed citizenry is essential to safeguarding liberty.
• Personal Responsibility: By teaching students how to engage in elections and public service, the bill fosters a sense of civic duty. Understanding how to participate in democracy encourages young people to take ownership of their roles as citizens and make thoughtful, responsible contributions to their communities.
• Free Enterprise: The bill does not directly affect economic freedoms, regulation, or market participation. However, a better-informed public may indirectly support free enterprise by electing officials who respect economic liberty.
• Private Property Rights: There is no language in the bill that addresses ownership, eminent domain, or land use, so it has no direct impact on private property rights.
• Limited Government: Rather than expanding state power, the bill uses existing educational infrastructure to improve civic knowledge. It does not create new agencies, fines, or regulatory authority. Instead, it equips future voters with the tools to hold government accountable—an essential check on overreach.

• SB 2643 (Same As)