Committee adopts House amendment and advances House Bill 24 12 after debate

Committee on Financial Institutions · February 18, 2026

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Summary

The committee adopted a House amendment aligning the bill's definition of 'unauthorized' with the Senate's and then approved the House Committee substitute for House Bill 24 12 by a 10–5 vote after members debated business impacts.

Chair Owen introduced a substitute and amendment to House Bill 24 12 that, according to the chair, aligns the House definition with the Senate definition of 'unauthorized' under federal immigration and employment law. The chair said the change was intended to reduce interpretive conflicts and strengthen enforcement certainty for regulated entities.

Representative Clemens said he believed the bill would be 'detrimental to businesses' and indicated he would be a 'no' vote. The committee adopted the amendment, rolled it into the substitute, and then voted on the substitute. The secretary recorded 10 yes votes and 5 no; the chair announced the House Committee substitute for House Bill 24 12 had been approved (do pass).

The committee adjourned after completing the day's business.