HB 4921 Threatens Texas Miracle, Risks Driving Out Critical Industries

Proposed legislation could undermine Texas’s economic success by burdening businesses with new restrictions.

FEATUREDPOLICY

TXBIZNEWS

5/13/20251 min read

Austin, TX — House Bill 4921, under consideration in the Texas Capitol as of May 13, 2025, aims to restrict businesses’ use of international labor, threatening the Texas Miracle—decades of job creation, population growth, and global investment, as outlined in a Texas Association of Business (TAB) statement.

The Details:

  • Economic Impact: HB 4921 imposes new compliance rules, tracking requirements, and limits on tax credits, potentially blocking state investments like retirement funds.

  • Critical Industries at Risk: Semiconductors, with globally integrated supply chains and major Texas operations, could leave, harming the state’s economy and U.S. national security by weakening domestic tech resilience.

  • TAB Opposition: TAB President Glenn Hamer warned, “This legislation would discourage investment… and harm companies engaged in legitimate international operations.”

  • Texas’s Global Role: As the top U.S. exporting state for 23 years, Texas thrives on pro-business policies, hosting over 50 Fortune 500 firms.

Why It Matters:

HB 4921 risks derailing Texas’s economic leadership and national security contributions, especially in strategic sectors like semiconductors.

The Catch:

Balancing global competitiveness with local priorities remains a challenge for lawmakers.

Bottom Line:

Texas must reject HB 4921 to preserve its economic miracle and global standing.