McAllen state rep. files bills targeting concert ticket fees and new energy sources

State Rep. Bobby Guerra addresses former McAllen Mayor Jim Darling during a legislative update luncheon hosted by the McAllen Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022. (Dina Arévalo | [email protected])

A Rio Grande Valley state representative recently filed several bills proposing to diversify energy production sources, create transparency when purchasing concert tickets and changing opaque insurance policy contracts to protect the elderly.

Rep. R.D. “Bobby” Guerra, D-McAllen, filed five new bills Friday for consideration in the 88th Legislative Session.

“The bills are part of my robust legislative package intended to advance the priorities and improve the lives of my constituents in the Rio Grande Valley and the residents of our great state of Texas,” Guerra said in a Monday news release. “These bills are especially aimed to support and improve our energy infrastructure, help small businesses and consumers, and increase price transparency.”

Guerra is pushing for the addition of geothermal energy use in Texas which is a renewable and sustainable form of energy that relies on the heat emitted from the Earth’s core. The representative said the bill expresses his support to not only diversify the energy production portfolio but to create new jobs in the energy sector.

Two bills filed last week target the fees associated with buying concert tickets or renting a home for a short stay.

House Bills 1496 and 1497 would require websites and mobile applications to clearly disclose prices upfront to the consumer for tickets or short-term rentals in Texas. The bills also intend to cap additional fees to no more than 10% of the original price.

Another piece of legislation, House Bill 1495, seeks to lease publicly owned spaces to the performing arts by first requiring a study which could later be voted on.

Guerra said two elderly constituents experienced the consequences of an insurance policy in need of transparency. According to the news release, their insurance policy had an automatic loan provision clause that drained their $10,000 plan to nearly nothing. House Bill 1498 intends to increase transparency in life insurance policy contracts.

“My commitment to make Texas the best place to live never ends, and these newly filed bills provide Texans the opportunity for their deserved success,” Guerra said in the news release.


To find a comprehensive list of bills filed — and the status of those bills — visit MyRGV.com and click the 88th Texas Legislative Session tab, which has an interactive spreadsheet and a comprehensive list of AIM Media Texas’ legislative coverage.