Rafael Anchía is a Democratic member of the Texas House of Representatives for District 103 and is running for re-election on November 3, 2026.[1][2]He took office on January 11, 2005, and is an attorney at Haynes and Boone, LLP.[1]
Rafael Anchía is an attorney with Haynes and Boone, LLP, and previously worked as an attorney for Patton Boggs LLP.[1]He has been a guest lecturer at St. Mary's University School of Law, an adjunct professor at Texas Tech University School of Law and a visiting professor at Tulane University Law School.[1]He is a member of the Oak Cliff Lions Club and has chaired the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials.[1]
Anchía advanced from the March 3, 2026 Democratic primary and faces Republican Melanie Medley-Thomas in the general election.[1][2]In the 2023-2024 session, Ballotpedia lists him on the House Administration, Energy Resources, Redistricting and State Affairs committees.[1]
Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Democrats voted. How topics are assigned
›Rights & public safety572 with · 48 against620 votes
Makes an application for an early voting ballot by mail count as an application for any resulting runoff election too, unless the applicant asks not to receive a runoff ballot.
On the version voted May 30, 2025: Bars governments, companies and certain individuals tied to countries named as national security threats in recent federal intelligence assessments, or designated by the governor, from buying Texas real estate, with exceptions for U.S. citizens, permanent residents and some homes; violations can bring felony charges, fines and forced sale.
Changes where candidates nominated by convention pay filing fees, from the secretary of state or county judge to the party's state or county chair, and repeals the requirement to deposit those fees in state or county funds.
On the version voted May 31, 2025: Sets the state budget for the two fiscal years ending August 2026 and August 2027, appropriating about $176 billion for fiscal 2026 and $162 billion for fiscal 2027 from all fund sources to state agencies, courts, schools and universities.
On the version voted May 21, 2025: Requires a two-thirds vote of a local governing body to adopt impact fees on new development, bars raising an impact fee more than once every three years, and requires related plans to be public at least 60 days before hearing notice.
Directs the governor to seek federal authorization and then allows a memorandum of understanding with a Mexican state for a temporary guest worker program, supplying legal workers on U.S. nonimmigrant visas to Texas businesses in high-need jobs.
As reported by the House committee, requires each school district board to adopt and post a policy setting benchmarks for square feet a properly equipped custodian may be assigned per eight-hour shift, by school level, beginning in 2025-26.
On the version voted May 26, 2025: Bars the Texas Education Agency, State Board of Education and other state-funded educational institutions from adopting any rule or policy that regulates a home school's educational program, starting with the 2025-2026 school year.
On the version voted Apr 24, 2025: Creates a state-run education savings account program letting families use public money for private school and other approved education costs, generally about 85% of average per-student school funding, up to $30,000 for students with disabilities and $2,000 for homeschoolers, capped at $1 billion for 2025–2027.
On the version voted May 28, 2025: Requires a health care provider who diagnoses an unborn child with a life-threatening or life-limiting condition to give the pregnant woman state information on perinatal palliative care and a provider list; repeat violations carry a $1,000 administrative penalty.
Requires the Health and Human Services Commission to hire a language access coordinator to assess non-English speakers' access to its programs and 2-1-1 services and report findings within one year; the provisions expire June 1, 2027.
On the version voted May 25, 2025: Requires the state health department to post its school vaccine exemption form online for printing, rather than only mailing it on request, bars requiring personal information to get the form, and stops the department from tracking who obtains it.
Lets the Public Utility Commission use Texas Energy Fund money, without further appropriation, for grants to customers or nonprofits for energy efficiency projects such as weatherization and demand reduction.
Requires the Texas Workforce Commission to run a Dallas-Fort Worth pilot with junior colleges, technical institutes and employers to train students for energy-efficient technology jobs, including dual-credit courses and a certificate of completion.
Proposes amending the Texas Constitution to let the Texas energy fund also finance energy efficiency projects conducted to benefit retail electric customers.
Requires metropolitan planning organizations to consider the transportation needs of people who receive services from the Health and Human Services Commission or Workforce Commission in 10-year plans, and to show providers considered meeting those needs when requesting state funding.
Allows the Texas Facilities Commission to authorize electric vehicle charging stations in state-owned parking lots and garages built on or after September 1, 2025, considering EV registrations, state employee EVs and lot usage, under guidelines requiring installation at no cost to the state.
Creates a comptroller-run grant program, funded by appropriation, for counties that help indigent litigants with transportation to and from court proceedings.
On the version voted May 21, 2025: Requires a two-thirds vote of a local governing body to adopt impact fees on new development, bars raising an impact fee more than once every three years, and requires related plans to be public at least 60 days before hearing notice.
As reported by the House committee, requires cities and counties to set up complaint processes for public camping ban violations and act on complaints within 90 days, and lets the attorney general and state police enforce the ban and recover costs from local governments that fail to act.
Requires registrars and county clerks to issue a homeless individual a certified birth record free on request, under verification and documentation rules set by the health commission, without requiring a physical address.
On the version voted May 28, 2025: Requires electronic health records of Texans to be stored in the United States, gives parents full access to their minor children's records, requires records to note biological sex as observed at birth, and lets doctors use artificial intelligence if they review results and tell patients.
On the version voted Apr 16, 2025: Creates a state program that gives grants to Texas-based businesses that win federal small business innovation research or technology transfer awards, matching or supplementing that federal money, limited to one grant per business each year.
Requires the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, with the Texas Homeless Network, to set up a statewide network for sharing real-time homelessness data and to work with health plans to connect homeless individuals to services.
Exempts from the franchise tax a corporation that operates an FAA-authorized spaceport and has a contract with the U.S. Department of Defense for spaceflight or launch services.
Bars constructing structures taller than 500 feet within five miles of an FAA-designated aerobatic training area used by a Defense Department aviation contractor, if designated by January 1, 2025.
Creates a Homeland Security Division in the Department of Public Safety to plan border security operations, run intelligence centers, manage the Operation Drawbridge camera program, and coordinate statewide homeland security planning and exercises with agencies and local governments.
Voted against most of their party on 38 of 836 party-divided votes on file.
Most often on: Rights & public safety (21), Education & families (12), Climate & energy (4)
Proposing a constitutional amendment requiring the denial of bail to persons accused of certain offenses punishable as a felony who have previously been convicted of or who were released on bail for certain offenses punishable as a felony at the time of the new offense
What it does: Proposes a constitutional amendment requiring denial of bail, after a hearing where prosecutors show probable cause, to people accused of murder, aggravated assault, aggravated sexual assault, human trafficking or cer…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 10–40, Republicans 87–0
Relating to certain criminal offenses involving mail or a mail receptacle key or lock; creating a criminal offense; increasing a criminal penalty
What it does: Expands the mail theft offense to cover taking mail anywhere, not only from a mailbox or premises, and with intent to steal a negotiable instrument; possessing mail from five or more addressees creates a rebuttable pr…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 15–42, Republicans 81–2
Relating to participation by non-enrolled students in University Interscholastic League-sponsored activities
What it does: On the version voted May 27, 2025: Requires public schools in University Interscholastic League activities to let homeschooled students participate unless the district or charter adopts a policy opting out; homeschool…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 27–28, Republicans 82–0
Proposing a constitutional amendment requiring the denial of bail to persons accused of certain offenses punishable as a felony who have previously been convicted of or who were released on bail for certain offenses punishable as a felony at the time of the new offense
What it does: On the version voted May 27, 2025: Proposes a constitutional amendment requiring denial of bail, after a hearing where prosecutors show probable cause, to people accused of murder, aggravated assault, aggravated sexua…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 9–32, Republicans 84–0
Proposing a constitutional amendment regarding the membership of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, the membership of the tribunal to review the commission's recommendations, and the authority of the commission, the tribunal, and the Texas Supreme Court to more effectively sanction judges and justices for judicial misconduct
What it does: On the version voted May 30, 2025: Proposes a constitutional amendment reshaping the State Commission on Judicial Conduct into six judges appointed by the Supreme Court and seven citizens appointed by the governor, ch…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 15–33, Republicans 82–0
Substantive votes concern legislation or nominations; procedural votes concern how the chamber considers them. A Yes vote applies to the motion shown, which may not be final passage.
HB 1 · TX HOUSE
Relating to youth camp emergency plans and preparedness; authorizing penalties
Not votingNO VOTE
Motion: Motion: At 11:23 p.m., Representative Geren moved that, at the conclusion of the receipt of messages, the signing of bills and resolutions, and administrative
Requires licensed youth camps to adopt written emergency plans filed with the state health department, notify parents if any part of a camp is in a floodplain, give campers a safety orientation, and meet state-set minimum camper-to-counselor ratios for overnight stays.
Relating to youth camp emergency plans and preparedness; authorizing penalties
Not votingNO VOTE
Motion: Concur in Senate amendments
Requires licensed youth camps to adopt written emergency plans filed with the state health department, notify parents if any part of a camp is in a floodplain, give campers a safety orientation, and meet state-set minimum camper-to-counselor ratios for overnight stays.
Bars licensing youth camps with floodplain cabins, with exceptions; requires campgrounds to put roof-access ladders in floodplain cabins and keep evacuation plans; requires youth camps to follow campground rules plus emergency plans, weather radios and warning systems.
Amending the House Rules of Procedure to authorize additional constitutionally compliant, proportional penalties for members absent without leave for purpose of impeding the action of the House that do not unfairly impair members' representative functions
Not votingNO VOTE
Motion: Adopt HR 128
Raises the daily fine for members absent without leave to impede the House from $500 to three times the legislative per diem; adds operating-budget forfeiture, loss of chair posts after two days and seniority cuts after three, unless the House excuses.
Suspending limitations on conference committee jurisdiction, S.B. No. 5
Not votingNO VOTE
Motion: Adopt HR 174
Suspends House rules so the conference committee on Senate Bill 5 can add camp-safety funding for the Department of State Health Services, contingent on S.B. 1 ($2.59 million stabilization fund, $2.48 million general revenue), and an immediate effective date.
Bars licensing youth camps with floodplain cabins, with exceptions; requires campgrounds to put roof-access ladders in floodplain cabins and keep evacuation plans; requires youth camps to follow campground rules plus emergency plans, weather radios and warning systems.
Bars licensing youth camps with floodplain cabins, with exceptions; requires campgrounds to put roof-access ladders in floodplain cabins and keep evacuation plans; requires youth camps to follow campground rules plus emergency plans, weather radios and warning systems.
Relating to public school accountability and transparency, including the implementation of an instructionally supportive assessment program and the adoption and administration of assessment instruments in public schools, indicators of achievement, public school performance ratings, and interventions and sanctions under the public school accountability system, a grant program for school district local accountability plans, and actions challenging Texas Education Agency decisions related to public school accountability
Not votingNO VOTE
Motion: Concur in Senate amendments
Replaces STAAR testing with an instructionally supportive assessment program by 2027-2028, changes how school performance ratings are determined, and limits legal challenges to Texas Education Agency accountability decisions, including a nine-month deadline to sue over rules.
Relating to public school accountability and transparency, including the implementation of an instructionally supportive assessment program and the adoption and administration of assessment instruments in public schools, indicators of achievement, public school performance ratings, and interventions and sanctions under the public school accountability system, a grant program for school district local accountability plans, and actions challenging Texas Education Agency decisions related to public school accountability
Not votingNO VOTE
Motion: Extend speaking time for Rep. Hinojosa
Replaces STAAR testing with an instructionally supportive assessment program by 2027-2028, changes how school performance ratings are determined, and limits legal challenges to Texas Education Agency accountability decisions, including a nine-month deadline to sue over rules.
Relating to election procedures regarding accepting a voter with a residence address that is not current and the immediate effect of a voter's registration after the registrar's receipt of certain change of address notices
Not votingNO VOTE
Motion: Final passage (third reading)
Repeals the rule that an in-county change-of-address notice takes effect immediately, and lets voters who moved within their county vote in the precinct where they are registered without having to ask the registrar to update their registration address.
