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The Daily Texan

Official newspaper of The University of Texas at Austin

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Official newspaper of The University of Texas at Austin

The Daily Texan

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October 4, 2022
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Texas should welcome public benefit corporations

2014-11-25_Legislative_Session_Stephaie
Stephanie Tacy

Texas continues to be a destination for corporations across the country and the world. While our state has aggressively pursued and passed business-friendly legislation, we are behind on one trend – Public Benefit Corporations (“B Corps”). Thirty-one states have already passed B Corps legislation, including Delaware, California, Florida and New York. I have filed HB 3488 that would serve as enabling legislation for the creation of B-Corps here in Texas.

A Public Benefit Corporation is a purely voluntary status through which a company is incorporated to pursue both a “public benefit,” or a social good AND profits.  It expands the obligations of a company’s board of directors by requiring them to balance a public benefit along with the financial interests of shareholders. This gives directors the legal protection to pursue a social purpose mission not just profits.  

Several high profile companies, such as Patagonia, Kickstarter and This American Life, have formed as B Corps. One of Kickstarter’s social purposes is, for example, “to create tools and resources that help people bring their creative projects to life, and that connect people around creative projects and the creative process.” Kickstarter formed as a Public Benefit Corporation in 2015 and has already experienced notable returns. In a recent report, Kickstarter announced that the most noticeable change since becoming a B Corp has been the significant increase in people applying to work for them.  


There is a growing trend among millennials to work for and buy from companies that pursue a greater societal good in their business model. Additionally, after speaking with many advocates on this issue, I have learned about the growing interest among venture capitalists to invest in B Corps.

Under current Texas law, Public Benefit Corporations in Texas have incorporated in other states that offer this option. This arrangements leads to an increased cost of doing business in Texas as it requires increased fees and increased potential for litigation to occur outside of the State.  This situation is less than ideal.   

At a time when a constrained State budget will undoubtedly leave many needs within our communities unmet, Texas should, at minimum, facilitate opportunities for private investment in the greater good.  Legislation enabling B Corps this Session can be a vehicle through which the private sector can invest in the growing needs of our state now, while simultaneously meeting today’s dynamic market demands.  It’s a “win-win” for business and communities and a solid win for Texas.

Rep. Hinojosa is a member of the Texas House of Representatives, she represents districrict 49. 

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Texas should welcome public benefit corporations