Employment Preemption in Harris County, TX (2026)

2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Harris County, Texas.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Harris County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Minimum Wage Preemption

Texas Labor Code Section 62.0515 preempts any city or county from setting a minimum wage above the federal $7.25 per hour floor. Harris County cannot enact a higher local wage for private employers; only the county's own internal payroll policy may exceed the federal rate.

Texas Preempts Local Minimum Wage; Federal $7.25 Floor

Few Restrictions

Texas Labor Code Sec. 62.0515 (Preemption of Local Minimum Wage)

Sec. 62.0515. APPLICATION OF MINIMUM WAGE TO CERTAIN GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES; CERTAIN AGREEMENTS WITH GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES. (a) Except as otherwise provided by this section, the minimum wage provided by this chapter supersedes a wage established in an ordinance, order, or charter provision governing wages in private employment, other than wages under a public contract.(b) This section does not a...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Paid Leave Preemption

Texas HB 2127, the Texas Regulatory Consistency Act effective September 2023, broadly preempts local labor regulation including paid sick leave. Harris County cannot mandate paid leave for private employers, and Houston has not attempted to do so.

Texas HB 2127 Preempts Local Paid Sick Leave Mandates

Few Restrictions

Texas Legislature Online — 88(R) HB 2127 History (Texas Regulatory Consistency Act; Effective 9/1/23)

History for 88(R) HB 2127 by Burrows [...] Last Action: 06/14/2023 E Effective on 9/1/23. Caption Version: Enrolled. Caption Text: Relating to state preemption of and the effect of certain state or federal law on certain municipal and county regulation. Author: Burrows | Meyer | Goldman | King, Ken | Raymond [...] Sponsor: Creighton [...] Subjects: City Government--General (I0060); Civil Remedi...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Employment Preemption by City in Harris County

1 cities in Harris County have their own employment preemption rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

HoustonPop. 2,304,580

1 verified rule • Minimum Wage Preemption

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