Howdy!
The winter weather that swept across much of the country—including Texas—slowed the pace of activity in the Texas Legislature this week. While many lawmakers faced travel challenges, the steady stream of newly filed legislation continued unabated.
Meanwhile, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced Senate committee assignments, and key bills—including the proposed state budget for the next fiscal biennium—have already been referred to committees and scheduled for upcoming hearings. The Texas House of Representatives also took up consideration of their rules of procedure, though with little debate or opportunity for amendments. They are expected to address their housekeeping resolution on Monday, which will establish operational guidelines for legislative offices and related matters.
You’ll find all this and more in this week’s newsletter—let’s dive in!
For Liberty, For Texas
Jeramy D. Kitchen
President, Texas Policy Research
Featured
Texas Lawmakers Unveil $332.9B Budget Proposal for 2026-27:
Key Highlights and Concerns
The Texas House and Senate have released their initial budget proposals for the 2026-27 biennium, with the Senate’s draft totaling $332.9 billion and the House’s version coming in at $335.7 billion. These proposals include significant funding allocations for things like property tax relief, public education, teacher pay raises, and a $1 billion Education Savings Account (ESA) program to advance school choice initiatives.
89th Session “Cheat-Sheets”
Need quick access to lawmaker contact info? We’ve got you covered! Check out our two printable “cheat sheets,” packed with all the details you need to stay connected with your Texas Capitol lawmakers.
Stay informed and engaged—download them now!
Other Recent Content
Senate Committee Assignments for 89th Legislative Session Announced
- All 16 Senate committees are chaired by members of the majority party, with four committees having vice-chairmen from the minority party.
- Key committees such as Finance, State Affairs, and Education K-16 exhibit significant majority representation, indicating a strong influence of the majority party in legislative proceedings.
Legislative Spotlight: A Look at the Proposed Social Media Ban for Minors
- Texas House Bill 186, introduced by State Representative Jared Patterson (R-Frisco), aims to prohibit individuals under 18 from accessing social media platforms. The legislation mandates strict age verification processes, requiring users to prove they are at least 18 years old to create or maintain accounts, with the goal of protecting minors from potential online harm.
- The bill grants parents the legal authority to request the deletion of their child’s social media accounts. Social media companies would be required to comply with such requests within ten days and ensure that any personal data collected during the verification process is permanently deleted once verification is complete, addressing privacy concerns.
Legislative Spotlight: Texas Lawmakers Take Aim at Lab-Grown Meat
- Texas lawmakers are introducing legislation to require clearer labeling of meat products, ensuring consumers can distinguish between traditionally raised meat and lab-grown alternatives. These efforts aim to provide greater transparency in the marketplace and protect the interests of Texas’ agricultural sector.
- With the growing presence of lab-grown meat in the market, lawmakers are focusing on measures to safeguard the state’s cattle and pork industries. The proposed regulations seek to uphold consumer trust and maintain the economic viability of traditional livestock operations by promoting informed purchasing decisions.
Legislative Spotlight: The Importance of Local Government Spending Limits in Texas
- Local government expenditures in Texas have consistently outpaced population growth and inflation. For example, between 2019 and 2023, Dallas and Bexar counties experienced spending increases of 65.5% and 43.4%, respectively, leading to higher property taxes and financial strain on residents.
- To address this issue, legislation has been introduced to limit local government spending based on a formula that accounts for population growth and inflation rates. This approach aims to ensure that spending remains sustainable and aligned with economic realities, requiring voter approval for expenditures exceeding the established caps.
Pre-Filed Legislation Summaries
- We have read through all of the pre-filed legislation for the upcoming 89th Legislative Session. While lawmakers will continue filing new bills—and we’ll continue analyzing them—we’ve already compiled summaries of each piece of legislation to give you a head start. These summaries are just the beginning as we gear up for our next round of in-depth policy analysis and prepare our first floor reports once the session is underway.
Upcoming Events
Texas Policy Research is proud to partner with organizations and groups across Texas to share insights and expertise. Here’s where you can find us next:
- Cass County Patriots Meeting
- When: Tuesday, January 28th, 2025 at 6:00 pm
- Where: Luigi’s Restaurant, 10 N. East St., Atlanta, TX 75551
- Topic(s): Texas Legislative Process & 89th Legislative Session Update
- Irving Republican Women Meeting
- When: Monday, February 10th, 2025 at 6:30 pm
- Where: Valley Centre, 9901 E. Valley Ranch Parkway, Irving, TX 75063
- Topic(s): Engaging the Texas Legislature & 89th Legislative Session Update
Want a Speaker at Your Event?
Bring Texas Policy Research to your next event! Our team is available to speak on a variety of topics, including the Texas legislative process, engaging with lawmakers, and policy updates. Submit your request today here.
Legislative Countdowns
Bill Filing Deadline: 50 Days
89th Legislative Session Ends: 130 Days
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