As the 89th Texas Legislative Session progresses, we are closely monitoring several bills that impact water resources, windstorm insurance, tourism, industry, energy, and workforce development. We extend our gratitude to Representative Todd Hunter and Representative Denise Villalobos, as well as Senator Chuy Hinojosa and Senator Adam Hinojosa, for their leadership in filing and supporting critical legislation.

Water

• HB 3628 (Villalobos) – Requires the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to review and update guidance principles and rules related to water planning.
• SB 971 (A. Hinojosa) – Expands the definition of a rural political subdivision under the Texas Water Assistance Program.
• SB 1629 (Perry) – Addresses administration of the Texas Water Bank and associated funds by the TWDB.
• SB 1288 (Perry) – Redesignates the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas Advisory Committee and modifies its functions.
• SB 1289 (Perry) – Expands permissible uses of the Texas Water Fund.
• SB 480 (Perry) – Grants local governments the authority to enter interlocal contracts for water research and planning.
• SB 565 (Perry) – Establishes compliance agreements for enforcement suspension against regional water service violations.
• HB 3316 (Harris) – Aligns with SB 1288, redesignating the Texas Water Fund Advisory Committee.

Windstorm

• HB 3689 (Hunter) – Provides funding mechanisms for excess losses and operating expenses of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA).
• SB 1635 (A. Hinojosa) – Offers a credit against school districts’ recapture payments for windstorm and hail insurance costs.
• HB 3631 (Hunter) – Mirrors SB 1635, providing financial relief to school districts covering windstorm and hail insurance.

Tourism

• HB 3486 (Hunter) – Reduces sales and use tax remittances for restaurants purchasing Texas farm-raised oysters.
• HB 3487 (Hunter) – Provides tax incentives for restaurants participating in oyster shell recycling programs.
• SB 1250 (J. Hinojosa) – Revises the definition of a project financing zone for municipalities funding tourism-related infrastructure.
• HB 2877 (Villalobos) – Aligns with SB 1250 to enhance tourism-related project financing.
• SJR 16 (Alvarado) – Proposes a constitutional amendment to authorize casino gaming and sports wagering, aiming to boost economic development and job growth.

Economic Development

• SB 1051 (J. Hinojosa) – Adjusts ad valorem tax rate calculations for property owners appealing appraisal decisions.
• HB 3094 (Villalobos) – Mirrors SB 1051 to ensure fairness in tax rate calculations during appraisal disputes.
• SB 1939 (J. Hinojosa) – Relating to the ship channel improvement revolving fund.

Energy

• SB 6 (King | Schwertner) – Focuses on electricity planning and infrastructure costs for large-scale loads.
• SB 1105 (Parker) – Establishes the Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Authority and a nuclear permitting officer.
• HB 2678 (Darby) – Aligns with SB 1105 to support nuclear energy infrastructure and permitting.

Workforce

• SB 1631 (Campbell) – Directs the Texas Workforce Commission to create an advanced nuclear energy workforce development program.
• HB 3191 (Button) – Implements strategies to expand child care availability, including an employer child-care contribution partnership program, a child-care innovation pilot program, and a franchise tax credit for taxable entities that make certain employer child-care contributions; authorizes a civil penalty.

We appreciate the efforts of our legislators in championing these bills to strengthen Texas’ economic resilience, infrastructure, and workforce. We will continue tracking these measures as they work through committee and actively work toward their passage, advocating for policies that support our region’s growth and development. Click Here to see our 89th Texas Legislative Priorities.