The Texas Capitol is bustling with activity as the legislative session progresses. Committees are actively hearing bills, and the deadline for bill filing is approaching on March 14th. State Senator Brian Birdwell has been busy chairing his first Natural Resources Committee hearing of the session and has filed eleven new pieces of legislation since the last update.
Among these, SJR 59 aims to establish a permanent endowment for funding capital infrastructure needs at Texas State Technical College System (TSTC). This initiative seeks to address the skilled-labor shortage in Texas by expanding technical training facilities.
SB 1570 proposes establishing a College of Osteopathic Medicine at Tarleton State University to boost regional economic growth and healthcare access in rural areas. The bill was filed alongside Rep. Shelby Slawson.
Other notable bills include SB 1571, which would make public notaries' contact information accessible through the Secretary of State’s office; SB 1572, allowing steel transport while overweight with funds used for road repairs; and SB 1573, providing due process for officers listed on Brady Lists.
Senate Bill 1754 seeks to prohibit local tax abatements for renewable energy facilities under certain chapters of the Tax Code and Local Government Code. It argues that such facilities offer few jobs and quickly depreciate in taxable value.
In workforce productivity efforts, SB 1755 addresses regulatory barriers faced by private childcare providers partnering with educational institutions. Meanwhile, SB 1756 focuses on limiting hotel and convention center projects' financial implications by requiring legislative authorization for each project involving state revenue.
Additional legislation includes SB 1757's new permit encouraging better practices in aggregate production operations, SB 1758's pilot program studying vibrational impacts near semiconductor manufacturing facilities, and SB 1759's liability protection statute for operators assisting in oil and gas emergencies.
The Senate recently passed Senate Bill 26 unanimously. Authored by Senator Creighton, it introduces a teacher retention allotment aimed at increasing teacher pay across Texas. Teachers with varying years of experience will receive different increments based on their district size—urban or rural—with an enhanced Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) program included.
Senator Birdwell also highlighted joint-authored or co-authored bills he supports but could not carry due to workload constraints or timing issues.
February saw significant events like Tarleton Day at the Capitol featuring key figures from Tarleton State University and Baylor Day presentations with Baylor President Livingstone.
Senator Birdwell encourages readers to share this update within Senate District 22 communities who can subscribe to future updates online.
