Recently, our state experienced a tragedy in the Hill Country. We mourn the lives lost during the flooding over the Fourth of July holiday on the Guadalupe River. Texas lost 135 men, women, and children with some still missing. We pray for the recovery of the missing, the Texans we lost, and the communities impact by this tragedy. 

Here are five things happening around your state:

1. Governor Abbott calls First Special Session

This month, Governor Greg Abbott announced the Legislature would convene for the first called special session of the 89th Legislature. The Governor put 18 items for the Legislature to consider on the call. During a special session, the Legislature may only consider those specific topics that the Governor has called us to consider. Some of the 18 items include flood preparedness, emergency communications infrastructure and flood relief funding, elimination of the STAAR test, reducing property taxes, hemp-derived product regulation, protecting unborn children, prohibiting tax-payer funded lobbying, redistricting, and other more specific bills that were vetoed after the regular session. The Legislature convened for the special session on July 21 and has 30 days to address the items on the call. Committee hearings and floor votes are well underway in Austin.

2. House Natural Resources Committee holds hearing on East Texas groundwater issue

On July 15, Chairman Cody Harris convened a hearing at the Capitol of the House Natural Resources Committee to hear testimony regarding the impact of high-capacity and large volume groundwater production in the Neches and Trinity Valleys Groundwater Conservation District (NTVGCD). Over 11 hours, members of the committee, additional interested House members, Senate Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs Committee Chairman Charles Perry, and myself heard testimony regarding the role of groundwater in our state, the proposed projects, and the possible impact those projects could have on groundwater in the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifier which covers the northern part of Senate District 3. The testimony highlighted the risk East Texas faces of overuse of the aquifer which may cause depletion of the aquifer. This is an issue I care about deeply and will continue to pursue remedies to ensure communities in East Texas maintain access to the groundwater under their land.

3. Ban on THC products passes Senate

This week, Senate Bill 5 by Senator Charles Perry passed on a bipartisan vote in the Senate. The bill would prohibit the sale of consumable hemp products that contain THC. Hemp products that contain cannabidiol (CBD) or cannabigerol (CBG) will remain legal. Products that remain legal under the law would have to comply with a strict regulatory framework set up in the bill. The bill also prohibits the sale of consumable hemp products to anyone under the age of 21, prohibits marketing those products to minors, and requires certain packaging and labeling of the products. Intoxicating forms of THC endanger the health and safety of children and families and it’s time to rigorously regulate these substances. The existing Texas Compassionate Use Program or laws related to the farming of hemp will not be impacted by these changes.

4. TPWD, Animal Health Commission form task force to address New World Screwworm

The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) announced the formation of a joint response team to coordinate effort in combating New World screwworm (NWS), following a directive from Governor Abbott. New World screwworm is a fly that carries NWS disease, which attacks warm-blooded animals through open wounds. The disease can be fatal. The pest was eradicated in US in the 1960s, but has recently reemerged in Central America and Mexico. Due to the size of Texas’ border with Mexico, extensive animal agriculture industry, and wildlife, the risk of the reemergence in Texas is of strong concern, especially in our agriculture industry. This joint effort has provided training and education to agency personnel, members of the public, veterinarians, and stakeholders to identify and respond to the threat NWS poses.

5. Lufkin teens place 2nd in national rodeo

Two eighth-graders in Lufkin recently won national reserve champion for ribbon roping at the National Junior High Rodeo in Des Moines, Iowa. Ribbon roping involves a “roper” on a horse who ropes and holds a steer, and a “runner” who grabs a ribbon from the steer’s tail and races to cross the finish line. Bella Bardwell and Colt Sanders have competed together for three years. To make it to the national rodeo, the pair competed regionally and statewide. They won first place at the state rodeo for ribbon roping. Congratulations, Bella and Colt!

For Immediate Release
Contact: (512) 463-0103
June 24, 2025

AUSTIN – Today, I am announcing that I will not be running again for the Texas Senate. I do intend to continue serving the people and communities of Senate District 3 until the end of my current term, ending January 12, 2027.

I feel truly blessed to have had the honor to represent the people of East and Southeast Texas in the Legislature. By the end of my term, I will have served 20 years in the Legislature and an additional 8½ years, serving the State as a Transportation Commissioner under both Governor George W. Bush and Governor Rick Perry. I appreciate their trust in me.

It has been a real honor to have served with an incredibly dedicated and quality staff at the State Capitol as well as our three District offices. These men and women have been truly committed to the people and communities we have served. They have given extra effort to help those we represent. I will forever be thankful for their work.

I also want to thank my wife, Donna for her support over the years as well as our three children, Brittney, Joshua and Collynn’rae who have always supported my efforts.

It had always been my goal to make things better, to stop bad things, to do it in a way I thought was right, never forgetting who I represented and to work at it long enough, but not too long.

It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to have represented the people of East Texas in the Texas Senate.

The state legislature will adjourn on Monday as we reach the 140th day of the legislative session, or Sine Die, which means “without days.” It has been a productive session and I am honored to have once again had the opportunity to represent east and southeast Texas in the Texas Senate! 

Here are five things happening around your state: 

1. Major water infrastructure bill passes both chambers

The Texas House and Senate passed legislation to address the state’s water crisis. Our state has faced growing challenges in recent years including water scarcity, and inoperable or damaged infrastructure. Legislators in both chambers have worked tirelessly this session to develop plans to combat this issue. This week, the Senate approved House Joint Resolution 7 by Representative Cody Harris,  which is a constitutional amendment that would dedicate $1 billion a year for the next 20 years to secure the state’s water supply. This constitutional amendment will be sent to the voters on the November ballot. Additionally, Senate Bill 7 by Senator Perry passed the House which outlines the framework the Texas Water Development Board can use to fund water projects including the development of water supply infrastructure, fixing leaky pipes, and repairing broken wastewater systems. 

2. Five East Texas BBQ spots names in Texas Monthly top 50

This week Texas Monthly released their annual review of the top BBQ restaurants in the state of Texas. Texas Monthly visited 319 barbeque joints and after rigorous review they compiled the top 50 BBQ joints in the state. Of the top 50, I am proud to say 5 are in my district! Redbird BBQ in Port Neches, 1701 BBQ in Beaumont, Mimsy’s Craft BBQ in Crockett, Brendyn’s BBQ in Nacogdoches, and B4 Barbeque in Mabank, all placed in the top 50. East Texas is full of outstanding BBQ! We also boasted two honorable mentions with Jacksonville’s JW Barbecue, and Dayton’s Weaver’s BBQ. This article is anticipated year round from BBQ lovers across the state. Congratulations to the well-deserving winners! 

3. School accountability bill passes Senate

This week, the Senate passed House Bill 4 by Rep. Buckley which reforms the states existing accountability and assessment system. HB 4 replaces the STAAR exam with an instructionally-aligned assessment model. The STAAR test will be replaced with assessments administered three times per year, which will allow for student progress to be tracked, and for timely diagnostic data to be delivered to teachers and parents. The new model will deliver test results in 24 hours. The bill also stipulates that A-F accountability ratings must be issued annually. It is essential that TEA and the state legislature have access to timely and accurate school accountability data. I am committed to continue working for improvements in public education, and am confident in the reforms that are a part of this bill. 

4. Name, Image, and Likeness bill passes Senate

This week the Senate passed House Bill 126 which will allow colleges to enter into “name, image, and likeness” or NIL agreements with athletes. Currently, only organizations that are separate from universities, such as advertisers or booster clubs, can enter these agreements with athletes. This legislation comes after multiples lawsuits against the NCAA, challenging their restriction on athlete pay. This legislation provides some essential guardrails, while ensuring that college sports in Texas remain competitive for recruiting talent and providing sustainable athletic programs. This bill included stipulations like requiring that an athlete is at least 17 years of age and prohibiting contracts with sexually-oriented business, or alcohol or tobacco companies. Additionally, athletes will be required to take a financial literacy course. This bill is crucial for ensuring the integrity of our college athletic programs. The legislation was developed with the input of coaches and athletic administrations from colleges across the state. 

5. Expansion of Texas Compassionate Use Program passes Senate

This week, the Senate passed a bill expanding the state’s Compassionate Use Program which allows for the use of medical marijuana under specific circumstances. This expansion includes use for chronic pain and Crohn’s disease, and allows for vaporized and aerosol products to be sold by prescription. House Bill 46 by Rep. Ken King allows for the use of cannabis patches, lotions, and prescribed inhalers and vaping devices. The legislature is committed to keeping dangerous and unpredictable products out of the state, while continuing to ensure that Texans have access to safe and regulated products. HB 46 also seeks to increase accessibility to these products by adding satellite locations for  approved dispensaries. 

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Session is coming to a close and, as it does, critical deadlines have to be met for legislation to pass. Those deadlines fall throughout the next week and if bills do not pass those benchmarks, they won’t become law this session. It’s a sprint to the finish, but we’re almost there!

Here are five things happening around your state:

1. Lottery overhaul passes Senate

Last week the Senate unanimously passed a bill to reform the Texas Lottery by moving governance to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) and abolishing its current governing body, the Lottery Commission. The bill also requires the Sunset Advisory Committee to conduct a review of lottery games by August 2027 and prohibits the purchase or order of a lottery ticket by telephone, internet application, or other courier-type service. Initial concerns stemmed from the Lottery Commission’s decision to alter rules to allow the sale of tickets by courier services, which essentially allowed for the sale of tickets online. The Wall Street Journal and other news outlets uncovered a scheme by an international gambling ring to take advantage of the Texas Lottery and, in coordination with a nearly-defunct courier service, purchase almost every ticket combination to effectively rig the lottery for their benefit. Reforms and additional oversight of the lottery at TDLR are necessary to ensure the integrity of the Texas Lottery.

2. Governor seeks waiver to prohibit unhealthy food purchases with SNAP

Last week, Governor Abbott sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins requesting a waiver from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service to ban unhealthy food from being purchased using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. SNAP serves more than 3 million Texans every year and provides more than $7 billion to reduce food insecurity, especially for low-income Texans. SNAP was created to increase access to nutritious foods, but SNAP benefits are often used to buy foods with little nutritious value. States now have the opportunity to regulate the foods that SNAP benefits are used to purchase. The Governor’s letter is the first step to ensure that tax dollars are used to make healthy food more accessible to all Texans.

3. Bail reform passes House, goes to Governor

Last week, the Texas House passed a package of bail reform bills that take significant steps to protect Texans from offenders accused of violent crimes. These bills passed out of the Senate in the early weeks of session. Bail reform was one of the emergency items that the Governor declared in his State of the State Address. One of the central pieces of legislation, SJR 5 by Senator Joan Huffman, is a constitutional amendment which would require judges to deny bail for offenders accused of certain violent crimes like murder, rape, and kidnapping. Upon passage by the legislature, this measure will be placed on the November ballot. This legislation has been an emergency item for three sessions and the passage of these bills will ensure the safety of our communities.

4. Legislature develops proposal for school finance

The House and Senate have been collaborating for months to develop a comprehensive plan for school finance. The most recent proposal is an $8.5 billion dollar infusion of funds in critical areas. This includes roughly $4 billion specifically for teacher pay raises. Additionally, $500 million will be dedicated to other school employees’ salaries and $100 million will be dedicated for windstorm property insurance for coastal districts. The most recent changes to the plan will help districts address costs other than teacher salaries, like building repairs, the purchasing of school buses and district vehicles, and district support staff salaries.

5. Broadband Development Office announces BEAD funding opportunity

The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program, authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, provides funding to help increase high-speed internet access. The Texas Broadband Development Office (BDO) has released a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the state’s allocation of the BEAD Program and the Texas Match Assistance Program (TMAP). The NOFA provides nearly $4 billion in combined federal and state funding to expand broadband infrastructure. Local governments, internet service providers, non-profits, utility companies, institutions of higher education and other entities may apply for these funds. Interested parties will have until May 29 at 2 p.m. to submit any questions or request information regarding the funding. Responses to these inquiries are estimated to be made available by June 12th, 2025.