Gavel to Gavel: House Committee Assignments Are Finally Announced

Howdy!

One month into the legislative session, the Texas Legislature is finally getting down to business. House lawmakers received their committee assignments this week, a crucial step before bills can be referred and debated. Meanwhile, the Senate continues advancing the legislative priorities of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Gov. Greg Abbott, passing a bill to increase the Homestead Exemption as part of their approach to property tax relief. Additionally, bail reform legislation cleared the Senate Criminal Justice Committee and is set for consideration by the full Senate next week.

With just one month until the bill filing deadline on March 14, lawmakers are filing legislation at a rapid pace compared to previous sessions. So far, more than 4,100 bills have been introduced, signaling a busy road ahead.

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

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Featured

Texas House Committee Assignments for 89th Legislative Session Announced

Just over 30 days into the 140-day legislative session, Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows announced committee assignments for all House lawmakers. The House has established 30 standing committees and 12 subcommittees, with leadership positions largely held by the majority party. Each committee maintains a majority of lawmakers from the ruling party, shaping how key policy issues will be debated and advanced. With these assignments finalized, the legislative process can now move forward, determining which bills will gain momentum in the months ahead.

Floor Reports

We sent out another Floor Report this week—did you receive it? Before the Senate took up Senate Joint Resolution 2 and Senate Bill 4, attempting to increase the Homestead Exemption to provide property tax relief to some Texas taxpayers, we published and emailed a comprehensive floor report. It included a full bill analysis, context, and a vote recommendation through the lens of our five liberty principles.

As the legislative session picks up and more bills make their way onto the calendars of each chamber, our floor reports will become more frequent. If you want to stay informed, keep an eye on your inbox or bookmark this link.

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Other Recent Content

Legislative Spotlight: Expanding Gun Rights for Young Adults

• House Bill 2470, introduced in the Texas Legislature, seeks to expand gun rights for young adults by lowering the minimum age to carry a handgun from 21 to 18. The bill aligns with recent legal challenges that argue age-based restrictions on firearm possession violate constitutional rights. Supporters believe this change would bring Texas law in line with other states and Supreme Court precedents affirming Second Amendment protections for young adults.

• Opponents, however, raise concerns about public safety, arguing that lowering the age limit could increase risks associated with gun violence. The bill’s progress will be closely watched, as it represents a broader push to reinforce gun rights in Texas. With committee assignments now in place, the legislation will move through the House, where debates over balancing constitutional rights and safety considerations are expected to shape its outcome.

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Legislative Spotlight: Cutting Public Libraries Ties
to the American Library Association

• A new legislative effort in Texas aims to restrict public libraries from affiliating with or supporting the American Library Association (ALA), citing concerns over the organization’s political influence and ideological leanings. Lawmakers behind the proposal argue that taxpayer-funded libraries should not be financially tied to an entity that promotes policies they believe conflict with community values. The measure reflects a growing nationwide trend of questioning the ALA’s role in shaping library policies, particularly regarding controversial materials and programming.

• Supporters of the restriction believe that cutting ties with the ALA will give local libraries more autonomy in decision-making and ensure that public funds are spent in alignment with Texas values. Critics, however, argue that the ALA provides valuable resources and professional development opportunities, and severing ties could negatively impact library services. As the bill moves through the legislative process, it is expected to spark debate over the balance between local control and access to national library resources.

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Legislative Spotlight: Texas Education Agency on the Chopping Block?

• House Bill 2657 proposes the complete abolition of the Texas Education Agency (TEA), a bold move that would significantly reshape public education governance in the state. Supporters of the bill argue that the TEA has become an overbearing bureaucracy that stifles local control and imposes excessive regulations on school districts. By eliminating the agency, proponents believe education decisions could be returned to local communities, allowing for greater flexibility and responsiveness to students’ needs. The bill is part of a broader effort to decentralize education policy and reduce state-level interference in local school operations.

• Opponents, however, warn that abolishing the TEA could create chaos, leaving a leadership vacuum in overseeing curriculum standards, accountability measures, and funding distribution. Critics argue that while the agency has flaws, reforms would be more effective than outright elimination. As the bill moves through the legislative process, lawmakers will have to weigh the impact of dismantling the TEA against the push for increased local control in Texas education.

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In Case You Missed It

Texas’ Film Subsidy Push: Corporate Welfare or a Smart Investment?

• The debate over Texas’ film subsidy program has reignited as lawmakers consider expanding incentives for film production in the state. Supporters argue that increasing subsidies will attract major productions, boost local economies, and create jobs in Texas’ growing film industry. Proponents see these incentives as a way to compete with states like Georgia and Louisiana, which have successfully lured Hollywood productions through aggressive tax breaks and grants. They contend that investing in the film industry will generate long-term economic benefits by fostering a thriving entertainment sector.

• Critics, however, see the subsidies as a form of corporate welfare that unfairly benefits a select industry at taxpayers’ expense. Opponents argue that the government should not be in the business of picking winners and losers, especially when those funds could be better allocated to essential services like education and infrastructure. The debate ultimately centers on whether the economic returns justify the cost of these incentives or if Texas should rely on its existing business-friendly climate to attract productions without taxpayer-funded subsidies.

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Upcoming Committee Hearing Schedules

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Filed Legislation Summaries

• We have read through all of the filed legislation for the 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 more comprehensive floor reports as the session is underway.

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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:

• RED Texas Forum
  • When: Thursday, May 15th, 2025 at 7:30 pm
  • Where: La Prada Church of Christ, 2724 La Prada Dr., Mesquite, TX 75150
  • Topic(s): Texas Legislative Process & 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.

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Legislative Countdowns

Bill Filing Deadline: 29 Days
89th Legislative Session Ends: 109 Days

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