Legislature Poised to Shift into High Gear After Quiet Start

posted on 2.17.2025

- House Leadership Structure Takes Shape

Radio and TV broadcasters from much of the state last week concluded a six-part series of TAB legislative briefings on industry goals for the session and direct advocacy with their local Texas House and Senate members and key staff.

TAB hosted the briefings and lunch meetings in the Board Room of the Ann Arnold Center, TAB’s office, less than a couple blocks from the Texas Capitol after hosting similar events last fall in Tyler and El Paso.

A live, online Zoom briefing is slated for TAB member stations only on Feb. 27.  Registration details will be emailed to members directly.

Radio/TV Agenda Advancing

Texas broadcasters have an uncharacteristically broad agenda this session as TAB attempts to address concerns on Free Speech protections in the state’s Anti-SLAPP law – formally known as the Texas Citizen Participation Act, rules regarding coverage of high school sports playoff games, several Artificial Intelligence issues, various newsgathering matters ranging from Open Government weaknesses to unmanned aerial vehicles, and a smattering of tax issues.

FULL TAB 2025 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA (MEMBERS ONLY)

To date, bills on several of TAB’s Open Government issues already have been filed (see this TABulletin issue’s Insider 2 report), as has another ensuring equal treatment for Radio broadcasters under the state’s franchise tax.

Legislation addressing other matters on TAB’s agenda will roll out in the coming weeks ahead of the March 14 bill filing deadline.

House Committees, Leadership Priorities

Newly elected Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, announced committee assignments for the 149 other members of the lower chamber on Feb. 13

That move kicks off the scheduling of House committee meetings and bill hearings, though the Legislature still cannot act on any legislation not designated as an emergency by Governor Greg Abbott.

To date, the Senate has advanced legislation creating taxpayer-funded vouchers for private elementary and secondary schools and raising the property tax exemption for Texans who reside in and own their own homes.

Also gaining significant attention is the monumental and potentially life-changing effort by Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, to address the state’s dwindling water supply well into the future as poor infrastructure, wasteful practices, growing population and industry exacerbate the effects of climate change on Texas communities.

Questions? Contact Oscar Rodriguez or call (512) 322-9944.

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