Texas Broadcasters Gear Up for New Legislative, Congressional Sessions

posted on 1.06.2025

- Regional Lawmaker Luncheons in Austin Open Jan. 22

Congress and the Texas Legislature reconvene this month and Texas broadcasters have much at stake on both fronts as TAB readies for one-on-one meetings between broadcasters and lawmakers in Austin and DC beginning Jan. 22.

Regional Legislative Luncheons in Austin

As announced last month, TAB’s regional luncheons in Austin replace the long running statewide event TAB hosted until it was canceled by the 2023 ice storm. The pivot to regional events proved more popular with both lawmakers and broadcasters.

These meetings allow broadcasters to talk directly with their constituent lawmakers about priorities and concerns for the session as TAB prepares to protect the Anti-SLAPP law and address concerns regarding the Texas Public Information Act, franchise and data processing sales taxes, and the UIL playoff game coverage policies, among other matters.

REGISTER HERE – SCHEDULE BELOW:

• Wed., Jan. 22 – Austin
• Tue., Jan. 28 – Dallas-Fort Worth
• Tue., Feb. 4 – Houston
• Thur., Feb. 6 – South Texas (RGV, Laredo, Corpus Christi, Victoria, San Antonio)
• Tue., Feb. 11 – West Texas (Lubbock, Amarillo, Odessa-Midland, Abilene-San Angelo)
• Thur., Feb. 13 – Central Texas (Waco-Killeen-Temple, Bryan-College Station)
• Note:  The East Texas and El Paso events have already occurred.

Each event is scheduled for 11 AM to 2 PM, opening with a TAB policy briefing, followed by lunch and conversations with lawmakers all at the TAB building just a couple blocks from the Capitol.

DC Agenda

New leadership at the FCC and in the Senate and House committees that oversee broadcast policy heighten the stakes for TAB’s slate of meetings with the state’s 40-member congressional delegation over several days the first week of March.

TAB is arranging for dozens of Radio and TV station owners and managers to travel to DC to advocate for a competitive playing field with Big Tech and demonstrate the industry’s extraordinary work in the public interest of the local communities stations are licensed to serve.

Public Service Research Survey

Responses are due Friday, Jan. 10, to TAB’s annual Public Service Research Survey which is an extremely powerful tool for conveying the myriad ways Texas broadcasters serve local communities.

The research survey, running since 1998, dovetails with incoming FCC Chairman Brendan Carr’s recent comments highlighting broadcasters’ responsibility to serve in the public interest.

The survey, found at this link, is completely electronic and entry can be stopped and restarted as needed.

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

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