Texas House Speaker, Lt. Governor Outline Interim Studies

- Raft of Policy Topics Hint at 2027 Legislative Agenda

The state's top legislative leaders, House Speaker Dustin Burrows of Lubbock and Lt. Governor Dan Patrick of Houston, both Republicans, released their interim charges to state lawmakers as March came to a close, teeing up the major policy issues that will dominate the 2027 legislative session.

Both lists are extensive, with 138 specific tasks for the House and another 60 for the Senate in addition to these five assigned to the Senate in January. The House has 150 members, 88 Republican and 62 Democrat, while the Senate has 31 members, 18 Republicans, 12 Democrats and one vacancy.

These studies come in addition to the work legislative committees have been charged with completing during the interim, which includes monitoring certain bills passed in the 2025 session, any rulemaking associated with those bills, as well as the state agencies, commissions, or other governmental bodies under their jurisdiction.

Topics of Immediate Interest to Broadcasters

Of the topics listed, two charges stand out for Texas broadcasters. They include the House Select Committee on Governmental Oversight's charge regarding the Texas Public Information Act, and the Senate Select Committee on Homeland and Border Security's charge involving the use of aerial drones.

• Drones: Under the header of "Keeping Texas' Skies Safe", a five-member Senate panel is directed to examine the use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems, commonly known as drones, as it relates to public safety and study current partnerships with the United States government and Mexico that aid Texas agencies in defending against and disabling hostile drones. The panel is expected to make recommendations to determine which state agencies would best assist the federal government in drone mitigation; identify necessary prohibitions that protect critical infrastructure and public events; and strengthen penalties that close any gaps when protecting Texas' skies.
• Texas Public Information Act: A 13-member House panel is directed to explore the application of public information, public notice and open meetings laws by state and local governmental entities.

TAB routinely advances a handful of much-needed improvements to the state's Open Government laws each legislative session in concert with the Texas Press Association and Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas.

While the House routinely passes nearly all of those bills with near unanimous support, the Senate typically refuses to take up most of the measures which in the last two sessions were referred to a committee chaired by Sen. Charles Schwertner, a Republican whose district includes Round Rock, Georgetown, Bastrop County, Bryan-College Station, and the communities along I-45 from Walker County to Freestone County.

INTERIM LEGISLATIVE CHARGES WITH COMMITTEE LINKS

TAB Interim Legislative Focus

TAB is focusing on a handful of issues to address in the 2027 legislative session, including the UIL's rules regarding post-season contest coverage, the use of drones in newsgathering, and sales tax exemptions for backup power generators used in emergencies.

In addition, TAB is monitoring legislative interest in addressing concerns regarding property taxes, data processing sales taxes, the anti-SLAPP law, and various advertising categories.

TAB will be holding statewide Radio and TV membership briefings in early May to outline the agenda as we lay the groundwork for the 2027 legislative effort.

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