SD 11 SREC: District 129 Session Newsletter

Valentine's Day marks the end of week five of the 89th legislative session. This week, a crucial step in the legislative process was completed with the release of committee assignments on Thursday (details to follow). I also filed two more bills, HB 2827 and HB 2828.

Week five was also filled with visits from constituents, the first Aerospace Caucus meeting of the session, and a special honor on the House floor for the Most Reverend Daniel Cardinal DiNardo archbishop of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

It is an honor to serve you in the Texas House of Representatives

Updates from the Capitol

My Committee Assignments:

I was appointed by the Speaker to two standing committees and one permanent subcommittee. I will be a member of the Transportation and Insurance committees. Additionally, I will serve as Vice Chair of the Permanent Standing Subcommittee on Transportation Funding.

The Transportation Committee’s jurisdiction covers the regulation of commercial vehicles, highways, railroads, airports, and water transportation, along with related state agencies like the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).

The Permanent Standing Subcommittee on Transportation Funding will focus on transportation funding, including state funds, debt options, and alternative funding sources.

On Insurance, we will hear bills related to Texas' insurance industry and related agencies, such as the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) and the Office of Public Insurance Counsel (OPIC).

I look forward to working with my colleagues to enact a conservative Republican agenda.

Tuesday was the University of Houston's Day at the Capitol. I addressed fellow Cougars, highlighting the accomplishments of UH alumni and their impact on Texas government. I am proud to be a University of Houston alumnus. Go Cougars!

The Most Reverend Daniel Cardinal DiNardo came to the Capitol on Tuesday morning. It was my privilege to honor Cardinal DiNardo on the House floor as Pastor of the Day and with House Resolution 244. Cardinal DiNardo announced in January that he will retire this month as archbishop of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. He represents the largest Catholic population in Texas, where he has guided over 430 priests in nearly 150 parishes and more than 50 schools. He will be dearly missed, and I extend to him my sincere appreciation for his many years of service to the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

I am once again honored to chair the Aerospace Caucus for the 89th Legislature. After adjourning on the House floor Wednesday, caucus members and I met for our first meeting. I am excited to work with fellow representatives on policies that ensure Texas remains a global leader in space technology and exploration.

Leadership Clear Lake visited my office and staff on Wednesday afternoon. Leadership Clear Lake equips future leaders with the skills for personal, professional, and community growth, shaping how they approach their careers and society.

The Texas Society of Architects visited me in my office, where they presented me with a hand-drawn depiction of the Texas Capitol. As a Professional Engineer, I appreciate the excellent work that architects do for Texas, alongside my fellow engineers.

Students participating in a high school ROTC program visited my office this week. These students are interested in local government and public policy. I commend them for their commitment to public service and interest in the legislative process.

The Pasadena Chamber of Commerce visited my office to promote Pasadena on Wednesday. Their mission is to increase economic growth and community development to promote the success of Pasadena. We discussed important issues that residents of Pasadena are facing and how the legislature can offer support.

Bills I Filed This Week:

House Bill 2827 relates to to the renewal of an engineering license or registration. This bill will extend the renewal period for engineering licensure from one year to two years.

House Bill 2828 relates to partial payment by an owner of an amount owed to a property owner's association. This bill allows associations to require full payment unless there's a written agreement in place to accept partial payments.

How to Track Legislation

Ever wonder how the laws that impact your everyday life originate? While this graphic provides you with a simplified overview, You can walk through the entire legislative process by reading this blog post from the Texas House Republican Caucus on how a bill becomes a law in Texas. From a bill being introduced to it becoming law or vetoed, there are many steps ahead for the many bills that have been filed.