Gavel to Gavel 89th Legislative Session - March 7, 2025

Several of Lt. Governor Dan Patrick's priority items continued to progress throughout the Texas Senate this week, as SB 21, relating to the establishment of the Texas Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, passed a Senate floor vote on Thursday by 25-5. Additionally, SB 3, relating to the regulation of consumable hemp products, was heard in the Senate Committee on State Affairs on Tuesday to fierce public backlash. The bill, which effectively prohibits all but two forms of non-medical THC drug use, faced criticism from hemp industry leaders expressing concerns for future business if SB 3 is to pass. After almost six hours of public remarks, the Committee left the bill pending.

SB 17 by Senator Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham), relating to the purchase of or acquisition of title to real property by certain aliens or foreign entities, was heard in the Senate Committee on State Affairs on Friday.. Importantly, SB 17 forgoes an explicit list of countries and instead bans from owning property entities from a country designated as a national security risk.

The newly-formed House Committee on the Delivery of Government Efficiency, chaired by Rep. Giovanni Capriglione (R - Keller), held its intitial organizational meeting on Wednesday with invited testimony from a variety of state agencies, including the State Auditor's Office and Sunset Advisory Commission. Chairman Capriglione and various other members persistently reassured auditing agencies they would be given greater tools to ensure government efficiency while sidestepping the idea of layoffs, with Democrats on the committee resisting comparisons to the federal DOGE. Several business leaders were also invited to give testimony on past experiences with government regulation and routes the committee could pursue to cut red tape more effectively than the Sunset Advisory Commission.

Workgroups under the Senate Committee on Finance and Subcommittees of the House Committee on Appropriations held meetings this week working through final decisions concerning state agency exceptional items.

Next Friday marks the 60th day of the 89th Texas Legislative Session, which is also the bill filing deadline for both chambers.

Members of the Texas Legislature are expected to file resolutions next week to honor the life and death of former Houston Mayor, Texas State Representative, and Congressman Sylvester Turner.

The Senate recessed until Monday for the reading and referral of bills, then will adjourn and reconvene on Tuesday at 11:00 a.m.  The House stands at ease until Friday afternoon for the reading and referral of bills, then will reconvene early next week.