Legislature and Regulation
The Process and How to Participate
In Texas we have a part-time legislative system. Our State Legislature meets every other year for 140 days in Austin. The 88th Session is currently underway – running January 10, 2023 through May 29, 2023. By the filing deadline, any bill that has been approved by their assigned Committees may be voted on by either chamber of the Legislature. The Governor has an option at the conclusion of each regular session to call a special 30 day session to resolve specific agenda items.
The Hill Country Alliance is working with countless partners to track, inform, and respond to issues as they come up during the 88th Texas Legislative Session. This is far from an exhaustive list of the bills that could have a very real impact—positive or negative—on the Hill Country. As bills move through the legislative process, things can change quickly. If you are particularly interested in a bill, legislator, or subject area, the best way to stay informed is to sign up for email alerts via the Texas Legislature Online (you can sign up for alerts on a specific bill, legislator, committee, etc.).
Additional Information Coming Soon!
The Texas Hill Country Region
“All previous settlers of this region learned how the land and its resources, particularly water, could only support so many people, a certain quantity of livestock or a particular industry before its quality and quantity would be impacted. For all who choose the Hill Country as their home, an opportunity exists to accommodate existing needs without compromising the ability of future populations to meet their needs.” ~ Milan Michalec, HCA President 2013
The Hill Country Alliance (HCA) strives to serve as the “go-to” resource on issues related to the Texas Hill Country. Our region is blessed with a unique economy dependent on the charm and character of our towns, allure of our water features, beauty of our hills and landscapes and the generations of people who care for our heritage ranchlands. HCA strives to build support for sensible strategies to deal with tremendous amount of growth pushing away from Austin and San Antonio, in a way that protects our valuable and fragile natural resources for future generations.
Resources
Read about HCA Policy Priorities for the Texas Hill Country
Legislative News Resources:
While we update our website regularly with Hill Country specific information, Texas Tribune Online is an extremely valuable resource for up to the minute news from the Leg.
The Texas Tribune also has excellent data resources to help you learn more including a directory of elected officials, super PACs, campaign finance sources, explore more on your own at Texas Tribune Data.
The 2019 86th Texas Legislature session is over! Click here to check out our archive of the 2019 session.
Read the HCA 2018 Response to the House Natural Committee’s Current Interim Charges
Read about HCA Policy Priorities for the Texas Hill Country
Previous Sessions: 2009 Texas Legislature | 2011 Texas Legislature | 2013 Texas Legislature | 2015 Texas Legislature | 2017 Texas Legislature | 2019 Texas Legislature
Recent Legislature and Regulation News
Preserve Texas lands for generations to come
Each year Texas loses nearly 250,000 acres of land to development. Rural work areas that form the wide open spaces that define Texas character are evaporating at an alarming rate. These lands are not only meant to be enjoyed by Texans, but they work every day to...
Black and Hispanic Texans say they don’t trust the quality of their water
Black and Hispanic people and those living in low-income Texas communities are highly concerned about the quality of their drinking water, a new survey shows. Commissioned by the nonprofit organization Texas Water Trade, the survey included responses from 650...
The lost reservoir inside our water infrastructure
Water is shaping up to be a priority during the 88th Legislature. Texas weathered its fourth-most intense drought on record last year and entered 2023 with half the state still in drought. Spurred by this precarious situation, a group of House lawmakers recently...
Environmental advocates push feds to investigate Texas’ enforcement of water quality
The Environmental Protection Agency says an informal investigation is underway after more than two dozen environmental advocacy groups submitted a petition against the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The petition alleges that state regulators are not doing...