Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has released the Texas Senate’s 2024 Interim Legislative Charges. These are legislative issues that will be studied by various Texas Senate committees over the coming months, with findings and reports released ahead of the 89^th Legislature. Included in the interim charges were several prominent issues that could impact Fort Worth area businesses.

Energy/Natural Resources

The Business and Commerce Committee will be studying the state’s electricity market design, the Texas Energy Fund, innovative power generation (emerging technologies such as small modular nuclear reactors, advanced batteries, hydrogen, geothermal, etc.), power transmission, and the impact of Texas’ record population growth on the state’s energy system.

The Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs Committee will be studying the state’s water system reliability and monitoring water-related bills that went into effect since the last session.

Transportation

The Transportation Committee will be reviewing the implementation of appropriations from last session for “aviation, maritime ports, international ports of entry, existing rail line operations, and public transportation”. They will also review transportation funding mechanisms that were put into place following the 84^th Legislature to identify trends or patterns for future governance. Lastly, they will examine how the transition to electric vehicles will impact the state’s power grid, gas tax revenue, and consumer adoption.

Education

Across a few different committees, the Texas Senate will be studying the following issues related to education:

• Reading and math readiness “with an emphasis on ‘early readiness’ in grades preK-5”
• Artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education
• Implementation of changes to the community college finance system
• The availability of and access to early childhood education/childcare to support a growing workforce

Veterans

The Veteran Affairs Committee will study existing programs for veteran mental health services, the “creation of a single database to facilitate the seamless provision of veteran benefits by state agencies”, and strengthen support for veteran housing.

Health Care

The Finance Committee will monitor “appropriations made for expanding mental health services” across the state. The Health and Human Services Committee will study access to primary and mental health care, particularly “whether regulatory and licensing flexibilities could improve access to care”, as well as the health insurance market in Texas and alternatives to employer-based coverage.

Other/Miscellaneous

Finally, various committees will be studying the following issues that also have an impact on business operations across the state:

• AI
• Rising cost of insurance
• Additional property tax cuts
• Housing affordability/homelessness

The full slate of interim charges can be viewed here.

Advocacy at Work

The Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce joined more than 100 national, state, and local trade associations in opposition to the CARB’s Clean Air Act Authorization Request to the EPA. The full letter can be viewed here.

In Case You Missed It

National

• Yahoo! Finance | Retailers brace for impact as new late fee rules threaten credit card revenue
• Axios | Dallas-Fort Worth inflation higher than national average
• AP | Yellen calls for level playing field for US workers and firms during China visit

State and Local

• Fort Worth Chamber | FWC Panel Explores Vital Link Between Public Safety and Commerce
• Fort Worth Report | Fort Worth proposes street maintenance fee; City Council expresses concerns
• Star- Telegram | Fort Worth, Texas officials call for pre-K improvements
• Fort Worth Report | What development do you want to see in Fort Worth? City seeks your voice

Upcoming Dates

• April 30: Tarrant County Commissioners Court, 10 a.m. at G.K Maenius Administration Building
• April 30: Fort Worth City Council Work Session, 1 p.m. at City Hall
• April 30 – May 2: D.C. Fly-in presented by Lockheed Martin[More info]