Welcome to the 89th Legislative Session!

Navigating the Power Players of the Texas Legislature

For those familiar with the inner workings of the State Capitol, it’s no secret that success in shaping policy often hinges on understanding key committee appointments—especially when it comes to rural and agricultural interests. While the legislative process can seem chaotic, knowing who holds the power to advance or stall a bill is crucial.

In Texas, the Lieutenant Governor (Dan Patrick, R-Houston) selects the chairs and vice chairs of State Senate Committees, while the Speaker of the House (Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock) appoints leadership for House Committees. These individuals wield significant influence—if a chair or vice chair opposes a bill, they can simply refuse to grant it a hearing, effectively stopping it in its tracks. This gatekeeping power is often how agriculture advocates successfully block legislation harmful to our industry.

For any bill to reach the Governor’s desk, it must first pass through committee. That’s why understanding these key appointments is essential. The following breakdown highlights some of the most important committee assignments for rural Texas.

Key Senate Committee Appointments Senate

Senate Committee on Border Security: Vice Chair, Pete Flores of R) Pleasanton – He is always a very strong rural vote and is a former game warden & well-liked in the ag community. For those who have ag interests and property along the border, given the influx of illegals, this is key for them ---- someone who understands their plight.  Senator Flores held this position last session, as well.

Senate Committee on Business and Commerce: Chair, Charles Schwertner of R) Georgetown – He has always been a strong rural vote and has been a leader in reforming the state’s electrical grid, strengthening landowner rights, and cutting taxes for small businesses. This committee handles legislation related to a broad range of economic and regulatory issues affecting businesses, consumers, and industries across the state. Some of the key types of bills that typically go through this committee, including electricity regulation, property and casualty insurance laws, Banking and credit regulations, Workers’ compensation insurance reforms, and Employment law changes.

Senate Committee on Education: Chair, R) Brandon Creighton of Conroe -- He once threw his hat in the ring for Texas Ag Commissioner and also once spoke at a TACC Board of Directors meeting. He and his family have deep roots in Texas agriculture. With so many issues regarding education these days; like school choice, school safety and teacher pay, he will be an instrumental figure this Session.  He chaired this committee during the last legislative session.

Senate Committee on Finance: Chair, R) Joan Huffman of Houston and Vice Chair, D) Chuy Hinajosa – Though Senator Huffman represents a primarily urban district, she is ag-friendly and supported by most ag groups. Senator Hinajosa worked on a farm in his youth and has been a long-time advocate for agriculture in his South Texas district. This committee oversees state budget and tax policies, making it one of the most influential committees in the Texas Legislature

Senate Committee on Health and Human Services: Chair, R) Lois Kolkhorst of Brenham and Vice Chair R) Charles Perry in Lubbock – Rural Texas couldn’t ask for better representation than Senator Kolkhorst and Senator Perry.  Senator Kolkhorst is a 6th generation Texan, growing up raising cattle on her family farm, which is still owned by her family today.  As mentioned above, Senator Perry is a reliable ag vote. This committee oversees legislation related to healthcare policy, social services, and public health, including rural healthcare funding and hospital sustainability.

Senate Committee on Jurisprudence: Chair, R) Bryan Hughes of Mineola – A good ag vote, Senator Hughes is also a champion for conservative values.  This committee handles all legal and judicial matters, including property rights and eminent domain (land use and zoning laws impacting rural areas, water rights and environmental regulations affecting landowners, and Agricultural lease laws and farm property rights)

Senate Committee on Transportation: Chair, R) Robert Nichols of Jacksonville – This is a key committee for agriculture and Senator Nichols also chaired this Committee during the past two legislative sessions. He is a strong rural vote and all transportation – related bills must pass through this Committee. As you know, transportation issues and movement of ag products are huge for agriculture. He once served as one of the three state commissioners for TxDot.

Water, Ag, & Rural Affairs: Chair, R) Charles Perry of Lubbock – All water & ag – related bills in the Senate must pass this through this committee and Senator Perry also held this role the past two legislative sessions. He is always a strong vote for rural Texas.

Key House Committee Appointments

House Ag & Livestock Committee: Chair, R) Ryan Guillen of Rio Grande City—Representative Guillen has always been a strong ag vote.  As a sixth generation South Texan, he grew up working at the family's feed store and as a ranch hand on the family farm.

House Appropriations Committee: Vice Chair, D) Mary González of Clint (near El Paso) – She is a strong leader within the Democratic Party and with an agricultural background, as her father served as a county agent and she is a former 4-H member, actively participating in numerous livestock shows. She served on this committee during the last legislative session, as well. This highly influential committee is responsible for allocating and overseeing the state's $330 billion budget.

House Calendars Committee: Chair, R) Todd Hunter of Corpus Christi – He is a lawyer by trade – and a great ag vote, representing many cooperatives in the Corpus Christi area. This role is key because he determines what bills reach the House floor. If he does not like a particular bill, it will not ever likely reach the House floor for a vote.

House Committee on Energy Resources: Chair, R) Drew Darby of San Angelo – This committee oversees all matters related to the exploration, production, and regulation of oil, natural gas, and other energy resources in Texas. Bills that go through this committee could impact landowner rights and eminent domain, energy costs, royalties and leasing income for landowners, and wind and solar development.  Representative Darby has always been a strong ag vote and has strong support from ag groups in Texas.

House Environmental Regulation Committee: Chair, R) Brooks Landgraf of Odessa – He’s no stranger to this role, having led the committee for the past two legislative sessions. Chairing such a key committee—especially as someone from the heart of oil and gas country—is an impressive achievement. Plus, he remains a steadfast advocate for rural Texas.

House Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee: Chair, R) Cole Hefner of Mt. Pleasant – Before being elected to the Texas House of Representatives, Cole served as County Commissioner for Upshur County. He also owned his own construction business and eventually took over his family's commercial construction company. Currently, Representative Hefner is a small business owner in the insurance industry. Any legislation dealing with DPS & other law enforcement matters must pass this Committee. He has served in the Texas House since 2017 and has always been a strong ag vote.

House Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs: Chair, R) Cecil Bell of Magnolia – This committee plays a significant role in shaping policies that affect rural infrastructure, disaster relief and emergency management, water rights and management, county and local government funding, and annexation and land use. Representative Bell has cow/calf ranching operations, located in Leon and Freestone Counties, so he has a personal commitment to agriculture in Texas.

House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Committee: Chair, R) Jeff Leach of Plano – Representative Leach played a pivotal role in our industry by successfully advancing trucking legislation aimed at addressing excessive litigation and curbing skyrocketing insurance premiums driven by high-dollar legal judgments. A practicing attorney, he is also a strong advocate for pro-business policies. Additionally, he chaired this committee during the 2023 legislative session.

House Natural Resources Committee: Chair, R) Cody Harris of Palestine -- With an extensive background in real estate and banking, Representative Harris is a graduate of Texas A&M University and the Texas Agricultural Lifetime Leadership (TALL) Program. He has deep roots in this great state as a 5th generation resident of East Texas.  This committee has a major influence on agriculture and rural Texas.  ALL water bills must pass through this Committee, as well as bills relating to land use and conservation and energy and resource extraction.

House Public Education Committee: Chair, R) Brad Buckley of Salado / Killeen – He is a veterinarian by trade and a strong ag vote. All public education – related bills in the House, must pass through this Committee such as school choice, teacher pay, school safety.

House Committee on Public Health: Chair, R) Gary VanDeaver of New Boston – Raised on a small family cattle operation near Clarksville, Texas, Representative VanDeaver had a 33-year career as an educator, beginning his career as a vocational ag teacher. This committee plays a critical role in rural healthcare including rural hospital and clinic support, agricultural worker health and safety, mental health and substance abuse, health insurance and Medicaid, and public health and food safety regulations (such as rules on livestock handling, food production, and disease prevention).

House State Affairs Committee: Chair, R) Ken King of Canadian—This committee is one of the most powerful committees in the Legislature, overseeing a broad range of critical policy areas that impact the state’s governance and economy. Impacts on rural Texas and agriculture include energy and utility costs, eminent domain and property rights, disaster response and rural infrastructure, regulatory burdens on ag businesses, and water and resource management.

House Transportation Committee: Chair, R) Tom Craddick of Midland – This committee oversees policies related to the state’s transportation infrastructure impacting farm-to-market roads, freight and supply chain efficiency, road and bridge maintenance, permits for oversized vehicles and equipment, and funding for rural airports and railroads. Representative Craddick is supported by ag groups and is considered an ag-friendly vote.