This week, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick released the Texas Senate’s interim charges for the 89th Legislative Interim, outlining the policy areas that committees will study ahead of the next legislative session.
Sen. César J. Blanco announced that several of his recommended priorities have been incorporated into the Senate’s final interim charges, with a focus on water planning, economic accountability, infrastructure, and public safety.
Interim charges guide the work of Senate committees between sessions and help shape legislation, stakeholder engagement, and policy solutions for the upcoming legislative session. The following Senate interim charges reflect priorities advanced by Senator Blanco:
Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) collection and use
The Senate will study the collection, reporting, and use of Hotel Occupancy Tax revenues, with an emphasis on transparency and accountability. This effort builds on Sen. Blanco’s recommendation to address inconsistencies in how these funds are collected and utilized, particularly in smaller and rural communities working to strengthen local economies.
Water demand
Recognizing the growing strain on Texas’ water resources, the Senate will examine the water demands associated with large-load facilities, including data centers. This aligns with Sen. Blanco’s call to ensure that water planning keeps pace with rapid industrial growth and protects long-term supply, especially in drought-prone regions.
Rail safety at grade crossings
The Senate will evaluate public safety risks at rail-grade crossings. This charge reflects concerns raised by Sen. Blanco regarding delayed emergency response times and safety challenges in communities where blocked crossings can create dangerous conditions.
Data center growth and statewide impacts
The Senate also adopted multiple charges related to the rapid expansion of data centers, including their impact on the state’s tax structure, energy grid, and infrastructure. These efforts expand Sen. Blanco’s recommendation to take a comprehensive look at how emerging industries are shaping Texas’ economy and resource demands.
“I’m grateful to the Lt. Governor for including several of my recommended charges as part of the Senate’s interim work,” Blanco said. “Water security, infrastructure demands, and accountability in how we use public resources are issues communities are dealing with right now. These studies are an important step toward making sure state policy keeps up with that reality.”
Senate committees will begin holding interim hearings in the coming months, gathering input from local communities, industry leaders, and subject matter experts.
“These charges set the foundation for the next session,” Blanco added. “This is where we do the work to better understand the challenges we’re facing and develop practical, responsible solutions for our communities.”