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Newsletter - April 20, 2026

Texas News

Texas Sunset Advisory Commission Ready to Work

Last week Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows appointed the following House members to the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission:

· Rep. Lacey Hull – Vice Chair (R-Houston)

· Rep. Charles Cunningham – (R-Humble)

· Rep. Donna Howard - (D-Austin)

· Rep. Angelia Orr – (R-Hillsboro)

· Rep. Matt Shaheen – (R- Plano)

With the House and Senate appointments now complete, the Commission will begin their work reviewing numerous state agencies and evaluating their programs and services. This will result in Legislation for the 90^th Regular Session to consider next year.

To Learn More About the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission click the link below

Sunset Advisory Commission Link

Upcoming Legislative Hearings

Both the House and Senate have begun work on their respective interim assignments and committees are holding hearings over the next few months.

Below is a listing of upcoming hearings and you can click the tab below to find out the topics the various committees will be discussing on the scheduled dates.

April 21 - House Energy Resources, 9:30AM.
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May 11 - Senate Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs, 9:00AM

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May 14 - House Elections, 11:00AM
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June 24 - Senate Business & Commerce, 9:00AM

Capitol Extension E1.012

July 27 - Senate Finance, 10:30AM.

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July 28 - Senate Finance, 9:00AM

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July 29 - Senate Business & Commerce, 9:00AM

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July 29 - Senate Transportation, 9:00AM

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September 1 - Senate Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs, 9:00AM

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September 2 - Senate Finance, 10:00AM

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September 30 - Senate Business & Commerce, 9:00AM,
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Click here for Committee Information

Upcoming Agency Hearings

Notice of Public Hearing on Texas Department of State Health Services 2028-2029 Biennium Legislative Appropriations Request (LAR)

Date/Time:

Thursday, April 30, 2026

1:00 p.m.

Location:

Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)

Robert D. Moreton Building

Public Hearing Room M-100, First Floor

1100 West 49th Street

Austin, Texas 78756

This public hearing will be webcast. Members of the public may attend the public hearing in person at the address above or access a live stream of the public hearing at https://texashhsmeetings.org/HHSWebcast. Select the tab for Moreton M-100 Live on the date and time for this public hearing. Please e-mail Webcasting@hhsc.state.tx.us if you have any problems with the webcasting function.

Agenda

1. Welcome and call to order

2. Agency overview

3. Budget overview: 2028-2029 Biennium

4. Public comment

5. Closing remarks

6. Adjourn

DSHS will conduct a public hearing to receive input on public health program funding for the 2028-2029 biennium Legislative Appropriations Request. DSHS is seeking your ideas and recommendations for funding public health programs such as disease and injury prevention, public health data, maternal and child wellness, emergency preparedness and response, vital statistics, and health-related consumer protection.

Public Comment

Stakeholder input is a critical element of this process. DSHS will accept public comments at the Austin location in person and virtually. To provide time to all persons wishing to speak, DSHS will observe a three-minute time limit per speaker. Please include the following in your comments:

Your name or the name of your organization and a contact person.
A clear, concise description of the recommendation.
What need would be addressed by this recommendation and the expected impact or benefit to the state or the people we serve.

Members of the public who would like to provide public comments may register at this link https://www.surveymonkey.com/share/12818997-114b-4c86-992a-6b3e34c7a696

Runoff Election Information

There are numerous Federal, State, and Local Runoff elections this year. Please don't forget to vote. Here are the key dates to remember regarding the Runoff election.

April 27 – Last Day to Register to Vote for Runoff

May 18 – 22 Early Voting

May 26 – Election Day

Save the Date

Washington County News

Did You Know?

Texas General Land Office

The Texas General Land Office (GLO) is home to one of the most fascinating collections of historic maps and land records in the country—offering a unique look at how Texas was explored, settled, and developed.

With more than 80,000 maps and records dating back to the 1700s, the collection includes original land grants, early county maps, and detailed surveys—many of which still influence property boundaries today.

Now available online, millions of these records can be easily searched and downloaded, making Texas history more accessible than ever.

For those Washington County, the collection provides insight into the early development of communities like Brenham and Chappell Hill, as well as historic landmarks such as Washington-on-the-Brazos.

Whether you're researching family roots or exploring local heritage, the GLO Map Collection is a valuable resource worth discovering.

Learn more and start exploring today!

GLO Map Collection

Texana Public Affairs
Brenham Office

2720 Bluebonnet Blvd

Brenham, TX 77833

Austin Office
1504 San Antonio, Ste. 100
Austin, TX 78701

512-423-1598