Friends,

As we kick off a new legislative session, I want to take a moment to thank you for the privilege of representing HD 136 in the Texas House. I’m excited to share our plan to invest in our communities by protecting our public schools, ensuring access to healthcare, and supporting housing, transit, and a modern Texas.

In this monthly newsletter, you’ll find updates on community events, local resources, and upcoming legislation. If you have any questions, feedback, or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out. My office is here to help!

All the best,

John Bucy III 

State Representative 

Texas House District 136

January marked the beginning of the 89th session. I am thankful for the opportunity to have been sworn in with the help of both of my daughters, Bradley and Parker, and to continue the work of investing in our Texas communities.

While some of my colleagues are focused on defunding public schools or criminalizing our neighbors, I’m committed to keeping Central Texas vibrant and healthy. Over the next four months, my goal is to lay the foundation for sustainable growth by supporting our expanding school districts, creating more accessible healthcare options, improving housing and transit, and creating pathways to workplace readiness.

As you think about the future you want for Texas, I encourage you to reach out and share your thoughts on upcoming legislation. My team carefully considers all feedback from constituents, and we welcome your input as well.

Committee assignments are out! This session I have been appointed to serve on the following House committees: Elections, Local & Consent Calendars, Public Health, and the Permanent Standing Subcommittee on Disease Prevention and Women's and Children's Health.

I am also proud to serve as the Vice Chair of both the Elections Committee and the Permanent Standing Subcommittee on Disease Prevention and Women’s and Children’s Health.

These roles are especially significant under the new rules that Democrats fought for, which grant Vice Chairs greater authority to set committee agendas. I look forward to collaborating with committee chairs and staff to advance priorities that help make Texas as good as its promise.

Texas State University Conversation
Proud to have hosted a meeting with Texas State and the Texas Space Commission to advance workplace readiness and position Central Texas as a leader in space innovation. 

My team is available to assist you! Our office hopes that you do not hesitate to reach out when you have questions regarding state agencies, legislation, or other challenges you’re facing. Also, please check out these upcoming opportunities! 

Texas History Essay Contest

The Texas Land Commission is hosting an essay contest for 4th and 7th graders as they explore topics in Texas history or culture. Learn more here!

Join a Neighborhood Wildfire Prevention event
The Wildfire Division of Austin are hosting presentations regarding wildfire preparedness. Find a local event or request one here. 

Student Film Contest 

Health Futures of Texas is hosting their 10th Annual Student Film Contest. Enter the contest and learn more about their work here.

Regional Hispanic Contractors Association Scholarship
The National RHCA Training and Safety Foundation, dedicated to providing training in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction professions, invites students to apply for their $20,000 scholarship.

Artist of the Month

Our office is looking to support local artists by spotlighting their work in the capitol. If you or someone you know is interested in participating, please email us at [email protected].

Request a Resolution

My team is looking for celebratory and memorial resolutions to honor individuals and organizations across HD 136. Please reach out if your or a neighbor have a success, retirement, anniversary, or otherwise. I would love to host you here in the capitol. Request a resolution by emailing [email protected].

KVUE
Texas lawmaker hopes new bill will create high-speed rail line from Dallas to Austin to San Antonio
The proposed bill would connect the major business hubs while hopefully reducing crashes and traffic on I-35.

The Austin Bulldog
Austin Democrats aim for small wins in legislative session
Previewing the 89th legislative session of the Texas legislature

Crossroads Today
Can these 5 bills to expand voting access in Texas win bipartisan support in the Legislature?
Proposals to allow online registration and broaden photo ID options may have a chance to advance, supporters say.

KBTX
Pre-filed bills put high-speed rail on the Texas legislative agenda this upcoming session
Proposals to Push High-Speed Rail Forward

Fox7
Concern grows after Leander ISD announces job cuts and school vouchers move past Senate
Leander ISD plans to cut more than 200 jobs because of a lack of state funding. That has parents and educators worried.

The Cool Down
State official proposes plan for high-speed rail connecting three major US cities: 'It only makes sense'
"Those visiting our great state deserve robust options for travel and commuting."

This session, my office has filed over 80 bills spanning a wide range of issues. I am dedicated to using the coming months to protecting the institutions that have allowed HD 136 to thrive and investing in future opportunities for growth. You can find our full list of bills authored here.

Strong Public Schools

• H.B. 276 - Would switch school funding from an attendance-based model to enrollment-based to more adequately enable schools to cover costs.

• H.B. 1229 - Would make fine arts a part of the core curriculum for kindergarten through 12th grade.

• H.B. 1569 - Would provide free access to pre-kindergarten for the children of public school teachers.

• H.B. 393 - Would repeal the ban on Diversity Equity and Inclusion in higher education passed by the 88th legislature.

• H.B. 2081 - Would establish the Building Better Futures program, which has the goal of expanding post-secondary opportunities for individuals with IDD.

Access to High-Quality, Affordable Healthcare

• H.B. 262 - Would expand Medicaid access for Texans through federal matching funds.

• H.B. 321 - Would leverage already-verified information as part of the enrollment process for Medicaid and CHIP, creating efficiencies, reducing red tape and redundancies, and achieving cost savings, all while empowering parents to make a decision about their child’s health coverage that works best for them. 

• H.B. 555 - Would institute a series of technological upgrades to 2-1-1 TIRN, including texting, data collection and sharing, and certain updates and improvements to the TIRN website. 

• H.B. 616 - Would require insurance to cover at-home tests for COVID and Flu, as well as any other illness listed under an Emergency Use Authorization by the FDA.

• H.B. 2412 - Would require insurance providers to cover GLP-1 medications for the purpose of treating obesity.

Addressing Housing and Affordability

• H.B. 343 - Would provide a cost of living adjustment for state retiree pension recipients.

• H.B. 476 - Would cap the rate of payday loans at 36 percent.

• H.B. 670 - Would allow local political subdivisions like MUDs and water boards to provide a homestead exemption to a person who is disabled or older than 65 years of age, pending voter approval.

• H.B. 1289 - Would create a list of criteria and programs that universities could implement in order to be qualified as a “hunger free campus.”

• H.B. 2016 - Would establish the Housing Texas Fund, in an effort to support the development of affordable housing, the operation of non-profits supporting the homeless, and the relocation and diversion of those who are homeless but could be quickly housed in another location.

Protecting the Freedom to Vote

• H.B. 311 - Would enable any eligible Texan to register to vote online.

• H.B. 374 - Would make November elections in even-numbered years a state holiday.

• H.B. 417 - Would permit any registered voter in Texas to apply to vote by mail in an election for which they are eligible to vote.

• H.B. 425 - Would authorize individuals to register to vote and cast their ballot on Election Day.

• H.B. 633 - Would allow counties to add additional early voting days the weekend and Monday leading up to Election Day.

To stay informed on the progress of bills, I encourage you to create a free account on the MyTLO section of the Texas Legislature Online (TLO) website. This tool allows you to set up alerts for bills, committees, topics, and more, so you can track legislative developments as they unfold.

Political advertising paid for by John Bucy Campaign.

Our mailing address is:

John Bucy Campaign

P.O. Box 536, Austin, TX 78767