May 11, 2025
NEWS DIGEST
by Brandon Waltens
Good morning,
This week are a couple of important deadlines to keep in mind, as the legislative session in Austin heads into the final few weeks.
May 12, 2025: House Committees Report House Bills
By this date, House committees must report all House bills to ensure they have any chance to progress through the legislative process. Any House bill not reported out of committee by this deadline is effectively dead.
May 15, 2025: Deadline for House Bills
By this date (Day 122), the House must complete second readings of House bills and joint resolutions listed on the daily or supplemental calendar. Any House-originated legislation that hasn’t advanced to this stage is effectively dead.
To see all the important deadlines, click here
Featured
The Texas House passed Senate Bill 17, legislation aimed at restricting land purchases by foreign adversaries.
While protecting Texas land is a legislative priority of the Republican Party of Texas, some activists have taken issue with the legislation as passed out of the Senate for not being strong enough. While a series of amendments passed Thursday night aimed to strengthen the bill, some say another could have the effect of gutting it should it be in the final version.
Carried in the House by State Rep. Cole Hefner (R-Mount Pleasant), the bill prohibits foreign governments and entities from countries like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea from acquiring real estate in Texas. It also includes provisions to allow the attorney general to investigate violations and initiate divestment actions in court.
Real Texans
This week, Michael visits with Thomas McNutt about the history of Collin Street Bakery, the critical role of small businesses in our communities, and the importance of family traditions. And, of course, they talk about fruitcake.
New interviews with REAL TEXANS every Sunday!
State
Speaker Burrows Fires Senior Staffer
Sources say General Counsel Jimmy Skipton IV was directing bills be moved or killed to aid his wife’s lobby clients.
Exclusive: Texas Lottery Commission Calls in FBI Amid Explosive Allegations
Was the Lottery Commission following orders when it expanded gambling in Texas?
House, Senate Close In on Property Tax Relief Agreement
The compromise includes $3 billion in required compression, $3 billion for a homestead exemption increase, and approximately $250 million for business property tax relief.
Local
Tarrant County GOP Censures State Rep. John McQueeney
If the State Republican Executive Committee upholds the censure, McQueeney may be denied a place on the GOP primary ballot in 2026.
Houston Votes To Continue Race-Based City Contracting Program
City officials seek to strengthen their legal position as they navigate a lawsuit challenging the program as unconstitutional.
Irving Voters Add Casino Opponent to City Council
Another anti-casino candidate is headed to a June runoff.
Federal
US Sen. Cruz and Rep. Gill Introduce Legislation Targeting Universities’ Foreign Funding
Under the new legislation, educational institutions must disclose funding received from adversarial nations such as China, Russia, and Iran.
DOJ Joins Paxton, Abbott in Probing Controversial Islamic Compound
The federal investigation comes as the state of Texas, under Gov. Greg Abbott, is already conducting a sweeping multi-agency probe into EPIC’s operations.
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