Opportunity Austin is maintaining strong momentum this session, recently hosting our first-ever OA Day at the Capitol, where more than 40 investors joined us to meet with legislators and share the region’s economic development story. In addition to advancing key bills like the R&D Tax Credit reauthorization and the Texas Future Fund, we’re actively supporting a broad array of education and workforce policy aimed at aligning talent pipelines with the demands of industry.

Read on for the latest updates on our legislative priorities and policy wins in progress.

OA Day at the Capitol

On April 2nd, Opportunity Austin held its inaugural OA Day at the Capitol. The day began with lunch and an opportunity to hear from guest speakers. State Rep. Donna Howard provided an overview of where things stood in the legislative session, and helped attendees understand the important connection to the office visits. Adriana Cruz, the Executive Director of the Economic Development and Tourism division within the Office of the Governor, shared the state’s new economic development strategy and spoke about some of the important economic development programs the legislature is considering. Participants then made office visits to meet with every member of OA’s legislative delegation, as well as relevant committee and bill authors of legislation we are supporting.

We greatly appreciate the OA investors and regional partners who spent the day with us to share the Austin success story and talk about how we can continue the momentum.

OA Priority Bill Update

On Wednesday, April 9^th, the Senate Finance committee held a hearing for SB 2206, the R&D Tax Credit reauthorization bill. Shortly after hearing the bill, it was voted out of committee on a 10-0 vote. The bill will now head to the Senate floor while stakeholders await a hearing on the House side for the companion bill – HB 4393.

House Passes State Budget

In the early hours of Friday morning, April 11^th, the House passed SB 1, the $337 billion two-year state budget. That bill will now be sent to a conference committee, where members of the Senate and the House will negotiate the differences between the bills they passed. The House also passed HB 500, known as the supplemental appropriations bill. When crafting a budget that covers a two-year period some estimates are going to be off target. The supplemental appropriations bill fixes those mistakes, addressing areas that ended up costing more than expected.

Texas Future Fund

On Tuesday, April 15^th, the House Appropriations Committee will hear HB 104 by Chair Bonnen. At the Chair’s request, Opportunity Austin is working with his office on this legislation and is providing a subject matter expert to give invited testimony at Tuesday’s hearing. The goal of the legislation is to use excess dollars in the Rainy Day Fund to “develop and diversify the economy of Texas by making investments in frontier technology infrastructure, industry sectors critical to national defense, and other innovative technologies as recommended by the board.” The structure of this bill is similar to successful programs in other states and features crucial provisions for transparency, apolitical investment decision making, and due diligence safeguards for protecting state funds.

Session Preview

CAMPO Updating Regional Transportation Plan: CAMPO is making updates to the 2050 regional plan that helps determine which transportation and mobility projects are likely to be funded. 

Housing Affordability is Looming Threat: State Comptroller says housing affordability is the biggest issue threatening Texas’ prosperity.

Major Water Legislation Advances: One of the session’s largest water bills passed the Senate. The bill, supported by OA, addresses Texas’ water needs by focusing on the development of new water supplies.    

Bill Tracker 

You can view a shortlist of some of the most notable bills OA is tracking to monitor their impact on economic development in the Austin region. If you have questions about what any of these bills do, the Advocacy team is happy to discuss them with you.

Some notable items include:

- JETI Bills – HB 4022, HB 195, HB 4149 are all similar and OA supports them all, but is actively working on HB 4022.

- R&D Tax Credit – SB 2206 has passed out of Senate Committee.

- SH 130 Connector – SB 1074 and HB 2876 – OA registered their support for the House bill.

- $3,600 Child-Care Franchise Tax Credit – HB 3011 - OA has registered their support for this bill.

Workforce – OA has registered support for numerous bills aimed at improving dual-credit programs, enhancing educational outcomes, and investing in training opportunities. Of particular note are HB 20, HB 120, and HB 2110, all three of which will be heard on the house floor this week.

- Creation of the Texas Technology and Innovation Program – HB 1268 and SB 209 – OA has registered their support for these bills. Both are being heard on their chamber floors this week.

- Creation of the Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Program - HB 14 / HJR 8 and SB 2060 – OA has registered their support for the House bills

- Creation of the Texas Cyber Command – HB 150 and SB 2176 - OA has registered their support for the House bill, which is on the House floor this week.

- Creation of the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute – SB 5 / SJR 3 and HB 5 / HJR 3: OA has registered their support for these bills.

OA Policy and Advocacy Resources 

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