Austin, TX – State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) has filed House Bill 249 during the current legislative session to protect Texas youth camps from flooding risks. The bill prohibits the construction of new overnight accommodations, including summer camp cabins, within 100-year floodplains.

“The recent flooding that devastated the Hill Country and beyond has left deep scars across our state, with tragic loss of life and widespread destruction. Our hearts continue to go out to all those affected by the flood and its aftermath,” said Landgraf. “Now, we must act to prevent future tragedies like the one at Camp Mystic, and that’s why I’ve filed HB 249.”

Inspired by a suggestion from a concerned constituent, the bill aims to create safer conditions at summer camps. “Protecting our children must be a top priority. This bill is a crucial step in ensuring our youth camps remain safe by reducing flood risks moving forward,” Landgraf added.

House Bill 249 amends the Health and Safety Code to prohibit new overnight accommodations in 100-year floodplains and grants the Health and Human Services commissioner the authority to adopt necessary rules for implementation. The bill applies only to new construction that begins after its effective date, 91 days after the legislative session ends on August 19, 2025.

AUSTIN — State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) is renewing his push to scrap the STAAR test in Texas public schools. House Bill 92, filed Monday by Landgraf ahead of the upcoming special session of the Texas Legislature, seeks to reduce excessive standardized testing—specifically including STAAR—and refocus public education on meaningful classroom instruction.

“Texans have made it clear: they want to scrap the STAAR test,” Landgraf said. “Students, parents, teachers and taxpayers are tired of an unnecessarily expensive system that prioritizes high-stakes test scores over actual learning. HB 92 would restore common sense to Texas classrooms.”

The bill would eliminate all state-mandated standardized tests that go beyond what is required by federal law. By scaling back unnecessary exams, HB 92 aims to ease pressure on students and teachers, reclaim valuable instructional time, and promote a more well-rounded education for Texas students. If passed during the special session, the bill would take effect beginning with the 2025–2026 school year.

“We were so close to scrapping STAAR earlier this year,” Landgraf added. “This bill gives Texas another chance to get this right and put the focus of our school system where it belongs—on preparing students for life, not just filling in bubbles on an exam. I’m grateful to Governor Abbott for answering Texans’ call and including STAAR elimination on the agenda for the special session.”

Governor Greg Abbott has included the elimination of STAAR on the call for the special session set to begin July 21st.

Austin, TX – Legislation authored by State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) to protect Texas families from the dangers posed by fly-by-night chemical container storage operations is now law. House Bill 3866 was passed by the Texas Legislature with broad bipartisan support and will take effect on September 1, 2025.

The legislation was filed in response to the July 2024 Permian Basin Container (PBC) fire in northern Ector County, where a chemical container storage facility set up in an existing residential neighborhood caught fire—releasing hazardous smoke and chemicals into the surrounding area. The incident triggered a large-scale emergency response and led to groundwater contamination, raising serious public health concerns across the region.

“This is a community-driven effort that started right here at home,” Landgraf said. “Neighbors impacted by the PBC fire came to me asking for change, and I’m proud to have carried their fight all the way to the Capitol. HB 3866 becoming law is a win for West Texas and every other part of our state where families deserve to feel safe in their homes.”

House Bill 3866 sets new safety standards on large-scale facilities that collect and recondition chemical containers. The bill prohibits these facilities from operating within 2,000 feet of existing private homes. It also establishes a registration system through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and routine periodic inspections.

Austin, TX – Legislation by State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles for food truck owners across Texas has cleared both chambers of the Texas Legislature and is now headed to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk to be signed into law.

House Bill 2844 creates a single, statewide health permit for food trucks issued by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). This new system replaces the confusing patchwork of local health permits and duplicative inspections that currently burden mobile food vendors operating in multiple jurisdictions.

“Food truck owners shouldn’t have to jump through a different set of hoops every time they cross a city limit,” Landgraf said. “This bill provides a consistent, statewide framework for health permitting—cutting red tape while keeping food safety standards strong.”

HB 2844 ensures that mobile food vendors are held to uniform, high health standards without being subjected to redundant local regulations. At the same time, the bill preserves local control by allowing cities to continue enforcing rules on where, when, and how food trucks operate—such as zoning restrictions, hours of operation, and proximity to events or schools.

“This is a big win for Texas small business owners, especially the hard-working entrepreneurs running food trucks in our communities,” Landgraf said. “Instead of spending thousands of dollars on repetitive permits and unnecessary fees, food truck owners will be able to reinvest that money into growing their business—upgrading equipment, hiring more staff, and expanding their operations.”

Landgraf filed the Food Truck Freedom bill at the request of several food truck operators in Odessa and Monahans. State Senator Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) sponsored the bill in the Senate. 

The bill received overwhelming bipartisan support in both chambers and is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, following the creation of the statewide permit by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

Austin, TX – Representative Brooks Landgraf is celebrating the passage of House Bill 2, a landmark piece of legislation that secures the largest investment in public education in Texas history.

The bill, which passed both chambers of the Texas Legislature today and is now headed to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk for signature, represents a historic $8.5 billion investment in Texas classrooms. This transformative funding will increase the state’s average annual funding per student to nearly $17,000. Key provisions include $4.2 billion for teacher and staff pay raises, $2.2 billion for special education enhancements, and $1.3 billion to help school districts manage rising operational costs.

“HB 2 represents an unprecedented commitment to our children’s futures,” said Representative Landgraf. “This investment I was proud to fight for prioritizes our teachers, students, and classrooms in a way we’ve never seen before. It will ensure that every school has the resources and support necessary for all students to succeed.”

Additionally, Representative Landgraf has been appointed to the conference committee for House Bill 4, which aims to replace the STAAR exam with a more balanced and growth-focused assessment system. The committee will work to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill.

“As a member of the conference committee, I will fight to preserve the integrity and original intent of House Bill 4,” Landgraf said. “We must ensure this bill remains focused on reducing the burden of high-stakes testing and moving toward a system centered on continuous learning and real-time feedback, which is essential for our students’ success.”

With the 89th Legislative Session set to conclude on June 2nd, Representative Landgraf’s leadership continues to be pivotal in advancing policies that strengthen and improve Texas’ education system.

Austin, TX – State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) announced the initial passage of Senate Bill 4 in the Texas House of Representatives, a measure he proudly co-sponsored to deliver a substantial property tax cut for Texas homeowners.

SB 4 increases the school district homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000, delivering substantial tax savings to millions of Texans. The bill also ensures public schools will not suffer any funding losses as a result of the increased exemption.

“We’re putting money back into the pockets of hardworking families, seniors on fixed incomes, and first-time homebuyers—without taking a single dollar away from our classrooms,” Landgraf said. 

Under SB 4, school districts will receive additional state aid to fully offset any reduction in local property tax revenue. State funding will fully backfill school district revenue to ensure teachers, students, and academic programs remain fully supported under the state’s public school finance system.

“I was proud to help get this bill across the finish line in the House,” Landgraf added. “Texans deserve to keep more of what they earn, and this is a measure that will allow Texas taxpayers to keep more money than they otherwise would.”

SB 4 is expected to receive final House approval tomorrow. The increased exemption would take effect in the 2025 tax year, pending voter approval on the November ballot

Austin, TX – A bill by State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) to cut red tape for food truck owners and operators across Texas has passed the Texas House of Representatives with overwhelming bipartisan support and is now headed to the Texas Senate.

House Bill 2844, the “Mobile Food Vendor Regulatory Consistency Act,” streamlines the permitting process for food trucks by establishing a single, statewide license—replacing the current patchwork of local permits and duplicate fees that hinder small business growth.

“Texas is a place where entrepreneurs should thrive, not get buried under layers of red tape,” Landgraf said. “This bill cuts through the bureaucracy and makes it easier for hard-working Texans to grow their businesses, provide for their families, and serve their communities.”

Under HB 2844, food truck owners will no longer have to navigate different health permitting and inspection requirements in every city they operate. Instead, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) will issue a uniform license that allows mobile food vendors to operate statewide. The bill maintains rigorous food safety standards while preventing costly and duplicative local regulations.

Importantly, HB 2844 does not interfere with a city’s ability to enforce local rules regarding where and when food trucks can operate. Municipalities would retain full authority to adopt and enforce time, place, and manner restrictions to ensure compatibility with local needs and conditions.

“This is a win for small businesses, a win for public health, and a win for common sense,” Landgraf added. “I'm grateful that food truck owners in Odessa pitched the idea to me, and to have good feedback from local leaders like Councilman Craig Stoker in fine-tuning the bill.”

With House approval secured, HB 2844 now moves to the Texas Senate for consideration.

Austin, TX – State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) today announced the Texas House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed House Bill 4, a significant reform to eliminate the STAAR exam and overhaul the state’s public school accountability system. As a co-author, Landgraf has been a key advocate for these changes.

“Today marks a monumental step forward for Texas students, parents, and educators,” said Landgraf. “The STAAR exam has long been a source of stress, taking time away from meaningful learning. House Bill 4 replaces this outdated system with an assessment program focused on student growth, not just a single, high-stakes test.”

House Bill 4 replaces the STAAR exam with shorter nationally norm-referenced tests administered three times each year to track student progress. This new approach provides timely, actionable feedback for educators, students, and parents, reducing classroom disruptions and allowing for more effective instruction.

“This bill is a win for teachers, who will now have the tools to support their students without the burden of a high-stakes test, and for students, who can now focus on learning instead of test preparation,” Landgraf added.

In addition to testing reform, the bill introduces clearer performance metrics and enhances transparency, giving parents greater visibility into their schools’ performance. It also grants school districts more flexibility by adding new indicators for student engagement and workforce development to ensure a fairer and more transparent accountability system.

Landgraf co-authored the bill with State Representative Brad Buckley (R-Salado). House Bill 4 now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

Austin, TX – A bill authored by State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) to protect Texas families from the dangers posed by fly-by-night chemical container storage operations has passed the Texas House of Representatives with overwhelming bipartisan support. The measure now heads to the Texas Senate for consideration.

House Bill 3866 was filed in response to the July 2024 Permian Basin Container (PBC) fire in northern Ector County, where a chemical container storage facility that set up operations in an existing residential neighborhood caught fire and released hazardous smoke into the surrounding area. The incident led to groundwater contamination and required a broad emergency response from local and state officials.

“I’m proud to report that HB 3866 has passed the House with strong bipartisan backing,” Landgraf said. “This is a community-driven effort to ensure that what happened during the PBC fire doesn’t happen again—anywhere in Texas.”

House Bill 3866 sets new safety standards on large-scale facilities that collect and recondition chemical containers. The bill prohibits these facilities from operating within 2,000 feet of existing private homes. It also establishes a registration system through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and routine periodic inspections.

Austin, TX – Legislation authored by State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) to provide death investigation professionals with critical workplace protections and benefits has unanimously passed the Texas House of Representatives and is now headed to the Senate for consideration.

House Bill 1306 ensures that medical examiners, justices of the peace, and certified death investigators are eligible for the same types of support currently available to first responders. This includes coverage for medical expenses related to exposure to contagious diseases, access to preventive immunizations, prompt medical care for work-related injuries, and line-of-duty death benefits for their families.

The legislation was filed in response to a request from Ector County’s Chief Medical Examiner, Dr. Carl Rogers, who highlighted the lack of protections for professionals in his field despite their critical role in emergency response and public health.

“Medical examiners and death coroners respond to some of the most difficult and hazardous scenes—often right alongside law enforcement and EMS personnel,” Landgraf said. “They face similar risks, including exposure to infectious disease, yet don’t receive the same protections. House Bill 1306 helps correct that.”

Landgraf noted that providing these benefits is essential to keeping these critical positions staffed and supported, especially in rural and underserved areas.

“It’s simply unreasonable to ask them to take on these risks without ensuring they and their families are taken care of,” Landgraf added. “This bill is about fairness, safety, and respect for those who do some of the toughest jobs in our public safety system.”