AUSTIN — Republican State Representative Brooks Landgraf’s co-authored legislation to provide $12.7 billion of property tax relief for Texans passed out of the Texas House of Representatives Thursday. The legislative package includes House Joint Resolution 2, Senate Bill 2, and Senate Bill 3. SB 2 and SB 3 must now be signed by Governor Abbott to go into law while HJR 2, which provides the constitutional authority necessary to enact several provisions of SB 2, must be approved by Texas voters in November.

“Everything is bigger in Texas, including our tax cuts,” Landgraf said. “I hope this starts a trend that the state continues and local governments follow. We took the largest budget surplus in Texas history and turned it into the largest tax cut in Texas history, not only cutting property taxes, but the franchise tax as well. As a strong believer in and fighter for limited government, I’m proud we’re keeping our promise and putting money back in the pockets of hard-working Texas taxpayers. The benefits of the legislation passed today will be far-reaching, positively impacting Texas families and small businesses alike.”

Senate Bill 3 increases the “no tax due” threshold for franchise tax purposes to $2.47 million, ensuring businesses operating in Texas with revenue under this figure in a given tax year do not owe any franchise tax or have to file a franchise tax report. The current statutory “no tax due” threshold is $1 million.

“While I am certainly proud of the significant reform to the franchise tax made by SB 3, I would have liked to see a larger cut and a plan to phase out and repeal the tax,” Landgraf continued. “The franchise tax is bad policy that hurts Texas businesses and our economy because it is levied irrespective of whether businesses make a profit. That is why I filed HB 2213 earlier this year to repeal the franchise tax altogether. Even though I’m not totally satisfied, cutting the franchise tax by doubling the no tax due threshold is a huge step in the right direction and a very good thing for Texas.”

Senate Bill 2 increases the homestead exemption from $40,000 to $100,000 and taps surplus revenue to provide $12.7 billion in property tax relief over the next 2 years by reducing school district maintenance and operations (M&O) tax rates by 10.7 cents per $100 of taxable value to “buy down” school district M&O rates. Additionally, SB 2 creates a 20% appraisal cap applicable for tax years 2024, 2025, and 2026 for non-homestead properties with an appraised value of $5 million or less. Importantly, SB 2 also increases the number of directors on an appraisal district’s board of directors from five to nine, three of which now have to be elected by voters in larger counties, including Ector County.

“SB 2 and HJR 2 provide immediate relief and lasting reform. We’re not just using surplus revenue to buy down property taxes for the next two years, we’re seeking to permanently amend the constitution to increase the homestead exemption by 150%! Not only that, but the changes made to appraisal boards will add much needed transparency and accountability. Appraisers have a major role in determining how much Texans have to pay in property taxes, and anyone with that amount of power should have to be elected by the people. I’m proud of these tax cuts, but I will continue to work to provide even more property tax relief moving forward,” Landgraf concluded.

Landgraf and the other members of the Texas legislature convened at the Texas Capitol building on June 27 for a special legislative session called by Governor Abbott. Following the passage of HJR 2, SB 2 and SB 3, the Texas House of Representatives and Texas Senate adjourned to end the special session and return home to their districts. Special sessions of the Texas legislature can only be called by the governor and can last no longer than 30 days. Earlier this year, members of the Texas House and Senate met for a 140-day regular session to vote on legislation and pass a balanced state budget.

AUSTIN — Legislation co-authored by State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) to create harsher penalties for fentanyl traffickers and dealers was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on Wednesday. The legislation, House Bill 6 filed by State Representative Craig Goldman (R-Fort Worth), was a major legislative priority for House Speaker Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) and the governor.

“Fighting back in this fentanyl crisis is crucial,” Landgraf said. “This is a battle and the casualties are tragic and close to home. I am very proud of House Bill 6 because it will save lives and put dangerous criminals behind bars.”

House Bill 6 delivers swift punishment for fentanyl-related crimes in Texas, creating and increasing penalties for manufacturing or delivering fentanyl in Texas. This, along with other bills to better fund law enforcement, helps communities and agencies combat the ongoing crisis in an appropriate manner.

“House Bill 6, along with several other bills signed into law and the $5.1 billion we secured in the budget for border security, will better fund and arm our agencies, towns, and Texans in defending and securing our southern border,” Landgraf continued. “It’s infuriating that the Biden administration continues to ignore the problem, but Texans—including young West Texans—are dying, so we are taking action on the state level. I’m proud to be part of the fight to keep Texans safe and secure the border.”

Fentanyl-related deaths reported in Texas increased 89% from 2020 to 2021. Since Operation Lone Star began in March 2021, the Texas Department of Public Safety has seized more than 361 million lethal doses of fentanyl across the state, enough fentanyl to kill every man, woman and child in the country. In 2021, Landgraf was part of the successful effort to increase state funding for border security to $3 billion for 2022-2023. In 2023, he successfully fought to increase that funding to $5.1 billion for 2024-2025.

The 88th Texas Legislative Session ended on May 29, 2023. Members of the Texas House and Texas Senate are constitutionally required to meet for a 140-day regular session beginning the second Tuesday in January every odd-numbered year to vote on legislation and pass a balanced state budget. In addition to serving as chairman of the House Environmental Regulation Committee, Landgraf is also a member of the Transportation Committee, House Administration Committee, Redistricting Committee, Select Committee on Community Safety, and the Select Committee on Youth Health and Safety.

AUSTIN — Legislation filed by State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) to reform the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP) was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on Tuesday. House Bill 4885, which was passed overwhelmingly at every stage of the legislative process and garnered support from the energy industry leaders as well as environmental groups, will officially go into effect on September 1, 2023.

“HB 4885 is about leveraging emerging technologies to better clean Texas air without harming Texas industry,” Landgraf said. “It’s about improving TERP to keep EPA bureaucrats from over-regulating Texas businesses and workers. This is a win for Texas and I’m thankful to Senator Birdwell, Speaker Phelan, and Governor Abbott for working with me to get this important and timely legislation passed into law.”

TERP is a federally required program administered by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) that provides grants to cut emissions and reduce impacts on the environment in the state’s most polluted regions. If Texas fails to administer the program according to its purpose, there is legitimate concern that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will step in and take it over.

House Bill 4885 revises the initial allocation of money from TERP to allow for more grants for high-demand emissions reducing technologies and requires the TCEQ to establish and administer grants for hydrogen technologies. The changes made by HB 4885 will allow for more grants for operators in upstream and downstream communities.

“This bill is especially important now that the EPA is up to its old tricks again, using out-of-state data to justify an attempt to re-designate the Texas Permian Basin as being in non-attainment for ozone levels,” Landgraf continued. “It’s all hands on deck, including myself as the chair of the Texas House Environmental Regulation Committee, Governor Abbott and Congressman Pfluger, working to talk some sense into the EPA and avoid this action.”

Last month, the EPA renewed its previously tabled plans to indirectly restrict Texas oil and natural gas production through a non-attainment designation of portions of the Texas Permian Basin. In June of 2021, citing data obtained from air quality monitors in New Mexico, the EPA announced its intention to consider redesignating the Texas portion of the Permian Basin as a “non-attainment” area – an area that does not meet the standards of the 2015 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). If finalized, this proposal could result in further regulatory burdens on the oil and gas industry in the Permian Basin.

“HB 4885 is another arrow in our quiver demonstrating how Texas is prioritizing air and water quality and does not need federal intervention on behalf of the environment. In other words, HB 4885 is a way to keep the federal government out of our backyard,” Landgraf concluded.

The 88th Texas Legislative Session ended on May 29, 2023. Members of the Texas House and Texas Senate are Constitutionally required to meet for a 140-day regular session beginning the second Tuesday in January every odd-numbered year to vote on legislation and pass a balanced state budget. In addition to serving as chairman of the House Environmental Regulation Committee, Landgraf is also a member of the Transportation Committee, House Administration Committee, Redistricting Committee, Select Committee on Community Safety, and the Select Committee on Youth Health and Safety.

AUSTIN — Legislation filed by State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) to stall the implementation of any new federal regulations on oil or natural gas production in Texas passed out of the Texas Senate on Monday. House Bill 33, nicknamed the “Texas Energy Independence Act,” will go into effect on September 1 provided it is signed into law by Governor Abbott.

“The time to act to defend Texas oil and gas is now,” Landgraf said. “HB 33 will ensure no Texas state taxpayer dollars or resources are used to implement any new federal regulations on oil and gas production in Texas. But it isn’t just about Texas energy independence, it’s about taking a stand for common sense and liberty, it’s about preserving the American dream.”

House Bill 33 prohibits Texas state agencies and officials from contracting with or providing assistance to any federal agency or official regarding the enforcement of a federal statute, order, rule, or regulation regulating oil and gas operations if the regulation is not already existing law.

“No matter what the coastal elites or Hollywood celebrities say, the only way for our nation’s future to be bright is for Texas to be a global energy leader,” Landgraf continued. “We produce oil and natural gas cleaner, safer, and with more concern for human life and dignity than any other major oil producing region on earth. The Texas Energy Independence Act will help preserve the Texas economy, and, hopefully, the United States of America as a global force for good.”

Landgraf and the other members of the Texas legislature will convene for the 88th Texas Legislative Session on January 10, 2023. The Texas legislature meets at the Texas Capitol building for a 140-day regular session beginning the second Tuesday in January every odd-numbered year to vote on proposed legislation and pass a balanced state budget.

AUSTIN — Legislation sponsored by State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) to ensure gasoline and diesel powered engines can never be outlawed by local governments in the state of Texas was signed into law by Governor Abbott this month. With the governor’s signature, Senate Bill 1017, the companion legislation to House Bill 2374 filed by Landgraf, will go into effect on September 1, 2023.

“This is a win for consumer freedom and Texas energy,” Landgraf said. “SB 1017 is about individual liberty, and when people are free to choose and the market is allowed to be competitive, Texas oil and natural gas always win. It’s an honor to fight for the hard-working men and women of the Permian Basin, to fight for freedom and for energy independence.”

SB 1017 prohibits local governments from adopting or enforcing any rule or ordinance that would limit access to gasoline, diesel, or any other fuel source. The bill prohibits gas stations from being banned as any other related wholesaler, retailer, energy producer, or infrastructure necessary to provide access to a specific energy source. The legislation also ensures local governments cannot directly or indirectly prohibit or restrict the use, sale, or lease of an engine based on its fuel source.

“SB 1017 will be a bulwark against local politicians who want to undermine the individual liberties of Texans and the industry that makes the heart of Texas beat,” Landgraf continued. “I will keep fighting for common sense legislation like this that makes Texas more free and protects oil and gas jobs. No big-city politicians are going to California our Texas on my watch.”

It was recently announced that the Dallas city council is planning to phase out the use of gas-powered tools by 2027. The state of California is banning all small-gas powered engines by 2024, with some communities outlawing gas stations altogether.

SB 1017 will be sent to Governor Abbott to be signed into law after the Senate reviews changes made to the bill in the House. Landgraf and the other members of the Texas legislature convened at the Texas Capitol building for the 88th Texas Legislative Session on January 10, 2023. Members of the Texas House and Texas Senate meet for a 140-day regular session beginning the second Tuesday in January every odd-numbered year to vote on legislation and pass a balanced state budget.

AUSTIN — Legislation sponsored by State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) to ensure gasoline and diesel powered engines can never be outlawed by local governments in the state of Texas passed out of the Texas House of Representatives on Tuesday. Senate Bill 1017, the companion legislation to House Bill 2374 filed by Landgraf, passed out of the House by a vote of 116 to 30.

“This is a win for consumer freedom and Texas energy,” Landgraf said. “SB 1017 is about individual liberty, and when people are free to choose and the market is allowed to be competitive, Texas oil and natural gas always win. It’s an honor to fight for the hard-working men and women of the Permian Basin, to fight for freedom and for energy independence.”

SB 1017 prohibits local governments from adopting or enforcing any rule or ordinance that would limit access to gasoline, diesel, or any other fuel source. The bill prohibits gas stations from being banned as any other related wholesaler, retailer, energy producer, or infrastructure necessary to provide access to a specific energy source. The legislation also ensures local governments cannot directly or indirectly prohibit or restrict the use, sale, or lease of an engine based on its fuel source.

“SB 1017 will be a bulwark against local politicians who want to undermine the individual liberties of Texans and the industry that makes the heart of Texas beat,” Landgraf continued. “I will keep fighting for common sense legislation like this that makes Texas more free and protects oil and gas jobs. No big-city politicians are going to California our Texas on my watch.”

It was recently announced that the Dallas city council is planning to phase out the use of gas-powered tools by 2027. The state of California is banning all small-gas powered engines by 2024, with some communities outlawing gas stations altogether.

SB 1017 will be sent to Governor Abbott to be signed into law after the Senate reviews changes made to the bill in the House. Landgraf and the other members of the Texas legislature convened at the Texas Capitol building for the 88th Texas Legislative Session on January 10, 2023. Members of the Texas House and Texas Senate meet for a 140-day regular session beginning the second Tuesday in January every odd-numbered year to vote on legislation and pass a balanced state budget.

AUSTIN — Legislation supported by State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) to offer performance-based funding to ensure that institutions such as Texas Tech University are not only competitive across Texas, but nationally, passed out of the Texas House of Representatives on Tuesday.

“HJR 3 and HB 1595 are huge wins for Texas Tech, our Texas Tech medical school in Odessa, and the entire state of Texas,” Landgraf said. “We want our public universities to be competitive on and off the field, and HB 1595 and HJR 3 are big steps towards that goal. Additional research funding for Texas Tech will allow the university to attract the best and brightest students and professors, and the research that will be done will benefit generations of Texans.”

House Joint Resolution 3 proposes a constitutional amendment to redesignate the National Research University Fund as the Texas University Fund (TUF) and make a $3.5 billion appropriation to increase the corpus of the fund. House Bill 1595, the enabling legislation for HJR 3, would allocate appropriations from TUF to provide a dedicated, independent, and equitable source of funding to enable Texas Tech University and other Texas general academic teaching institutions to achieve national prominence as major research universities and drive the Texas economy.

“This will help ensure Texas has an educated workforce and research-driven solutions necessary to tackle our biggest challenges,” Landgraf continued. “I’m proud to support this effort along with anything else I can do to empower higher education institutions in West Texas.”

HJR 3 and HB 1595 passed out of the Texas House of Representatives with overwhelming support and now head to the Texas Senate for consideration.

AUSTIN — Legislation filed by State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) to designate a portion of Business Interstate 20-E in Ector County as the Mac Wilson and Rex Young Medal of Honor Highway passed out of the Texas House of Representatives on Friday.

House Bill 2083 would designate the stretch of Business I-20/Highway 80 in Ector County between Loop 338 and the county line as the “Wilson & Young Medal of Honor Highway.” Landgraf filed the bill at the urging of local veterans who want to recognize these incredible local heroes, who were both posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for their gallantry and valor in Vietnam by President Richard Nixon. Both men are buried a few yards away from each other in Odessa’s Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery, located along the portion of Business I-20 that would be named in their memory.

Private First Class Wilson, a graduate of Odessa High School, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic leadership on the battlefield and for unhesitatingly deciding to jump on an enemy grenade, absorbing the force of the explosion with his body to protect his fellow Marines. 

Staff Sergeant Rex Young, a graduate of Permian High School, was 21 years old when several members of his platoon were killed after intense enemy fire. Young assumed command and directed his platoon to withdraw to get to a better defensive position all while exposing himself to enemy fire. Young bravely fired at the overwhelming enemy force, protecting the soldiers in his platoon until his position was engulfed by the enemy.

“Designating this portion of highway is another small way we can honor these two heroes for the unimaginable sacrifices they made in battle,” Landgraf said. “I know of no other community this size that produced two Medal of Honor recipients in the same war, but this community has. It’s another reason I’m proud to be an Odessan, and it certainly motivates me to work hard with local veterans to help memorialize the sacrifice of Mac Wilson and Rex Young.”

HB 2083 now advances to the Texas Senate for consideration. Provided it receives approval by the full Senate, the bill will be sent to Governor Abbott’s desk to be signed into law.

AUSTIN — Legislation coauthored by State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) to provide $17 billion of property tax relief for Texans passed out of the Texas House of Representatives Friday. If passed by the Texas Senate, House Bill 2, the “Property Tax Relief Act,” would provide the largest property tax cut in Texas history.

“Providing meaningful, lasting property tax relief is a top priority,” Landgraf said. “And unlike many other past proposals, this one benefits every single property taxpayer in the state. Every Texan stands to benefit from HB 2.”

Landgraf teamed up with fellow State Representative Morgan Meyer (R-Dallas) on HB 2 to provide a school district tax rate compression that will result in a 28% reduction in in school property taxes. HB 2 also reduces recapture by more than $4.5 billion by increasing the state’s share of public education funding to over 50% for the first time in more than a decade. Finally, HB 2 places a 5% annual cap on appraisal increases for all types of property for the benefit of every Texas business, landowner, homeowner, and renter. For the average Texas homeowner, this would result in an average savings of more than $1,200 over the next two years.

“Most of the school districts I represent send millions of dollars back to the state each year in the form of recapture payments,” Landgraf continued. “HB 2 will help reduce the amount these districts have to send back to the state over the next two years, keeping more of our locally generated tax revenue here where it can directly benefit West Texas students. There are still several legislative hurdles left, but I’m hopeful we can ultimately get the Property Tax Relief Act over the finish-line to provide much needed relief for Texas families, businesses, students, and teachers.”

HB 2 passed out of the Texas House by a vote of 139 - 5. It will now advance to the Texas Senate for consideration. Provided it receives approval by the full Senate, HB 2 will be sent to Governor Abbott’s desk to be signed into law.

AUSTIN — Legislation coauthored by State Rep. Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) to reform the community college finance system to provide a much needed funding boost to Odessa College passed out of the Texas House of Representatives on Wednesday.

“Community colleges are paramount to preparing and educating the Texas workforce,” Landgraf said. “Rural community colleges, like Odessa College, have long struggled to compete for state funding with colleges located in more populated communities. That problem is solved by HB 8.”

In 2021, the legislature created the Texas Commission on Community College Finance and charged it with making recommendations to the 88th legislature about state funding formulas and funding levels for the state's 50 public community colleges. The commission issued its recommendations in November 2022, which are reflected in HB 8. The bill makes historic changes in the community college finance system to distribute funding on measurable outcomes of their students and provide a guaranteed yield level of funding to help rural colleges. HB 8 also supports career and technical education programs not currently funded under the current model and increases college capacity to meet workforce needs.

“Odessa College does so much good for our community and does more to prepare the next generation of energy workers than any other college in the state,” Landgraf continued. “HB 8 could increase state funding for Odessa College by more than 50%. They’ve done so much with so little state support compared to other community colleges, so I cannot wait to see what Odessa College is able to do with the additional resources provided by HB 8.”

HB 8 passed out of the Texas House of Representatives by a vote of 146 - 1 on Wednesday. The bill will now head to the Senate for consideration. If passed by the full Senate prior to the end of the legislative session, HB 8 will go to Governor Abbott’s desk to be signed into law.

Landgraf and the other members of the Texas legislature convened at the Texas Capitol building for the 88th Texas Legislative Session on January 10, 2023. Members of the Texas House and Texas Senate meet for a 140-day regular session beginning the second Tuesday in January every odd-numbered year to vote on legislation and pass a balanced state budget.