Month in Review: A Digest of Capitol News

All Eyes on March 3 Primary Elections

On the horizon, some 300-ish days in the distance, a figurative white line marks the Jan. 12 start of the 90th Texas Legislature. The will and the when of it are certain. A 90th Texas Legislature will convene. The when is also non-discretionary. Both are prescribed by our state constitution.

Where is also easy - the state capitol building last moved in 1839. So that leaves only the who and the what. (We'll pass on wading into the subjective waters of the why.) For those two questions, we can only read the tea leaves, venture guesses, and wait and see.

The picture will become much clearer after Tuesday's primary elections. After all, almost all of the carefully drawn state House and Senate districts favor one party over the other, resulting in very few competitive elections once we reach the November general election. We know that 21 representatives will not return because the incumbents did not file for a place on the ballot.

Likewise, we know there will be five new senators. We also know November's general election will install a new attorney general and comptroller. Those are statewide races, so no artfully drawn districts place a thumb on the scale, but if recent history is any guide, the Republican primary winner will also take the general election - 1994 was the last time a Democrat won statewide office.

Listed below are the departing members of the Texas Legislature.

House of Representatives

• Alma Allen (D-Houston), House District 131
• Trent Ashby (R-Lufkin), HD 9
• Briscoe Cain (R-Deer Park), HD 128
• Giovanni Capriglione (R-Southlake), HD 98
• David Cook (R-Mansfield), HD 96
• Vikki Goodwin (D-Austin), HD 47
• Bobby Guerra (D-Mission), HD 41
• Sam Harless (R-Spring), HD 126
• Gina Hinojosa (D-Austin), HD 49
• Stan Lambert (R-Abilene), HD 71
• Ray Lopez (D-San Antonio), HD 125
• Jon Lujan (D-San Antonio), HD 118
• Dennis Paul (R-Houston), HD 129
• Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont), HD 21
• Jon Rosenthal (D-Houston), HD 135
• Nate Schatzline (R-Fort Worth), HD 93
• John Smithee (R-Amarillo), HD 86
• James Talarico (D-Austin), HD 50
• Tony Tinderholt (R-Arlington), HD 94
• Steve Toth (R-Conroe), HD 15
• Gary VanDeaver (R-New Boston), HD 1

Senate

• Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe), Senate District 4
• Brian Birdwell (R-Granbury), SD 22
• Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills), SD 9
• Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville), SD 3
• Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston), SD 11

Changes to Vehicle Registration

At its Feb. 12 meeting, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles board established the Automated Vehicle Regulation Advisory Committee to assist in developing recommendations on the regulation of automated vehicles in Texas. The board also adopted new personal identification requirements for vehicle registration to ensure that submitted documents are unexpired and demonstrate the registrant is legally eligible to reside in the state.

Additional details about these new rules are available here.

Upcoming: Regional Legislative Exchange Meetings

During the interim, TAC Legislative Services schedules regional meetings with county officials to hear directly from them about local priorities and challenges. These discussions help the Legislative Services team prepare for the public hearings on interim charges and for the next legislative session.

Three regional legislative exchange meetings are currently scheduled.

• March 6: Denton County.
• March 13: Robertson County
• April 15: Tom Green County

For details and registration, visit county.org.

Special Session Addendum to Legislative Analysis Report Available

After each legislative session, the TAC Legislative Services team reviews enacted legislation for its impact on county government. Relevant measures are summarized and organized by subject in the biennial Legislative Analysis Report.

The 2025 report is available in a searchable, online format or in print via an online order form. The online edition has been updated with a special session addendum beginning on page 58.

Legislative Directory Available

TAC's 2025-26 Legislative Directory remains available for order. The directory includes contact information for lawmakers, committees, county official associations and TAC's Legislative Services team.

Order free your copies here.

Month in Review is a collaborative column from TAC Legislative Services.