Chispa Texas: Taking The Fight To Austin
As the 89th session of the Texas Legislature unfolds, Chispa Texas is diligently monitoring proposed legislation that could significantly impact our state’s natural resources and public health.
Engaging our community members with lawmakers during the session is essential to advocate for policies that protect our environment and ensure a sustainable future for all Texans.
Our approach is to advocate for science-based policies, sharing research and data to promote informed decision-making that prioritizes environmental health.
Among many bills we’re tracking this session are several dealing with water and desalination. These include:
- HB 3728, introduced by Representative Penny Morales Shaw, which requires the TCEQ to incorporate salinity criteria for bays and estuaries into water quality standards.
- SB 448, introduced by Senator Juan Hinojosa, which mandates that private entities cover at least 50% of the energy costs associated with operating public-private desalination facilities.
- HJR 7, introduced by Representative Cody Harris, which proposes a constitutional amendment to allocate a portion of state sales and use tax revenue to the Texas Water Fund, up to $1 billion per fiscal year.
We’re also watching bills that would potentially hinder wind and solar energy projects in Texas, such as SB 819, co-authored by a group of 10 Senators, which would require renewable energy facilities to obtain new permits.
Our overall goal this session is to fight for bills that fund programs and infrastructure to help maintain and conserve water; to push back on the erosion of existing environmental protections; and to challenge proposals that favor short-term economic gains over long-term sustainability. Most importantly, Chispa Texas wants to help ensure that the voices of those affected by environmental issues are heard and considered.
Make no mistake – special interests representing some of our state’s worst corporate polluters are already hard at work in Austin to advance their own agenda. That’s exactly why we’re working so hard to push our elected representatives to instead prioritize clean air, clean water, and clean energy, and to put the interests of our communities first.
Chispa Texas is a program of the League of Conservation Voters (LCV), and League of Conservation Voters Education Fund (LCVEF) focused on building Latine power in Texas to combat the climate crisis, including fighting for our communities' health and holding both lawmakers and polluters accountable.
Our community organizing and civic engagement efforts are focused on uplifting the environmental movement in Texas with new leaders, increased voter participation, accountability for elected officials, and people-centered policy solutions.
To stay up-to-date with our legislative efforts and to take part in our direct advocacy with Texas lawmakers this session, please reach out to us at chispatx@lcv.org.