City Council reviewed and provided direction regarding the draft legislative agenda for the 90th Legislature on August 4, 2026, in a workshop with Blackridge and city staff. The draft being presented for consideration on Oct. 20 includes requested revisions. The legislative agenda begins with a general statement of municipal preservation to capture the myriad of bills filed that could negatively impact municipal operations and/or authority. Next, a priority legislative agenda directs staff to prioritize efforts on preserving local budgeting authority and revenue sources and preserve local authority related to land use, planning and zoning, and extraterritorial jurisdiction. Finally, eight general policy statements outline oppose/support positions related to potential bills that may be filed, as determined through coordination with TML, Blackridge, and through evaluation of policy statements issued by state elected officials. 

While the proposed legislative agenda does not enumerate every possible situation, it does clearly define the City of Buda's areas of focus and provides a strong foundation to represent the City's and the community's interests before the Texas State Legislature.

Below are key dates and information to note related to the upcoming 90th Texas Legislative Session. Committee hearings will begin to pick up mid-late February and once the bill filing deadline passes, committee hearings will be highly active.  

• November 9, 2026: Bill filing opens
• January 12, 2027: First day of session
• March 12, 2027: Deadline to file bills
• May 31, 2027: Sine die (last day of session)

The Texas Senate is comprised of 31 members and is led by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R-Houston). The Texas House of Representatives is comprised of 150 members and is led by the Speaker of the House, Rep. Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock). Leadership may shift; staff and Blackridge will monitor the state of leadership, as this can greatly impact how the session's priorities may also shift. 

The City of Buda's delegation and their current committee assignments are as follows: 

Senate: 

• Zaffirini (D-Laredo) Business & Commerce; Finance; Natural Resources (Vice Chair); State Affairs
• Campbell (R-New Braunfels) Business & Commerce; Education K-16 (Vice Chair); Finance; Nominations (Chair)

House: 

• Zwiener (D-Driftwood) Intergovernmental Affairs (Vice Chair); Local & Consent Calendars; Natural Resources

Based on the Legislative Agenda, City of Buda staff will continually monitor, analyze, and take positions, as appropriate, on legislation that is filed in the Texas State Legislature. Staff will coordinate drafting letters of opposition or support with our Blackridge partners, and will determine - in coordination with Blackridge, TML, and other cities - whether to testify in support of or opposition to legislation that is called out in the Legislative Agenda. Staff will coordinate with the Mayor on any opportunity to testify.

The Legislative Agenda also serves as a communication tool with our local delegation, committee chairs and members, and state agencies. Staff will coordinate meetings with the appropriate officials when and if the City takes a position of opposition or support on bills that are identified as priorities in the Legislative Agenda.

There is no financial impact in the adoption of the legislative agenda. 

Pros: 

• Having a formal, adopted legislative agenda gives staff the ability to communicate on the City Council's and the community's behalf leading up to and during the 90th Texas Legislative Session. 
• Having a formal, adopted legislative agenda amplifies the City of Buda's voice in the Legislature and alongside our municipal partners at a time when cities are a primary target of legislative action. 

Cons: 

• Not having a formal, adopted legislative agenda precludes the City of Buda from exercising its voice in a clear and unified manner at the State Legislature as bills are filed and prevents staff from being proactive in our communications. Instead, it creates a reactive environment and slows down the ability of staff to advocate on behalf of the City and the community. 

• Direct staff to revise the proposed legislative agenda. 
• Take no action.