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Mid-Session Check-In: Bayou City Waterkeeper’s Work at the Texas Legislature

By
Bayou City Waterkeeper
Category
, ,
Date
April 17, 2025

The 89th Texas Legislative Session is well underway, and Bayou City Waterkeeper has been actively working to champion clean, safe, and accessible water for all in the Lower Galveston Bay watershed. This session marks our organization’s inaugural engagement at the state legislative level, and we’ve hit the ground running, advocating for the water justice our communities deserve. You read more on our vision for water in Texas in Bayou City Waterkeeper’s 89th Texas Legislature Policy Priorities here.

Educating Lawmakers from the Start

We kicked off our legislative efforts on January 30th with a strong presence at the Texas Capitol. We presented at two crucial legislative briefings aimed at educating lawmakers on critical water issues and our organizational priorities.

  • In partnership with the Texas Living Waters Project, we presented our shared TLWP Legislative Priorities, emphasizing the need for comprehensive and sustainable water management across the state.
  • We also collaborated with the Alliance for Clean Texas, our environmental partners across the state to highlight the urgent need for investment in resilient and equitable water infrastructure.

These early briefings provided a vital foundation for our ongoing advocacy, ensuring that legislators and their staff are informed about the pressing water challenges facing our region from the outset.

Championing Water Priorities on Texas Water Day

Continuing our engagement at the Texas Capitol, BCWK participated in Texas Water Day on March 3rd. Alongside our partners in the Texas SRF Cohort, we visited numerous legislative offices to uplift key water legislative priorities, with a particular focus on securing robust funding for vital water infrastructure projects. We also had a significant meeting with the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), where we shared our recommendations for strengthening the equitable implementation of state revolving funds. This meeting allowed us to directly advocate for policies that ensure these crucial funds are distributed fairly and effectively to communities in need.

Amplifying Community Voices

A cornerstone of our work is empowering community members to directly engage in the policymaking process. On April 10th, we partnered with our friends at Air Alliance Houston for Houston Environmental Justice Advocacy Day at the Texas State Capitol in collaboration with our local partners to advocate for clean air, clean water, and clean and reliable power. This powerful event brought together BCWK staff and dedicated community members to meet directly with state legislators and uplift our local water concerns. Together, we shared personal stories and advocated for policies addressing critical water and environmental concerns affecting our local region. It was an invaluable opportunity for our community to directly influence policy and demand action for the water issues they care about most, reinforcing BCWK’s policy demands for the 89th Session.

Monitoring and Testifying on Key Legislation

Throughout the legislative session, BCWK has been diligently monitoring a wide range of bills related to water and environmental protection. We have actively engaged in the legislative process by providing testimony – both in support, in opposition, and on recommendations – for several key pieces of legislation:

This active engagement ensures that our voice, and the concerns of our community, are heard as these crucial decisions are being made.

Looking Ahead: The Final Stretch – Our Commitment to Water Justice

With the clock ticking and only a few weeks remaining in the 89th Legislative Session, Bayou City Waterkeeper’s work is far from over. We are continuing to diligently monitor the progress of key bills and will continue to advocate for policies that prioritize clean, safe, and accessible water for all.

This legislative session presents a pivotal moment to address the significant water challenges facing our state. While local efforts are vital, the scale of these issues demands bold action at the state level. The 89th Legislature has a unique opportunity to make a tangible difference by increasing investments in critical water infrastructure, safeguarding the vital role of wetlands in protecting our local communities from storms and flooding, and advancing equitable, community-driven water policies.

Bayou City Waterkeeper is dedicated to working tirelessly throughout these final weeks, ensuring that the voices of our local communities are heard loud and clear at the Texas Capitol in Austin. We will continue to push for meaningful progress towards a more just and sustainable water future for all Texans. Stay connected for updates on our advocacy efforts and the outcomes of key legislation as the session draws to a close.

Stay Engaged and Take Action

For questions about our legislative work, please contact Guadalupe Fernandez at guadalupe@bayoucitywaterkeeper.org or Usman Mahmood usman@bayoucitywaterkeeper.org.