8 BuildersOutlook 2025ssue2
Members represent El Paso Builders in Austin
The 2025 Texas Legislative Session was opened in February , and it will be one for the record books . The legislature only meets every two years in Texas and that means legislation passed before has to be protected and new bills vetted . In that process the Texas Association of Builders confers Rally Day , a gathering of all Texas local associations in a show of unity and strength at the Capitol . This session , the 89th , has already spawned thousands of potential bills , some that will make the Governors desk and the majority will be on the cutting room floor . Water is a hot topic across Texas , with proposals to pipe water into the state from Louisiana and other states that have historically had more water than they use . Other proposed legislation involves issues the associations will look at for costs and decide to support or rally against .
Some early proposed bills include HB 2225 , which would amend the Local Government Code chapter 395 . This bill will involve the EPAB since we are considered a Texas expert association in this kind of dealing . HB 2559 would reconcile moratorium timelines and procedures , lowering the excessive costs associated with building moratoriums . SB 898 from Senator Cesar Blanco and State Rep Joe Moody would increase the amount of money allocated to El Paso for tax-credit housing which is much needed . HJR 85 proposes a constitutional amendment to provide the creation of funds to go educational programs offered by the Texas State Technical College System . Consider professions such as welders and HVAC technicians , among others .
We met with each of our four State reps Gonzalez , Ordaz , Moody and Perez and Senator Blanco . Our thanks to them and their staff for accommodating our group .
The El Paso delegation in attendance for Rally Day included President Victor Robles , Vice President Lydia Mlouhi . Secretary Jacob Barde , Past Presidents Jaime Gonzalez and Sal Masoud , Associates Vice President Angelique Roman , Sam Mlouhi , Alexis Ferguson , Raul Gonzalez , Margaret Adauto , and Ray Adauto . We would like to thank HUB International , Luis Rosas , for supporting the visit to Austin .