Lone Star Ledge Report: Key Updates Before President’s Day Weekend

As we head into the President’s Day weekend, here are the latest Texas policy insights you should know. The Texas’ business landscape is shifting, with key legislation on AI, energy, cybersecurity, and DEI set to impact industries across the board.

DOGE Committee

The newly formed DOGE Committee will divide its focus between regulatory reform and using technology to improve government processes and constituent services.

AI: Regulation, Deep Fakes & Election Security

AI remains a hot topic, especially regarding deep fakes and election security. Representative Capriglione is leading AI policy discussions. SB6, the Grid Reliability Bill, is drawing attention—especially when it comes to the high energy costs of data centers and AI infrastructure.

A New Era for Cybersecurity

Texas is launching a Cyber Command Center, modeled after the Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM) but with independent oversight. The center will be based at UTSA, leveraging the university’s cybersecurity expertise to support both public and private sector security efforts.

While DIR will maintain its procurement role, core cyber defense responsibilities will shift to the new entity. Funding details are still unclear, but enthusiasm for the initiative remains high.

Voting: Legislative Watch

There are several bills about voting, including online voter registration; requiring proof of U.S. citizenship (such as a passport or certified birth certificate) for voter registration; allowing 18-year-olds who will be eligible for the general election to vote in the preceding primary; and designating polling places on college campuses, with a bill currently moving through the Senate State Affairs Committee.

Final Thoughts

We’ll continue monitoring these issues and providing updates. Let us know if there are specific areas where you’d like more details!

Upcoming Educational Event

Join Deirdre, founder of IGCI, at the Texas LGBT Chamber Advocacy Day in March, providing nonpartisan civics education to help you stay informed.