On May 12th, the Texas Senate finalized action on Senate Bill (SB) 5 and Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 3, both authored by Senator Joan Huffman, to allocate funding for research, prevention, and treatment of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and related disorders. SB 5 is now headed to Governor Greg Abbott for approval, while the proposition in SJR 3 will be voted on in November. Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, co-author of the bills, expressed strong support for the establishment of the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT).

Senator Hinojosa stated, “Few bills we will pass this session will have as significant an impact on future generations as these dementia bills. This program is modeled after the Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), which has transformed cancer treatment. I appreciate Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick for prioritizing this issue and Senator Huffman for her leadership and commitment.”

SB 5 establishes DPRIT to accelerate research into dementia and related disorders, enhance innovation and the potential for medical breakthroughs, improve the health of Texans, and position Texas as a leader in this field. DPRIT is modeled after CPRIT, established in 2007.

SJR 3 is the constitutional amendment that will transfer $3 billion in state funds to the Dementia Prevention & Research Fund, ensuring financing for the next ten years, with a limit of $300 million in appropriations per fiscal year. This fund will support research into the causes, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of dementia, creating high-quality jobs and attracting top researchers to Texas.

Earlier this year, the Senate Finance Committee heard testimony indicating that approximately 400,000 Texans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease, with Texas Medicaid expenses related to care projected to reach nearly $4 billion in 2024. Additionally, research shows that the Hispanic population will see a steep increase in dementia diagnoses, yet they are underrepresented in clinical trials.

Senator Hinojosa emphasized, “DPRIT is designed to make Texas a leader in combating dementia. In the RGV we have the UTRGV Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Center for Minority Aging Research. This center will benefit from DPRIT and the significant investment of $3 billion. These funds will speed up research to help us learn more about this terrible disease, how we can prevent it, and eventually cure it.”

The establishment of DPRIT is a historic commitment to improving the quality of life for those affected by dementia and ensuring Texas remains at the forefront of medical research and innovation.

On May 9th, the Texas Senate passed House Bill (HB) 331, authored by Representative Jared Patterson and Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa. This important bill ensures that firefighters, peace officers, and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) who experience a heart attack or stroke within eight hours after a strenuous shift are presumed to have been injured in the line of duty. This change will help these brave individuals access workers’ compensation benefits more easily and fairly.

Senator Hinojosa emphasized the importance of this bill, stating “Our first responders have earned and deserve our support. They are there for us when we need them the most. Likewise, we shouldn’t turn our backs on them when their life and health are impacted by their work.”

First responders face significant risks. Current law requires that heart attacks or strokes occur during duty. However, the nature of their work often involves high-stress situations that can lead to medical emergencies after their shifts have ended. Many firefighters and police officers push through to the end of their shifts, only to discover they have suffered a heart attack later.

House Bill 331 removes the “nonroutine” limitation, broadening the definition of “qualifying activity” to include any stressful or strenuous physical activities, whether routine or extraordinary. Since first responders frequently deal with unpredictable situations, this change will simplify the coverage and eliminate confusion.

The new law will apply only to claims filed on or after the effective date, meaning there will be no retroactive claims.

Senator Hinojosa concluded, “This bill is the right move to protect our first responders and their families, giving them peace of mind that if a tragedy occurs, they will have access to the benefits they deserve.”

The bill is now awaiting final approval from Governor Greg Abbott.

Today, the Texas Senate passed House Bill (HB) 3093, authored by Representative Denise Villalobos and Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa. This bill is designed to provide more tax revenue certainty and protect local governments along the Gulf Coast from financial harm caused by appraisal disputes. 

HB 3093 will exclude contested amounts from appraisal rolls for the 20 highest-value properties. This change allows eligible counties, cities, and special districts to base their budgets on accurate, collectible property values, instead of disputed amounts that might not be resolved in time.

Senator Hinojosa shared the background on the bill, stating, “In 2023, I was approached by local officials, including Nueces County Tax Assessor Collector Kevin Kieschnick, Nueces County Judge Connie Scott, Corpus Christi Mayor Paulette Guajardo, Del Mar College Board of Regents Chair Carol Scott, and trustees from Corpus Christi ISD, who expressed concerns about rising contested values for certain refineries. These disputes could lead to budget shortfalls for local entities. In response, I authored Senate Bill 1052 and am pleased that Representative Villalobos filed the companion bill, HB 3093, in the Texas House.”

Currently, taxing units must use total appraised values, which do not account for pending legal disputes. This can lead to inaccurate tax rates and overestimated revenues, causing significant budget gaps if appraisals are later reduced. HB 3093 changes how tax rates are calculated when high-value property owners notify units about pending legal disputes over appraised values.

“HB 3093 will allow local entities to budget based on uncontested values. This bill is a compromise that preserves taxpayers’ rights to protest appraisals while helping governments plan their budgets effectively,” Senator Hinojosa added.

He also thanked the public officials and community leaders from the Coastal Bend who supported the legislation. “It takes teamwork to pass bills during the session and I appreciate the leadership of Rep. Villalobos and the support of Chairman Todd Hunter and Senator Adam Hinojosa in addressing this issue. I also thank the tireless work of Nueces County Tax Assessor Collector Kevin Kieschnick and our local public officials and community leaders who took the time to travel to Austin to testify in support of this bill.”

The bill is now awaiting final approval from Governor Greg Abbott.

The Texas Senate has concurred with House amendments to Senate Bill 1967, authored by Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, paving the way for important funding opportunities for flood mitigation projects. The bill will now head to Governor Greg Abbott for final approval. 

In 2019, the 86th Texas Legislature passed SB 7, joint authored by Senator Hinojosa, which created the Texas Flood Infrastructure Fund (FIF) to help communities develop drainage and flood control projects. This fund, managed by the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), provides financial assistance—through grants and zero-interest loans—to cities, counties, and other organizations working to improve flood management and water resources.

Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 (HCDD1) is currently working on the Delta Reclamation Project, a significant initiative aimed at reclaiming water from local drainage systems. This project will help tackle the area’s ongoing flooding issues, which are caused by flat terrain, non-absorbent soils, and long distances to natural water outlets. When completed, the Delta Project will convert daily drainage runoff into a new source of drinking water while also providing flood mitigation through proposed detention ponds.

Currently, existing TWDB programs do not fit the needs of the Delta Project, making it ineligible for funding. However, SB 1967 changes that. The bill amends the Texas Water Code to allow projects like the Delta Project to receive support from the FIF. It expands the definition of a “flood project” to include those that control and repurpose floodwater and stormwater for drinking and other uses. Representative Mando Martinez, sponsor of SB 1967 in the Texas House, added an amendment that also authorizes water supply projects that contain a flood control component to be eligible for financial assistance from the State Water Implementation Fund (SWIFT) and the Water Supply Account within the Water Loan Assistance Fund.

Senator Hinojosa stated, “Addressing water challenges across the state is a priority this session. I was proud to author SB 1967, which makes the Hidalgo County Drainage District Delta Project eligible for funding from the Flood Infrastructure Fund and other Texas Water Development Board funds. This project has two main goals: improving our drainage system and capturing water that would otherwise flow to the Gulf and treating the water for distribution to suppliers for both drinking and non-drinking use. I appreciate Hidalgo County Commissioner David Fuentes for his efforts in advocating for this legislation and thank Rep. Mando Martinez for sponsoring the bill in the Texas House. I look forward to Governor Abbott signing this bill into law.”

Yesterday, the Texas Transportation Commission announced an $8 million grant to the Rural Economic Assistance League, Inc. (R.E.A.L. Inc.) for the construction of a maintenance facility in Alice. This funding, which is part of the Federal Transit Administration program includes state resources to support public transportation needs in rural areas of Texas.

Among those present at the Texas Transportation Commission meeting were R.E.A.L. Chairman and Jim Wells County Clerk J.C. Perez, III; R.E.A.L. Executive Director Gloria Ramos, R.E.A.L. Director of Transportation Management Martin Ornelas-Mata, and Jim Wells County Judge Pete Trevino.

State Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa expressed his support for this funding, stating, “I commend the leadership of R.E.A.L.’s board of directors, their staff, and our local public officials for their tireless efforts to secure funding from TxDOT. It is important for the Coastal Bend region to have safe and reliable transportation options and the necessary facilities to meet the needs of our communities. I have consistently supported the funding from TxDOT to make R.E.A.L.’s projects a reality. I am grateful to the staff at TxDOT and the Texas Transportation Commission for their investment.”

To date, TxDOT has contributed nearly $2 million for R.E.A.L.’s planning and design phases, $12 million for the construction of a multi-modal and administration/operations facility, and now an additional $8 million for the maintenance facility. In total, this amounts to nearly $22 million in funding for R.E.A.L.

On Wednesday, the Texas Senate took a significant step forward in the fight against dementia by passing Senate Bill (SB) 5 and Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 3, both authored by Senator Joan Huffman. Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, who co-authored these bills, expressed his strong support for the potential establishment of the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT).

Senator Hinojosa stated, “There are few bills that we will pass this session that will have as significant of an impact for future generations as these dementia bills. This program is modeled after the Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), and we have seen how that research has transformed cancer treatment for patients. I appreciate Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick for making this issue a priority and Senator Huffman for her leadership and commitment.”

SB 5 would establish DPRIT to focus on accelerating research into dementia and related disorders, enhancing innovation, and ultimately improving the health of Texans. With the alarming rise of dementia diagnoses—especially among Hispanic populations—this initiative is crucial. “Dementia is not just a medical issue; it’s a personal one that affects families and communities. We must prioritize research and resources to ensure that all Texans have access to the best possible care and support,” Senator Hinojosa added.

SJR 3 proposes a constitutional amendment that would transfer $3 billion in state funds to the Dementia Prevention & Research Fund, ensuring funding for the next ten years, with a limit of $300 million in appropriations per fiscal year. This fund will support research into the causes, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of dementia, creating high-quality jobs and attracting top researchers to Texas.

Currently, approximately 400,000 Texans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease, and the costs associated with care are substantial, with Texas Medicaid expenses estimated to be nearly $4 billion in 2024. Additionally, research indicates that Hispanics will continue to experience a steep increase in dementia diagnoses among all racial and ethnic groups, yet they are underrepresented in clinical trials.

Senator Hinojosa emphasized, “DPRIT is designed to make Texas a leader in combating dementia. In the RGV we have the UTRGV Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Center for Minority Aging Research. This center will benefit from DPRIT and the significant investment of $3 billion. These funds will speed up research to help us learn more about this terrible disease, how we can prevent it, and eventually cure it.”

The establishment of DPRIT marks a historic commitment to improving the quality of life for those impacted by dementia and ensuring that Texas remains at the forefront of medical research and innovation. The bills are now in the Texas House for consideration.

Last week, the Texas Senate passed several bail reform bills that were priorities for Lt. Governor Dan Patrick and were declared Emergency Items by Governor Greg Abbott. The bills—SJR 1, SJR 5, SB 9, and SB 40—were all authored by Senator Joan Huffman.

In her opening statement on the Senate floor regarding SJR 1, Jocelyn’s Law, Senator Huffman emphasized the legislation’s significance by sharing the tragic story of Jocelyn Nungaray, a 12-year-old girl from Houston who was strangled and killed by two men accused of entering the country illegally. She stated, “These two men were not denied bail for the murder of Jocelyn, even when the preponderous of the evidence that existed at arrangement, and the fact that their illegal immigrant status presented a major flight risk. This is just unacceptable in our state.”

Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, a co-author of the bills, highlighted the importance of these reforms, stating, “These bills are important to help keep dangerous and violent criminals from being released into our communities on improper bonds, where they could potentially commit more crimes. These reforms will help protect our families and our communities.”

During the Senate floor debate, Senator Hinojosa referenced a recent case from his district in Jim Wells County, where a repeat offender who, while out on bond awaiting trial for murdering his wife, subsequently murdered his 80-year-old mother. He stated, “This is a real-life example of the failures in our judicial system. As legislators, we must take action to correct these abuses, especially concerning violent criminals.” His comments highlighted the urgency for reform and the need for a judicial system that prioritizes public safety.

The bills passed by the Texas Senate and now under consideration in the Texas House include:

·     SJR 1 – Mandates the denial of bail for illegal immigrants accused of felony offenses upon a finding of probable cause.

·     SJR 5 – Grants magistrates the authority to deny bail to individuals accused of serious crimes, including sexual offenses, violent offenses such as murder or aggravated assault involving a deadly weapon, and continuous trafficking of persons.

·     SB 9 – Transfers the authority to set initial bonds for specific high-risk defendants—such as those on parole, repeat felony offenders, and individuals charged with violent crimes or detained under immigration holds—from hearing officers to a Presiding Judge accountable to voters. This bill also expands the list of offenses ineligible for personal bond to include unlawful firearm possession, violations of family violence protective orders, terroristic threats, and murders related to fentanyl distribution. Additionally, SB 9 enhances transparency in reporting by charitable bail organizations, prevents magistrates from altering bonds set by district courts, mandates judicial appearances before felony bonds are set, and introduces a new appeal process for prosecutors to challenge insufficient bail.

·     SB 40 – Prohibits political subdivisions from using public funds to bail out offenders through charitable bail organizations.

Senator Hinojosa reiterated, “Providing protection to the public from violent individuals is a priority.” These bills are now headed to the Texas House for further consideration. If passed by the House, the voters will have a chance in November to approve the constitutional amendments.

Last week, the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) approved the request from the Nueces County Water Control and Improvement District No. 3 (District) for $9,304,876 in financial assistance consisting of $2,410,000 in financing and $6,894,876 in principle forgiveness from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund for the planning, design, and construction of a water system improvements project.

Currently the District’s water system is under review by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for failing to comply with containment requirements. The system is experiencing water losses exceeding 25 percent, as the water distribution system consists of aging, leaking, and undersized waterlines. The proposed project will replace approximately 10,000 linear feet of undersized, aging, and leaking small diameter water lines with new lines, helping to reduce water losses. Additional valves and hydrants will be installed as necessary. The project will also install an Automatic Meter Reading system, replacing approximately 3,532 existing manual read meters. These improvements will ensure a safer and more reliable water supply for the District and the River Acres Water Supply Corporation. The project is scheduled to end its planning phase January 31, 2026, and begin construction the following year.

State Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa issued the following statement:

“This funding from the TWDB is an important step in improving water infrastructure for the residents in the District. Given the current water scarcity in the region, it is unacceptable for a water system to be losing more than 25 percent of its supply due to inefficiencies and leaks. Replacing old, leaking pipes and installing automatic meter readers will help us conserve water and make it easier to detect leaks. I commend the WCID # 3 Board of Directors and their staff for working with the TWDB to secure this funding and for their commitment to improving water infrastructure for the benefit of our families.”

Yesterday, the Texas Senate passed Senate Bill (SB) 4 and Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 2, which I joint-authored with Senator Paul Bettencourt. These bills are once again priorities for Lt. Governor Dan Patrick and Governor Greg Abbott, who has declared property tax relief as an Emergency Item. This allows the legislature to act on this issue before March 14, the 60th day of the session.

SB 4 and SJR 2 would provide more property tax relief to Texas homeowners by raising the homestead exemption to $140,000. This increase is expected to save the average homeowner approximately $500 annually. It is also estimated that 49% of homeowners across the state will not have a school tax bill if the homestead exemption is increased to this amount.

SB 4 works in conjunction with Senate Bill 1, the General Appropriations Act, authored by Senator Joan Huffman, which reduces school district tax rates by 6.8 cents. This reduction will yield an additional savings of $133.13 for the average homestead property owner. The bill also safeguards the exemptions for homeowners over 65 and for disabled individuals, which means they get an additional $10,000 increase to their homestead exemption. Importantly, it includes a hold-harmless provision, ensuring the state will fully cover any funding shortfalls for Independent School Districts resulting from the increased exemption. There were 5.5 million students enrolled during the 2023-24 school year.

In 2015, I supported legislation that approved an increase of the residence homestead exemption from $15,000 to $25,000. This was followed in 2021 by another increase, approved by voters, raising the exemption to $40,000. In 2023, the exemption was further increased to $100,000.

If passed, SJR 2 will allow voters to raise the residence homestead exemption to $140,000. Both bills, SB 4 and SJR 2 are now under consideration in the Texas House.

Following the Senate’s passage of these bills, Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa stated:

“I was honored to joint-author these important bills and appreciate Senator Bettencourt’s efforts and Lt. Governor Patrick’s leadership in raising the homestead exemption to $140,000. Despite the significant property tax relief we have provided in the past two sessions, rising property taxes remain a top concern for many Texans. High property taxes burden homeowners and businesses, making it harder for families to afford their homes and hindering economic growth. These bills, if passed by the Texas House and approved by voters, will continue to deliver much-needed tax relief and allow homeowners to keep more money in their pockets.”

On Friday, the Texas Senate Finance Committee heard testimony from the Texas A&M University System, including the presidents of all A&M Universities. Chancellor John Sharp, who last year announced his retirement for later this year, attended the hearing to present his final priorities and funding requests after serving as Chancellor since 2011.

During the hearing, Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa praised Chancellor Sharp for being an outstanding leader of the Texas A&M University System. He thanked him for playing a key role in transforming and expanding higher education opportunities and access to healthcare resources in the Rio Grande Valley and the Coastal Bend.

Senator Hinojosa specifically acknowledged Chancellor Sharp’s contributions to the Rio Grande Valley, referencing a report released by Sharp in 1999 during his tenure as Comptroller. This report highlighted the challenges and opportunities in the border area and included recommendations for specific initiatives. “We implemented those initiatives, and they have made such a difference in taking the Valley out of poverty and making it into an economic success,” Hinojosa stated. He added, “Sometimes people don’t realize the impact that Chancellor Sharp has had throughout our state and the nation. And for that, we are very grateful and thankful.”

Senator Hinojosa also recalled that before the 2013 session, when leaders from the Rio Grande Valley were working to create a medical school in South Texas, they received some pushback from the University of Texas. In 2012, Chancellor Sharp stepped in and offered to create a medical school in South Texas. “Almost within days after that story came out, UT relented and said, ‘Okay, we’ll support a medical school in South Texas.’ Now we have a medical school. Thank you for doing that for us,” Hinojosa said.

Chancellor Sharp recounted how the proposal came to fruition. “How that really happened is Chuy Hinojosa and Alonzo Cantu came to me and said, can you come down to the Valley and act like you’re putting a medical school in the Rio Grande Valley? True story,” he explained.  Sharp continued, “They took me to the Country Club, made sure everybody saw me, made sure all the UT folks saw me. Then they put it in the paper that we were going to create a medical school. That got the attention of a member of my board of regents asking, what are you doing? I said, you know, everything’s alright. Then two days later, UT came and gave them a check for $50 million (joking about the $50 million).” He concluded, “It worked.”

During the 2013 legislative session, Senator Hinojosa was the lead author of Senate Bill 24 which created UTRGV and the UTRGV School of Medicine. In November 2013, the University of Texas System Board of Regents approved nearly $200 million from the Permanent University Fund to pay for the construction of the medical school.

Senator Hinojosa also thanked Chancellor Sharp for establishing the A&M Higher Education Center in McAllen, which connects students directly to Texas A&M College Station, providing them with the same degree and opportunities. Hinojosa wrapped up his remarks by stating, “Chancellor Sharp has made the State of Texas a better place for all of us, and he has earned his upcoming retirement. I look forward to working with him in his final months as Chancellor of the A&M System.”