Speaker Dustin Burrows lists data centers, property taxes and annexing slice of New Mexico among 2027 priorities

Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows, a Republican from Lubbock, has unveiled his legislative priorities for the 2027 session, instructing various House committees to conduct interim studies. These charges align with some of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's initial directives, focusing on property tax reduction and state security, but cover a broader policy spectrum. Burrows also established three new committees: Governmental Oversight, Health Care Affordability, and General Aviation. Among the key directives, Burrows has tasked the State Affairs committee with finding methods to "streamline" data center development regulations while ensuring responsible community growth management. Concurrently, the Natural Resources committee is mandated to investigate the total water consumption of data centers across Texas and propose strategies for optimizing water resources and promoting water-efficient development. Additional priorities include evaluating the property tax appraisal system and options for property tax relief, such as compressing school district tax rates and increasing the school homestead exemption. Burrows also directed the Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence Committee to review Texas law to prevent the infiltration of foreign laws contrary to the U.S. and Texas constitutions, a move seen as targeting Muslim groups. Border security was notably absent from his list, while issues concerning the oil and gas industry, water infrastructure, and the H-1B visa program were included.