Data Center Signal
◀ Back to Feed
XLinkedInFacebook
TX Speaker lists data centers, property taxes and annexing slice of New Mexico among 2027

TX Speaker lists data centers, property taxes and annexing slice of New Mexico among 2027

News ClipKFOX·TX·3/27/2026

Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows has released his interim charges for the 2027 legislative session, which include studying data center development. The priorities focus on streamlining data center regulations for responsible growth and examining water usage to ensure water-efficient development across the state. This announcement outlines areas for legislative study rather than immediate action.

governmentwaterenvironmentalzoning
Gov: Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows, Texas House, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Gov. Greg Abbott, State Affairs committee, Natural Resources committee, Ways and Means Committee, House Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence Committee, Homeland security panel, Texas House Democratic Caucus, Rep. Gene Wu, U.S. Supreme Court, White House
Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows, a Lubbock Republican, unveiled his interim charges for House committees, outlining legislative priorities for the upcoming 2027 session. Among the key directives, Burrows instructed lawmakers to study the potential secession of New Mexico counties to Texas and to address the development of data centers within the state. Regarding data centers, the Speaker directed the State Affairs committee to recommend ways to streamline regulations to manage growth responsibly. Concurrently, the Natural Resources committee was tasked with examining the total water usage of data centers in Texas and exploring strategies to optimize water resources and enhance stewardship, aiming for water-efficient development. The comprehensive list also included perennial focuses such as property tax relief, government spending oversight, and reviewing existing laws concerning foreign legal systems like Sharia law. House Democrats, including Texas House Democratic Caucus chair Rep. Gene Wu of Houston, criticized Burrows' priorities, arguing they fail to address critical issues like healthcare, electricity, and water for average Texans, focusing instead on "donor class" interests and "culture wars."