Legislative Blog
J.B. Williams, J.D.
Appropriations Bill Part 6
A Blog about 89th Legislative Session
A Bit of Background
The following backgrounds help summarize the author's views on both the general topic: Texas and more specifically 89th Legislative Session as it relates to that topic.
Brief Summary of Texas
Texas is truly a Republic. There are a multitude of items that to modify the state constitution must be modified. So there are times when Constitutional amendments are on the voting ballots. While I sometimes abhor the wording, the concept that all of those legally able to vote in Texas must vote on the change is a good one. And bills in Texas are generally short, making it easier for everyone to understand.
Summary of 89th Legislative Session
This subtopic contains a list of some of the "new" laws reviews. Total laws signed/voted into effect = 1,192. This will begin with an appropriations bill, and then go through a few that went into effect immediately. The following dates were when different laws took, or will take, effect: 7/1/25; 9/1/25; 9/5/25; 9/17/25; 10/1/25; 12/5/25; 1/1/26; 6/1/26; 8/1/26; 9/1/26; 1/1/27; 4/1/27; 9/1/27; 1/1/28
Blog Summary
SB 1 - Natural Resources - Article VI
Appropriations Bill Part 6
Published: 2026-08-31
SB 1 - 1055 pages in total
I'll list items I think of as of interest to breakdown some of the overall appropriations. I will try to include wages/salaries and employee benefits for each category where it exists. I think every company should provide to each employee at the end of the year the total amount of 'compensation' the company incurred for them. This would include their pay, health insurance, 401k/pension, social security, etc. For each one the first number will be for August 31, 2026 and the second number will be for August 31, 2027.
Department of Agriculture
| Item | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue, including federal funds | $916,406,750 | $911,073,945 |
| Commissioner of Agriculture, Group 5 salary | $140,938 | $140,938 |
| Agriculture Trade & Rural Affairs | $91,452,212 | $91,467,213 |
| Protect TX AG Producers & Consumers | $32,605,136 | $32,605,135 |
| Food and Nutrition | $776,125,189 | $772,799,612 |
| Debt Service (Bond) | $1,065,396 | $1,361,978 |
| Salaries and Wages | $50,708,703 | $50,708,705 |
| Employee benefits | $17,895,772 | $18,245,679 |
Animal Health Commission
| Item | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue, including federal funds | $20,638,275 | $20,174,475 |
| Executive Director, Group 6 salary | $194,807 | $194,807 |
| Protect & Enhance Texas Animal Health | $17,036,970 | $16,579,670 |
| Salaries and Wages | $14,979,730 | $14,979,729 |
| Employee benefits | $5,172,092 | $5,281,249 |
Animal Health Commission
| Item | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue, including federal funds | $475,171,278 | $443,050,838 |
| Executive Director, Group 8 salary | $257,858 | $257,858 |
| Commissioner (Chair), Group 7 | $230,000 | $230,000 |
| Commissioner, Group 7 (2) | $230,000 | $230,000 |
| Red River Compact Commissioner | $24,831 | $24,831 |
| Rio Grande Compact Commissioner | $42,225 | $42,225 |
| Sabine River Compact Commissioner | $9,007 | $9,007 |
| Sabine River Compact Commissioner | $8,699 | $8,699 |
| Canadian River Compact Commissioner | $11,036 | $11,036 |
| Pecos River Compact Commissioner | $33,053 | $33,053 |
| Assessment, Planning and Permitting | $221,809,203 | $198,733,008 |
| Drinking Water | $37,517,831 | $31,256,029 |
| Pollution Cleanup | $45,636,787 | $45,503,638 |
| River Compact Commissions | $471,775 | $471,775 |
| Salaries and Wages | $232,423,004 | $229,540,628 |
| Employee benefits | $76,029,345 | $77,450,285 |
General Land Office and Veterans' Land Board
| Item | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue, including federal funds | $1,279,467,863 | $1,155,089,569 |
| Land Commissioner, Group 5 salary | $140,938 | $140,938 |
| Maximize TX Assets & Preserve Alamo | $50,890,139 | $47,135,921 |
| Protect the Texas Coast | $150,515,801 | $128,761,666 |
| Texans Recover from Disasters | $627,276,715 | $639,377,890 |
| Salaries and Wages | $86,009,211 | $86,009,211 |
| Employee benefits | $24,862,578 | $25,330,028 |
Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Commission
| Item | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $493,227 | $493,227 |
| Compact Administration and Operations | $493,227 | $493,227 |
Parks and Wildlife Department
| Item | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue, including federal funds | $573,504,275 | $537,038,066 |
| Executive Director, Group 8 salary | $299,813 | $299,813 |
| Conserve Natural Resources | $98,111,699 | $98,111,694 |
| Access to State and Local Parks | $221,605,901 | $188,978,756 |
| Increase Awareness and Compliance | $135,249,585 | $134,706,297 |
| Debt Service (Bonds) | $8,770,173 | $8,473,218 |
| Salaries and Wages | $266,623,114 | $266,623,104 |
| Employee benefits | $83,441,306 | $85,039,043 |
Railroad Commission
| Item | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue, including federal funds | $234,096,518 | $227,427,068 |
| Railroad Commissioner, Group 5 (3) salary | $140,938 | $140,938 |
| Energy Resources | $34,371,887 | $29,072,853 |
| Safety Programs | $20,782,670 | $17,782,670 |
| Environmental & Consumer Protection | $176,228,955 | $177,858,539 |
| Salaries and Wages | $81,019,306 | $81,019,306 |
| Employee benefits | $27,365,838 | $27,839,751 |
Soil and Water Conservation Board
| Item | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue, including federal funds | $82,255,837 | $82,210,837 |
| Executive Director, Group 4 salary | $160,262 | $160,262 |
| Soil & Water Conservation | $67,658,987 | $67,613,987 |
| Nonpoint Source Pollution Abatement | $9,995,100 | $9,995,100 |
| Water Supply Enhancement | $3,605,000 | $3,605,000 |
| Salaries and Wages | $6,387,981 | $6,416,970 |
| Employee benefits | $478,831 | $483,284 |
Water Development Board
| Item | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue, including federal funds | $222,951,405 | $216,390,893 |
| Executive Administrator, Group 7 salary | $236,900 | $236,900 |
| Commissioner (Chair), Group 7 | $230,000 | $230,000 |
| Commissioner, Group 7 (2) | $230,000 | $230,000 |
| Water Science, Conservation & Data | $87,088,796 | $82,731,942 |
| Statewide Water and Food Planning | $34,033,230 | $34,847,063 |
| Water Project Financing | $19,946,912 | $19,983,625 |
| Debt Service (bond) | $62,059,274 | $58,648,629 |
| Salaries and Wages | $43,347,571 | $43,347,571 |
| Employee benefits | $11,850,305 | $12,048,195 |
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