Legislative Blog
J.B. Williams, J.D.
Supplemental Appropriations Part 4
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
HB 500 - lots of funding for water development
Supplemental Appropriations Part 4
Published: 2026-06-13
HB 500 - 114 pages
$48,270,951 ($47 Million plus) to Water Development Board for 2 years. $82,989,629 ($82 Million plus) to Water Development Board for drinking water state revolving fund. $1,038,000,000 ($1 BILLION plus) to Water Development Board for water infrastructure and supply project. $881,000,000 ($881 Million) to Water Development Board for the Texas water fund. $581,000,000 ($581 Million) to Water Development Board for specific water infrastructure and supply projects.
$55,000 for Environmental Quality to relocate the commission's Amarillo office.
$3,350,950 ($3 Million plus) for game, fish, and water safety; $2,129,580 ($2 Million plus) for lifetime license endowment fund; $162.470 for state parks.
$1,000,000 ($1 Million) to renovate an office facility donated by Texas Cooperative Inspection program.
$150,000,000 ($150 Million) for construction and support for Alambo exhibit and collection costs.
$60,000,000 ($60 Million for Parks and Wildlife. $21,400,000 ($21.4 Million for improvements and repairs of department's headquarters. $2,000,000 ($2 Million) for Texas State Aquarium Wildlife Rescue Center.
$100,000,000 ($100 Million) for Railroad Commission for well plugging program.
$250,000,000 ($250 Million) for grants for railroad grade separation projects. $52,000,000 ($52 Million) for purchase of three new aircraft for Department of Transportation. $106,800,000 ($106.8 Million) for Department of Transportation.
$68,000,000 ($68 Million) for credit to unemployment compensation fund with the Texas Workforce Commission. $30,793,540 ($30 Million plus) to be used for vocational rehabilitation and sustaining the state's required maintenance.
$20,000,000 ($20 Million) for access road improvements on State Highway 99 between Interstate Highway 10 and Westpark Tollway in Fort Bend County.
$22,000,000 ($22 Million) for runway expansion and improvements at Texarkana Regional Airport. $15,000,000 ($15 Million) for construction of an aircraft hangar.
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