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Legislative Update
SEPTEMBER 2, 2026

The Texas Legislature meets in regular session for 140 days in odd-numbered years, and the period between sessions, known as the interim, is when much of the groundwork for the next session is laid. 

During the interim, the Lt. Governor and House Speaker issue "interim charges" directing each committee to study specific policy topics and to monitor the implementation of legislation passed in the previous session. Committees hold hearings, take invited and public testimony, and meet with stakeholders before compiling recommendations for legislative action. Those recommendations, published in interim reports, strongly influence the bills filed and prioritized in the next session. The Texas Legislature is firmly in the middle of the interim process, as most committees have already had at least one interim hearing.

Committees will finish hearings this fall and draft interim reports and recommendations, typically released in late 2026 and early 2027. This makes the next few months a critical window to continue engaging as the foundation is being laid for many of the significant issues for the 90th Session. 

The Texas House and Senate are evaluating long-term transportation infrastructure funding and planning with multiple interim charges in both chambers.

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monitors legislation
State and federal legislation impact your business, professional license and the entire engineering industry.  TSPE is dedicated to alerting members to any potential changes year-round.
 
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The Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors and other state agencies implement rules and policies that impact the practice of engineering.  TSPE monitors these groups for any changes that may affect you.
 
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NSPE works to foster licensed professional engineers in service to society.  As a state society of NSPE, we are committed to supporting that mission here in Texas.
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Who is an engineer and when is one needed? We support Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) process for both public and private contracts.
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The Political Action Committee for Engineers (PACE), amplifies our voice for Texas engineers in the state legislative process.
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Save-the-date for our upcoming PE Day at the Capitol on February 4, 2027: this event is one of the most important days of a Texas legislative session for professional engineers.
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Meet the TSPE Legislative & Governmental Affairs Director

Jay Williamson advocates on behalf of clients at the state and local levels. He is experienced in developing effective legislative strategies, navigating complex policy needs, coordinating clients' political engagement, and supporting appropriations initiatives.

Jay has represented clients across a diverse range of issues, including telecommunications, licensing, county government, voting rights, business liability, tort reform, appropriations, public safety, and workforce development. He helps clients navigate Texas state government and Austin City Hall and is passionate about providing a hands-on approach to achieving success with policymakers and political stakeholders. Jay advises various political action committees in Texas by shaping their engagement with Texas legislative candidates.

Before joining Grace & McEwan Consulting, Jay spent five years as an associate at a boutique government relations firm in Austin, where, in addition to lobbying the Texas Legislature, he also advocated on behalf of clients in Louisiana. He began his career as a legislative aide for former Representative Travis Clardy (R-Nacogdoches). Jay is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a McCombs Business Honors Degree and a minor in business and public policy.



What makes TSPE different?
TSPE is the only organization that represents the individual licensee at the Texas State Capitol. Every session we monitor legislation that impacts your license as well as other important issues to engineers as well as maintaining an education system in the state for future engineers.
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