THECB government relations: interim charges coming after primaries; committees will hold hearings through summer

John Wyatt, senior director for government relations at the Higher Education Coordinating Board, briefed the committee on the legislative calendar and interim process.

Wyatt explained that Texas lawmakers are in the interim period while primary season proceeds. He said the lieutenant governor and speaker will issue "interim charges" that direct their committees to study specific topics and prepare interim reports. "If something makes it as an interim charge, it's very likely that there is going to be some action taken by the legislature on that issue," Wyatt told members.

He described the cadence lawmakers use: committees gather testimony and data in interim hearings, issue interim reports in the fall, and then pre-filing of bills begins in early November ahead of the next regular session. Wyatt emphasized the short windows for committee hearings and the importance of moving bills through calendaring steps early in the session.

Why it matters: THECB staff act as a resource to committees during the interim and will provide data or testimony on higher-education topics when invited. Interim charges preview what issues may become legislative priorities.

Next steps: Wyatt encouraged members to track forthcoming interim charges and said THECB will provide data and engage with committee staff as appropriate.