HD 33 Capitol Report
From the Desk of State Representative Katrina Pierson
A Message from Representative Pierson
Thank you for allowing me the privilege of serving House District 33 at the Texas Capitol. Since taking the oath of office, I have been diligently working on legislation that reflects our community’s needs and values. Below is an update on recent developments and upcoming priorities.
Committee Assignments
Delivering on School Choice: House Education Package Filed (HB 2, 3, 4, and 6)
- Oversight & Accountability: The Texas Comptroller, partnering with up to five EAOs, will manage the ESA program to guide families and ensure proper fund usage. This allows parents to best direct the education of their children.
- Dedicated, Growing Funding: HB3 would create a dedicated ESA fund—with a proposed $1 billion from general revenue (not school funds) for FY 2027—that’s indexed to grow alongside public school funding, ensuring future expansion. HB2 dedicates a historic $8 billion of new funding to public education.
- Priority Enrollment & Flexibility: A four-tier system is in place to prioritize low-income and disabled students (with extra consideration for siblings) if demand exceeds available funding. The program is designed with a $1 billion budget to cover all eligible students. It offers 85% of per-pupil spending for non-homeschooled students and up to a $30K cap for disabled students.
- Enhanced Protections: The bill clarifies protections for students, families, and private schools from government interference while maintaining universal eligibility.
- Improved Student Outcomes: HB4 would eliminate the STAAR test. HB3 gives more options and increases funding for special needs students.
- HB6 (Leach): Creates a Teacher’s Bill of Rights that ensures educators can maintain a safe and supportive learning environment.
Proud to stand next to Riley Gaines on the South steps of the Texas Capitol as she stands with us to empower parents in education freedom!
Great having students and staff from Plano ISD visit my office.
Wylie ISD students also visited my office!
Legislative Collaborations & Policy Priorities
- Authored Legislation:
- Protecting Property Owners: The Anti-Squatter Bill (HB 1076)
- Bill Highlights: If enacted, HB 1076 will hold individuals unlawfully residing on another’s property accountable, rather than merely removing them.
- Support from the Governor: Governor Abbott has expressed his support of HB 1076, and I remain committed to guiding it through the 89th legislative session.
- Enhancing Municipal Utility District Transparency (HB 2561)
- Bill Highlights: Municipal Utility District Boards will be required to designate one or more meeting places within the district. The act permits using private residences or offices as meeting venues—provided the board declares them public and invites community participation.
- Transparency: By mandating that municipal utility district boards hold meetings at designated, accessible locations, this act ensures that local residents are never left out of the conversation.
- Texas DOGE (HB 3971)
- HB 3971 modernizes and renames the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to strengthen transparency, reduce waste, and streamline state agency operations. By leveraging technology and data-driven strategies, DOGE will identify inefficiencies and potential cost savings while ensuring recommendations flow directly to the Texas Legislature.
- Constable’s Salary Assistance (HB 3253)
- HB 3253 strengthens law enforcement services in rural communities by providing targeted financial assistance for county constable offices. Under this bill, the rural constable’s office salary assistance grant program is increased to help fund minimum annual salaries for constables and deputy constables, as well as other critical operational needs.
- Law Enforcement Officer Tax Exemption (HJR 172 / HB 4060)
- Together, HB 4060 and HJR 172 allow local taxing entities to offer a property tax exemption on a peace officer’s homestead. By making it more affordable for officers to reside where they work, these measures aim to improve officer retention, enhance community-police relationships, and potentially bolster public safety.
- Protecting Property Owners: The Anti-Squatter Bill (HB 1076)
- Coauthored Legislation:
- HB194 (Toth): Allows religious organizations to establish and operate child-care facilities for foster youth.
- HB1932 (Lopez): Expands an exemption from ad valorem taxation for the residence homesteads of certain disabled veterans and their surviving spouses.
- HJR91 (Hopper): Proposes a constitutional amendment recognizing every individual’s unalienable right to refuse a vaccination.
- HB370 (Swanson): Prevents events that allow biological males to compete in female-designated sports from receiving Events Trust Fund money.
- HB1071 (Schatzline): Establishes the Texas Adoption Assistance Program to provide financial assistance to adoptive parents in Texas.
- HB1527 (Alders): Expands tuition exemption access to a wider range of programs for state and local law enforcement officers.
- HB1674 (Kerwin): Requires companies to test for forever chemicals in biosolids bound for fertilizer production.
- HB1875 (Lopez): Instructs the General Land Office to study obstacles to veterans attaining burial plots in veterans cemeteries and opportunities to address the operational needs of veterans cemeteries in Texas.
- HB1952 (Kerwin): Increases elected representation on central appraisal district boards, expanding elected members to five in larger counties and requiring three elected members in smaller counties.
- HB2332 (Hopper): Adds a “CERTIFIED TEXAN” designator to IDs for improved voter verification and election security.
- HB2361 (Spiller): Requires local law enforcement to sign ICE agreements for enforcing federal immigration law.
- HB2657 (Hopper): Abolishes the Texas Education Agency, eliminates the commissioner role, and transfers duties to the State Board of Education and Comptroller to modernize education oversight.
- HB3186 (Swanson): Requires out-of-state colleges to certify compliance with biological sex eligibility rules 30 days before competing against in-state teams.
- HB1425 (Spiller): Allows school districts to provide a period to pray and read the Bible.
- HJR92 (Hopper): Proposes a constitutional amendment establishing a parent’s right to direct their child’s education.
- HJR93 (Hopper): Proposes a constitutional amendment guaranteeing every person the right to keep and bear arms.
SB15 Update
The Texas Senate filed SB 15, priority legislation that removes minimum lot size regulations. I am pleased to report that Rockwall County is exempt from this bill!
“I will continue the fight to keep Rockwall, Rockwall.” – Rep. Pierson
Engaging with Rockwall County in Austin
- Rockwall County Days: It was an honor to welcome constituents participating in Rockwall County Days at the Capitol. Attendees were treated to a series of informative speakers and events showcasing ongoing legislative initiatives.
- Community Engagement: I deeply appreciate everyone who took the time to visit Austin and share their perspectives. Your feedback is invaluable and helps guide my work.
Enjoyed meeting with constituents from AGC – Associated General Contractors of Texas.
Very excited to see my friend Brooke Rollins and participate in recognizing her on the Texas House floor to celebrate her accomplishments.
Had a great time welcoming cadets from the International Leadership of Texas to Austin.
Thank You for Your Support
I am grateful for your continued engagement—whether by phone, email, or personal visits to the Capitol. Please know that I will keep listening and working diligently on your behalf to secure a thriving future for Rockwall.
Contact Information
- Phone: (512) 463-0484
- Email: District33.Pierson@house.texas.gov
If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions, do not hesitate to reach out. My team and I are here to serve you.
Sincerely,
Katrina Pierson
State Representative