As of this writing, we are one day in to a 140 day legislative session. In the Senate, new and re-elected Senators have been sworn is as well as officers of the Senate. In addition, Senator Brandon Creighton was elected to be the Senate President pro-tempore, and as such, will serve as the president of the Senate when the lieutenant governor is out of state. In addition, he will serve as the governor when the governor and lieutenant governor are out of state. In the House, all members, freshmen and incumbents were sworn in, and a speaker was elected. As you may recall, former Speaker Dade Phelan, (R) Beaumont, faced a primary opponent last March and was forced into a runoff. Sensing weakness, several House members began to line up to mount a campaign to oppose Phelan for the office of Speaker. Phelan had drawn criticism from within his own party for his support of the impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton, as well as his practice of appointing Democrats as committee chairs. Last December, facing an uphill battle to retain his coveted leadership position, as Representative David Cook gained the endorsement of the House Republican Caucus (Caucus), Phelan announced he was withdrawing from the speaker race. Following that announcement, Representative Dustin Burrows, (R) Lubbock, announced his candidacy for Speaker, and as they say, the race was on.   The Texas House in this Legislature is comprised of 62 Democrats and 88 Republicans totaling 150 House members. A simple majority (76) is required to win the office of Speaker. Although endorsed by the Caucus, Cook failed to garner the support of all Republicans. Burrows, however, was able to secure the support of most Democrats and enough Republicans to make for a very competitive race. Soon after the Session began today at noon, Secretary of State Jane Nelson, began the Speaker election where we saw Burrows, Cook, and Representative Ane-Maria Rodriguez-Ramos, (D) Richardson, nominated for Speaker. Rodriguez-Ramos was eliminated in the first round. In the second round of voting, Burrows prevailed on a vote of 85-55 in his favor, with 9 Democrats registering present-not voting. As you may know, the Speaker determines the agenda of the House, as well as appoints all committee chairs and committee membership. Due to Burrows close alliance with Phelan, I don’t expect a large shake-up of committees, but I do expect a continuation of the practice of Democrats continuing to be named as committee chairs and maintain other leadership positions. It is also expected that those Republicans that supported Burrows will face significant challenges from within the Republican in the coming days. The Republican Party of Texas has threatened those that opposed Cook with primary challengers in 2026, and I’m certain that will come to pass for at least a few. In matters of particular interest to irrigators, I have not identified any legislation filed thus far threatening your industry. Legislation can be filed without objection through the 60th day of the session and I will continue to monitor this until the filing deadline occurs. As always, feel free to reach out to me with any questions, concerns, or comments you may have. I am privileged to represent you in your state capitol.

Protecting Your Business: Key Takeaways from Larry Copenhaver’s Safety Presentation At our ECAT Quarterly Meeting on January 18th in Waco , members had the privilege of attending a safety presentation by Larry Copenhaver , Regional Risk Control Manager at BITCO Insurance. With decades of experience in risk management and OSHA training, Larry brought valuable insights into workplace safety, accident prevention, and the realities of risk in our industry. One of the biggest takeaways from his presentation? Accidents are going to happen.  No matter how many safety measures you put in place, there’s no way to eliminate all risk entirely. However, what you can do is protect yourself and your business from false claims. Why Video Recording Devices Matter Larry emphasized that having video recording devices on job sites, equipment, and vehicles is one of the best ways to safeguard your company. When an accident occurs, a video recording provides clear, indisputable evidence of what actually happened. This can mean the difference between a costly false claim and a quick resolution. Too often, contractors find themselves fighting exaggerated or outright false claims—whether from third parties, employees, or even passersby. Without evidence, it’s your word against theirs. A dash cam, site surveillance, or equipment-mounted camera can give you the proof needed to protect your company from unnecessary liability. Real-World Protection for Contractors For those in earthmoving and excavation, the risks are especially high. Heavy equipment, active worksites, and high-traffic areas all create potential hazards. When an accident happens, the ability to review footage can help determine the actual cause and prevent unnecessary legal battles. A few key benefits of video recording devices include: ✅ Protection Against False Claims  – Clear evidence prevents fraudulent accusations. ✅ Improved Safety Training  – Review incidents and use them as learning opportunities. ✅ Faster Insurance Claims Processing  – Reduce disputes and get quicker resolutions. ✅ Liability Reduction  – Prove when your company is not  at fault. Take Action Larry’s message was clear: you can’t stop every accident, but you can protect yourself when they happen.  Investing in video recording technology is one of the smartest steps you can take to safeguard your business. If you missed the presentation or want more information about risk management strategies, reach out to ECAT or BITCO Insurance for further guidance. Stay safe, stay smart, and protect what you’ve built!

Safe Digging Saves Lives: Join the 2025 Texas Safe Digging Event If you’re in the excavation or construction industry, you know that underground utilities can be a major hazard. Hitting a gas or pipeline line doesn’t just cause costly damage—it can result in serious injuries, environmental risks, and even loss of life. That’s why Texas 811 and Paradigm are hosting the 2025 Texas Safe Digging Event , a free training designed to keep excavation professionals informed and safe on the job. Why Attend? This free  event provides crucial training on damage prevention, excavation safety, and state regulations . Topics covered include:✔️ The Five Steps to Safe Digging  – Learn best practices to prevent utility strikes.✔️ State One-Call Overview  – Understand how Texas 811 helps locate underground lines before you dig.✔️ Pipeline and Gas Safety  – Identify pipeline markers, recognize leaks, and respond to emergencies.✔️ Regulatory Updates  – Stay compliant with Texas excavation laws and industry standards. What’s in It for You? 🔹 Hands-on training  with industry professionals.🔹 Complimentary meal  provided at each session.🔹 Networking opportunities  with other contractors and industry experts.🔹 Multiple meeting times and locations  throughout Texas for your convenience. When and Where? With events scheduled in cities across Texas , there’s an opportunity near you. Whether you prefer breakfast, lunch, or dinner meetings, there’s a session that fits your schedule. Don’t Take Chances—Know What’s Below! Every year, utility strikes cost the industry millions and put workers at risk. Attending this training ensures you and your crew stay safe while staying compliant with state regulations. ✅ Register today  and take the first step in making Texas a safer place to dig! https://tx.pipeline-awareness.com/meeting_schedule