Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows announced committee assignments for the Texas House yesterday, with his appointments signaling a desire to unify Republican lawmakers around conservative policy priorities.
Under House rules passed earlier this session, a Republican will chair all standing committees of the Texas House. Additionally, Burrows appointed Republican majorities to all committees.
Of the 30 committee chairs appointed by Speaker Burrows, 18 are signers of the Texas Conservative Commitment. This ten-point conservative policy agenda includes priority issues such as universal school choice, border security, property tax relief, securing Texas from hostile foreign actors, election integrity, and other issues.
The chairmen of the three most prominent committees in the Texas House- Appropriations Chairman Dr. Greg Bonnen, State Affairs Chairman Ken King, and Calendars Chairman Todd Hunter- have all signed the Texas Conservative Commitment. Speaker Burrows is also a signatory.
State Representative Giovanni Capriglione will serve as Chairman of the new Delivery of Government Efficiency (DOGE) committee, which is modeled after Elon Musk’s DOGE efforts in the Trump Administration. Capriglione, who has spearheaded efforts in the Texas House relating to artificial intelligence, is an outspoken advocate for government transparency.
“Transparency in government is essential. I’m committed to fighting waste, fraud, and abuse, ensuring local officials are accountable to taxpayers. We need clearer spending, open meetings, and greater transparency in how campaigns are funded. Make government work for the people,” Capriglione tweeted last year.
State Representative Brad Buckley, a supporter of school choice, will again serve as Chairman of the Public Education committee. In his State of the State address earlier this month, Governor Abbott thanked Buckley for his leadership on school choice and declared it an emergency item.
Burrows also used his committee assignments to show his desire to unify House Republicans. Four chairmanships were awarded to members who supported State Representative David Cook on both ballots for Speaker- Criminal Jurisprudence Chairman John Smithee, Elections Chairman Matt Shaheen, Agriculture and Livestock Chairman Ryan Guillen, and Redistricting Chairman Cody Vasut. Two others, Transportation Chairman Tom Craddick and Corrections Chairman Sam Harless, supported Cook on the first ballot and switched their votes to Burrows on the second ballot.
Cook was appointed by Burrows to serve as Chairman of the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee’s Permanent Standing Committee on Juvenile Justice.
Several freshman legislators who supported Cook’s bid for Speaker against Burrows expressed satisfaction with their committee appointments.
“I am very happy with the committees Speaker Dustin Burrows has appointed me to for the 89th Legislative Session. From addressing the ever increasing property taxes, to securing our border and advocating for our veterans, as well as ensuring central Texas has a voice in the redistricting process, each committee has a unique impact to House District 55 and I am honored to serve on these very important committees to our district and state,” said State Representative Hillary Hickland, who was appointed to the Homeland Security, Public Safety and Veterans’ Affairs committee, the Ways and Means committee, and the Redistricting committee.
Hickland supported Cook for Speaker on both ballots.
The Texas House Republican Caucus struck an optimistic tone about conservative legislation, citing Burrows’ appointment of all Republican majority committees led by Republican chairs.
“We congratulate our fellow Republican caucus members who have been appointed to chair their respective House committees and subcommittees. Their leadership will be critical in advancing Governor Abbott’s top legislative priorities and other conservative initiatives this session, ensuring Texas continues to thrive and grow. With Speaker Burrows’ appointment of all Republican majority committees with all Republican chairs, the caucus is ready to get to work to deliver strong, conservative results for all Texans. We look forward to championing the issues that matter most to Texas families, businesses and their communities,” said the Texas House Republican Caucus in a statement.
A full list of Texas House committee assignments by committee can be viewed here, and a full list of committee assignments by member can be viewed here.
