Guide to Legislative Advocacy

Complete Guide to Legislative Advocacy

Texas 89th Legislative Session (2025)

Developed by 

Dr. Brandon Logan, Executive Director 

One Accord for Kids

The Texas 89th Legislative Session opens on January 14, 2025, initiating an intense 140-day sprint that will shape state policy for years to come. Success in this environment requires mastering a complex dance of parallel processes: bills must navigate committee hearings, floor votes, and amendments in both chambers simultaneously. The previous session illustrates the challenge - of 8,000 bills filed, only 1,200 became law, a 15% success rate that underscores the need for strategic advocacy.

Legislative success demands more than just good ideas. It requires careful orchestration of relationships, timing, and process knowledge. While the session's pace can feel relentless, thoughtful preparation and strategic engagement can transform policy ideas into reality. Knowing when to educate, when to advocate, and how to effectively share your message can make a difference in the final outcome of a bill.

Chamber Dynamics and Early Process

The session's early days will see distinctly different processes in each chamber. In the Senate, the process is relatively straightforward, with committee appointments and bill referrals proceeding under established leadership. The Human Services Committee, particularly important for social service and community care legislation, typically maintains consistent membership and leadership from previous sessions.

The House faces a more complicated start with the Speaker election on January 14. The contest between David Cook of Mansfield, who holds the Republican caucus nomination, and Dustin Burrows of Lubbock, who seeks a coalition, could significantly impact the chamber's early effectiveness. This leadership decision will influence committee assignments and the overall legislative agenda.

Critical Dates and Milestones

The legislative calendar creates natural pressure points and opportunities. The session opens January 14, 2025, and all bills must be filed by March 14. Neither chamber can pass bills before the March 14 deadline except for the Governor's emergency items, which typically include high-priority issues like school choice, property tax relief, and border security.

Committee hearings begin approximately two weeks after committees are formed. These hearings provide the first formal opportunity for public input on legislation, though the scheduling often comes with little advance notice - sometimes just two or three days.

Strategic Advocacy Timeline

Pre-Session:

·         Frame problems without promoting specific solutions

·         Build relationships with potential bill authors

·         Develop supporting data and documentation

Early Session (January):

·         Monitor and support bill author initiatives

·         Begin community engagement

·         Prepare educational materials

Committee Phase (February onward):

·         Submit written testimony

·         Coordinate in-person testimony

·         Track companion bills

Final Stages:

·         Review final bill versions

·         Monitor funding mechanisms

·         Track implementation timelines

Effective Media and Communication Strategy

Media coverage plays a crucial role in legislative success. The Legislative Clipping Service serves as many legislators' primary news source, making placement in this daily digest particularly valuable. Ensuring clarity in media messaging and the inclusion of key words (i.e., Legislature, legislation, foster care, Medicaid, Department of Family and Protective Services) can secure coverage in this service and significantly increase the visibility of bill-related news items. Additionally, any media coverage highlighting the issue or its impact is valuable and should be captured and shared with key legislators and their staff.

When communicating about legislation, focus on sharing concrete information about problems and potential solutions. Instead of directly advocating for a specific bill, illustrate the issue by sharing examples, such as how current adoption processes affect families or data on mental health service gaps in your community. Authenticity is also crucial—personalized communication resonates far more than generic form letters, making your message more compelling and impactful.

Funding and Budget Considerations

Legislative success often depends on securing necessary funding. Even if a bill passes both chambers, it remains ineffective without appropriate budget allocation. Monitor House Bill 1 (the budget bill) and related riders carefully, as they determine whether your initiative can be implemented if passed.

Legal Compliance for Non-Profits

Non-profit organizations must carefully navigate restrictions on lobbying activities. The IRS defines lobbying as expending funds (including staff time) to urge legislative action or ask others to do so. However, organizations can still engage effectively by focusing on education and information sharing.

When participating in committee hearings, many organizations testify "on" rather than "for" bills, allowing them to share valuable information while maintaining compliance with lobbying restrictions. This distinction, while technical, enables non-profits to contribute meaningfully to the legislative process.