Welcome to Friday Forum, a weekly segment where we explore diverse opinions on the topics shaping Texas politics and business. The views expressed here represent the perspectives of individual contributors and are not endorsements by TXLege News. Our aim is to encourage thoughtful discussion and present a range of viewpoints on issues that matter to Texans. Email for submitting opinion contributions.
TAB’s Voice in Washington is Critical to the Future of Texas Business
While it’s always exciting to be in our nation’s capital, I’m even more excited by the outlook for the Texas business community as we engage with leaders in Washington and promote our 2025 Federal Policy Priorities that will enhance Texas’ position as an unrivaled global economic powerhouse. With Texas consistently ranking as the top U.S. state for exports, energy production, technological advancement and foreign direct investment, the policies enacted by Congress and federal agencies have an outsized impact on our business owners, their employees and the overall economic health of our state.
In fact, several important executive actions and announcements from President Trump shortly after taking office on Monday will have major implications for our state’s immediate and long-term economic growth.
First, President Trump repealed the Biden Administration’s ill-advised ‘pause’ on Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) export approvals. TAB has consistently highlighted the detrimental effects of this politically-motivated and short-sighted executive action by President Biden, which threatened to erode our state’s leadership in the global energy sector while weakening our nation’s energy security. We are glad that President Trump made ‘Unleashing American Energy’ a central theme within his flurry of executive orders issued shortly after taking the oath of office on Monday. TAB will continue to advocate for streamlined permitting for all energy infrastructure projects so that Texas energy producers can continue to play a leading role in securing the energy dominance of our state and nation. Texas must continue leading the charge not only in traditional oil and natural gas but also in innovative energy solutions such as solar and wind, where we are already leading, as well as nuclear, battery storage, carbon capture, geothermal, and hydrogen technologies—all of which are critical to achieving an all-of-the-above-and-below energy strategy.
President Trump also took the important step of formally establishing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), designed to identify and eradicate inefficiencies, redundancies, and waste underpinning a bloated federal bureaucracy that has impeded the growth of businesses in Texas and across the nation. That’s why TAB’s top federal policy priorities include cutting federal spending and advocating for regulatory simplification and modernization of federal agencies. These policies should mirror Texas’ success and our vision for smaller, more efficient government, as encapsulated in Governor Greg Abbott’s recent formation of the Small Business Freedom Council, on which I am honored to serve as co-chair.
Texas’ leadership in AI innovation is also set to accelerate under the upcoming administration, with President Trump unveiling the largest AI infrastructure initiative in history. On Tuesday, President Trump announced an initial investment of $100 billion, with plans to scale up to an unprecedented $500 billion to develop cutting-edge AI data centers across the nation, with the first data center built under this initiative set to be located in the heart of the Big Country – Abilene, Texas. To ensure we can take full advantage of this moment, we must ensure that Texas has a prominent voice in shaping a uniform national framework that supports innovation while also addressing ethical concerns and preempting states from overburdensome regulations that stifle AI innovation. It’s important that any regulatory framework does not discourage the construction of new data centers in Texas and the U.S. more broadly, as doing so would risk ceding leadership in AI to adversarial nations like China and undermining our national security. My motto is that ‘AI’ means Advancement and Innovation!
In this same vein, Texas must accelerate its leadership in other critical industries like semiconductors, aerospace, and space exploration. Federal initiatives that enhance state investment and innovation in these fields will ensure Texas stays at the forefront of national security and advanced manufacturing while bolstering our global competitiveness.
Other federal priorities for the Texas business community include extending the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. These tax cuts have driven economic growth nationwide – particularly for small business with the important small business tax deduction.
Another key focus is maintaining and strengthening the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). As the best trade deal ever negotiated, USMCA ensures Texas businesses have tariff-free access to the dynamic North American market. It’s crucial to protect this framework, which has made Texas the leader in cross-border commerce.
As a border state, border security is not just a priority for Texas—it’s a necessity. For the past four years, Texas has shouldered the burden of protecting our border, and the federal government must do more to fulfill this critical responsibility, including enhanced infrastructure at ports of entry. At the same time, meaningful immigration reform is essential to meet the workforce demands of Texas’ booming economy. TAB supports H-1B visas and the creation of legal pathways for workers in other sectors. By tapping into the best and brightest talent, we can ensure Texas remains a global economic leader.
We look forward to a new golden age of American prosperity and innovation, with President Trump guiding the nation and Texas leading as the premier example of economic strength, opportunity, and leadership.
To read more about TAB’s 2025 Top Federal Priorities, click HERE.
Glenn Hamer, President & CEO, Texas Association of Business
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
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Bills and Business is your go-to podcast for conversations related to Texas legislation and business. Hosted by Laura Carr, Co-Founder of USLege—an AI-driven legislative tracking software—we bring you in-depth analysis on economic trends, impactful legislation, and key developments shaping Texas business.
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#42 - Glenn Hamer: America’s AI Action Plan
Welcome to Episode #42 of Bills & Business. In this episode, Laura Carr, Co-Founder of USLege, sits down with Glenn Hamer, President and CEO of the Texas Association of Business, to unpack the federal government’s new America’s AI Action Plan, a national strategy shaping the future of business, innovation, and competitiveness.
Glenn shares how this plan impacts Texas employers, entrepreneurs, and innovators, exploring its implications for AI infrastructure, workforce development, and global market positioning. Together, Laura and Glenn break down how policy decisions in Washington could fuel new opportunities in Texas’s energy, technology, and manufacturing sectors.
This conversation offers insight into the connection between federal AI policy and Texas’s business future, highlighting the state’s leadership potential in the next generation of innovation.
Don’t forget to subscribe to Bills & Business on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube for more deep dives into Texas policy and business news.
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How to Choose the Best Legislative Tracking Software for Your Organization
In today’s fast-paced policy environment, staying informed is a constant challenge. Bills, hearings, and regulatory updates move quickly across jurisdictions, creating risks for organizations that rely on timely information, including the risk of missing important information when relying on manual processes. Choosing the best legislative tracking software is one of the most effective ways to manage legislative and regulatory tracking efficiently, minimize missed opportunities, and strengthen decision-making.
This article walks you through how to evaluate legislative and regulatory tools, compare coverage and capabilities, and understand which features help government affairs professionals and public affairs teams stay informed and a step ahead of rapid change. You’ll learn how to assess software platforms, review vendor performance, and apply a clear framework to guide your organization’s choice.
If you’re exploring modern solutions for policy monitoring, visit the best legislative tracking software to see how advanced systems help professionals track activity and analyze critical information across multiple jurisdictions.
Why Legislative Tracking Software Matters
Every legislative session brings thousands of new bills and hearings across the federal government, state legislatures, and local governments. For government affairs teams and law firms that must monitor state legislation or track regulations, the pace of change can be overwhelming.
Without digital platforms, staff may spend hours each day manually searching databases, reading committee reports, and updating spreadsheets. That process isn’t just inefficient—it’s risky. Missing one act or amendment could affect compliance, advocacy strategy, or even public reputation. Relying on manual tracking increases the chance of overlooking important details in legislative information, which can lead to missing critical updates or changes.
The Challenge of Volume and Velocity
- Legislative and regulatory tracking spans bills, hearings, amendments, and regulations that appear daily.
- Strategic decisions depend on access to verified data and real-time alerts.
- Regulatory developments from government agencies can impact clients and advocacy groups instantly.
The Payoff
Automated tracking saves time, reduces human error, and delivers actionable insights faster. Teams can filter results, share updates, and focus their attention where it matters most—on influencing policy and shaping outcomes.
Key Features and Capabilities to Look For
Choosing the right tracking platform starts with understanding what differentiates effective tools from simple alert systems. Below are core features to evaluate before purchasing or implementing any solution.
Coverage Across Jurisdictions
The best systems provide a broad jurisdictional reach—from federal legislation to state legislative hearings and local government acts. Before committing, confirm whether the platform includes:
- Federal and state legislation: Bills, amendments, regulations, hearings, and newly introduced bills, with Congress as a key source for federal legislative tracking.
- Regulatory activity: Notices from agencies and committees.
- Comprehensive data sources: Congressional records, local archives, and state portals.
Understanding the dynamic nature of Capitol Hill is crucial, as legislative activity and staff turnover at the federal level can significantly impact advocacy strategies and tracking efforts.
If your team must monitor state legislation, check that the vendor’s coverage includes smaller states and municipalities that frequently pass niche regulations.
Real Time Alerts and Notifications
Fast updates are critical for professionals who manage compliance or advocacy campaigns. Strong systems offer:
- Instant email alerts for bill introductions, amendments, or new hearings.
- Custom filters for topics, sponsors, committees, or jurisdictions.
- Real-time dashboards showing where legislation is moving next.
- Collaboration tools so teams can assign follow-up actions or comments.
With real-time alerts, government affairs professionals and policy experts can respond before deadlines pass—ensuring that organizations stay ahead and fully informed.
Analytics, Reporting, and Insight Generation
Good tracking isn’t just about collecting raw data. It’s about turning that data into useful analysis. A well-built platform helps users:
- Create trend dashboards showing activity by topic, legislator, or region.
- Generate reports to brief clients, executives, or advocacy groups.
- Use artificial intelligence to compare bills, predict movement, or analyze outcomes.
- Access historical data for longitudinal analysis.
By combining analytics with visualization tools, organizations gain the context needed to make strategic decisions quickly.
Artificial Intelligence in Legislative Tracking
Artificial intelligence transforms how government affairs professionals and government relations teams approach legislative tracking. By harnessing AI, organizations can analyze massive volumes of legislative and regulatory data in real time, ensuring that no critical bill or regulation goes unnoticed. AI-powered tools can automatically identify and prioritize bills that align with an organization’s advocacy goals, generate personalized bill summaries, and even predict the likelihood of legislative movement—all with minimal manual intervention.
For government relations professionals, this means less time spent sifting through raw data and more time focusing on strategy, stakeholder engagement, and influencing policy outcomes. AI-driven platforms can scan every legislative chamber, flagging new bills and regulations that matter most to your organization. These actionable insights empower teams to stay ahead of policy developments, respond quickly to emerging issues, and confidently make strategic decisions. As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, it will play an increasingly vital role in helping professionals track legislation, analyze regulatory trends, and drive effective advocacy across all levels of government.
Ease of Use and Vendor Support
Complex systems often fail because users find them hard to operate. When evaluating tracking software, consider:
- Intuitive search functions and clear navigation.
- Vendor training, documentation, and help-desk responsiveness.
- Implementation timelines and onboarding resources.
- Integration options with CRM, compliance, or reporting platforms.
The easier the interface, the more likely professionals across departments—legal, advocacy, and communications—will actually use it.
Security and Data Protection
When it comes to legislative tracking, security and data protection are non-negotiable for government affairs professionals and organizations. The sensitive nature of legislative and regulatory data—combined with the need for accurate, up-to-date information—means that robust security measures are essential. Leading legislative tracking platforms employ advanced encryption, secure servers, and strict access controls to ensure that only authorized users can access critical information.
In addition, reputable platforms adhere to industry best practices and compliance standards, safeguarding client data from unauthorized access or breaches. This commitment to security allows government relations professionals to focus on their core strategy and advocacy efforts, knowing that their data is protected at every step. By selecting a platform with proven security protocols, organizations can confidently manage their legislative tracking activities and maintain the trust of stakeholders, clients, and team members.
Integration with Other Tools
For government affairs professionals, efficiency and collaboration are key to successful advocacy. That’s why seamless integration between legislative tracking platforms and other essential tools—such as CRM systems, email clients, and social media monitoring software—is so valuable. Integrated platforms enable government relations professionals to track bills, monitor legislator interactions, and analyze advocacy campaigns all in one place, reducing manual data entry and streamlining workflows.
By connecting legislative tracking with CRM systems, organizations can maintain a comprehensive record of stakeholder engagement, track the progress of key bills, and measure the impact of their advocacy efforts. Integration with communication tools also ensures that teams can quickly share updates, assign tasks, and coordinate responses to legislative developments. Ultimately, these integrations help government affairs teams stay ahead of policy changes, maximize efficiency, and deliver more effective results for their organizations and clients.
Cost, Scalability, and ROI
Pricing varies widely across platforms. Some charge by user, others by jurisdiction. Evaluate:
- Scalability: Can you expand access as new teams join?
- Hidden costs: Extra fees for integrations or data exports.
- ROI: Measure efficiency gains, reduced research hours, and improved regulatory compliance.
The right investment pays for itself through faster tracking, stronger insight, and better policy outcomes.
Building Your Decision-Making Checklist
A structured checklist helps teams evaluate multiple vendors objectively. Consider the following steps:
- Define scope: Identify which government levels—federal, state, local—your organization must monitor.
- Map stakeholders: Determine which departments, clients, professionals, or legislators need access to legislative tracking information.
- Create a scoring system: Rate vendors on coverage, alerts, analytics, ease of use, and cost.
- Request demos: Ask vendors to show how their tools track legislation and deliver reports.
- Review accuracy: Compare automated alerts to official legislative portals to confirm reliability.
- Pilot the system: Run a short test during a legislative session to evaluate performance.
This structured review allows government relations professionals and policy experts to make choices based on measurable evidence, not sales claims.
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
Even sophisticated organizations can stumble during implementation. Watch for these frequent errors:
- Assuming full coverage: Some systems exclude local governments or agency regulations. This can result in missing important government actions, leaving you unaware of key legislative or regulatory developments.
- Overloading users: Too many irrelevant alerts lead to fatigue.
- Ignoring integration: Platforms that don’t connect to existing tools reduce efficiency.
- Underestimating training: Teams may resist new systems without clear onboarding.
- Skipping metrics: Without KPIs, you can’t analyze ROI or improvement.
Avoiding these issues keeps your strategy grounded in real performance data.
Implementation Best Practices and Maximizing Value
Rolling out a new tracking platform works best when everyone understands the process. Follow these steps:
- Stakeholder alignment: Engage government affairs, legal, and communications teams early.
- Define taxonomy: Standardize issue tags, committees, and jurisdiction names.
- Workflow mapping: Assign ownership for monitoring, escalation, and communication.
- Training: Offer live sessions and short guides to reinforce adoption.
- Continuous review: Revisit settings each quarter to refine alerts and search filters.
As policy cycles shift, ongoing optimization ensures that your system remains accurate, relevant, and responsive to regulatory developments.
For additional insight on how legislative and regulatory tools operate, review the NCSL’s bill tracking overview, which explains how professionals track state legislation effectively.
Future of Legislative Tracking
The future of legislative tracking is bright, with rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics reshaping how government affairs professionals and organizations monitor and influence policy. As the demand for real-time, data-driven insights grows, legislative tracking tools will become even more sophisticated—offering predictive analytics, automated reporting, and deeper integration with other advocacy platforms.
We can expect to see greater adoption of cloud-based solutions, enhanced security features, and more intuitive user interfaces that make it easier for government relations professionals to access and analyze critical information. The integration of legislative tracking with CRM, communication, and analytics tools will provide a unified view of advocacy efforts, enabling teams to coordinate strategy and engage stakeholders more effectively.
As the policy landscape evolves, staying ahead of legislative and regulatory developments will be essential for organizations seeking to influence legislation and achieve their advocacy goals. By embracing the latest technologies and innovations, government affairs professionals can ensure they remain agile, informed, and ready to drive meaningful impact in an ever-changing environment.
Texas Political Spotlight
Welcome back, friends
Texas voters approved one of the largest property tax relief packages in state history on Tuesday, raising the homestead exemption to $140,000 and granting new tax breaks for seniors, people with disabilities, and small businesses. In Austin, residents rejected Proposition Q, a plan to fund public safety, homelessness programs, and city facility initiatives through a property tax hike, forcing city leaders to rework the budget and brace for service cuts. Meanwhile, Bexar County voters narrowly passed Propositions A and B, greenlighting up to $311 million in tourism-funded support for a new downtown Spurs arena and upgrades to the Freeman Coliseum grounds.
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
