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Public Policy Tipoffs Involving Texas Newsletter for 2026-04-27 ( 30 items )  
2026 NFL Draft: Browns Select OL Spencer Fano at No. 9, WR KC Concepcion to Address Major Needs (10)
CANTON, Ohio, April 23 -- The National Football League posted the following news: * * * 2026 NFL Draft: Browns select OL Spencer Fano at No. 9, WR KC Concepcion to address major needs Nick Shook, Around The NFL Writer With clear needs to address on the offensive side of the ball, the Browns traded, mulled and landed on two solutions Thursday night in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft. Cleveland spent the No. 9 pick -- a selection acquired in a trade with Kansas City that also netted picks No. 74 and 148 -- on Utah tackle Spencer Fano, then dou more PR

2026 NFL Draft: Browns Select Washington WR Denzel Boston With Pick No. 39 in Second Round (10)
CANTON, Ohio, April 24 -- The National Football League posted the following news: * * * 2026 NFL Draft: Browns select Washington WR Denzel Boston with pick No. 39 in second round Nick Shook, Around The NFL Writer The Browns are double dipping at their greatest position of need. After using their second first-rounder on Texas A&M receiver KC Concepcion, the Browns returned to the well, selecting Washington receiver Denzel Boston with the No. 39 overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft on Friday in Pittsburgh. "We think a lot about Denzel's talen more PR

Central Texas Nonprofit Urges Integrated State Policy Reforms to Support Veterans and Military Families (10)
WASHINGTON, April 26 -- The Collaborative Advocate Foundation, a nonprofit organization serving service members, veterans, and military families in Central Texas, submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Defense that addresses a compounded pattern of challenges faced by transitioning military households along the Central Texas I-35 corridor, including rural healthcare deserts, unaffordable housing in defense and technology corridors, and the lack of a standardized warm-handoff process between DoD, VA, and state agencies. Th more ST

East Foundation Endorses EPA Approval of NovoFly Biopesticide for New World Screwworm Control (10)
WASHINGTON, April 26 -- East Foundation has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency expressing support for the approval of the biopesticide product NovoFly. The agricultural research organization, based in South Texas near the U.S. Southern border, highlighted the technology's potential to enhance ongoing efforts to eradicate the New World screwworm through advances in sterile insect technique. East Foundation emphasized that NovoFly, developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research  more ST

Energy Transfer LP Urges EPA to Exclude Deepwater Ports From Proposed Marine Tank Vessel Loading Rules (10)
WASHINGTON, April 26 -- Energy Transfer LP, Dallas, Texas, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding the agency's proposed amendments to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Marine Tank Vessel Loading Operations. The letter addresses concerns about the applicability of updated regulatory requirements to the company's Blue Marlin Offshore Port, a proposed deepwater port project located 82 miles offshore in a U.S. Coast Guard designated lightering zone in the Gulf of Am more ST

ExxonMobil Requests Preemption of New Jersey Common Law Claims Under Federal Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (10)
WASHINGTON, April 26 -- Exxon Mobil Corp., Spring, Texas, has submitted a public comment letter to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration advocating for the preemption of state common law claims related to hazardous materials transportation. The letter responds to opposing comments filed during the initial public comment period regarding ExxonMobil's August 2025 Application for a Preemption Determination. ExxonMobil seeks a formal declaration that state common law claims brought by a former tanker truck driver and his wife  more ST

Gun Owners Senior VP Pratt Testifies Before Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee (10)
WASHINGTON, April 26 -- The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee released the following written testimony by Erich Pratt, senior vice president of the Gun Owners of America, from an April 15, 2026, hearing entitled "The Second Amendment": * * * Chairman Paul, Ranking Member, members of the committee--thank you for the invitation. My name is Erich Pratt. I serve as Senior Vice President of Gun Owners of America, and I represent more than two million Americans who believe the Second Amendment means exactly what it says.  more PR

Hendrick Medical Center Raises Concerns Over Proposed 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program (10)
WASHINGTON, April 26 -- Hendrick Medical Center submitted a public comment letter to the Health Resources and Services Administration in response to the agency's Request for Information on the 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program. The hospital, which participates in the 340B drug pricing program, expressed serious concerns regarding the proposed shift from the current upfront discount structure to a rebate-based system. The letter highlights fundamental questions about the authority of HRSA to approve the rebate model, especially given Congress's c more ST

House Education & Workforce Committee Issues Report on Child Care Payment Integrity & Fraud Accountability Act (10)
WASHINGTON, April 26 -- The House Education and Workforce Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 119-586) on the Child Care Payment Integrity and Fraud Accountability Act (H.R. 7720). The report was advanced by Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Michigan, on April 6, 2026. Here are excerpts: * * * Purpose The purpose of H.R. 7720, the Child Care Payment Integrity and Fraud Accountability Act of 2026, is to ensure states are responsible for reporting fraudulent payments made under their administration of the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) progra more ST

House Education & Workforce Committee Issues Report on Combating Regulatory Abuse, Closing Known Deficiencies & Overseeing Waste Nationwide Act (10)
WASHINGTON, April 26 -- The House Education and Workforce Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 119-587) on the Combating Regulatory Abuse, Closing Known Deficiencies and Overseeing Waste Nationwide Act (H.R. 7721). The report was advanced by Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Michigan, on April 6, 2026. Here are excerpts: * * * Purpose The purpose of H.R. 7721, the CRACKDOWN Act, is to codify an improper payment threshold for states administering the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program. Under current regulations, states are held to a 10 pe more ST

Humane Worlds Submit Public Comment Opposing Increased Swine Slaughter Line Speeds (10)
WASHINGTON, April 26 -- Humane World for Animals and Humane World Action Fund have submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service opposing proposed increases to slaughter line speeds under the New Swine Slaughter Inspection System. The comment letter includes a collective total of 580 signatures from supporters concerned about the implications of the proposed rule published on February 19, 2026. The organizations emphasize that increasing line speeds directly leads to heightened anima more ST

Johnson County (Kansas) Mental Health Center Adult Case Manager Schramm Testifies Before Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee (10)
WASHINGTON, April 27 -- The Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee released the following testimony by Corey Schramm, adult case manager at the Johnson County Mental Health Center, and a member of the Johnson County Criminal Justice Advisory Council, Kansas, from an April 15, 2026, hearing entitled "Programs for Justice-Involved Veterans": * * * Chair Moran, Ranking Member Blumenthal, and members of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today. My name is Corey Schramm. I am a husband, a father  more PR

Monarch Waste Technologies Urges EPA to Remove Pyrolysis Units From Municipal Waste Combustion Definition (10)
WASHINGTON, April 26 -- Monarch Waste Technologies LLC, a small business specializing in commercial-scale pyrolysis units for medical waste destruction, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding a request for comment on revising the definition of "municipal waste combustion unit" in the Office of Solid Waste Incineration New Source Performance Standards and Emission Guidelines. The letter advocates for the elimination of the reference to "pyrolysis/combustion units" from the definition. MWT und more ST

NFL: Cowboys Riding High After Key Additions Midway Through Draft - 'We've Changed This Defense' (10)
CANTON, Ohio, April 27 -- The National Football League posted the following news: * * * Cowboys riding high after key additions midway through draft: 'We've changed this defense' Michael Baca, Digital Content Editor The Cowboys are riding high into Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft. After drafting safety Caleb Downs and pass rusher Malachi Lawrence in the first round, Dallas used it's only Day 2 pick on another defender: Michigan linebacker Jaishawn Barham. The club then acquired linebacker Dee Winters in a trade with the 49ers on Friday night t more PR

North Texas Commission Urges USCIS to Withdraw Proposed Employment Authorization Rule for Asylum Seekers (10)
WASHINGTON, April 26 -- The North Texas Commission has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services expressing concerns about the agency's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding Employment Authorization Reform for Asylum Applicants. The commission warns that several provisions in the NPRM could negatively impact the workforce and economic stability across its 13-county region in North Texas. The commission highlights that businesses in North Texas rely heavily on regulatory stability and open labor market more ST

Physician-Lawmaker Blocked from Speaking with Pregnant Teens at Texas Detention Facility, Demands Answers on Transfers (10)
WASHINGTON, April 24 -- Rep. Maxine Dexter, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Physician-Lawmaker Blocked from Speaking with Pregnant Teens at Texas Detention Facility, Demands Answers on Transfers * SAN BENITO, TX -Today, Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03), who spent twenty years as a critical care physician and pulmonologist, conducted oversight at the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) facility in San Benito, Texas, where pregnant migrant minors are being detained. During the visit, Rep. Dexter was blocked from s more PR

Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee Issues Report on Space Exploration Research Act (10)
WASHINGTON, April 26 -- The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee issued a report (S.Rpt. 119-117) on the Space Exploration Research Act (S. 2351). The report was advanced by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, on April 13, 2026. Here are excerpts: * * * PURPOSE OF THE BILL The purpose of S. 2351 is to expand the leasing authority of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Administrator to enter leases for real property at NASA centers to develop facilities for space-related activities. BACKGROUND AND NEEDS In June 20 more ST

Stratford Hospital District Urges CMS for Measured Approach to Combat Medicaid Fraud and Abuse (10)
WASHINGTON, April 26 -- The Stratford Hospital District, Stratford, Texas, submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services expressing support for efforts to tackle fraud, waste, and abuse in Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and the Health Insurance Marketplace while emphasizing the need for cautious regulatory measures. The District, serving Medicaid enrollees in Sherman County, Texas, addressed the CMS request for information related to Comprehensive Regulations to Uncover Suspicious Healthcare, offering insights bas more ST

Sul Ross State University Receives Approval for First Public Health Graduate Program (10)
ALPINE, Texas, April 21 -- Sul Ross State University issued the following news: * * * Sul Ross State University receives approval for first Public Health graduate program Sul Ross State University has received official approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to launch its first graduate program in public health, the Master of Science in Public Health Sciences. The approval marks a significant milestone for the university, expanding academic offerings to meet growing regional and nation more PR

Sul Ross State University: Borderlands Research Institute Receives $975,000 Gift to Advance Habitat Restoration in West Texas (10)
ALPINE, Texas, April 20 -- Sul Ross State University issued the following news: * * * Borderlands Research Institute receives $975,000 gift to advance habitat restoration in West Texas The Borderlands Research Institute at Sul Ross State University has received a $975,000 gift from John L. Nau III to advance the next phase of its habitat restoration work at Nine Point Mesa Ranch, building on his original $1 million investment that launched the project. Nau, who owns the ranch in Brewster County, has been instrumental to the effort from the  more PR

Teaching Hospitals of Texas Urge CMS to Balance Program Integrity With Provider Support (10)
WASHINGTON, April 26 -- Teaching Hospitals of Texas, Austin, submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services addressing the agency's Request for Information on the Comprehensive Regulations to Uncover Suspicious Healthcare. THOT, representing major urban public hospitals, state health systems, children's hospitals, and affiliated health systems in Texas, emphasized the need for CMS to carefully balance efforts to eliminate fraud and abuse with minimizing administrative burdens on compliant healthcare providers. more ST

Tesla Advocates for Broader Exceptions in NHTSA Windshield Safety Standards for Automated Vehicles (10)
WASHINGTON, April 26 -- Tesla Inc., Austin, Texas, submitted a public comment letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regarding the agency's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to modernize Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards Nos. 103 and 104, which pertain to windshield defrosting, defogging, wiping, and washing systems. The proposal aims to exempt automated driving system (ADS)-equipped vehicles without manually operated driving controls from these standards and update industry standard references incorporated by the FMVSS.  more ST

Texas DOT Highlights Rural Transportation Challenges and Opportunities in a Public Comment Letter (10)
WASHINGTON, April 26 -- The Texas Department of Transportation submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of the Secretary addressing the Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success Initiative. TxDOT outlined various challenges and opportunities faced by rural Texas in infrastructure, safety, technology, and economic competitiveness, while also offering recommendations to enhance rural transportation needs. In the letter, TxDOT emphasized the need for increased state of good repair fund more ST

Texas Hospital Association Urges CMS to Balance Fraud Prevention With Provider Stability in CRUSH Initiative (10)
WASHINGTON, April 26 -- The Texas Hospital Association, Austin, submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding the agency's Comprehensive Regulations to Uncover Suspicious Healthcare Request for Information. THA stressed its commitment to combating fraud, waste, and abuse in Medicare, Medicaid, and the health insurance marketplace while emphasizing the need for CMS to maintain payment stability and avoid penalizing legally permissible practices that ensure patient access. THA highlighted that Texas  more ST

Texas Housers Urges HUD to Withdraw Proposed Rule Targeting Mixed-Status Households in Housing Assistance (10)
WASHINGTON, April 27 -- Texas Housers, a nonprofit organization advocating for affordable and stable housing for low-income Texans, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development opposing a proposed rule related to the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980. The rule aims to ban mixed-status households from receiving HUD housing assistance and impose new verification requirements on all tenants. Texas Housers, Houston, asserts that the premise of the proposed rule is false, as no undocument more ST

Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network Submits Comments on NMFS Dolphin Regulation Proposal (10)
WASHINGTON, April 26 -- The Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network, Galveston, submitted a public comment letter to the National Marine Fisheries Service Office of Protected Resources regarding the proposed rule and draft environmental assessment for incidental take regulations and a letter of authorization related to bottlenose dolphins affected by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's fishery independent gillnet surveys. TMMSN highlighted that the West Bay stock of bottlenose dolphins, which comprises only 37 individuals, faces a mortalit more ST

Texas Southern University and City of Houston Unveil New Aviation Facility at Houston Spaceport (10)
HOUSTON, Texas, April 26 -- Texas Southern University posted the following news: * * * Texas Southern University and City of Houston Unveil New Aviation Facility at Houston Spaceport * Texas Southern University, in partnership with the City of Houston and the Houston Airport System, officially celebrated the grand opening of Texas Southern University at Houston Spaceport with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, April 25. The new 20,000-square-foot hangar will serve as a satellite campus for the University's Aviation Program, housing a  more PR

Texas State Sociology Professor Awarded Humanities Texas Grant for Rural Health Study (10)
SAN MARCOS, Texas, April 20 -- Texas State University issued the following news: * * * Texas State sociology professor awarded Humanities Texas grant for rural health study Texas State University sociology professor Joseph A. Kotarba, Ph.D., has been awarded a research grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, administered by its state affiliate Humanities Texas. The grant will support a collaborative research project titled "The Frontier(s) of Health: The Rural West Texas Study." The study is a partnership between the Departmen more PR

University of Texas Cancer Center Comments on CMS CRUSH Initiative Proposals (10)
WASHINGTON, April 26 -- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding the agency's Request for Information related to the Comprehensive Regulations To Uncover Suspicious Healthcare initiative. UT MD Anderson emphasized the importance of maintaining access to medically necessary, high acuity oncology care while supporting efforts to address fraud, waste, and abuse in Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and Marketplace programs. UT MD Anderson highlig more ST

What If Humans Could Regrow Tissue? Texas A&M Study Moves Science Closer (10)
COLLEGE STATION, Texas, April 21 (TNSjou) -- Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences issued the following news release: * * * What If Humans Could Regrow Tissue? Texas A&M Study Moves Science Closer A two-step treatment developed by Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences researchers has successfully regenerated skeletal and connective tissue -- even if not perfectly formed -- demonstrating the next, critical step in limb regeneration. * For centuries, the inability to regrow lost  more PR