🟡An Act relating to the composition of the I-27 Advisory Committee.

HB 2775

🟡 HB 2775: Expands I-27 Advisory Committee Membership

What it says it does:
HB 2775 expands the I-27 Advisory Committee that advises TxDOT on the Ports-to-Plains Corridor. It adds seats for Ector County, the City of Odessa, and later Schleicher County to ensure local input in transportation planning.

What it actually changes:
The bill increases the committee from 23 to 26 members and locks in certain counties, cities, and industries as permanent participants. This gives specific regions and business sectors guaranteed influence on state corridor planning decisions.

Who is pushing for it:
Support came from Rep. Brooks Landgraf (R-HD81) and Sen. Kevin Sparks (R-SD31). The Midland-Odessa Transportation Alliance supported the bill in hearings, while TxDOT registered on but did not oppose it.

Who benefits:
Ector County, Odessa, and Schleicher County gain permanent representation. Agriculture, trade, and energy industries retain their guaranteed seats, ensuring their voices remain central to corridor decisions.

Who gets left out or exposed:
Residents, landowners, and smaller communities along the corridor that are not listed in the statute lose direct representation. Public-interest or citizen voices are not guaranteed seats and must rely on indirect advocacy.

Why this matters long term:
Advisory committees often shape what TxDOT studies and prioritizes. By embedding certain regions and industries into statute, HB 2775 effectively secures their influence over future infrastructure planning without adding any new accountability or reporting requirements.

What to watch next:
Future sessions may see other counties lobbying for permanent seats. Watch whether similar membership models appear in other transportation or economic development committees that could tilt influence toward select regions or industries.

Bottom line:
HB 2775 looks like local inclusion but functions as structural entrenchment. It gives permanent voice to select counties and industries while everyday Texans remain outside the advisory circle. The committee’s advice will steer long-term spending priorities without clear public oversight.

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