Appointments
Appointments for July 13, 2026
Appointed as the San Jacinto County Criminal District Attorney for a term to expire December 31, 2026, or until his successor shall be duly elected and qualified, Alton G. "Greg" Magee of Pointblank, Texas (replacing Brandon T. "Todd" Dillon of Coldspring who resigned).
Appointed as the Tyler County Criminal District Attorney for a term to expire December 31, 2026, or until her successor shall be duly elected and qualified, Brooke A. Koi of Woodville, Texas (replacing Lucas Babin of Woodville who resigned).
Appointed as Judge of the 486th Judicial District, Harris County, for a term to expire December 31, 2026, or until her successor shall be duly elected and qualified, Angela V. "Vanessa" Velasquez of Houston, Texas (replacing Judge Aaron E. Burdette of Houston who resigned).
Appointed as Judge of the 217th Judicial District, Angelina County, for a term to expire December 31, 2026, or until her successor shall be duly elected and qualified, Kristi C. Skillern of Lufkin, Texas (replacing Judge Robert K. "Bob" Inselmann, Jr. of Lufkin who resigned).
Appointments for July 16, 2026
Appointed to the Texas Medical Board District One Review Committee for a term to expire January 15, 2030, Manish Rungta, M.D. of Bellaire, Texas (replacing Rajesh G. Shenava, M.D. of Houston who resigned).
Appointed to the Texas Medical Board District One Review Committee for a term to expire January 15, 2032, Adrian Caraves of Galveston, Texas (replacing Kimberly R. Phillips of Houston whose term expired).
Appointed to the Texas Medical Board District One Review Committee for a term to expire January 15, 2032, Elizabeth A. Cloninger, M.D. of League City, Texas (replacing Imran A. Dar, M.D. of Houston whose term expired).
Appointed to the Texas Medical Board District Two Review Committee for a term to expire January 15, 2032, Ivan D. Rovner, M.D. of Plano, Texas (Dr. Rovner is being reappointed).
Appointed to the Texas Medical Board District Two Review Committee for a term to expire January 15, 2032, Steven B. "Steve" Westbrook, Ed.D. of Nacogdoches, Texas (replacing Angela A. Downes of Irving whose term expired).
Appointed to the Texas Medical Board District Four Review Committee for a term to expire January 15, 2032, Ruth Villarreal of Mission, Texas (Ms. Villarreal is being reappointed).
Appointed to the Texas Medical Board District Four Review Committee for a term to expire January 15, 2032, Matthew T. "Matt" Wallace, M.D. of Austin, Texas (replacing Andrew J. "Jimmy" Widmer, M.D. of Celina whose term expired).
Appointments for July 17, 2026
Appointed to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for a term to expire November 15, 2031, Hasan Mack of Austin, Texas.
Appointed to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for a term to expire November 15, 2031, Deborah "Debbie" Gray Marino of San Antonio, Texas.
Appointed to the State Cemetery Committee for a term to expire February 1, 2029, Andrea L. Tirey of Lubbock, Texas (replacing James L. "Jim" Bayless of Austin whose term expired).
Appointed to the State Board for Educator Certification for a term to expire February 1, 2029, Cassidy M. Estes of Amarillo, Texas (replacing Robert "Bob" Brescia, Ed.D. of Odessa who is deceased).
Appointed to the State Board for Educator Certification for a term to expire February 1, 2031, Kathy P. Ward of Plano, Texas (replacing Adam J. Booth of Leander who resigned).
Appointed to the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation for a term to expire February 1, 2031, Jana W. Hall of Sweetwater, Texas (replacing Nora Castañeda of Harlingen whose term expired).
Appointed as the Secretary of State effective July 18, 2026, for a term to continue in office during the term of service of the Governor, Robert S. Howden of Austin, Texas (replacing Jane Nelson of Flower Mound who resigned).
Appointments for July 22, 2026
Appointed to the Early Childhood Intervention Advisory Committee for a term to expire February 1, 2029, Sheri L. O'Daniel of Amarillo, Texas (replacing Audrey K. Jackson of San Marcos who resigned).
Appointed to the Early Childhood Intervention Advisory Committee for a term to expire February 1, 2031, Dana L. Dodgen of Dallas, Texas (replacing Cynthia D. "Cindy" Lee, Ed.D. of McKinney who resigned).
Appointed to the Early Childhood Intervention Advisory Committee for a term to expire February 1, 2031, Celina C. Perez of San Benito, Texas (replacing Chasey M. Sanchez, Ed.D. of Orange Grove whose term expired).
Greg Abbott, Governor
TRD-202603051
Executive Order GA-57
Relating to coordinated efforts to eliminate unlawful birth tourism schemes in Texas.
WHEREAS, for four years, the Biden-Harris Administration adopted open-border policies that invited mass illegal entry into Texas and other states, including by ignoring laws that require the federal government to secure the border, construct barrier infrastructure, detain illegal aliens, vet would-be entrants, and swiftly remove aliens pressing frivolous asylum claims; and
WHEREAS, the surge of individuals crossing the southern border resulted in roughly 12 million people-a number larger than the population of 43 different states-entering this country illegally in less than four years; and
WHEREAS, this unprecedented entry into the country forced the state to shoulder numerous costs associated with illegal immigration, including costs associated with strengthening law enforcement and defense measures and providing medical care, public education, and other public resources to individuals not lawfully present in the United States, predictably straining resources and increasing costs for all Texans; and
WHEREAS, this unprecedented entry also facilitated the movement of hostile non-state actors like violent criminals, gang members, and known terrorists, as predicted by former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) officials who warned that "the surge in numbers of single, military-aged males" from hostile nations and regions "appears to be an accelerated and strategic penetration, a soft invasion, designed to gain internal access to" the United States and "inflict catastrophic damage" on this country, Letter from Former FBI Officials to Members of U.S. Congress (Jan. 17, 2024); and
WHEREAS, I, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, launched Operation Lone Star, consistent with Article I, Section 10, Clause 3 of the U.S. Constitution, to defend the people of Texas against a hostile invasion by employing strategies to deter efforts to violate Texas' territorial sovereignty, deny efforts to enter illegally, and detain illegal immigrants; and
WHEREAS, I, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, issued a disaster proclamation on May 31, 2021, certifying under Section 418.014 of the Texas Government Code that the surge of individuals unlawfully crossing the Texas-Mexico border posed an ongoing and imminent threat of disaster for a number of Texas counties and for all state agencies affected by this disaster; and
WHEREAS, entities doing business in the State of Texas, including hospitals, have sought to profit from the ongoing effects of this disaster by incentivizing "birth tourism" schemes-the practice of non-citizen aliens exploiting our laws by traveling to the United States illegally or under false pretenses solely to give birth and secure citizenship for their child; and
WHEREAS, a narrow majority of the Supreme Court of the United States recently held that the U.S. Constitution automatically entitles children of illegal aliens and temporary birth tourists to U.S. citizenship if they are born in the United States, Trump v. Barbara, No. 25-365, slip op. at 12 (U.S. June 30, 2026); and
WHEREAS, that decision is not only inconsistent with centuries of practice excluding the children of non-citizen aliens who are temporarily present or who owe loyalty to a different sovereign from acquiring citizenship, Trump, slip op. at 9 (Kavanaugh, J., concurring in judgment and dissenting in part); Trump, slip op. at 2 (Gorsuch, J., dissenting), but also would bestow citizenship on the child "of a foreign spy" or "a strategic adversary or enemy of the United States," Trump, slip op. at 56 (Thomas, J., dissenting); Trump, slip op. at 38 (Alito, J., dissenting); and
WHEREAS, the same day the Supreme Court issued this decision, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a memorandum "directing all United States Attorneys and the Criminal Division to work with the Department of Homeland Security to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of birth tourism schemes," Memorandum from Colin M. McDonald, Assistant Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice, National Fraud Enforcement Division (June 30, 2026); and
WHEREAS, the DOJ memorandum detailed how such schemes frequently involve "lies about the purpose or duration of one's travel to the United States" and could run afoul of numerous federal criminal laws, including laws prohibiting visa fraud, wire fraud, money laundering, misuse of identification, identity theft, and health care fraud, see Memorandum from Colin M. McDonald (citing 18 U.S.C.§§ 1028, 1028A, 1343, 1347, 1349, 1546, 1956); and
WHEREAS, the Texas Attorney General has likewise taken steps to combat illegal birth tourism schemes, including suing a Houston-area facility that claims to have facilitated birth tourism for "1,000+" foreign nationals and allegedly coached customers to mislead or deceive federal immigration officials about the purpose of their visits to the United States, in violation of state laws, see TEX. PENAL CODE §§ 20.05(a)(2), 37.10, 71.02; TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE § 125.062; TEX. BUS. & COMM. CODE § 17.46(a), (b)(2), (3), (5), (9), (12); and
WHEREAS, I, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, directed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) on July 7, 2026, to launch an immediate investigation into reports that Texas hospitals were advertising birth tourism packages to individuals in foreign countries and to refer any violations of state law to the Office of the Attorney General for civil enforcement and to the appropriate District or County Attorney for criminal prosecution; and
WHEREAS, HHSC acted swiftly in referring to the Texas Attorney General two Texas hospitals that allegedly placed billboards in a foreign country advertising "birth packages" in South Texas for fixed prices starting as low as $3,950, and directed viewers to a website soliciting patients to engage in medical birthing services; and
WHEREAS, no person may establish or operate a hospital, birthing center, freestanding emergency medical care facility, or any other facility authorized to conduct births in Texas without a license issued by the State of Texas, see TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE §§ 241.021, 244.003, 254.051; and
WHEREAS, HHSC is responsible for promulgating the rules and minimum standards for hospitals and other health care providers and ensuring the efficient use of state and local health-related resources and monitoring Medicaid and other federal funding programs supporting health care services, see TEX. GOV'T CODE §§ 523.0001, 523.0002, 524.0001, 524.0151; TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE §§ 62.051, 241.026; TEX. HUM. RES. CODE § 32.021; and
WHEREAS, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) administers the registration of vital statistics and licensing and regulates birthing facilities in Texas, see TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE §§ 191.002, 192.002, 244.003, 311.032, 311.033; and
WHEREAS, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) of HHSC is tasked with preventing, detecting, auditing, inspecting, and investigating fraud, waste, and abuse in the provision and delivery of all health and human services in this State, see TEX. GOV'T CODE § 544.0103; and
WHEREAS, the Texas Medical Board (TMB) is tasked with regulating the practice of medicine, issuing, suspending, or revoking medical licenses, and promulgating rules concerning false or misleading advertising or other deceptive practices by a person licensed to practice medicine, see TEX. OCC. CODE §§ 152.001, 153.001, 153.002, 155.002, 155.212; and
WHEREAS, the Texas Board of Nursing (BON) is tasked with regulating the practice of professional nursing and vocational nursing, including by promulgating rules regarding specialized training, prescribing standards of professional conduct, and prohibiting false or misleading advertising or other deceptive practices, see TEX. OCC. CODE §§ 301.151, 301.152, 301.153; and
WHEREAS, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) is tasked with regulating the practice of midwifery, including by issuing, suspending, or revoking midwifery licenses, and promulgating rules prescribing the standards for the practice of midwifery, see TEX. OCC. CODE §§ 203.151, 203.251, 203.404;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GREG ABBOTT, Governor of Texas, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me by the Constitution and Statutes of the State of Texas, do hereby direct the following actions:
(1) DSHS, HHSC, OIG, TMB, BON, and TDLR must investigate claims of birth tourism schemes in Texas' healthcare industry and take action against licensed or regulated individuals and entities advertising, soliciting, engaging in, assisting with, providing, or otherwise participating in such activities, including by revoking or suspending licensure, prohibiting participation in state contracts, denying state benefits, or taking other enforcement action; and
(2) DSHS, HHSC, OIG, TMB, BON, and TDLR may, subject to approval by the Governor consistent with Article IV, Section 10 of the Texas Constitution, partner with federal prosecutors to identify and combat birth tourism schemes in Texas' healthcare industry, including by sharing information or resources and referring potential violations of federal law.
This executive order supersedes all previous orders in conflict or inconsistent with its terms and shall remain in effect and in full force until modified, amended, rescinded, or superseded by the Governor.
Given under my hand this the 21st day of July, 2026.
Greg Abbott, Governor
TRD-202602985
Proclamation 41-4297
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME:
WHEREAS, I, GREG ABBOTT, Governor of the State of Texas, issued a disaster proclamation on July 8, 2022, as amended and renewed in a number of subsequent proclamations, certifying that exceptional drought conditions posed a threat of imminent disaster in several counties; and
WHEREAS, the Texas Division of Emergency Management has confirmed that those same drought conditions persist in certain counties in Texas and that the presence of drought conditions in certain counties contributes to increased wildfire danger;
NOW, THEREFORE, in accordance with the authority vested in me by Section 418.014 of the Texas Government Code, I do hereby amend and renew the aforementioned proclamation and declare a disaster in Aransas, Armstrong, Bailey, Bandera, Bastrop, Bee, Bexar, Blanco, Brewster, Briscoe, Burnet, Caldwell, Cameron, Camp, Carson, Castro, Childress, Collingsworth, Comal, Concho, Cottle, Deaf Smith, Dickens, Donley, Floyd, Foard, Gray, Grayson, Hall, Hansford, Hardeman, Hartley, Hays, Hemphill, Hidalgo, Hutchinson, Irion, Jim Wells, Kendall, Kerr, Kleberg, Lipscomb, Live Oak, Llano, Lubbock, Moore, Motley, Nueces, Ochiltree, Oldham, Parmer, Potter, Randall, Real, Roberts, San Patricio, Swisher, Tom Green, Travis, Upshur, Willacy, Williamson, and Wood Counties.
Pursuant to Section 418.017 of the Texas Government Code, I authorize the use of all available resources of state government and of political subdivisions that are reasonably necessary to cope with this disaster.
Pursuant to Section 418.016 of the Texas Government Code, any regulatory statute prescribing the procedures for conduct of state business or any order or rule of a state agency that would in any way prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster shall be suspended upon written approval of the Office of the Governor. However, to the extent that the enforcement of any state statute or administrative rule regarding contracting or procurement would impede any state agency's emergency response that is necessary to protect life or property threatened by this declared disaster, I hereby authorize the suspension of such statutes and rules for the duration of this declared disaster.
In accordance with the statutory requirements, copies of this proclamation shall be filed with the applicable authorities.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto signed my name and have officially caused the Seal of State to be affixed at my office in the City of Austin, Texas, this the 16th day of July, 2026.
Greg Abbott, Governor
TRD-202602944
Proclamation 41-4298
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME:
WHEREAS, I, GREG ABBOTT, Governor of the State of Texas, issued a disaster proclamation on July 4, 2025, as amended and renewed in a subsequent proclamations, certifying that the heavy rainfall and flooding event that began on July 2, 2025, that included heavy rainfall and flash flooding, caused widespread and severe property damage, injury, or loss of life in several counties;
NOW, THEREFORE, in accordance with the authority vested in me by Section 418.014 of the Texas Government Code, I do hereby amend and renew the aforementioned proclamation and declare a disaster in Bandera, Bexar, Burnet, Caldwell, Coke, Comal, Concho, Edwards, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Hamilton, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Kinney, Lampasas, Llano, Mason, Maverick, McCulloch, Menard, Real, Reeves, San Saba, Schleicher, Sutton, Tom Green, Travis, Uvalde, and Williamson counties;
Pursuant to Section 418.017 of the Texas Government Code, I authorize the use of all available resources of state government and of political subdivisions that are reasonably necessary to cope with this disaster.
Pursuant to Section 418.016 of the Texas Government Code, any regulatory statute prescribing the procedures for conduct of state business or any order or rule of a state agency that would in any way prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster shall be suspended upon written approval of the Office of the Governor. Any statutes that might prevent the transfer of bodies to families as soon as possible are hereby suspended, including Sections 264.514 and 264.515 of the Texas Family Code and Articles 49.04, 49.05, 49.10, and 49.25 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Further, to the extent that the enforcement of any state statute or administrative rule regarding contracting or procurement would impede any state agency's emergency response that is necessary to protect life or property threatened by this declared disaster, I hereby authorize the suspension of such statutes and rules for the duration of this declared disaster.
In accordance with the statutory requirements, copies of this proclamation shall be filed with the applicable authorities.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto signed my name and have officially caused the Seal of State to be affixed at my office in the City of Austin, Texas, this the 16th day of July, 2026.
Greg Abbott, Governor
TRD-202602945
Proclamation 41-4299
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME:
WHEREAS, I, GREG ABBOTT, Governor of Texas, issued a disaster proclamation on May 31, 2021, certifying under Section 418.014 of the Texas Government Code that the surge of individuals unlawfully crossing the Texas-Mexico border posed an ongoing and imminent threat of disaster for a number of Texas counties and for all state agencies affected by this disaster; and
WHEREAS, I amended the aforementioned proclamation in a number of subsequent proclamations, including to modify the list of affected counties and therefore declare a state of disaster for those counties and for all state agencies affected by this disaster; and
WHEREAS, the certified conditions continue to exist and pose an ongoing and imminent threat of disaster as set forth in the prior proclamations;
NOW, THEREFORE, in accordance with the authority vested in me by Section 418.014 of the Texas Government Code, I do hereby renew the aforementioned proclamation and declare a disaster for Aransas, Atascosa, Bee, Brewster, Brooks, Caldwell, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Coleman, Colorado, Crane, Crockett, Culberson, DeWitt, Dimmit, Duval, Edwards, El Paso, Frio, Galveston, Goliad, Gonzales, Hidalgo, Hudspeth, Jackson, Jeff Davis, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Karnes, Kenedy, Kerr, Kimble, Kinney, Kleberg, La Salle, Lavaca, Live Oak, Mason, Matagorda, Maverick, McCulloch, McLennan, McMullen, Medina, Menard, Midland, Pecos, Presidio, Real, Refugio, San Jacinto, San Patricio, Schleicher, Shackelford, Starr, Sutton, Terrell, Throckmorton, Upton, Uvalde, Val Verde, Victoria, Webb, Wharton, Wilbarger, Willacy, Wilson, Zapata, and Zavala Counties and for all state agencies affected by this disaster. All orders, directions, suspensions, and authorizations provided in the Proclamation of May 31, 2021, as amended and renewed in subsequent proclamations, are in full force and effect.
In accordance with the statutory requirements, copies of this proclamation shall be filed with the applicable authorities.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto signed my name and have officially caused the Seal of State to be affixed at my office in the City of Austin, Texas, this the 16th day of July, 2026.
Greg Abbott, Governor
TRD-202602946