Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopts FY 2026 budget, approves executive director pay increase and multiple land and easement actions

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission on Aug. 21 approved the department's proposed FY 2026 operating and capital budget, raised the executive director's salary, adopted an internal audit plan, and authorized a series of land easements and acquisitions.

The commission voted to authorize the executive director to expend funds in accordance with the FY 2026 operating and capital budget exhibits described in staff materials. Chief Financial Officer Reggie Pegues told the commission the proposed base budget derived from the General Appropriations Act totaled $659,800,000, with salaries accounting for $269.4 million (roughly 40.8 percent) and capital at $110 million. Pegues said general revenue and sporting-goods sales tax make up the largest share (about 58 percent) of the proposed budget.

In a separate vote, the commission approved retaining 100 percent of boat registration, titling and related fees collected during FY 2026 in fund 9; staff said projected cash balances meant no transfer of up to 15 percent of those fees to the parks account would be necessary this fiscal year. The commission also approved the biennial state park list and change procedures for reporting to the next legislature.

The commission approved an executive director compensation update presented by Jada Lohala, director of human resources. Staff said the General Appropriations Act sets a statutory maximum of $299,813 for the position; the commission approved raising the executive director's salary from $236,953 to a proposed $268,230 per year, effective Sept. 1, 2025. Staff reported eight public comments on that item: two in agreement and six expressing various forms of disagreement (reasons included calls to raise salaries across the agency, divert funds to programs, or concern that the increase was too large).

The commission also approved the department's FY 2026 internal audit plan. Brandy Meeks, the department's chief auditor, outlined carryover audits and new proposed assurance engagements including audits of friends groups, fuel charges, selected state parks and cybersecurity-related reviews.

On rules, the commission adopted changes to implement Senate Bill 1247, which consolidated several nonresident hunting license types into two statutory license options (a nonresident general hunting license and a nonresident five-day hunting license). Chris Cerny, business analyst for the wildlife division, told commissioners the department sold roughly 31,000 nonresident general hunting licenses and about 40,000 five-day licenses in each of the last two license years; the three license types eliminated by the statute totaled roughly 10,000 sales per year combined. Cerny said the fiscal note for the legislation estimated approximately $1 million in additional revenue depending on purchaser behavior.

The commission approved several land-related and easement actions presented by land program staff. Items approved included: - A request to grant Kinder Morgan an approximately 27.7-acre pipeline easement (about 4.5 miles of 42-inch natural gas pipeline) across the J.D. Murphy Wildlife Management Area in Jefferson County; staff received seven public responses (one in agreement, six opposed). Whitney Gann presented the request and staff recommended approval. - Authorization to acquire approximately 2 acres near the new Post Oak Ridge State Park in Burnet County to provide housing for park operations; staff reported 13 public responses (11 in agreement, two opposed). - Authorization to acquire approximately 37 acres adjacent to the Albert and Bessie Kronkowski State Natural Area in Bandera County, a purchase staff said would protect a view shed and add recreation opportunities; staff reported 14 responses (13 in agreement, one opposed). - A request to grant Aqua Water Supply Corporation an approximately 6-acre waterline easement across Bastrop State Park to replace an aging 12-inch water line; staff reported 22 responses (18 in agreement, four opposed). - Approval of disposition of four noncontiguous lots totaling about 1.9 acres at Boca Chica State Park (see separate article), after public comment.

All of the items above were presented with staff recommendations and carried by voice votes during the meeting. Where public comment was solicited in writing, staff summarized counts in their presentations and noted the nature of the responses.

Why it matters: the FY 2026 budget and the decisions on fees, parks list and capital allocations will govern department operations, staffing and capital projects for the coming year. The salary action changes the executive director's compensation within the statutory maximum and was taken after staff summarized public input. Land easements and property dispositions affect public access and conservation holdings across multiple coastal and inland sites.

What commissioners said: Vice Chair Oliver Bell and other commissioners spoke in favor of advancing the budget and compensation items citing competitiveness and performance; the meeting transcript records the motions and seconds and voice votes approving the items.

What comes next: staff said any adjustments to the state park list will be incorporated in next biennium reporting and that federal apportionments and supplemental funding could alter final federal fund amounts during the year. Departments will proceed with the approved easements, acquisitions and disposals as authorized.

Ending: The commission completed the business on the published agenda and adjourned at 10:29 a.m.