Cameron County adopts resolution opposing state bill that would shift Boca Chica closure authority

Cameron County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to adopt a resolution opposing Senate Bill 2188, which would shift authority over temporary closures at State Highway 4 and Boca Chica Beach from Cameron County to a newly incorporated local entity. The court approved the resolution by voice vote after a short discussion and comments from several commissioners.

County Judge Eddie Thirvinga Jr. told the court that Cameron County’s existing agreement with SpaceX, first signed in 2013, and the county’s current process for authorizing temporary closures have balanced public access and the company’s operations. “We don't think that the system is broken. We think that having Cameron County continue to be the steward and the authority with regards to the closures should be continued,” Thirvinga said.

The judge said the county learned of the bill about 10 days earlier and had lodged objections with the chair of the House Natural Resources committee after missing a hearing in Austin. He called on residents to contact state lawmakers about the measure. “If it's not broken there's no need to fix it,” he said.

Commissioners who spoke during the discussion generally praised the county’s management of access around SpaceX operations while noting concerns about environmental impacts and weekend closures. One commissioner said weekend closures — particularly during the May–Labor Day season — should be “few and far between” and used only as needed. Another commissioner questioned why the proposed legislation would remove weekend responsibility from the company and put closure authority on local government, and noted the Texas General Land Office (GLO) was not mentioned in the draft bill.

Motion to adopt the resolution was made by Commissioner Benavides and seconded by Commissioner Lopez. The court called for the question and approved the resolution by voice vote; no recorded “no” votes were announced.

The judge and several commissioners emphasized they intend to continue working with SpaceX and with state and local lawmakers regardless of the bill’s outcome. The county also noted the long-standing economic benefits SpaceX has brought to the region alongside continuing concerns about public access and environmental stewardship.

The court placed the resolution on the record to ensure its opposition is transmitted to legislative committees and local representatives.

(For context: the county’s original 2013 agreement with SpaceX and related enabling legislation took effect in September 2013.)