Your guide to action: State House of Representatives Committee on State Affairs Interim Hearing on 765kV 

Join the 765 Protest Coalition as we stand united against the proposed 765kV lines. Below you will find our detailed one-day schedule, designed for maximum impact and coordination. Whether you're a protestor, media, or lawmaker, this page has the information you need to participate, report, and understand our movement. 

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

All times are Central Standard Time (CST).

Time Action Details Location
7:00 AM Early Bird Parking Garage fills up fast on hearing days! We suggest you arrive early to guarantee a spot. (Free for first 2 hours, then $1 per half hour, capped at $12/day.) Capitol Visitors Garage - 1201 San Jacinto, Austin, TX
7:30 AM Check-In and Witness Registration Sign up to testify on tablets in the building. John H Reagn Building (JHR) of the Texas Capitol complex (north end) - 105 W 15th Street, Austin, TX 78701 - Room 140
7:30 AM Final Prep and Regroup We will offer a quick huddle! We can have a meet and greet with others in the cause, review talking points, and have a moment of prayer together for those that would like. JHR Building Hallways
7:45 AM Seating Seating fills up quickly, and we will want to get inside and settled before the gavel. Room 140
8:00 AM Hearing Begins House of Representatives Interim Hearing on Data Centers and 765-kV Transmission Lines Room 140
~ 8:00 AM Invited Testimony Invited witnesses (agencies, industry, invited experts) typically go first. Room 140
Varies Public Testimony Public/registered witnesses called after invitied testimony; could be a wait, please bring water and/or snacks. Room 140

Helpful Notes

  • Additional Location Details: The hearing will be held in the John H Reagan (JHR) Building at 105 W. 15th Street, Austin, TX 78701, in room 140. The Reagan Building sits just north of the Capitol (about a 2 minute walk), and public access is through the North or South entrance only. 

 

  • Further Information: To view the topics covered by the Interim Hearing, please click here (link).

 

  • Timing: This hearing has a fixed start time of 8:00 AM, but registration for witnesses stays runs from 7:30 AM -  10:00 AM, and testimony order is still called at the committee's discretion, so even with a set start time, there's no way to predict when any one person will be called. Build in slack, bring snacks and water, and don't plan anything tight for the rest of the day. You can create a House Witness Registration profile in advance (link) to speed up on-site check-in, as you'll still need to register on-site for this specific hearing item, but the profile saves time.

 

 

  • Public Comments:You will have 2 minutes to speak, strictly enforced at the chair's discretion, so practice out loud beforehand and time yourself. Unlike the Senate hearing, the House notice doesn't specify a set number of paper copies to bring, however I'd suggest bringing 17 copies of your written testimony (1 for yourself, 15 for the Committee members, and 1 for the Clerk), but that requirement isn't confirmed the way it was for the Senate. If you can't attend in person, you can submit a public comment electronically here (link), by selecting "765-kV Transmission Lines" from the Bills and Topics dropdown. Electronic comments are limited to 3,000 characters and can be submitted until the hearing is adjourned. The House provides additional instructions on how to register for witness testimony here (link).

 

  • Primary Parking: The Capitol Visitors Parking Garage (1201 San Jacinto Blvd) is the most affordable and reliable, but it does fill up fast on hearing days, so we suggest arriving by 7:30 AM

     

  • Backup Parking: If the Capitol Visitors Garage is full, here are some additional options within walking distance

    • Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum garage — 1800 N Congress Ave, underground lot, flat rate around $8/day.
    • Blanton Museum of Art garage — 200 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, open-air lot.
    • State of Texas Garage N — 300 San Antonio St, public daytime parking available pay-on-entry.
    • Street parking/meters on Congress Ave between the Capitol and the Bullock Museum — old-style meters, sometimes available, worth a quick loop if you're already downtown

 

  • What to Wear: Business or business casual is recommended. This is a formal House of Representatives hearing, and you may be seen on the committee's video record. (Suggestion: what you'd wear to a job interview or in a courtroom.) The parking and building size do require a fair amount of walking, so comfortable shoes are a must!

 

  • Security Note: Every person will go through a metal detector, and all bags/purses will be inspected. Please leave pocket knives and multi-tools at home or in the car, as they will be confiscated.

 

 

  • Accommodations: If anyone needs a sign language interpreter or assistive listening device, contact Stacey Nicchio at (512) 463-0850 at least 72 hours before the hearing.

Take the next step

After reviewing our schedule, we encourage you to amplify our message and get more involved. Your participation is crucial to our success.

For media and lawmakers

We welcome all media and lawmakers to observe and engage with our various group leaders. For media inquiries, interviews, or to speak with our representatives, please visit our media briefing point at the Texas State Capitol South Steps between 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM. Our media liaison, [[Media Contact Name]], can be reached at [[Phone Number]] or [[Email Address]]. We are committed to transparency and providing accurate information about our concerns regarding the 765kV line application.