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OpenAI’s Texas lobbying strategy (based on what’s publicly visible) looks like a “broad-cover, early-engagement” play: hire registered Texas lobbyists, track and shape statewide AI rules, and align with Texas’ big priorities (economic development, state procurement, education pilots, and infrastructure/data centers).
1) Build a formal Texas presence fast (and keep it compliant)
-What that signals: OpenAI isn’t treating Texas as “flyover policy.” It’s treating it as a core statehouse where rules and procurement decisions can materially affect the company.
2) Use multiple lobbyists with wide issue coverage (not a single narrow bill fight)
-What that signals: this is consistent with a strategy of:
--covering multiple committees and “touch points” (tech, judiciary, homeland security, education, procurement, energy/infra), and
--staying positioned for fast-moving amendments late in session.
3) Shape the statewide “rules of the road” for AI (especially government + high-impact use cases)
-Likely lobbying posture here (pattern-based, not mind-reading):
--push for risk-based / narrower scope vs. sweeping liability,
--protect model/provider flexibility (safe harbors, preemption-ish language where possible)
--steer toward agency rulemaking + guidance rather than hard prohibitions,
--ensure compliance obligations are workable for vendors selling to Texas agencies.
4) Pair policy with “Texas value props”: jobs, compute, grid, and public-sector modernization
-Why it matters for lobbying: In Texas, “AI policy” quickly becomes:
--data center permitting / local incentives / Chapter 313-style successors,
--grid reliability / interconnection / demand response,
--state procurement rules (DIR contracting, agency AI policies), and
--security concerns (especially around foreign tech).
5) Expand “friendly demonstrations” in education and government workflows
-What that signals: lobbying and government affairs can reinforce adoption by:
--emphasizing data controls and compliance,
--positioning products as efficiency tools (teacher/admin burden, agency paperwork)
--building relationships with agency CIOs, education leaders, and procurement channels.
