Advancing Coastal Resilience: Our Role in Supporting HB 3486 and HB 3487

At the Texas Surf Conservancy, we are proud to stand at the intersection of environmental stewardship, coastal advocacy, and sustainable economic development. Our mission includes safeguarding Texas’ marine ecosystems, and we are honored to have supported the passage of two vital pieces of legislation now headed to the Governor’s desk: HB 3486 and HB 3487.

Championed by Representative Todd Hunter (R-Corpus Christi) and Senator Lois Kolkhorst, these bills represent a major step forward for Texas’ coastal economy and sustainable seafood practices.

What These Bills Accomplish:

• HB 3486 incentivizes Texas restaurants to source locally farm-raised oysters by offering sales and use tax deductions—an economic boost for Texas oyster farmers and an environmental win for our bays and estuaries.
• HB 3487 encourages oyster shell recycling through tax incentives, a practice that directly contributes to the restoration of oyster reefs, improves water quality, and supports marine biodiversity.

These commonsense policies were backed by bipartisan support and grounded in a vision we share: that thriving coastal economies and healthy ecosystems must go hand in hand.

Our Role in Advocacy

The Texas Surf Conservancy played an advocacy and awareness-building role throughout the legislative process. As champions of responsible coastal management, we engaged in outreach efforts to educate stakeholders, supported policy partners working to advance the bills, and rallied local support around the importance of oyster mariculture and reef restoration.

We believe that oyster restoration is more than an environmental concern—it is a powerful tool for climate resilience, shoreline protection, and long-term economic sustainability. These bills align with our broader mission to protect the Texas coast and ensure that future generations can surf, fish, and enjoy the Gulf’s natural beauty.

Looking Ahead

We celebrate this legislative milestone not as an endpoint but as a launchpad. The Texas Surf Conservancy is committed to building on this momentum—supporting implementation, driving awareness, and working with restaurants, producers, and policymakers to expand sustainable seafood practices across the coast and committing to rebuild oyster reefs with recycled shells.

Together, we’re working toward sound coastal policy that matters.

UPDATE: Both pieces of legislation—HB 3486 and HB 3487—were signed into law by the Governor. Effective October 1, 2025, Texas restaurants that serve farmed oysters and recycle shells are eligible for direct sales tax rebates.

Download a flyer from the Texas Surf Conservancy that provides eligibility and filing guidance from the Office of the Comptroller of Public Accounts.