A controversial bill that would have transferred weekday road closure authority from Cameron County to SpaceX and the proposed city of Starbase was narrowly voted down by a Texas House committee on Monday.
Senate Bill 2188, the companion to House Bill 4660 filed by Rep. Janie Lopez of San Benito, failed to advance out of the House State Affairs Committee by a vote of 7-6. The bill proposed allowing SpaceX to control access to State Highway 4 — the only road leading to Boca Chica Beach — from Monday through Thursday, while the county would retain control on weekends.
Currently, SpaceX must coordinate all closures related to spaceflight activities with Cameron County officials. These include launches, test fires, and other events tied to the company’s Starbase facility near Boca Chica.
The legislation had drawn sharp criticism from environmental advocates and local residents concerned about public access to the beach, which is county-owned and remains a popular recreational destination. Opponents argued that the bill would allow a private company to limit access to public land with minimal oversight.
Supporters of the bill, including SpaceX representatives and industry advocates, claimed the change would improve operational planning and reduce bureaucratic delays.
Though the committee declined to advance the bill, legislative observers noted that similar provisions could still be introduced through other bills as amendments or riders before the session concludes in late May.
The debate comes amid heightened scrutiny of SpaceX’s broader plans in the region, including an ongoing effort to incorporate the surrounding area into a municipality known as Starbase.
