If you've been waking up with a sore jaw, struggling through meals because chewing feels like a chore, or dealing with headaches that just won't quit - you're not imagining things. And you're certainly not alone. Millions of Americans live with TMJ disorders, and for too many of them, the answer they keep getting is "take some ibuprofen and try to relax." That's not a solution. That's a band-aid.
At Texas Nerve and Spine, we take a different approach. As a TMJ specialist practice with decades of clinical experience, our team doesn't just mask the pain - we go after the underlying cause. No surgery. No pharmaceuticals. Just advanced, proven therapies designed to help your body heal the way it was meant to.
Your temporomandibular joints - the two small, complex hinges on either side of your head, just in front of your ears - are responsible for every bite, every word, every yawn. They're among the most frequently used joints in your entire body. When something goes wrong with these joints or the muscles that control them, the result is a condition broadly referred to as TMJ disorder (also called TMD).
The tricky part? TMJ dysfunction doesn't always announce itself with jaw pain alone. Some people notice a persistent clicking or popping when they open their mouth. Others develop tension headaches that creep across the temples and settle behind the eyes. Some experience earaches, neck stiffness, or even shoulder pain - symptoms that often get blamed on something else entirely.
That's why so many people spend months, sometimes years, bouncing between doctors without getting real answers. If that sounds familiar, a dedicated TMJ doctor in Katy, TX can make all the difference.
TMJ disorders can look and feel different from one person to the next. But there are some hallmark signs that typically point toward a jaw-related issue rather than something else. You may want to see a jaw pain doctor in Katy, TX if you're experiencing any combination of the following:
If even a few of these ring true for you, it's worth having a conversation with a TMJ specialist who understands how the jaw, the nervous system, and the spine all work together. Because that connection matters more than most people realize.
There's rarely a single smoking gun behind TMJ dysfunction. For most people, it's a combination of factors that have built up over time. Stress is one of the biggest culprits - when we're anxious or overwhelmed, we tend to clench our jaw without even realizing it. Do that night after night, and the muscles surrounding the joint become inflamed and overworked.
Teeth grinding (what your dentist might call bruxism) is another common driver. It puts enormous pressure on the joint and can gradually wear down the cartilage disc that cushions the connection between your jawbone and skull. Physical trauma - an old sports injury, a car accident, even a hard fall - can shift the alignment of the jaw and set the stage for chronic dysfunction years down the road.
Then there's the factor most conventional approaches overlook: the nervous system. Your TMJ doesn't operate in isolation. It's connected to a complex web of nerves that run through the neck, the upper spine, and the base of the skull. When there's interference in that communication pathway - what we call a disruption in the brain-to-body connection - the muscles around the jaw can misfire, tighten, and spasm. This is exactly where a TMJ treatment plan built around the nervous system starts to shine.
At Texas Nerve and Spine, we believe you shouldn't have to choose between living with jaw pain and submitting to invasive procedures or a daily regimen of muscle relaxants. Our TMJ treatment protocol is built around a simple but powerful idea: when you restore proper communication between the brain and the body, the body can heal itself.
Here's what that looks like in practice. When you come to our Katy, TX clinic, we start with a thorough evaluation - not just of your jaw, but of your spine, your posture, your nerve function, and your overall health history. We're looking at the full picture, not just the symptom that brought you through the door.
From there, our expert panel of doctors - affectionately called "The Dream Team" by our patients - develops a personalized care plan using advanced, clinically proven therapies. These therapies are designed to reduce inflammation, release tension in the muscles surrounding the TMJ, restore proper nerve signaling, and ultimately help the joint function the way it should. No medications. No surgery. Just your body doing what it does best when the interference is removed.
For many of our patients, this approach delivers jaw pain relief they haven't experienced in years - and it lasts because we've addressed the root cause rather than just numbing the symptom.
There's no shortage of clinics that mention TMJ somewhere on their website. But there's a significant difference between a general practice that occasionally sees a jaw pain patient and a team that has spent decades specializing in nerve-based, non-surgical pain solutions.
Here's what sets us apart as the TMJ specialist Katy, TX residents trust:
Our doctors bring over 25 years of hands-on expertise treating chronic pain and nerve-related conditions, including TMJ disorders.
We don't isolate the jaw. We evaluate how your spine, your nerves, and your muscles are all contributing to the dysfunction and treat accordingly.
Our advanced therapy systems work with your body's own healing capacity. No prescriptions. No operating rooms.
When you're in pain, you shouldn't have to wait weeks to be seen. We get you in fast.
Established in 2008, our leadership team runs this practice the way they'd want their own family members treated. That's not a slogan - it's the culture patients feel the moment they walk through the door.
We've helped thousands of patients from across Katy, TX and the surrounding communities reclaim their health and get back to the activities they love - free from pain. TMJ disorders are among the conditions that respond exceptionally well to our approach, because the jaw-nerve-spine connection is exactly what our system was designed to address.
We understand that by the time most people reach out to a TMJ specialist, they've already tried a handful of things that didn't work. Maybe you've worn a night guard that helped a little. Maybe you've gone through rounds of anti-inflammatories that took the edge off but never truly resolved the problem. We get it, and we want you to know - your experience here will be different.
Your first appointment starts with a comprehensive evaluation. We'll spend time listening to your history - when the jaw pain started, what makes it better or worse, what treatments you've already tried, and how the pain is affecting your daily life. Then we'll conduct a detailed physical and neurological examination to identify the specific areas of dysfunction.
Based on those findings, we'll walk you through a personalized treatment recommendation. No pressure, no scare tactics, no upselling. Just an honest conversation about what we've found, what's possible, and what the path forward looks like. Our patients consistently tell us that the clarity they get from this first visit alone is worth the trip.
One of the most frustrating things about TMJ dysfunction is how far-reaching its effects can be. A problem that starts in your jaw can trigger a cascade of symptoms throughout your head, neck, and upper body. Chronic tension headaches, migraines, earaches, dizziness, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), and even difficulty swallowing - all of these can trace back to a malfunctioning temporomandibular joint.
This is also why many people who see a doctor for back pain, a neurologist for headaches, or an ENT for ear trouble end up going around in circles. When the TMJ is the hidden driver, treating the secondary symptoms one by one will never get you lasting relief. You have to go upstream and address the source.
That's the advantage of working with a jaw pain treatment team that evaluates the entire neuromusculoskeletal system, not just the joint that's clicking. At Texas Nerve and Spine, we routinely see patients who have been told their headaches are "just stress" or their neck pain is "just posture" - only to discover that a TMJ disorder was fueling the entire chain of symptoms. Once we correct the underlying dysfunction, patients are often amazed at how many seemingly unrelated problems begin to resolve.
Living with TMJ pain doesn't have to be your normal. Whether you've been dealing with a clicking jaw for a few months or chronic facial pain for years, the team at Texas Nerve and Spine is here to help you take the next step toward real, lasting relief - without drugs and without surgery.
Call our Katy, TX office today or fill out the form on this page to request your consultation. Same-day appointments are available, and our team responds quickly - because when you're in pain, waiting shouldn't be part of the process.
Texas Nerve and Spine - Katy, TX's trusted TMJ specialist and jaw pain doctor since 2008.
KATY MAGAZINE NEWSSeptember 1, 2026By Natalie Cook ClarkTropical Storm Edouardo will make landfall in Southeast Texas today. While impact to the Katy area shouldn't be bad, this is a reminder to prep for future storms. Katy could start feeling some effects by later today.. Photo submitted to Katy Magazine during Hurricane Harvey 2017.Tropical Storm Edouardo Update...
KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
September 1, 2026
By Natalie Cook Clark
Photo submitted to Katy Magazine during Hurricane Harvey 2017.
According to the National Weather Service and NOAA, Tropical Storm Edouardo is projected to make landfall between 1:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. Tuesday in Southeast Texas. This projection can still change. Any slight change can make a difference to what Katy will experience when the storm comes, but as of now we can expect to see some rain. While this storm isn't expected to have a major impact on our area, it is important to remember that we are in Hurricane Season and just now entering peak season.
As of now, rain from Tropical Storm Edouardo could reach Katy starting later today and the storm is expected to be over by tomorrow morning. While many coastal school districts canceled classes today, life in Katy, including school, is expected to go on as usual. As always, follow Katy ISD for updates.
As Katy grows, newcomers enjoy all the great city has to offer, but they also need to heed the warning of local officials and seasoned residents. Hurricane Season officially started on June 1 with experts predicting an average season.
In addition to preparing for this storm, local officials urge residents to prepare for other storms that this Hurricane Season could produce.
“Of the 9 tropical cyclones to impact Texas since 2010, only one developed outside of the Gulf of Mexico and that one redeveloped rapidly,” says City of Katy Mayor William “Dusty” Thiele. “When these storms develop in the Gulf of Mexico it means less time to prepare for everyone. That is why it is also important that we encourage our City of Katy residents to take the time to prepare now.”
Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30. September is considered the most active month. The City of Katy and local agencies are prepared.
“We’ve been focused on ensuring that our City of Katy Departments are prepared to respond to any type of impact from tropical weather as safely and quickly as possible,” says Greg Goedecker, Emergency Management Coordinator of the City of Katy. “We want the community to know that our public safety departments continue to spend time training and discussing response strategies. All our city resources and rescue assets are ready to respond if called upon.”
“This is so important to me to be prepared to care for my family and kids,” says Katy mom Chancie Davis. “With little ones in the house being prepared helps me to help them cope with stressful situations without the burden of not having essentials.”
The Davis family has a home generator to ensure that during power outages they would still be ok. During the pandemic they added to their preparedness supplies by purchasing 5-gallon collapsible water containers to be able to fill with water ahead of a storm.
“Living in Katy it’s not if, but when we will lose power of water,” says Davis. “I want to have confidence that my family is secure.”
Many Katy families purchased generators during the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and the derecho. .
Katy is growing and full of newcomers to the area. Just as families find their favorite restaurants, they need to learn about the area and any potential risks.
The past several seasons have put out more dangerous and expensive storms. So many storms have developed that officials have run out of names for them. Experts believe that this season has the same makings for such disasters because of the warm gulf waters that create the perfect scenario for a monster storm to form.
“Residents can prepare by documenting and insuring property, planning with neighbors, signing up for alerts and warnings, assembling or updating supplies, strengthening their homes, or testing their family communication plans,” says Goedecker.
has issued their latest predictions for the upcoming 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which began June 1. They predict a below-normall season with 8-13 named storms. They predict that around 3-6 of those storms could have the potential to become major storms with winds of over 111 mph.
It is important to note that this data varies based on which report you view but all data points to an above average season.
However, as their website and marketing material for the season clearly states, “it only takes one storm to change your life.” A fact that Katy knows well after Hurricane Harvey devastated the area in August on 2017.
13 million people were affected by Hurricane Harvey when it stalled out over the Greater Houston area late August of 2017. The storm was one of the most devastating natural disasters in Texas history.
The City of Katy experienced massive damage including sustained damage to 16 Katy ISD campuses. Due to extreme flooding, Creech Elementary had to relocate its 900 students and staff had to be relocated. In less than a week, Katy ISD moved the Creech students and staff to the University of Houston’s Cinco Ranch campus.
The City of Katy and each county has websites/links for Emergency preparedness with resources and where residents can register to stay informed.
If you are new to Katy and new to hurricanes, it is important to understand the U.S. Hurricane Seasons. The Atlantic Hurricane Season is what impacts Katy and it runs June 1 through November 30, with the season’s peek being in August and September.
A Texas resident has taken home a $1 million prize in the Texas Lottery.A Katy resident claimed a top prize-winning ticket worth $1 million in the Texas Lottery scratch ticket game 200X The Cash. The ticket was purchased at Kroger 733, located at 1550 W. Grand Parkway S., in Katy. The claimant elected to remain anonymous.AdvertisementArticle continues below this adThis was the second of four top prizes worth $1 million to be claimed in this game. 200X The Cash offers more than $115 million in total prizes.I...
A Texas resident has taken home a $1 million prize in the Texas Lottery.
A Katy resident claimed a top prize-winning ticket worth $1 million in the Texas Lottery scratch ticket game 200X The Cash. The ticket was purchased at Kroger 733, located at 1550 W. Grand Parkway S., in Katy. The claimant elected to remain anonymous.
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This was the second of four top prizes worth $1 million to be claimed in this game. 200X The Cash offers more than $115 million in total prizes.
In other Texas Lottery news, a jackpot-winning Texas Two Step ticket worth $200,000 for the drawing held on March 9 is approaching its expiration date. The ticket, matching all four of the white ball numbers drawn (1-2-21-23) and the red Bonus Ball (19), was purchased at H-E-B Food Store 079 Convenience, located at 909 10th St., in Floresville. The prize remains unclaimed and the ticket will expire on Saturday, Sept. 5, if not validated by the deadline.
If choosing to claim the prize in-person, the ticket holder must do so at a Texas Lottery claim center by 5 p.m. local time on Friday, Sept. 4. Hours of operation at some Texas Lottery claim center locations may unexpectedly change, so it is advisable to check texaslottery.com for updates.
A ticket holder forfeits any claim to a prize for a draw game after the expiration of the 180th day following the draw date. The deadline may be extended for a period of time for certain eligible military personnel. Unclaimed prizes revert to the state for programs authorized by the Texas Legislature.
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The ticket holder may also claim the prize by mail. The ticket, along with a claim form, must be postmarked on or prior to the Sept. 5 ticket expiration date and should be mailed to:
The National Council on Problem Gambling operates the National Problem Gambling Helpline Network at 1-800-GAMBLER.
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The network is a single national access point to local resources for people seeking help with gambling problems. It has 28 contact centers that provide resources and referrals for all 50 states and U.S. territories. Help is available 24/7 and is 100% confidential.
Help is also available via an online peer support forum at gamtalk.org.
Sep 3, 2026
KATY, Texas (Covering Katy News) — Texas Heritage Marketplace is moving closer to becoming a major shopping and dining destination on Katy's rapidly developing western edge, with Lowe's preparing to open its new store and the City of Katy taking ownership of key infrastructure serving the $400 million development.The Katy City Council on Aug. 10 accepted water, sanitary sewer, drainage and street improvements along Heritage Oak Lane, as well as a sanitary sewer lift station that will be operated by the city.The action rep...
KATY, Texas (Covering Katy News) — Texas Heritage Marketplace is moving closer to becoming a major shopping and dining destination on Katy's rapidly developing western edge, with Lowe's preparing to open its new store and the City of Katy taking ownership of key infrastructure serving the $400 million development.
The Katy City Council on Aug. 10 accepted water, sanitary sewer, drainage and street improvements along Heritage Oak Lane, as well as a sanitary sewer lift station that will be operated by the city.
The action represents another milestone for Texas Heritage Marketplace, a 165-acre development along the eastbound side of Interstate 10 at Texas Heritage Parkway. The development is just west of Buc-ee's, which sits across the freeway on the westbound side of I-10.
For Katy-area residents, the changes are becoming increasingly visible as stores, restaurants and other projects move toward opening.
Among the most prominent is a new 95,000-square-foot Lowe's store that is preparing to open in September. The store will also include a 30,000-square-foot outdoor garden center and is expected to employ more than 100 full- and part-time workers.
The Katy Area Chamber of Commerce has scheduled a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for Sept. 4. Lowe's has not announced an official opening date for shoppers.
The Katy location is part of a broader expansion by Lowe's into fast-growing markets across the country. The company has said it plans to open approximately 10 to 15 stores annually over the next several years.
"We have a strong pipeline of new stores planned for high-growth markets where we see opportunities to conveniently serve more homeowners and Pros," Lowe's Chairman and CEO Marvin Ellison said when the company announced its expansion strategy.
The strategy makes the Katy area a natural fit. Thousands of homes have been built or are planned along the Interstate 10 and Texas Heritage Parkway corridors, including large residential developments stretching west toward Brookshire and south toward Fulshear.
Lowe's is only one part of the much larger Texas Heritage Marketplace.
Developer NewQuest describes the project as a 750,000-plus-square-foot mixed-use retail and regional destination. The 165-acre project is planned to include major retailers and restaurants, along with a Houston Methodist emergency room. Future phases call for 550 apartment units, while NewQuest's broader plans also include medical office space and self-storage.
The development's anchor lineup includes Target, which is nearing completion and expected to open in October. Sam's Club is also under construction.
Academy Sports + Outdoors, Burlington, Spec's and Ulta Beauty are among the junior anchors. EoS Fitness will also be part of the lineup.
Whataburger sits at the front of the development and has already opened.
Other announced eateries include Olive Garden, Texas Roadhouse, Escalante's, Tony C's, Aji Izakaya, a casual Japanese pub and restaurant, and Kilwin's, which sells ice cream, fudge and other sweets. Mattress Firm, James Avery, The Kebab Shop and Chase Bank have also been announced for the development.
Several of the restaurants and retailers will be located around a nearly five-acre green space planned near Target and EoS Fitness.
“With a project this size, we typically develop it in phases,” said David Meyers, NewQuest's managing director of leasing and development partner. “But the demand for retail in this high-growth area is immediate so everyone is committed to getting it done as quickly as possible.”
The development's location is particularly significant because Texas Heritage Parkway provides a 6.5-mile connection between Interstate 10 and Fulshear. NewQuest says the center is positioned to serve major master-planned communities including Cane Island, Cross Creek Ranch, Firethorne, Jordan Ranch, Lakehouse and Young Ranch, along with the fast-growing Sunterra and Tamarron communities.
Texas Heritage Marketplace is emerging at a time when development is rapidly changing what was once a comparatively undeveloped stretch of Interstate 10 west of Katy.
New subdivisions, schools, road projects and commercial developments have followed population growth farther west, increasing demand for stores, restaurants and public services.
The opening of Lowe's and the City of Katy's acceptance of the development's infrastructure are signs that Texas Heritage Marketplace is moving beyond plans and construction and into the next phase of becoming an active commercial center.
Additional retailers and restaurants are expected to open as construction continues throughout the development.
Covering Katy News tracks the developments, road projects, new businesses and government decisions shaping the Katy area. Subscribe to support independent local reporting and stay ahead of the changes affecting your community. SUBSCRIBE HERE
New right-to-repair protections, residential solar registration requirements, public-school funding changes and manufactured-housing rules are among the Texas laws taking effect.By The Katy NewsKATY, Texas — A new group of Texas laws and delayed legislative provisions took effect Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, bringing changes that could affect consumers, homeowners, educators, school districts, businesses and local governments.The measures originated during the 89th Texa...
New right-to-repair protections, residential solar registration requirements, public-school funding changes and manufactured-housing rules are among the Texas laws taking effect.
By The Katy News
KATY, Texas — A new group of Texas laws and delayed legislative provisions took effect Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, bringing changes that could affect consumers, homeowners, educators, school districts, businesses and local governments.
The measures originated during the 89th Texas Legislature. The Texas Legislative Reference Library’s effective-date list includes both entire laws beginning Sept. 1 and individual sections of larger bills that took effect in stages. That distinction is important because the appearance of a bill on the Sept. 1 list does not necessarily mean every provision in that bill started on that date.
For Katy-area residents, some of the most notable changes involve repairing electronic devices, purchasing residential solar systems, funding special-education services and regulating manufactured housing.
House Bill 2963 establishes new right-to-repair requirements for certain consumer electronic devices sold in Texas.
The law generally applies to digital electronic equipment sold to a Texas consumer with a wholesale price of at least $50. Manufacturers must make the documentation, replacement parts and tools needed to diagnose, maintain or repair covered equipment available on fair and reasonable terms to independent repair businesses and equipment owners.
This could eventually give consumers more choices when deciding where to repair certain phones, tablets, laptops and other eligible electronic devices instead of relying exclusively on a manufacturer or its authorized repair network.
However, the law will not immediately apply to every electronic device currently owned by a Texas resident.
HB 2963 applies only to covered equipment that was originally made available for sale in Texas by the manufacturer on or after Sept. 1, 2026. Manufacturers also have up to one year after the product’s first Texas sale to make the required repair materials available.
The law contains several exclusions, including certain motor vehicles, medical devices, farm equipment, heavy equipment, major home appliances, alarm and life-safety systems, video-game consoles and equipment used in critical infrastructure.
Enforcement belongs to the Texas attorney general. The law does not create a private right of action allowing an individual consumer to sue solely under the new right-to-repair chapter.
For consumers, the main point is that the change will develop gradually as newly introduced products become subject to the law.
Beginning Sept. 1, residential solar retailers and solar salespeople must be registered with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation before conducting covered sales or leases of residential solar panels and solar-energy systems.
The registration requirement is part of Senate Bill 1036, which created the Residential Solar Retailers program. Certain prohibited business practices and additional regulatory requirements also became enforceable Sept. 1.
Several consumer protections under the law had already taken effect on Sept. 1, 2025.
Covered residential solar agreements must provide for installation by a licensed electrical contractor, identify the contractor or possible contractors and require the appropriate permits and utility interconnection approvals. A buyer or lessee must also be allowed to cancel the contract without a penalty by providing written notice no later than the fifth business day after signing. The agreement must identify the final calendar date of the cancellation period and provide an address for submitting the cancellation.
Before signing a solar agreement, Katy-area homeowners should:
TDLR says it is currently accepting retailer and salesperson registration applications. The agency is temporarily suspending enforcement of two administrative rules involving contract disclosures and consumer educational materials until Nov. 1, 2026. TDLR separately states that the retailer and salesperson registration requirement begins Sept. 1, 2026.
Senate Bill 568 includes major changes to the way Texas funds special-education services.
Beginning Sept. 1, the state moves from a placement-based special-education funding model toward a service intensity-based model. In general, the revised approach is intended to connect state funding more closely to the level and intensity of services provided to a student rather than relying primarily on the student’s instructional placement.
The delayed provisions also:
Because these provisions primarily address state funding formulas, classifications and reporting, their earliest effects are likely to be seen in school-district budgeting and administration. Parents should not assume that every student’s services or educational plan automatically changes because the funding model has changed.
Area school districts may provide additional information as the Texas Education Agency implements the new funding structure.
Delayed sections of House Bill 2, the state’s major public-education and school-finance legislation, also took effect Sept. 1.
The law revises the Teacher Incentive Allotment by increasing allotment payments and accounting for new teacher-designation levels. HB 2 also expanded local teacher-designation systems and established grants intended to help districts make more teachers eligible for designations.
The Sept. 1 change does not mean every Texas teacher automatically receives the same raise. The amount available to a district or teacher can depend on designation status, the district’s approved system and the way state allotment funds are implemented locally.
Other delayed HB 2 provisions concern educator-preparation allotments, achievement academies, special-education financing and grants supporting early-grade instruction.
House Bill 8 from the Legislature’s second called session also appears on the Sept. 1 effective-date list, but only one delayed section of the bill begins on that date.
The broader law directs the Texas Education Agency to transition from the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, commonly known as STAAR, to a new instructionally supportive assessment program. However, most of the assessment-system changes apply beginning with the 2027–2028 school year—not Sept. 1, 2026.
The section taking effect Sept. 1, 2026, concerns a future school-finance calculation involving certain reading-support grants and third-grade assessment performance. The funding reduction described in that section does not begin until the 2030–2031 school year.
Therefore, families should not interpret HB 8’s appearance on the Sept. 1 list as meaning STAAR testing was immediately eliminated or replaced at the start of September 2026.
Senate Bill 785 changes how municipalities with zoning regulations may treat new homes built under the federal HUD manufactured-housing code.
Under the law, a municipality generally may not require a specific-use permit for a compliant new HUD-code manufactured home when the municipality does not impose the same type of permit requirement on other residential property within the same zoning classification.
Municipalities with zoning regulations must also allow new HUD-code manufactured homes by right in at least one residential zoning classification, residential zoning district or dedicated manufactured-housing district. Municipalities with comprehensive zoning maps must identify the applicable areas on those maps.
The law does not allow a manufactured home to be placed automatically on any property. Other zoning requirements, development standards, deed restrictions, utility requirements and applicable construction rules may still apply. Anyone considering the purchase or placement of a manufactured home should confirm the requirements for the specific property before making a financial commitment.
Part of House Bill 1056 also took effect Sept. 1.
The law recognizes qualifying gold and silver specie as legal tender in Texas. However, it expressly provides that a person or business cannot be required to offer or accept gold, silver or a gold- or silver-backed currency as payment.
The legislation also authorizes the Texas comptroller to establish electronic payment systems involving currency backed by gold or silver bullion held by the Texas Bullion Depository. Most of those broader implementation provisions are scheduled to take effect May 1, 2027.
For consumers, the practical distinction is that the state’s recognition of gold and silver does not require Katy-area stores, landlords, lenders or service providers to accept precious metals as payment.
House Bill 5424 changes the method used to calculate the maximum compensation, reimbursements or benefits that may be provided to an individual designated as a volunteer or auxiliary firefighter.
A fire department may not provide annual compensation, reimbursement or benefits exceeding 20 percent of the highest total compensation paid to full-time fire-protection personnel by a local government in the same county. When no local government in that county pays full-time fire-protection personnel, the comparison may be based on an adjacent county.
The change may be particularly relevant to volunteer and combination fire departments when structuring stipends, reimbursements and benefits.
The state’s Sept. 1 list also includes narrower or more technical provisions concerning court administration, advisory bodies connected to the Department of Family and Protective Services, governmental operations in the Texas border region, continuing education for certain property-tax arbitrators, veterinary regulation and compensation for distributed renewable-energy owners in certain areas outside ERCOT.
Some of those laws took effect earlier, with only designated sections delayed until Sept. 1, 2026.
The most immediate consumer-facing changes are the solar registration requirement and the beginning of the right-to-repair framework.
Homeowners considering solar should verify registrations before signing, carefully examine financing terms and keep copies of all contracts, cancellation notices and communications.
Consumers seeking electronic repairs should remember that right-to-repair coverage depends on the type of product, when it was first made available for sale in Texas and whether it falls within one of the law’s exemptions.
Parents, teachers and school employees should watch for notices from their school districts and the Texas Education Agency explaining how the new special-education and teacher-incentive funding provisions will be administered locally.
Because many Texas bills contain multiple effective dates, residents should review the enacted text—not merely the bill’s overall title—before deciding whether a particular provision applies to them.
This article provides general public information and is not legal advice.
This photo shows the Panera Bread restaurant at 25546 Kingsland Blvd. in Katy shortly after it closed in August 2025. The restaurant is expected to reopen soon under new ownership as part of a Houston-area expansion by Hamra Enterprises.KATY, Texas (Covering Katy News) — Nearly a year after Covering Katy first reported the closures in August 2025, two Panera Bread restaurants serving the Katy area are preparing to reopen under new ownership.Hamra Enterprises, a Missouri-based franchise operator, announced it will reopen ...
This photo shows the Panera Bread restaurant at 25546 Kingsland Blvd. in Katy shortly after it closed in August 2025. The restaurant is expected to reopen soon under new ownership as part of a Houston-area expansion by Hamra Enterprises.
KATY, Texas (Covering Katy News) — Nearly a year after Covering Katy first reported the closures in August 2025, two Panera Bread restaurants serving the Katy area are preparing to reopen under new ownership.
Hamra Enterprises, a Missouri-based franchise operator, announced it will reopen the restaurants at 25546 Kingsland Blvd., near Katy Mills, and 19506 Katy Freeway, on the westbound frontage road between Greenhouse and Fry roads.
The company said the Kingsland Boulevard restaurant will be among the first of seven Houston-area Panera Bread locations to reopen, with the first restaurants expected to open this month. All seven locations are expected to be open by the end of 2026.
The announcement brings Panera Bread back to Katy after the two restaurants unexpectedly closed, along with 13 other Houston-area locations, in August 2025.
The closures followed a legal dispute between Panera Bread and franchise operator EYM Café of Texas LLC, which lost the right to operate under the Panera Bread name. EYM later filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after reporting millions of dollars in liabilities.
For longtime Katy residents, this is not the first change to Panera Bread's local footprint. Before the Kingsland Boulevard and Katy Freeway restaurants closed in 2025, the chain operated a popular restaurant at LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch. That location closed in 2023 after its lease ended, leaving the Kingsland Boulevard and Katy Freeway restaurants as the only Panera Bread locations serving the Katy area.
Hamra Enterprises purchased seven of the former Panera Bread restaurants during a November 2025 bankruptcy sale, marking the company's first expansion into Texas.
"We have spent 50 years earning the trust of guests across 11 states, and we do not take lightly what it means to serve in a new market," Hamra Enterprises CEO Mike Hamra said in a statement. "Houston is one of the most dynamic, diverse and food-forward cities in the country, and we are committed to being an operator this community is proud to have. We are here to serve, we are here to give back, and we are here to stay."
The company said reopening the seven restaurants will create approximately 280 jobs across the Houston area.
The Kingsland Boulevard restaurant is located near Katy Mills, placing it in one of the city's busiest shopping areas. While the restaurant benefits from heavy traffic generated by the mall and surrounding businesses, it also faces strong competition from dozens of nearby restaurants for the lunchtime crowd.
The Katy Freeway restaurant has long served commuters, nearby office workers and residents traveling the Interstate 10 corridor on Katy's east side.
When the restaurants reopen, customers can expect Panera Bread's familiar menu of freshly baked breads, bagels, sandwiches, soups, salads, pastries and beverages. MyPanera loyalty rewards, Rapid Pick-Up service and drive-thru service also will be available where offered.
Hamra Enterprises also announced a partnership with Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana, allowing customers to support children with critical illnesses through future fundraising efforts.
Founded in 1975 and headquartered in Springfield, Missouri, Hamra Enterprises operates Panera Bread, Wendy's, Noodles & Company and Caribou Coffee restaurants across 12 states and employs more than 6,000 people. The company currently operates 88 Panera Bread restaurants and said the Houston expansion represents its first venture into Texas.
Specific opening dates for the two Katy-area restaurants have not yet been announced.
For many residents who have driven past the vacant buildings for nearly a year, the announcement answers a lingering question: Panera Bread is coming back to Katy.
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