Principal
Austin
mvane@hbstrategies.us

Regarded as a dynamic, non-partisan advocate respected for his ability to tackle high-stakes issues on behalf of his clients, Mark creates opportunities, changes processes and works toward a more favorable business climate in Texas. Listed in the Top 13 “Hired Guns” (a listing of the top lobbyists in Texas) by Capitol Inside, Mark is also recognized for his government relations work by Texas Super Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America.

Mark is board certified in Legislative and Campaign Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He is among only 13 attorneys in the state who have received this certification.

He has extensive experience representing clients before Texas legislators and agencies in matters involving health care, taxation, the environment, transportation, insurance, financial services and consumer protection. Drafting legislation aimed at improving the business climate for industry and helping clients comply with state and local laws, rules and regulations are examples of how Mark moves the needle for his clients when representing them in front of such agencies.

Mark often represents trade and industry associations and helps clients with high-profile interests before governmental bodies, particularly the Texas legislature and state regulatory agencies. His recent successes include:

• Developing and assisting in the passage of legislation to grant open access in the Texas Medicaid program for drugs that are Medically Assisted Treatments for opioid abuse.
• Negotiating a rewrite and the approval of legislation to maintain a long-time sales tax exemption that allows non-profits to present large theatrical productions in Texas.
• Assisting several auto-finance companies in the creation and passage of legislation to allow for the sale of an excess loss damage waiver to protect consumers from additional fees when returning a vehicle at the end of a lease.
• Working to pass legislation to reconstitute a state committee to develop updated policies for the care of public-school students with diagnosed food allergies, including reviews of new technologies and treatments.

Previously, Mark served as legislative director for a member of the Texas House of Representatives, where he managed numerous bills as they moved through the Texas Legislature, focusing on appropriations, insurance and environmental issues. Mark also regularly works on rulemaking, policy development, licensing and enforcement actions. His Texas state agency experience includes matters before the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Office of the Texas Attorney General, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, and Texas Department of Transportation, among others.

Mark is a 1998 graduate of the University of Texas School of Law, a 1995 graduate of the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin, and a 1990 graduate of the George Washington University.