Last week in the Texas Legislature.

SENATE:

The Senate was in session last Monday through Thursday. Last Thursday, they had their first Local & Uncontested calendar.

Last Monday, the Senate gave preliminary approval to two bills and passed 9 bills including:

• SB 27 by Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola) allowing recovery of attorneys fees in frivolous regulatory proceedings.
• SB 244 by Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) allowing school districts and charters to appoint school marshals.
• SB 254 by Jose Rodriguez (D-El Paso) allowing courts to appoint a receiver for a property in violation of a municipal ordinance. (additional information is in the Property section)
• SB 289 by Eddie Lucio, Jr. (D-Brownsville) requiring state and federal agencies to cooperate to secure reimbursement for housing needs in a disaster area. (additional information is in the Statewide section)
• SB 452 by Pat Fallon (R-Prosper) allowing municipalities to order an election to impose or repeal municipal term limits.
• SB 625 by Brian Birdwell (R-Granbury) is the sunset bill for the Nueces River Authority.
• SB 626 by Brian Birdwell (R-Granbury) is the sunset bill for the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority.
• SB 710 by Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) allowing counties to establish county ethics commissions to enforce ethics standards.
• SB 1037 by Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood) addressing the problem of surprise balance billing for out-of-network emergency services.

Last Tuesday, the Senate passed 15 bills including:

• HB 1 by John Zerwas (R-Fulshear) and Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) is the general appropriations bill. (additional information is in the Budget section)
• SB 21 by Joan Huffman (R-Houston) increasing the smoking age from 18 to 21. (additional information is in the Health section)
• SB 23 by Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) establishing the rights of a living child born after an abortion.
• SB 31 by Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) codifying the Guardianship Fraud, Abuse, and Exploitation Deterrence Program.
• SB 325 by Joan Huffman (R-Houston) establishing a protective order registry.
• SB 627 by Brian Bridwell (R-Granbury) is the sunset bill for the Red River Authority.
• SB 700 by Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville) establishing procedures for acquisition of nonfunctioning retail water or sewer utility service providers. (additional information is in the Environment section)
• SB 733 by Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) authorizing a fee for participation in the Managed Lands Deer Program.
• SB 957 by Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) requiring voter approval of bonds for municipal pension funds.
• SB 1378 by Dawn Buckingham (R-Lakeway) requiring an adequate number of medical residency positions. (additional information is in the Health section)
• SB 1572 by Carol Alvarado (D-Houston) allowing cities and counties with a population of two million or more to require registration of vacant buildings.
• SB 1636 by Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) requiring the Health Professions Council to develop strategies for expanding the healthcare workforce.
• SB 1640 by Kirk Watson (D-Austin) prohibiting members of a governmental body from avoiding public meetings requirements by conducting a series of small, private conversations.
• SB 1751 by Jose Rodriguez (D-El Paso) authorizing the El Paso County Hospital District to establish a health care provider participation program.
• SB 1891 by Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills) establishing a consolidated general revenue appropriations spending limit based on population growth and inflation.

Last Wednesday, the Senate passed 20 bills including:

• SB 225 by Pete Flores (R-Pleasanton) instituting specialty license plates for Army of Occupation Medal World War II veterans.
• SB 295 by Eddie Lucio, Jr. (D-Brownsville) revising the “tethering law” to ensure dog tethering is done in a humane manner.
• SB 384 by Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) establishing health care-associated infections reporting requirements for health care facilities.
• SB 436 by Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) expanding the Texas Alliance for Innovation in Maternal Health program to curb maternal opioid abuse disorder. (additional information is in the Health section)
• SB 531 by Brian Birdwell (R-Granbury) extending the Texas Emissions Reduction Program. (additional information is in the Environment section)
• SB 633 by Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) requiring local mental health authorities to be grouped in regions and a capacity plan developed for each region.
• SB 709 by Royce West (D-Dallas) changing allocations to institutions of higher education under the Excellence in Higher Education Act. (additional information is in the Higher Education section)
• SB 810 by Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) updating requirements for identification of breeder deer.
• SB 943 by Kirk Watson (D-Austin) clarifying contracting information that is exempt from public information requirements. (additional information is in the Procurement section)
• SB 944 by Kirk Watson (D-Austin) clarifying that public information maintained on a privately owned device is public information. (additional information is in the Privacy section)
• SB 1017 by Beverly Powell (D-Burleson) establishing the Advisory Council on Postsecondary Education for Persons With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. (additional information is in the Higher Education section)
• SB 1214 by Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) expanding the sales tax exemption for agricultural-use aircraft to any necessary agriculture service. (additional information is in the Tax section)
• SB 1675 by Royce West (D-Dallas) creating an expedited administrative procedure to manage child support cases.
• SB 1676 by Royce West (D-Dallas) requiring court order spousal maintenance to be paid through the State Disbursement Unit when child support obligations are also paid to the same person.
• SB 2132 by Beverly Powell (D-Burleson) providing extended care in the Healthy Texas women program after a pregnancy.
• SB 26 and SJR 24 by Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) dedicating the sales tax on sporting goods to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission. (additional information is in the Tax section)

Last Thursday, the Senate gave preliminary approval to one bill and passed 26 bills including:

• SB 30 by Brian Birdwell (R-Granbury) requiring detailed ballot language for propositions that issue bonds or impose a tax.
• SB 38 by Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) clarifying the prohibition on hazing.
• SB 362 by Joan Huffman (R-Houston) facilitating diversion of individuals with mental health conditions from the criminal justice system.
• SB 422 by Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) prohibiting municipalities from imposing fines and fees in the extraterritorial jurisdiction of an area that has been disannexed.
• SB 604 by Dawn Buckingham (R-Lakeway) is the sunset bill for Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. (additional information is in the Transportation section)
• SB 755 by Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D-McAllen) updating statutes related to management of navigation districts.
• SB 801 by Jose Rodriguez (D-El Paso) updating statutes related to civil protective orders.
• SB 926 by Bob Hall (R-Edgewood) allowing students attending a school district other than where they reside to use the districts bus system.
• SB 942 by Nathan Johnson (D-Dallas) providing loans for nonpoint source pollution control projects. (additional information is in the Environment section)
• SB 952 by Kirk Watson (D-Austin) requiring child care facilities to meet minimum nutrition standards.
• SB 962 by Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville) establishing the sufficient balance in the economic stabilization fund for allocation of funds to the highway fund.
• SB 1048 by Pat Fallon (R-Prosper) requiring school bond elections to be on the November uniform election date. (additional information is in the Public Education section)
• SB 1189 by Dawn Buckingham (R-Lakeway) requiring drug adds by attorneys to warn people not to stop taking their medications. (additional information is in the Tort section)
• SB 1230 by Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) requiring private schools to report information on educators that have a criminal record. (additional information is in the Public Education section)
• SB 1276 by Beverly Powell (D-Burleson) instituting requirements for dual credit agreements between school districts and institutions of higher education. (additional information is in the Public Education section)
• SB 1397 by Pete Flores (R-Pleasanton) exempting retired game wardens from continuing education requirements.
• SB 1451 by Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood) prohibiting teachers from being assigned a deficiency solely on the basis of disciplinary referrals made by the teacher. (additional information is in the Public Education section)
• SB 1494 by Angela Paxton (R-McKinney) maintaining the addresses of child protective services caseworkers and investigators confidential.
• SB 1511 by Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville) authorizing the transfer of the Battleship “Texas” to a qualified nonprofit foundation.
• SB 1827 by Jose Menendez (D-San Antonio) allowing peace officers to administer an epinephrine auto-injector to an individual in an emergency situation.
• SB 2119 by Carol Alvarado (D-Houston) transferring the regulation of motor fuel metering from the Texas Department of Agriculture to the Department of Licensing and Regulation.
• SB 2305 by Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood) transferring issuance of certificates of completion for property in the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association to Texas Department of Insurance.
• SB 2432 by Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood) adding harassment by a student against a school employee to the mandatory list for removal to an alternative education program.
• SB 2485 by Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) prohibiting local regulation of employment benefits provided by private employers.
• SB 2487 by Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) prohibiting local regulation of employment leave provided by private employers.

Total number of bills reported out of Senate Committees this week:    203

Total number of bills passed by the Senate this week:                                 173

Total number of bills passed on the Local & Uncontested Calendar      103

Total number of bills passed by the Senate this session:                            290

HOUSE:
The House was in session last Monday through Friday. They debated bills every day. On Friday, they had this session’s first Local & Consent calendar.

Last Monday, the House gave preliminary approval to 34 bills.

Last Tuesday, the House passed 34 bills to third reading and gave final approval to 34 bills including:

• HB 71 by Armando Martinez (D-Weslaco) allowing the establishment of a regional transit authority in the Rio Grande Valley. (additional information is in the Transportation section)
• HB 102 by Diego Bernal (D-San Antonio) establishing and funding teacher mentoring programs. (additional information is in the Public Education section)
• HB 114 by James White (R-Hillister) requiring students to receive information on how military service can lead to college credit. (additional information is in the Public Education section)
• HB 226 by Matt Krause (R-Fort Worth) creating a commission to review penal laws and revising offenses. (additional information is in the Energy section)
• HB 304 by Dennis Paul (R-Webster) changing the governance of municipal management districts. (additional information is in the Property section)
• HB 347 by Phil King (R-Weatherford) removing municipal distinctions for consent annexation procedures. (additional information is in the Property section)
• HB 360 by Jim Murphy (R-Houston) extending the sunset date on the Property Redevelopment and Tax Abatement Act. (additional information is in the Tax section)
• HB 444 by Morgan Meyer (R-Dallas) increasing the penalties for misuse of official information.
• HB 446 by Joe Moody (D-El Paso) removing knuckles from the Penal Code’s prohibited weapons list.
• HB 463 by Drew Springer (R-Muenster) requiring air ambulance companies to enter into reciprocity agreements with each other.
• HB 476 by Donna Howard (D-Austin) requiring institutions of higher education to establish a policy on the use of epinephrine auto-injectors.
• HB 559 by Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) sealing written divorce and annulment agreements from the public record.
• HB 596 by Ana Hernandez (D-Houston) adding a retiree to the board of trustees of the Employees Retirement System.
• HB 692 by James White (R-Hillister) prohibiting out-of-school suspension for homeless students. (additional information is in the Public Education section)
• HB 770 by Sarah Davis (R-Houston) establishing a database for settlement agreements. (additional information is in the Tort section)
• HB 809 by Shawn Thierry (D-Houston) creating a liaison officer for post-secondary students who are homeless. (additional information is in the Public Education section)
• HB 811 by James White (R-Hillister) requiring consideration of a student’s status as a foster or homeless youth in disciplinary actions.
• HB 869 by Cole Hefner (R-Mt. Pleasant) making it an offense to use electronic communication as an organized criminal activity. (additional information is in the Privacy section)
• HB 1048 by Ryan Guillen (D-Rio Grande City) requiring counties to use early voting polling places.
• HB 1136 by Four Price (R-Amarillo) removing the population limit from tourism public improvement districts. (additional information is in the Property section)
• HB 1300 by Todd Hunter (R-Corpus Christi) establishing a cultivated oyster mariculture program.
• HB 1409 by Trent Ashby (R-Lufkin) clarifying land that is eligible for timber productivity valuation for ad valorem tax purposes. (additional information is in the Tax section)
• HB 1483 by James Frank (R-Wichita Falls) creating a pilot program to gradually reduce SNAP and financial benefits to encourage self-sufficiency. (additional information is in the Workforce section)
• HB 1506 by Mary Ann Perez (D-Houston) reducing water rates for low-income customers through donations. (additional information is in the Environment section)
• HB 1556 by Gary VanDeaver (R-New Boston) revising school district purchasing and contracting requirements. (additional information is in the Procurement section)
• HB 1579 by Briscoe Cain (R-Deer Park) adding military forces to the definition of first responder.
• HB 1597 by Stan Lambert (R-Abilene) establishing residency for school admission of military dependents. (additional information is in the Public Education section)
• HB 1651 by Mary Gonzalez (D-Clint) prohibiting the use of restraints on pregnant inmates in county jails.
• HB 1689 by Joe Deshotel (D-Beaumont) requiring disclosure of gestational agreements in divorce petitions.
• HB 2129 by Jim Murphy (R-Houston) extending the expiration date of the Texas Economic Development Act. (additional information is in the Tax section)
• HB 2261 by Armando Lucio Walle (D-Houston) expanding the physician student loan repayment program. (additional information is in the Higher Education section)
• HB 2338 by Candy Noble (R-Lucas) clarifying the tax exemption for motor vehicles used for religious purposes.
• HB 2846 by Lyle Larson (R-San Antonio) transferring ownership of the Allens Creek Reservoir project.
• HB 3226 by Charlie Geren (R-Fort Worth) expanding the Mineral Interest Pooling Act unit terms to two years.

Last Wednesday, the House gave preliminary approval to 40 bills and passed 35 bills including:

• HB 65 by Eric Johnson (D-Dallas) requiring school districts to report information on out-of-school suspensions.
• HB 93 by Terry Canales (D-Edinburg) requiring a magistrate’s name to be written legibly on signed orders.
• HB 121 by Valoree Swanson (R-Spring) allowing handgun license holders who are trespassing the opportunity to leave the premises upon receiving notice by oral communication. (additional information is in the Tort section)
• HB 260 by Cesar Blanco (D-El Paso) establishing a cross-border motor vehicle traffic congestion web portal. (additional information is in the Transportation section)
• HB 359 by Joe Moody (D-El Paso) prohibiting termination of employment of injured peace officers prior to maximum medical improvement. (additional information is in the Workers’ Compensation section)
• HB 410 by James White (R-Hillister) expanding the definition of a low-volume livestock processing establishment.
• HB 477 by Jim Murphy (R-Houston) prescribing information that must be provided before a political subdivision can issue debt. (additional information is in the Budget section)
• HB 598 by Four Price (R-Amarillo) extending judicial education training for judges and magistrates.
• HB 601 by Four Price (R-Amarillo) requiring reporting on mental health interviews with defendants.
• HB 613 by Drew Springer (R-Muenster) removing the requirement for school trustee joint elections.
• HB 650 by James White (R-Hillister) establishing treatment standards for female inmates, including pregnant inmates.
• HB 651 by Drew Springer (R-Muenster) allowing counties to create local provider participation funds.
• HB 721 by Lyle Larson (R-San Antonio) requiring a statewide survey of aquifers for storage and recovery. (additional information is in the Environment section)
• HB 723 by Lyle Larson (R-San Antonio) updating water availability models for river basins. (additional information is in the Environment section)
• HB 759 by Gene Wu (D-Houston) protecting confidentiality of personal information of Department of Family and Protective Services employees.
• HB 812 by James White (R-Hillister) reducing the health care services fee paid by inmates.
• HB 1030 by Joe Moody (D-El Paso) revising jury instructions in sentencing proceedings in death penalty cases.
• HB 1180 by Ryan Guillen (D-Rio Grande City) revising qualifications for the Texas Armed Services Scholarship. (additional information is in the Higher Education section)
• HB 1188 by Cole Hefner (R-Mt. Pleasant) allowing agricultural valuation to continue after transfer of land to a relative. (additional information is in the Property section)
• HB 1386 by Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) requiring training for persons who intereact with individuals with autism.
• HB 1388 by Gary VanDeaver (R-New Boston) adding completion of a coherent sequence of CTE credits as a student achievement indicator for public school accountability. (additional information is in the Public Education section)
• HB 1501 by Poncho Nevarez (D-Eagle Pass) establishing the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council. (additional information is in the Health section)
• HB 1523 by Poncho Nevarez (D-Eagle Pass) continuing regulation of land surveyors.
• HB 1592 by John Smithee (R-Amarillo) expanding professional liability coverage for university systems. (additional information is in the Health section)
• HB 1612 by Jim Murphy (R-Houston) continuing the authority of the Teacher Retirement System to invest in hedge funds.
• HB 1709 by Mary Gonzalez (D-El Paso) clarifying procedures regarding surrogate parents of foster children.
• HB 1962 by Stan Lambert (R-Abilene) is the sunset bill for the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
• HB 2196 by Cody Harris (R-Palestine) allowing the sale of alcohol at Texas State Railroad Authority stations.
• HB 2255 by Drew Darby (R-San Angelo) clarifying reporting requirements of newborn and infant hearing screening.
• HB 2263 by Chris Paddie (R-Marshall) restricting authorization for the General Land Office to sell power to public customers. (additional information is in the Energy section)
• HB 2326 by Morgan Meyer (R-Dallas) continuing the Dallas County Hospital District health care provider program.
• HB 2714 by Ernest Bailes (R-Shepherd) removing licensing requirements for liquefied petroleum gas container manufacturers.
• HB 2820 by Dan Flynn (R-Van) deregulating Teacher Retirement System oversight of 403(b) products.
• HB 3086 by Sheryl Cole (D-Austin) providing a sales tax exemption for property used in the production of master recordings.
• HJR 4 by Dade Phelan (R-Nederland) establishing the Flood Infrastructure Fund. (additional information is in the Statewide section)

Last Thursday, the House gave preliminary approval to 15 bills and passed 39 bills including:

• HB 5 by Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) requiring planning for debris removal following a disaster. (additional information is in the Statewide section)
• HB 6 by Geanie Morrison (R-Victoria) establishing a task force to assist with long-term disaster recovery efforts. (additional information is in the Statewide section)
• HB 13 by Dade Phelan (R-Victoria) establishing the Flood Infrastructure Fund. (additional information is in the Statewide section)
• HB 26 by Will Metcalf (R-Conroe) requiring notification of affected persons of releases of water from dams. (additional information is in the Statewide section)
• HB 48 by Mary Gonzalez (D-El Paso) establishing a database of wage theft law violators. (additional information is in the Human Resources/Employment section)
• HB 302 by Dennis Paul (R-Webster) providing a defense to prosecution for trespass by a handgun license holders.
• HB 507 by James White (R-Hillister) establishing the Task Force on Parent Engagement and Education Programs.
• HB 793 by Phil King (R-Weatherford) clarifying the law prohibiting government contracts with companies that boycott Israel. (additional information is in the Procurement section)
• HB 799 by Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) establishing penalties for damaging highway bridges. (additional information is in the Transportation section)
• HB 996 by Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) making consumer debts barred by the statute of limitations non-revivable. (additional information is in the General Business section)
• HB 1028 by Ryan Guillen (D-Rio Grande City) increasing the penalties for arson and theft committed in a disaster area.
• HB 1159 by Four Price (R-Amarillo) prescribing wording of a written instrument of a limited liability company. (additional information is in the General Business section)
• HB 1256 by Dade Phelan (R-Nederland) allowing first responders access to immunization history in disasters.
• HB 1525 by Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) requiring marketplace providers to collect and remit sales taxes on sales made through the marketplace. (additional information is in the Tax section)
• HB 1755 by Ed Thompson (R-Pearland) establishing titling and registration regulations for assembled vehicles.
• HB 1964 by Trent Ashby (R-Lufkin) referring water right amendment applications to the State Office of Administrative Hearings.
• HB 1965 by Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) exempting theatrical productions contracted by nonprofits from the sales tax. (additional information is in the Tax section)
• HB 2016 by Ryan Guillen (D-Rio Grande City) adding dessert-flavored wine and rice wind to the types of alcohol that can be sold by wine and beer retailers.
• HB 2153 by Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) allowing remote sellers to use a single local sales tax rate on purchases made by Texas residents. (additional information is in the Tax section)
• HB 2305 by Geanie Morrison (R-Victoria) creating a work group to enhance the training of emergency personnel.
• HB 2310 by Hubert Vo (D-Houston) establishing procedures for identifying flood-damaged vehicles.
• HB 2315 by Ed Thompson (R-Pearland) requiring the automatic issuance of natural disaster housing titles.
• HB 2320 by Dennis Paul (D-Webster) improving emergency management services during and after a disaster. (additional information is in the Statewide section)
• HB 2325 by Will Metcalf (R-Conroe) standardizing emergency communications during and after a disaster. (additional information is in the Statewide section)
• HB 2330 by Armando Walle (D-Houston) requiring a study on the feasibility of       a state disaster recovery case management system.
• HB 2335 by Armando Walle (D-Houston) establishing a list of potential disaster SNAP application centers.
• HB 2345 by Armando Walle (D-Houston) establishing an institute and study committee to plan for disaster events.
• HB 2594 by Justin Holland (R-Rockwall) allowing hospice providers to dispose of prescription drugs.
• HB 2952 by Ryan Guillen (D-Rio Grande City) establishing an emergency radio infrastructure revolving loan program.
• HB 3022 by Rick Miller (R-Sugar Land) clarifying the uses of contact information in emergency warning systems.
• HB 3162 by Dan Flynn (R-Van) authorizing recovery of investigation costs against prepaid funeral plans.
• HB 3348 by Ryan Guillen (D-Rio Grande City) maintaining agriculture tax rates on land under tick quarantine.
• HJR 11 by Mary Gonzalez (D-El Paso) authorizing bonds for water projects in economically distressed areas.
• SB 450 by Beverly Powell (D-Burleson) and Will Metcalf (R-Conroe) delaying the due date on annual report of 4-A and 4-B economic development corporations. (additional information is in the Economic Development section)
• SB 726 by Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) and Stan Lambert (R-Abilene) establishing the investment limit for bank investments promoting community development. (additional information is in the Economic Development section)
• SB 999 by Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) and John Zerwas (R-Fulshear) requiring a state plan on care and awareness of Alzheimer’s disease.

Last Friday, the House gave final approval to 14 bills including:

• HB 51 by Terry Canales (D-Edinburg) requiring the Office of Court Administration to create forms for use by courts in criminal actions.
• HB 53 by Ina Minjarez (D-San Antonio) requiring financial literacy training for foster youth. (additional information is in the Health section)
• HB 162 by James White (R-Hillister) clarifying when the Department of Public Safety can suspend a drivers’ license.
• HB 273 by Valoree Swanson (R-Spring) changing the deadline for mail-in ballots.
• HB 435 by Matt Shaheen (R-Plano) allowing courts to designate fees older than 15 years as uncollectible.
• HB 558 by Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) designating special needs trusts for adult children with disabilities.
• HB 929 by Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas) requiring arrestees to be informed of the consequences of guilty and no contest pleas on enlistment opportunities.
• HB 1065 by Trent Ashby (R-Lufkin) establishing the Rural Resident Physicians Grant Program.
• HB 1279 by Alma Allen (D-Houston) prescribing jury instructions on good conduct time and parole eligibility.
• HB 1465 by Joe Moody (D-El Paso) requiring a study on recovery housing needs.
• HB 1480 by Gary VanDeaver (R-New Boston) reducing STAAR testing. (additional information is in the Public Education section)
• HB 1554 by John Smithee (R-Amarillo) clarifying that the English version of an insurance policy’s provisions control in a dispute. (additional information is in the Insurance section)
• HB 1555 by John Smithee (R-Amarillo) clarifying that summaries of insurance policies do not modify the terms of a policy. (additional information is in the Insurance section)
• HB 1828 by Armando “Mando” Martinez (D-Weslaco) prohibiting the purchase of banned aquatic products.

Total number of bills reported out of House Committees this week:  323    

Total number of bills passed by the House this week:                               190

Total number of bills passed on the Local & Consent Calendar             68

Total number of bills passed by the House this session:                          266