There are 34 days left in the Texas legislative session.
Texas House of Representatives:
- Convenes at 10 a.m.
- Will consider 78 total bills; 42 for the first time on second reading (CALENDAR)
- HB 15/HJR 5 – State Rep. Senfronia Thompson (D–Houston) – Creates the Brain Institute of Texas (Speaker Phelan priority)
- HB 9 – State Rep. Stephanie Klick (R–Ft. Worth) – Enhance criminal penalties for obstructing a highway or passageway (Speaker Phelan priority)
- HB 20 – State Rep. Andrew Murr (R–Junction) – Bail reform (Gov. Abbott priority, Speaker Phelan priority)
- HB 1818 – State Rep. Jared Patterson (R–Frisco) – “Anti-puppy mill bill” would limit the sources from which pet stores can legally obtain dogs or cats and requires store owners to disclose the source of the pet up for sale
Texas Senate:
- Convenes at 11 a.m.
- Several bills still on INTENT CALENDAR
- SB 513 – State Sen. Bob Hall (R–Edgewood) – Amends current law regarding the enforcement of certain federal laws related to firearms and ammunition and prevents state and local government entities from adopting rules or policies that require law enforcement of exclusively federal firearms laws and would remove any state grant funds from local governments who violate
- Yesterday, the Senate chose to not accept House amendments to SB1 or the draft state budget and instead appointed a conference committee comprised of State Sens. Jane Nelson (R–Flower Mound), Joan Huffman (R–Houston), Lois Kolkhorst (R–Brenham), Robert Nichols (R–Jacksonville), and Larry Taylor (R–Friendswood)
Legislative Priority Update:
- Constitutional Carry Bill, HB 1927 – State Rep. Matt Schaefer (R–Tyler) – Scheduled for a hearing in newly formed Senate Special Committee on Constitutional Issues for Thursday, April 29 (POSTING)