There are 13 days left in the Texas legislative session.
Impending Legislative Deadlines: (Reference)
- Saturday, May 22 – Last day House committees can pass out Senate bills or Senate joint resolutions
- Tuesday, May 25 – Last day the overall House can consider Senate bills or Senate joint resolutions on second reading calendar
Status of Legislative Priorities: (Reference)
- SB 1311 – State Sen. Bob Hall (R–Edgewood) – Prohibiting physicians from conducting gender transition surgeries or administering puberty blockers to minors. It would also preclude physicians from receiving insurance if they conduct those procedures and require the TX Medical Board to revoke a physician’s license. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 18-13 and will now be sent to the House, where all signals appear that the House Public Health Committee will take it up and pass it out. The path is less clear beyond that point.
- HB 574 – State Rep. Greg Bonnen (R–Friendswood)/State Sen. Larry Taylor (R–Friendswood) – Increasing criminal penalties for election fraud as well as expanding on the definition. The House accepted Senate amendments to the bill, which means it is now on its way to the governor’s desk. (RPT Priority – Election Integrity)
- SB 7 – State Sen. Bryan Hughes (R–Mineola)/State Rep. Briscoe Cain (R–Deer Park) – Omnibus election integrity bill. The House did not appoint conferees yesterday, might do so today. (Gov. Abbott Priority) (Lt. Gov. Patrick Priority) (Speaker Phelan Priority) (RPT Priority – Election Integrity)
- SB 1 – State Sen. Jane Nelson (R–Flower Mound)/State Rep. Greg Bonnen (R–Friendswood) – State budget. Reportedly, the Conference Committee Report will be made public Friday, May 21.
Texas House of Representatives:
- Convenes at 10 a.m.
- Has 36 bills on SUPPLEMENTAL CALENDAR
- SB 22 – State Sen. Drew Springer (R–Muenster)/State Rep. Jared Patterson (R–Frisco) – First Responders Pandemic Care Act (Lt. Gov. Patrick Priority)
- SB 572 – State Sen. Drew Springer (R–Muenster)/State Rep. James White (R–Hillister) – Prohibits healthcare facilities from prohibiting a resident/patient from receiving in-person visitation with a religious counselor during a public health emergency
- SB 1137 – State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R–Brenham)/State Rep. Tom Oliverson (R–Cypress) – Hospital price disclosures (Speaker Phelan Priority – Healthcare)
- SCR 41 – State Sen. Drew Springer (R–Muenster)/State Rep. Mayes Middleton (R–Galveston) – “Keep-Nine” Amendment – Would encourage Congress to propose a constitutional amendment stating that SCOTUS shall be composed of nine justices
- HCR 52 – State Rep. Cody Harris (R–Palestine) – Legislature claiming sovereignty under 10th Amendment to U.S. Constitution; notice and demand that the federal government halt and reverse the practice of assuming powers, imposing mandates and laws upon the states for purposes not enumerated in the U.S. Constitution among other things
Texas Senate: (edited)
- Convenes at 8 a.m.
- Several bills still on INTENT CALENDAR
- HB 19 – State Rep. Jeff Leach (R–Allen)/State Sen. Larry Taylor (R–Friendswood) – TX Trucking Act (Lt. Gov. Patrick Priority) (Speaker Phelan Priority)
- HB 20 – State Rep. Andrew Murr (R–Junction)/State Sen. Joan Huffman (R–Houston) – Bail reform (Gov. Abbott Priority) (Speaker Phelan Priority)
- HB 1397 – State Rep. James White (R–Hillister)/State Sen. Bryan Hughes (R–Mineola) – Disclosure of entities with an ownership interest in a vendor of a voting system
- HB 1525 – State Rep. Dan Huberty (R–Humble)/State Sen. Larry Taylor (R–Friendswood) – School finance reform cleanup bill
- HB 1925 – State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione (R–Southlake)/State Sen. Dawn Buckingham (R–Lakeway) – Statewide public camping ban
- HB 3924 – State Rep. Tom Oliverson (R–Cypress)/State Sen. Drew Springer (R–Muenster) – Health benefits offered by certain nonprofit agricultural organizations (Speaker Phelan Priority – Healthcare)
- Senate Higher Education Committee meeting to discuss HB 1259 – State Rep. Drew Darby (R–San Angelo)/State Sen. Kel Seliger (R–Amarillo) – Creation of the Rural Veterinarian Incentive Program
- Senate Health & Human Services Committee meeting to discuss HB 15 – State Rep. Senfronia Thompson (D–Houston)/State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R–Brenham) – Creation of the Brain Institute of TX (Speaker Phelan Priority – Healthcare) and HB 133 – State Rep. Toni Rose (D–Dallas)/State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R–Brenham) – Medicaid eligibility for postpartum women; maternal mortality (Speaker Phelan Priority – Healthcare)