There are 21 days left in the Texas legislative session.
Texas House of Representatives:
- Convenes at 10 a.m.
- Will consider 194 total bills, 156 for the first time (CALENDAR)
- (Third Reading) HB 3 – State Rep. Dustin Burrows (R–Lubbock) – TX Pandemic Response Act; controversial perpetuation of disputed governor authorities. Several amendments were accepted. Split vote on a failed amendment to ban mask mandates.
- Sunset Bills: HB 1550 – State Rep. John Cyrier (R–Lockhart) – Sunset bill on the continuation of the TX Commission on Law Enforcement; SB 700 – State Sen. Dawn Buckingham (R–Lakeway)/State Rep. John Cyrier (R–Lockhart) – Sunset bill on the continuation of the TX Parks and Wildlife Department
- HJR 4 – State Rep. Kyle Kacal (R–College Station) – Constitutional amendment related to bail reform (Gov. Abbott priority)
- (Postponed) HJR 72 – State Rep. Jeff Leach (R–Allen) – Constitutional amendment to prohibit state or local governments from prohibiting or limiting religious services of religious organizations (RPT priority – Religious Freedom)
- HB 547 – State Rep. James Frank (R–Wichita Falls) – “Tim-Tebow bill”; allows homeschool students who are eligible to participate in UIL activities the option to participate in those activities in their local public school district if the district allows
- HB 525 – State Rep. Matt Shaheen (R–Plano) – Protection of religious organizations (RPT priority – Religious Freedom)
- HB 1886 – State Rep. Candy Noble (R–Lucas) – Streamlining public safety net programs to reduce costs and improve outcomes for recipients on the programs
- HB 2802 – State Rep. Jay Dean (R–Longview) – Requires the commissioner of education to apply to the U.S. Department of Education for a waiver from federal testing requirements during any school year in which a disaster has been declared by the president or by the governor
- HB 2558 – State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione (R–Southlake) – Prohibited state contracts with companies that discriminate against the firearm or ammunition industries
- HB 1530 – State Rep. Jim Murphy (R–Houston) – Revenue bonds to fund capital projects at public institutions of higher education; -$685M fiscal note.
- HB 4509 – State Rep. Greg Bonnen (R–Friendswood) – Informed American patriotism in public schools
- HB 3906 – State Rep. Craig Goldman (R–Ft. Worth) – Regulation political funds, campaigns, and lobbying, and function of the TX Ethics Commission
- HB 3013 – State Rep. Kyle Biedermann (R–Fredericksburg) – Displays and exhibits located on the grounds of the Alamo complex (RPT priority – Monument Protection)
- HB 1516 – State Rep. Tan Parker (R–Flower Mound) – Efficiency audits of TANF and other support programs
- HB 3691 – State Rep. James Frank (R–Wichita Falls) – Statewide implementation of community-based foster care by TX DFPS
- HB 2339 – State Rep. Stephanie Klick (R–Ft. Worth) – Use of jury lists for voter registration citizen verification (RPT priority – Election Integrity)
- SB 155 – State Sen. Charles Perry (R–Lubbock) – Might be brought up instead; passed Senate 4/6
- HB 347 – State Rep. Charlie Geren (R–Ft. Worth) – Criminal offense creation for false statements made to illegally obtain a firearm
- SB 162 – State Sen. Cesar Blanco (D–El Paso) – Might be brought up instead; passed Senate 4/28
- HB 929 – State Rep. Carl Sherman (D–DeSoto) – Botham Jean Act; requires officers equipped with body-worn cameras to keep the camera on while on an active investigation, with certain exceptions
- House Transportation Committee is hearing SB 15 – State Sen. Robert Nichols (R–Jacksonville) – TX Consumer Privacy Act (Lt. Gov. Patrick priority)
Texas Senate:
- Convenes at 11 a.m.
- Several bills still on INTENT CALENDAR
- SB 1606 – State Sen. Bob Hall (R–Edgewood) – Creates the TX Grid Security Commission under the TX Department of Emergency Management to oversee the process by which the critical infrastructure of the power grid is identified and hardened
- HB 574 – State Rep. Greg Bonnen (R–Friendswood)/State Sen. Larry Taylor (R–Friendswood) – Increased criminal penalties for ballot fraud as well as an expanded definition of what ballot fraud is (RPT priority – Election Integrity)
Legislative Priorities Update: (Reference)
- HB 1399 – State Rep. Matt Krause (R–Haslet) – Prohibition on a physician from conducting gender transition surgery or prescribing puberty blockers to a minor. Was posted on House Calendar for Wednesday, May 13. The deadline is Thursday, May 13, for House bill consideration on second reading. Bills have already begun to be delayed on previous legislative calendars. It is unclear as to whether the House will reach this bill before the deadline. (RPT priority – Children & Gender Modification)
- HB 2526 – State Rep. Jacey Jetton (R–Sugar Land) – Enforcement by the TX Secretary of State of voter roll maintenance (RPT priority – Election Integrity)
- HCR 1 – State Rep. Phil Stephenson (R–Wharton) – Support for prayers, the use of the word “God” at public gatherings, and the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools (RPT priority – Religious Freedom)
Start your week off right and in the know as Jeramy Kitchen delivers a preview of the action in the Texas Legislature.
