WEEKLY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE – MAY 26, 2015
DRC ACTIVITIES
We are in the final week of the 84th legislative session, and legislators are spending long hours at the Capitol.
Jay Barksdale, our Senior Vice President of Public Policy, was in Austin last week working on the final details of bills that affect our region’s water, transportation, higher education, and
economic development initiatives. Much of the focus for the week was on removing an amendment from the budget that would have been detrimental to the Texas high-speed rail project.
On Memorial Day, the DRC Public Policy team encouraged the Dallas-area delegation to remove an amendment from a groundwater bill. The amendment would have made it much more difficult to plan and construct future reservoirs in Texas. The North Texas delegation stood firm and the amendment was removed.
Jay also registered support for HB 26 and HB 1155. These bills both keep Texas competitive by maintaining economic development incentives that attract business to Texas.
STATEWIDE
The legislature is heading into its final week of the legislative session, which ends on June 1, 2015.
Here are the major issues and their status:
Budget – HB 1, the general appropriations bill, is in conference committee, but they have concluded their decision docket; HB 2, the supplemental appropriations bill, has passed the House and been reported favorably as substituted from the Senate Finance Committee; HB 8/HJR 8 directing budget surplus to retiring state debt, have passed the House and been reported favorably from the Senate Finance Committee; and HB 5 requiring strategic fiscal reviews of state agencies is in a conference committee.
Border Security – HB 11 has passed the House, been reported favorably from the Senate Subcommittee on Border Security and is on the Senate Intent calendar for May 24, 2015; SB 3 has passed the Senate and been referred to the House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee.
Economic Development – HB 26, the House’s omnibus economic development incentive reform bill, has passed the House and been reported favorably from the Senate Natural Resources and Economic Development Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar.
Energy – SB 931, terminating the state’s goals for renewable energy, has passed the Senate and been referred to the House State Affairs Committee; HB 40, state preemption on regulation of oil and gas operations, has passed the House and Senate and been signed by the governor. Environment – Texas Emissions Reduction Plan – SB 603 has passed the Senate and been referred to the House Environmental Regulation Committee, and HB 14 has passed the House, been reported favorably from the Senate Natural Resources and Economic Development Committee, and is on the Senate Intent Calendar for May 24, 2015; HB 1865, contested case hearing reform, has passed the House and Senate and been signed by the governor; and sunset review of river authorities – SB 523 has passed the Senate and House.
Handguns – Open carry - SB 17 has passed the Senate and been referred to the House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee and HB 910 has passed the House and the Senate; Campus carry - SB 11 has passed the Senate and been reported favorably from the House Homeland Security and Public Safety and HB 937 was reported from the House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee but not set on the House calendar and is therefore DEAD.
Health – HB 2813, requiring insurance coverage for ovarian cancer screening, has passed the House and Senate and been sent to the governor; “Right to Try” drugs in clinical trials for terminally ill patients - HB 21 has passed the House and Senate; SB 97 regulating the sale, use and advertising of vapor products, has passed the Senate and House and been sent to the governor.
Higher Education – HB 100, tuition revenue bonds, is in a conference committee; SB 1191, the Constitutional appropriation for non-PUF universities, has passed the Senate and House and is on the Senate Items Eligible list to determine if the Senate concurs in House amendments or requests a conference committee.
Public Education – SB 14, “parent trigger” authorizing parents of students at a campus with an unacceptable performance rating to request repurposing or closure, has passed the Senate and was heard in the House Public Education Committee and left pending, so it is DEAD; SB 149, requiring individual graduation committees for students that fail end-of-course assessments, has passed and been signed by the governor; HB 2804, would redesign the accountability system for evaluating school districts and campuses and includes an A-F campus rating provision, has passed the House, been reported out of the Senate Education Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar; and HB 1759, public school finance reform, was on the House calendar on May 14, 2015, but was withdrawn by the author and is DEAD. Governor’s Early Childhood Education Package: HB 4, high quality Pre-Kindergarten, has passed the House and Senate; SB 925, literacy achievement academies, has passed the Senate and House and been signed by the governor; SB 934, math achievement academies, has passed the Senate and House; SB 935, reading excellence teams, has passed the Senate and House; and SB 972, Reading-to-Learn academies, has passed the Senate and House.
Tax Relief – The Senate-passed tax reform package includes: SB 1/SJR 1, increasing the homestead exemption; SB 7, decreasing the franchise tax rate by 15 percent; and SB 8,
increasing the small business franchise tax deduction from $1 million to $4 million. SB 1, SJR 1, have been reported favorably from the House Ways and Means Committee and are on the House calendar for May 24, 2015. SB 8 has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee but has not had a hearing. The House-passed tax reform package includes: HB 31, decreasing the state sales tax rate from 6.25 percent to 5.95 percent; and HB 32, decreasing the franchise tax rate by 25 percent. HB 32 has been reported from the Senate Finance Committee and is on the Senate Intent calendar for May 24, 2015.
Telecommunications – HB 80, prohibiting texting while driving, has passed the House, been reported out of the Senate State Affairs Committee, and is on the Senate Intent calendar for May 24, 2015.
Transportation – SJR 5, dedicating a portion of sales tax revenue to the State Highway Fund, has passed the Senate and House and is in a conference committee.
Sunset Bills:
State Office of Administrative Hearings – HB 2154 has passed the House and Senate and been sent to the governor.
Department of Aging and Disability Services – SB 204 has passed the Senate and passed to Third Reading in the House.
Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services – HB 2463 has passed the House and Senate and is on the Senate Items Eligible list for May 24, 2015 to concur or appoint a conference committee.
Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities – HB 1679 has passed the House and Senate and been signed by the governor.
Texas Education Agency – SB 214 has been referred to the Senate Education Committee; and HB 1763 has been referred to the House Public Education Committee. No action has been taken on either bill. HB 3123 sets the sunset review date for Texas Education Agency for 2025.
Department of Family and Protective Services – SB 206 has passed the Senate and is on the House calendar for May 26, 2015. Portions of SB 206 were added in the Senate in HB 1217 and HB 1309 on the Senate floor.
Health and Human Services Commission – SB 200 has passed the Senate and is on the House calendar for May 24, 2015.
Texas Health Services Authority – SB 203 has passed the Senate and House and been signed by the governor.
Texas Department of State Health Services – SB 202 has passed the Senate and is set on the House Calendar for May 24, 2015.
Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities – HB 1678 has passed the House and Senate and been sent to the governor.
Texas Council on Purchasing from People with Disabilities – SB 212 has passed the Senate and House and is on the Senate Items Eligible list to concur or request a conference committee. Self-Directed Semi-Independent Status of State Agencies – SB 217 has passed the Senate and been referred to the House State Affairs Committee.
University Interscholastic League – SB 213 has passed the Senate and is set for a hearing in the House Public Education Committee on May 19, 2015 but was removed from the hearing
agenda, so it is DEAD.
Texas Workforce Commission – SB 208 has passed the Senate and is on the House calendar for May 25, 2015.
Texas Workforce Investment Council – HB1606 has passed the House and Senate and been signed by the governor.
Sunset Schedule (Safety Net) – HB 3123 has passed the House and Senate and is in a conference committee. It sets the sunset date for Texas Education Agency at 2025.
Tax Relief Agreement – On Thursday, Governor Greg Abbott, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick and Speaker Joe Straus today announced a $3.8 billion tax relief package for Texas businesses and homeowners. The agreement reached by the Lt. Governor and the Speaker on the tax proposal, along with additional legislation, includes:
25 percent permanent reduction in the business Margins Tax;
$10,000 increase in the Homestead Exemption, beginning in 2015, subject to passage of a Constitutional Amendment adopted in the November election; and
SB 1760, requiring a 60 percent vote of the governing body of any taxing unit wishing to adopt an increase in property taxes that exceeds the effective tax rate.
Governor Greg Abbott said, “Texas leaders have come together to advance conservative
principles that will improve the lives of Texans and continue to make Texas the model for doing business. Every dollar businesses and homeowners pay in taxes is a dollar that could be
invested in new jobs, higher wages and stimulating the Texas economy. I commend the Speaker and Lieutenant Governor for working with us to achieve meaningful tax relief for Texans.” Lt. Governor Dan Patrick added, “It is a major achievement to come to an agreement on such a broad spectrum of significant legislation. I believe when this session concludes it will be one of the most, if not the most, productive legislative sessions in the history of the Texas Senate and the entire legislature. I thank the Governor and the Speaker for their hard work in finalizing this agreement.” Speaker Joe Straus concluded, "This agreement will allow the House to vote on tax relief that encourages economic growth. I want to thank the Members of the House who have worked to put this agreement in place, as well as Governor Abbott and Lieutenant Governor Patrick. I look forward to working with my House colleagues to approve this plan as part of a successful end to our legislative session."
GOVERNOR
Governor Abbott Signs HB 40 – On Monday, Governor Greg Abbott signed HB 40 by Drew Darby (R-San Angelo) and Troy Fraser (R-Horseshoe Bay), which preempts regulation of oil and gas activity at the city level and resides that duty with the state. Governor Abbott said, "HB 40 does a profound job of helping to protect private property rights here in the State of Texas, ensuring those who own their own property will not have the heavy hand of local regulation deprive them of their rights. This law ensures that Texas avoids a patchwork quilt of regulations that differ from region to region, differ from county to county or city to city. HB 40 strikes a meaningful and correct balance between local control and preserving the state's authority to ensure that regulations are even-handed and do not hamper job creation."
Texas Oil and Gas Association – Todd Staples, president of Texas Oil & Gas Association said, “HB 40 will keep Texas communities safe and our economy strong. It represents balanced legislation that will build upon a 100-year history of cooperation between Texans, their communities and oil and natural gas operators. HB 40 enjoys widespread, bi-partisan support because the legislation provides cities with authority to reasonably regulate surface activity related to oil and gas operations, while affirming that regulation of oil and natural gas operations like fracking and production is under the exclusive jurisdiction of the state. HB 40 balances local control and property rights, while allowing Texas to continue to benefit from billions of dollars in annual state and local taxes that directly fund our schools, roads and essential services.”
Governor Abbott Signs SB 925 – On Wednesday, Governor Greg Abbott signed SB 925 by Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) and Jimmie Don Aycock (R- Killeen), which establishes literacy
achievement academies to provide high-quality, face-to-face professional development to public school teachers who instruct students in kindergarten through third grade. SB 925 is the first piece of legislation responsive to Governor Abbott’s early education emergency item to reach his desk for signature. Governor Abbott said, “Our children must first learn to read before they can then read to learn, and I applaud the Legislature for recognizing the importance of providing our teachers with the tools necessary to improve literacy instruction by passing SB 925. These literacy achievement academies will serve as a catalyst in the transformation of our state’s early education system, and ensure generations of Texas students will receive the highest quality education possible during their critical early learning years.”
The Senate was in session Monday through Saturday this week, but on Saturday, they met only for a Local and Uncontested calendar and for a joint session with the House to honor military families.
On Monday, the Senate passed 8 bills including:
HB 158 by Lyle Larson (R-San Antonio) and Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls) would appropriate sales taxes collected on sporting goods to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission. It passed by a vote of 29-1.
HB 495 by Donna Howard (D-Austin) and Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D-McAllen) would extend the nursing education program from 2015 to 2019. There were no amendments.
HB 2167 by Wayne Smith (R-Baytown) and Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) would allow unmanned aircraft to capture an image if the image is captured by a Texas licensed surveyor in connection with the practice of professional surveying or if the image is captured by a Texas licensed professional engineer. The committee substitute and one floor amendment were adopted. On Tuesday, the Senate passed 9 bills including:
HB 100 by John Zerwas (R-Fulshear) and Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) would authorize the issuance of Tuition Revenue Bonds for capital construction projects at Texas colleges and universities. The committee substitute and one floor amendment were adopted and it passed by a vote of 26-5. (It is now in a conference committee.)
And, they gave preliminary approval to:
HB 801 by Ken King (R-Canadian) and Kevin Eltife (R-Tyler) would require the Texas Parks & Wildlife Commission to adopt plans for prescribed burns on land owned by the department. The committee substitute and two floor amendments were adopted.
On Wednesday, the Senate passed 94 bills on the Local and Uncontested calendar including: HB 315 by Richard Raymond (D-Laredo) and Don Huffines (R-Dallas) would authorize the issuance of “In God We Trust” specialty license plates.
HB 792 by Travis Clardy (R-Nacogdoches) and Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville) would authorize the issuance of specialty license plates for antique buses.
They passed an additional 20 bills on the Intent calendar including:
HB 157 by Lyle Larson (R-San Antonio) and Kevin Eltife (R-Tyler) would require the sales tax rate adopted by cities to be in one-eighth of one percent increments; however it does not allow the combined rate of all local sales taxes to exceed the two percent cap. It passed by a vote of 26-4. HB 706 by Jessica Farrar (D-Houston) and Joan Huffman (R-Houston) would prohibit the chief appraiser from requiring a person to re-apply for an exemption if property on which a solar or wind-powered energy device is installed or constructed has already qualified for an exemption unless the property changes ownership or the person’s qualification for the exemption changes. It passed by a vote of 28-2.
HB 1736 by Jason Villalba (R-Dallas) and Troy Fraser (R-Marble Falls) would require The State Energy Conservation Office to establish the Building Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee. One floor amendment was adopted and it passed by a vote of 29-1.
HB 2717 by Craig Goldman (R-Fort Worth) and Royce West (D-Dallas) would deregulate hair braiding.
On Thursday, the Senate passed 20 bills including:
HB 7 by Drew Darby (R-San Angelo) and Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) would eliminate and reduce fees in dedicated accounts and designated funds. The committee substitute and seven floor amendments were adopted.
HB 942 by Kyle Kacal (R-College Station) and Brian Birdwell (R-Granbury) would set out new safety and reporting requirements for the owner or operator of an ammonium nitrate storage facility and establish the procedure for inspection, corrective action, finding a violation, fining violators, and the use of fines collected from the violations established. It passed by a vote of 30-1. There were no amendments.
SB 93 by Rodney Ellis (D-Houston) and Joe Pickett (D-El Paso) would repeal the Driver
Responsibility Program. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed by a vote of 28-3. It has been reported favorably from the House Transportation Committee.
SB 531 by Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) and Jeff Leach (R-Plano) would prohibit the application of a foreign law or selection of a foreign forum law in a manner arising under the Family Code. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed by a vote of 19-12. Lt.
Governor Dan Patrick said, "Today, the Texas Senate passed Senator Donna Campbell's Senate Bill 531, (SB 531), also known as the ‘Sharia law’ bill, to third reading. The bill's purpose is to ensure that the constitutional rights of those who are part of the proceedings involving
marriage, dissolution of marriage or a suit affecting the parent-child relationship, are protected. Senator Campbell has done a great job in leading senators to advance the laws that protect our basic rights from infringement. SB 531 upholds Texas morals from foreign laws that contradict or violate our laws and our beliefs. With a little over a week left in the 84th legislative session, the Senate continues to focus on Texan's priorities and protection of their constitutional rights." SB 1639 by Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) would prohibit a municipality from annexing an area for the limited purposes of applying its planning, zoning, health, and safety ordinances in the area, and prohibit a strategic partnership agreement from providing for limited purpose annexation. The committee substitute and one floor amendment were adopted and it passed to Third Reading by a vote of 17-14. It is on the Senate Intent calendar for Third Reading on May 24, 2015.
(P-3)
On Friday, the Senate passed 53 bills and a resolution petitioning Congress to provide funding for repairs to the Battleship Texas (HCR 80) on the Local and Uncontested calendar. They gave final approval to SB 531 (above). They passed 57 bills from the Intent calendar including: HB 10 by Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) and Joan Huffman (R-Houston) would increase penalties for human trafficking and compelling prostitution.
HB 855 by Scott Sanford (R-McKinney) and Van Taylor (R-Plano) would require the Department of Information Resources (DIR) to identify the three most commonly used Internet browsers and post a list (updated biennially) containing those browsers in a conspicuous location on the departments Internet website. There were no amendments.
They spent several hours debating HB 910 by Larry Phillips Sherman) and Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls), which would allow concealed handgun license holders to openly carry a holstered handgun. The committee substitute and one floor amendment were adopted and it passed by a vote of 20-11. Senator Don Huffines successfully added an amendment prohibiting a peace officer from making an investigatory stop or temporary detention to inquire as to a person’s possession of a concealed handgun license solely because the person is carrying a visible handgun. Senator Rodney Ellis commented on his vote in support of Senator Huffines’ amendment saying, "I have a long history of opposing open carry legislation and a strong record of supporting sensible reforms to reduce gun violence and keep firearms out of the hands of
criminals. But if open carry is going to become law, law enforcement shouldn't be able to circumvent constitutional rights and detain someone solely because they are open carrying in compliance with the law. Our state has an unfortunate record on racial profiling and selective enforcement when it comes to detaining people of color. I supported Senator Huffines' amendment because minority Texans, like all Texans, should be able to exercise their rights, whatever those rights might be, without fear of selective infringement and detention without any reasonable suspicion of unlawful activity."
On Saturday, the Senate passed 47 bills on its Local and Uncontested calendar. Total number of bills reported out of Senate Committees this week: 417 Total number of bills passed by the Senate this week: 308 Total passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar: 194
Next Week: The Senate adjourned until Sunday, May 24, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. Sunday’s Senate Intent Calendar has 102 bills. Key Senate Intent calendar bills for Monday are included in the issue categories below.
HOUSE
This week, the House was in session everyday including Saturday and Sunday.
On Monday, the House passed 11 Third Reading bills, and gave preliminary approval to 9 additional bills including:
SB 55 by Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) and Susan King (R-Abilene) would require the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to establish a grant program to support community mental health programs serving veterans with mental illness. Three floor amendments were adopted and it passed the House by a vote of 136-5. It is not in a conference committee. SB 339 by Kevin Eltife (R-Tyler) and Stephanie Klick (R-Fort Worth) would authorize eligible licensees to cultivate and produce low-THC cannabis and allows physicians certified in epilepsy for patients with intractable epilepsy that are listed on the Department of Public Safety’s compassionate-use registry. It passed by a vote of 108-38. There were no amendments. Representative Klick said, “SB 339 will allow patients with intractable epilepsy access to cannabidiol (CBD) oil. Intractable epilepsy afflicts an estimated 149,000 people in Texas. Patients with intractable epilepsy can suffer hundreds of severe seizures each week. These individuals are at a higher risk for a shortened life span, excessive bodily injury,
intractable epilepsy have seen dramatic reductions in seizures through the use of CBD oil without exhibiting adverse reactions. I am excited for the families of those patients who will be affected by the passage of this bill. Intractable epilepsy is a difficult disease to live with and I am excited that there is another treatment option for those who suffer from it.” Senator Eltife added, “I am most appreciative of the efforts of Representative Klick, the Epilepsy Foundation, the dedicated medical professionals who deal with this disease, and most of all, the many families who traveled to Austin on numerous occasions to put a face on this issue. Without them, we would not have had such overwhelming support in the House and Senate.” Failed to Pass:
SB 206 by Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) and Cindy Burkett (R-Sunnyvale) is the sunset bill for the Department of Family and Protective Services. The committee substitute and eight floor amendments were adopted before it was killed on a point of order. It was sent back to the House Human Services Committee where it was reported favorably as substituted and it will be back on the House calendar on May 26, 2015.
On Tuesday, the House gave final approval to 10 Third Reading bills and gave preliminary approval to 7 additional bills including:
SB 212 by Brian Birdwell (R-Granbury) and Cindy Burkett (R-Sunnyvale) would abolish the Texas Council on Purchasing from People with Disabilities and transfer its functions to the
comptroller’s office. The committee substitute and one floor amendment were adopted. SB 1657 by Kirk Watson (D-Austin) and Rick Miller (R-Sugar Land) would provide that the approval of the issuance of tax and revenue anticipation notes expires on the last day of the fiscal year for which the notes are approved. There were no amendments.
On Wednesday, the House passed 8 Third Reading bills and gave preliminary approval to 15 additional bills including:
SB 18 by Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) and John Zerwas (R-Fulshear) would expand graduate medical education (GME). The committee substitute and one floor amendment were adopted. SB 734 by Troy Fraser (R-Marble Falls) and Byron Cook (R-Corsicana) would allow the Public Utility Commission to set the annual interest rate for retail electric providers on customer deposits on any date on or before December 1 each year. There were no amendments.
On Thursday, the House passed:
HCR 75 by Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) encouraging the State Preservation Board and the director of the Bullock Texas State History Museum to establish a museum of Texas music history as a permanent and integral program within the Bullock Museum.
HR 1215 by Giovanni Capriglione (R-Southlake) would petition Congress to instruct the
Transportation Security Administration to accept concealed handgun licenses as valid forms of identification.
They also passed 15 Third Reading bills and passed another 24 bills on Second Reading including:
SB 239 by Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) and John Zerwas (R-Fulshear) would require the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to establish a student loan repayment assistance program for mental health professionals. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed by a vote of 82-59.
SB 582 by Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) and Patricia Harless (R-Spring) would remove the authority of local health jurisdictions to charge a fee for a certificate issued to a food service worker trained by an accredited food handling education program. The committee substitute was adopted.
SB 664 by Van Taylor (R-Plano) and Kenneth Sheets (D-Dallas) would authorize an employer to discharge an employee, regardless of contractual obligations, based on a reasonable belief that the employee falsified military records to obtain employment or employment benefits. There were no amendments.
SB 752 by Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) and Jim Murphy (R-Houston) would repeal the state inheritance tax and the tax on admission to combative sports events. The committee substitute was adopted.
SB 757 by Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) and Drew Darby (R-San Angelo) would repeal the production taxes on crude petroleum and sulphur. It passed by a vote of 107-34.
SB 760 by Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) and Four Price (R-Amarillo) would require the Health and Human Services Commission to establish minimum provider access standards for
provider networks of managed care organizations that contract to provide services to Medicaid recipients. Two floor amendments were adopted.
SB 761 by Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) and Jim Murphy (R-Houston) would repeal Chapter 161 of the Tax Code that assesses an additional two percent sales tax on fireworks. It passed by a vote of 132-8. There were no amendments.
SB 1115 by Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) and James White (R-Hillister) would require the Secretary of State’s pilot program allowing active duty overseas military voters to cast a ballot electronically to involve more than one county and would extend the pilot to 2017. It passed by a vote of 140-1. There were no amendments.
SB 1356 by Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D-McAllen) and Drew Darby (R-San Angelo) would add certified WaterSense products to the Memorial Day Weekend energy efficient products sales tax holiday. One floor amendment was adopted. It passed by a vote of 123-18.
SB 2065 by Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls) and Scott Sanford (R-McKinney) would add new
language to the Family Code that would prevent religious organizations, employees, and clergy from being required to solemnize any marriage that would cause the organization or individual to violate a sincerely held religious belief. It passed by a vote of 141-2.
On Friday, the House passed 89 bills on the Local and Uncontested calendar. The House passed 24 Third Reading House bills, and passed 21 bills to Third Reading including:
SB 523 by Brian Birdwell (R-Granbury) and Jim Keffer (R-Eastland) would require sunset review of river authorities. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed by a vote of 140-1. SB 807 by Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) and Kenneth Sheets (R-Dallas) would waive occupational license application and examination fees for qualified military service members, military veterans, and military spouses. The were no amendments.
SB 935 by Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) and Joe Deshotel (D-Beaumont) would require the
Commissioner of Education to establish and make available reading excellence teams to school campuses rated academically unacceptable on the basis of student performance on the reading assessment instrument. It passed by a vote of 128-11.
SB 972 by Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) and Joe Deshotel (D-Beaumont) would require the Commissioner of Education to create Reading-to-Learn Academies for professional educators
in the fourth and fifth grades with a curriculum-focused teaching strategy to improve comprehension across all subjects. It passed by a vote of 103-37.
On Saturday, the House passed 21 Third Reading bills and passed 16 bills to Third Reading including:
SB 188 by Kirk Watson (D-Austin) and Sergio Munoz, Jr. (D-Palmview) would expand consumer inquiry protections by prohibiting a homeowners insurance carrier from increasing rates or costs or cancelling the policy based on a policyholder inquiring about their policy or coverage. It passed to Third Reading on a voice vote. It is on the House calendar for final approval on May 24, 2015.
SB 204 by Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D-McAllen) and Richard Raymond (D-Laredo) would require the executive commissioner of Health and Human Services (HHSC) to develop, and the
Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) to use in assessing penalties and imposing disciplinary action, a matrix of progressive sanctions that increases in amount based on type, frequency, and seriousness of license violations. The committee substitute and 20 floor amendments were adopted and it passed by a vote of 122-3.
SB 207 by Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D-McAllen) and Larry Gonzales (R-Round Rock) would
implement the Sunset Advisory Commission recommendations to restructure the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of the Health and Human Services Commission. The committee
substitute was adopted on a voice vote. It will be on the calendar for final approval on May 24, 2015.
SB 1007 by Kevin Eltife (R-Tyler) Na John Kuempel (R-Seguin) would authorize an appraiser certified by a jurisdiction other than Texas to perform an appraisal review of an appraisal performed on real property in Texas. It was adopted on a voice vote. It will be on the calendar for final approval on May 24, 2015.
And, three resolutions:
HCR 52 by Ryan Guillen (D-Rio Grande City) would authorize the State Preservation Board to relocate the Texas Game Warden memorial to a site at the State Capitol, south of the Sam Houston Building.
SCR 5 by Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls) and Dan Flynn (R-Van) would express dissatisfaction with the federal government’s inadequate efforts to secure the Texas-Mexico International Border.
HR 1835 by Giovanni Capriglione (R-Southlake) would express support for the implementation of the Next Generation Air Transportation System.
Failed to Pass:
SB 1173 by Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville) and Larry Phillips (R-Sherman) would revise state law to comply with federal standards regarding commercial driver’s licenses. It was killed on a point-of-order that was sustained.
Total number of bills reported out of House Committees this week: 237 Total number of bills passed by the House this week: 230 Total passed on the Local and Consent calendar: 141
Next Week: The House adjourned until 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 24, 2015. Tuesday is the last day for the House to consider Second Reading Senate Bills, except Local and Consent bills. The last House calendar containing Senate bills must be printed and distributed by 10:00 p.m. Sunday, May 24, 2015.
BUDGET
The conference committee for HB 1, the state appropriations bill, wrapped up its final
decisions this week on the state budget. The conference committee report, which now returns to the full Texas House of Representative and Senate for final approval, includes $3.8 billion in property and business tax relief, doubles what was appropriated last session for border security, ends diversions of transportation dollars and increases funding for education by $1.5 billion. Senate Finance Committee Chair Jane Nelson said, "We are making smart investments that will benefit our state for years to come. This budget is responsible. It is compassionate. And I truly believe it will take our states to even greater heights.”
Reported From Committee:
HB 6 by John Otto (R-Dayton) and Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D-McAllen) would address the amount of unspent money in General Revenue-Dedicated accounts that can be counted for budget certification and reduce unspent balances. It was reported favorably as substituted from the Senate Finance Committee.
HJR 8 by John Otto (R-Dayton) and Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) would propose a
reaches its cap, the comptroller must move any excess oil and gas taxes or excess interest into an account dedicated to retiring state debt early. It was reported favorably from the Senate Finance Committee.
HB 114 by Dan Flynn (R-Van) and Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D-McAllen) would prohibit political subdivisions from: issuing capital appreciation bonds with a maturity date of more than 20 years; extending the maturity date of bonds; and issuing bonds if they exceed 25% of the total bonded indebtedness (except for transportation projects). It was reported favorably as
substituted from the Senate Finance Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Reported From Committee:
HB 26 by Angie Chen Button (R-Garland) and Troy Fraser (R-Marble Falls) would make several changes to economic development programs in the governor’s office. It was reported favorably as substituted from the Senate Natural Resources and Economic Development Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar.
HB 1112 by Roland Gutierrez (D-San Antonio) and Carlos Uresti (D-San Antonio) would include job training programs for jobs in the health care, technology, or oil and gas industries as eligible projects of a defense adjustment management authority. It was reported favorably as
substituted from the Senate Veteran Affairs and Military Installations. Passed the House:
SB 100 by Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D-McAllen) and Jim Murphy (R-Houston) would make several changes to the Texas Enterprise Zone Program. It was left pending.
SB 318 by Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D-McAllen) and Susan King (R-Abilene) would increase the cap on grants from the Texas Military Preparedness Commission from $2 million to $5 million. It passed to Third Reading on a voice vote and is on the calendar for final passage on May 24, 2015.
HB 2667 by Trent Ashby (R-Lufkin) and Kevin Eltife (R-Tyler) would eliminate obsolete
economic development programs and funds. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar. ENERGY
Reported From Committee:
HB 1184 by Chris Paddie (R-Marshall) and Kevin Eltife (R-Tyler) would add alternative fuel programs resulting in energy cost savings and reduced emissions for local government vehicles to the kinds of projects an energy savings performance contract can be used for. It was
reported favorably as substituted from the Senate Business and Commerce Committee the Local and Uncontested calendar.
Passed the House:
HCR 57 Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas) would urge the United States Congress and the president of the United States to eliminate the current ban on crude oil exports. It passed by a vote of 142-1. HCR 63 by Gene Wu (D-Houston) would urge the U.S. Congress to expedite natural gas imports. It passed unanimously.
Next Week: House Calendar:
SB 932 by Troy Fraser (R-Marble Falls) and Byron Cook (R-Corsicana) would authorize the Public Utility Commission to retain any consultant, accountant, auditor, engineer, or attorney the PUC considers necessary to represent the PUC in a proceeding before the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission. It is on the House calendar for Monday, May 24, 2015.
SB 933 by Troy Fraser (R-Marble Falls) and Byron Cook (R-Corsicana) would prohibit an electric utility or municipally owned utility from interconnecting a facility to the ERCOT transmission grid that enables additional power to be imported into or exported out of the ERCOT power grid unless the utility obtains a certificate from the Public Utility Commission stating that public convenience and necessity requires the interconnection. It is on the House calendar for
Monday, May 24, 2015.
HB 939 by Tony Dale (R-Cedar Park) and Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood) would prohibit a
property owners' association from adopting or enforcing a deed restriction that prohibits or restricts an owner from owning, operating, installing or maintaining a permanently installed standby electric generator.
HB 1101 by Sylvester Turner (D-Houston) and John Whitmire (D-Houston) would extend the timeline over which the system benefit fund would be exhausted by raising the limit for reduced electricity rates to assist low-income electric customers, and extending the expiration date.
HB 2647 by Trent Ashby (R-Lufkin) and Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls) would prohibit a district from reducing or curtailing production from a well or limiting the groundwater production rate of a well to a rate or amount that is less than the maximum rate or amount of withdrawal. ENVIRONMENT
Reported From Committee:
HB 281 by Ron Simmons (R-Carrollton) and Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) would prohibit the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality from approving an application to expand the area or capacity of a solid waste landfill in a municipality unless it considers the comments of legislative members who represent the district containing the landfill described in the permit. It was reported favorably as substituted from the Senate Natural Resources Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar.
HB 928 by Ryan Guillen (D-Rio Grande City) and Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D-McAllen) would
require the Water Conservation Advisory Council to assist with drought preparedness and response by monitoring and developing strategies for responding to drought. It was reported favorably as substituted from the Senate Agriculture, Water, and Rural Affairs Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar.
HB 2598 by John Kuempel (R-Seguin) and Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) would prohibit the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality from considering steel slag as solid waste if the steel slag is an intended output or result of the use of an electric arc furnace to make steel, sold and distributed in the stream of commerce for consumption, use, or further processing into another desired commodity. It was reported favorably from the Senate Natural Resources and Economic Development Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar.
HB 2763 by Ed Thompson (R-Pearland) and Jose Rodriguez (D-El Paso) would require the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to convene an advisory committee to conduct a study quantifying the amount of materials currently being recycled. It was reported favorably from the Senate Natural Resources and Economic Development Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar.
SB 321 by Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D-McAllen) and Joe Pickett (D-El Paso) would eliminate the requirement for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to repay the Texas Emissions Reduction Program (TERP) for title fee transfers to the Texas Mobility Fund. It was reported favorably from the House Transportation Committee.
SB 394 by Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) and Phil King (R-Weatherford) would require the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, for a respondent that is a local government and has not previously committed the same violation, to approve a supplemental environmental project
that is necessary to bring the respondent into compliance with environmental laws or that is necessary to remediate environmental harm cause by the local government's alleged violation.
It was reported favorably from the House Environmental Regulation Committee and recommended for the Local and Consent calendar.
SB 413 by Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) and Tracy King (D-Batesville) would require the governor to make appointments to the Texas Water Development Board that the members reflect the diverse geographic regions and population groups of Texas. It was reported favorably as substituted from the House Natural Resources Committee.
SB 521 by Troy Fraser (R-Marble Falls) and Jim Keffer (R-Eastland) would extend the initial period for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to issue an emergency
authorization relating to the use of state water from 120 days to two years, and would allow the commission to renew or automatically renew such an authorization for a period not to exceed one year for each renewal. It was reported favorably from the House Natural Resources Committee.
SB 551 by Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) and Jim Keffer (R-Eastland) would require the Water Conservation Advisory Council to submit recommendations for legislation to advance water conservation in its biennial report to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker. It was reported favorably from the House Natural Resources Committee and recommended for the Local and Consent calendar.
SB 1242 by Jose Rodriguez (D-El Paso) and Richard Raymond (D-Laredo) would require a scrap tire generator or used tire generator who stores scrap tires or used tires outdoors on its business premises to store the tires in a secure manner that locks the tires during nonbusiness hours. It was reported favorably from the House Environmental Regulation Committee.
Passed the House:
SB 912 by Kevin Eltife (R-Tyler) and Myra Crownover (R-Denton) would establish that an
individual responsible for a facility which may cause pollution is not required to notify the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, officials, or media whenever an accidental discharge or spill occurs if the single accidental discharge occurs at a wastewater treatment or collection facility owned or operated by a local government; and is 1,000 gallons or less. It passed by a vote of 143-3.
SB 991 by Jose Rodriguez (D-El Paso) and Lyle Larson (R-San Antonio) would require the General Land Office and the Texas Water Development Board to conduct a study regarding the use of wind and solar power to develop and desalinate brackish groundwater. It passed on the Local and Consent calendar.
SB 1267 by Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls) and Travis Clardy (R-Nacogdoches) would set out provisions governing the amendment of a notice in a contested case under the Administrative Procedure Act in which the state agency has the burden of proof, and provisions governing the notification of decisions in a contested case. It passed on the Local and Consent calendar. SB 1301 by Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) and Eddie Lucio, III (D-Brownsville) would remove language specifying that there be six directors on the Texas Resources Finance Authority and allows the directors to call a meeting on request of a majority of the directors, as opposed to three directors. One floor amendment was adopted.
Passed the Senate:
HB 163 by Lyle Larson (R-San Antonio) and Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) would change the name of the Multi-State Water Resources Planning Commission to Southwestern States Water Commission and make several other changes to its composition and duties. The committee substitute was adopted.
HB 200 by Jim Keffer (R-Eastland) and Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) would set out provisions governing the petition to appeal the Texas Water Development Board's approval of a desired
future condition of groundwater resources. Five amendments were adopted and it passed by a vote of 29-1.
HB 655 by Lyle Larson (R-San Antonio) and Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) would grant the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality jurisdiction over the regulation and permitting of
Aquifer Storage and Recovery Project injection wells. One floor amendment was adopted and it passed by a vote of 19-1.
HB 763 by Susan King (R-Abilene) and Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) would require an interested person submitting a petition requesting the adoption of agency rules to be a Texas resident. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar.
HB 1146 by Kyle Kacal (R-College Station) and Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) would allow a volunteer to be the licensed operator of a water supply system and require the owner or manager of such a water system to maintain records related to each volunteer operator. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar.
HB 1331 by Phil King (R-Weatherford) and Troy Fraser (R-Marble Falls) would exempt a person who generates drill cuttings and transfers them to another person with the contractual
understanding they will be used for a beneficial use from liability in tort for a consequence of the subsequent use of the drill cuttings. There were no amendments.
HB 1794 by Charlie Geren (R-Fort Worth) and Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills) would provide that businesses subject to alleged environmental violations would pay punitive civil penalties only for their own intentional conduct, not for the actions of others as long as they are acting in good faith and complying with applicable state enforcement actions. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed by a vote of 24-6.
HB 1902 by Donna Howard (D-Austin) and Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) would authorize the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to adopt and implement minimum standards for
additional domestic uses and reuses of graywater, and would require rules to prevent contamination of the potable water supply and protect human health. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar.
HB 2179 by Eddie Lucio, III (D-Brownsville) and Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) would authorize the board of directors of a groundwater conservation district to take action on any uncontested permit application at a properly noticed public meeting held at any time after the public hearing at which the application is scheduled to be heard, and to issue a written order to grant
the application; grant the application with special conditions; or deny the application. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar.
HB 2187 by Wayne Smith (R-Baytown) and Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood) would add restrictions on persons who sell regulated material to a metal recycling entity. One floor amendment was adopted and it passed by a vote of 26-5.
HB 2230 by Lyle Larson (R-San Antonio) and Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls) would authorize the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to authorize by individual permit, by general permit, or by rule a Class V injection well for the injection of nonhazardous brine from a desalination operation or nonhazardous drinking water treatment residuals into a Class II injection well that is also permitted by the railroad commission to be used for oil and gas waste disposal. There were no amendments.
HB 2767 by Jim Keffer (R-Eastland) and Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) is a technical correction bill of statutes regulating groundwater conservation districts. There were no amendments.
HB 4097 by Todd Hunter (R-Corpus Christi) and Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) would require TCEQ to adopt rules that allow desalinated seawater to be used for nonpotable uses. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar.
HB 4112 by DeWayne Burns (R-Cleburne) and Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) would establish that groundwater ownership rights entitle the landowner, including a landowner's lessees, heirs, or assigns, to any other right recognized under common law, including the right to produce or save a fair share of the groundwater below the surface of the land. It passed on the Local and
Uncontested calendar. Next Week:
House Calendar:
SB 1101 by Kevin Eltife (R-Tyler) and Chris Paddie (R-Marshall) would require a regional water planning group, if no groundwater conservation district exists within the area of the planning group, to determine the supply of groundwater for regional planning purposes. It is on the House calendar for May 25, 2015.
HB 14 by Geanie Morrison (R-Victoria) and Kirk Watson (D-Austin) would make several changes to the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan including adding Bell, McLennan, and Webb Counties to the plan and continuing the plan to 2023 (instead of 2019). (committee substitute)
GENERAL BUSINESS
Reported From Committee:
HB 1626 by Eric Johnson (D-Dallas) and Royce West (D-Dallas) would require the Finance Commission to administer a banking development district program to encourage the establishment of branches of a financial institution in areas where there is a demonstrated need for banking services to guarantee the deposit of state and local funds into bank branches that open in under-banked areas. It was reported favorably from the Senate Business and Commerce Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar.
Passed the Senate:
HB 2358 by Eddie Lucio, III (D-Brownsville) and Kevin Eltife (R-Tyler) would establish the Facilitating Business Rapid Response to State Declared Disasters Act. It would exempt an out-of-state emergency or disaster response business entity performing work during a disaster response period from taxes and licensing obligations. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar.
Next Week:
Sunday’s Senate Intent Calendar:
HB 1629 by Eric Johnson (D-Dallas) and Royce West (D-Dallas) would override conflict-of-interest rules preventing operators of crowdfunding websites from offering investments in businesses in which they have a financial stake, but only for non-profits and governmental agencies engaged in small business/economic development lending.
HEALTH
Reported From Committee:
HB 867 by Ana Hernandez (D-Houston) and Sylvia Garcia (D-Houston) would establish the Texas Women Veterans Program. It was reported favorably from the Senate Veteran Affairs and
Military Installations and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar. It is on the Senate Intent calendar for May 24, 2015.
HB 1038 by J. D. Sheffield (R-Gatesville) and Kirk Watson (D-Austin) would authorize the Health and Human Services Commission to provide a person eligible for the hemophilia assistance program with premium payment assistance, and specify that such a person is also eligible for coverage from the Texas Health Insurance Pool. It was reported favorably from the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar.
HB 3283 by John Zerwas (R-Fulshear) and Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) would allow individuals who are obtaining their driver’s licenses to donate any amount to the anatomical gift registry. It was reported favorably from the Senate Transportation Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar.
HB 3374 by Geanie Morrison (R-Victoria) and Eddie Lucio, Jr. (D-Brownsville) would require a health care provider that administers a test for Down syndrome to, upon receiving a positive test result, provide the expectant or new parent with educational information required to be made available by the Department of State Health Services. It was reported favorably from the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and recommended for the Local and
Uncontested calendar.
HB 3404 by Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) and Eddie Lucio, Jr. (D-Brownsville) would require the Health and Human Services Commission to conduct a study on the benefits of providing integrated care to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. It was reported favorably from the Senate Veteran Affairs and Military Installations Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar.
SB 96 by Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D-McAllen) and Roland Gutierrez (D-San Antonio) would require school districts to publish in the student handbook a statement on whether the district has adopted policies related to vapor products. It was reported favorably from the House Public Education Committee.
Passed the House:
SB 195 by Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) and Myra Crownover (R-Denton) would
authorize the Texas State Board of Pharmacy to enter into an interoperability agreement with other states to access shared controlled substance prescription monitoring information
through a central database. The committee substitute and one floor amendment were adopted and it passed by a vote of 122-18.
SB 332 by Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) and Todd Hunter (R-Corpus Christi) would require a health benefit plan or pharmacy benefit manager to only use the drug prices listed in the most recent version of the United States Food and Drug Administration's Orange Book in formulating the maximum allowable cost price for a drug. It passed by a vote of 138-2. SB 460 by Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) and Myra Crownover (R-Denton) would
authorize a pharmacist, in the event of a natural or man-made disaster, to dispense not more than a 30-day supply of a dangerous drug without the authorization of the prescribing
practitioner. It passed on the Local and Consent calendar.
SB 519 by Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) and Myra Crownover (R-Denton) would require a dental support organization to register annually with the secretary of state, including the payment of a fee in an amount to be determined by the secretary of state. It passed by a vote of 94-48.
SB 791 by Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) and John Zerwas (R-Fulshear) would require an infant who does not pass the newborn hearing screening to be tested for cytomegalovirus. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed on the Local and Consent calendar.
SB 1235 by John Whitmire (D-Houston) and Allen Fletcher (R-Tomball) would clarify provisions defining the duties and penalties concerning pain management clinics. It passed on the Local and Consent calendar.
SB 1899 by Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) and Armando “Mando” Martinez would authorize a certified EMT-paramedic, or licensed paramedic, acting under the authority of a licensed physician to provide health care and advanced life support services in an emergency or urgent care setting. One floor amendment was adopted and it passed to Third Reading by a voice vote on May 23, 2015. It is on the House calendar for final passage for May 24, 2015. Passed the Senate:
HB 21 by Kyle Kacal (R-College Station) and Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) would establish the Right To Try Act authorizing patients with terminal conditions to access investigational drugs, biological products, and devices that are in clinical trials. The committee substitute was adopted. Senator Bettencourt said, "I am honored to have the support of every Texas Senator
to let patients and doctors fight terminally ill diagnoses. Under current law, the FDA has a compassionate use exception policy that allows for terminally ill patients to receive drugs and treatments prior to being FDA approved if the treating physician certifies that certain
conditions are met. Under HB 21, the FDA’s lengthy and unduly burdensome application process that takes approximately 30 days or longer is eliminated and replaced with a more efficient mechanism that results in the patient receiving the needed medication in a much more expeditious manner. The time saved can make the critical difference – in living instead of dying – for a patient because it allows them to start treatment when they are stronger and their bodies are healthy enough to fight and succeed with safe, ground breaking treatments. In these fairly uncommon situations, time is the great predator. If HB 21 is signed by the Governor, Texas will be the 21st state no longer standing in the way of a potential cure or at least extending lives."
HB 574 by Greg Bonnen (R-Friendswood) and Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) would prohibit a health maintenance organization from terminating the participation of a physician solely because they inform an enrollee of the full range of physicians and providers available. It passed by a vote of 29-1.
HB 606 by Sarah Davis (R-Houston) and Joan Huffman (R-Houston) would require the Health and Human Services Commission to conduct a study on the benefits of prenatal surgical procedures to treat birth defects. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar.
HB 819 by J.D. Sheffield (R-Gatesville) and Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) would remove the Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito specification from the definition of a public health nuisance. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar.
HB 1550 by John Zerwas (R-Fulshear) and Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) would authorize pharmacists to administer epinephrine through an auto-injector device to a patient in an emergency situation. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar.
HB 1874 by John Zerwas (R-Fulshear) and Joan Huffman (R-Houston) would require the Health and Human Service Commission (HHSC) to establish the Palliative Care Interdisciplinary Advisory Council to assess the availability of patient-centered and family-focused palliative care. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar.
HB 1878 by Jodie Laubenberg (R-Wylie) and Van Taylor (R-Plano) would require the Health and Human Services Commission to ensure that Medicaid reimbursement is provided to a physician for a telemedicine medical service provided by the physician. It passed by a vote of 30-1.
HB 2244 by John Zerwas (R-Fulshear) and Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) would make the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality responsible for the regulation of handling,
transportation, storage, and disposal of medical waste through a permitting process for medical waste facilities. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar.
HB 2340 by J.D. Sheffield (R-Gatesville) and Eddie Lucio, Jr. (D-Brownsville) would prohibit an applicant for a prescribed pediatric extended care center license from providing services until the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) issues the license. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar.
HB 2578 by Four Price (R-Amarillo) and Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) would require the Health and Human Services Commission to consolidate the internal audit program for itself and each health and human services agency into a single internal audit program, and require each agency’s information resources manager to report directly to the executive commissioner or a designated deputy commissioner. The committee substitute was adopted.
HB 3024 by Bobby Guerra (D-McAllen) and Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D-McAllen) would require coordination of dental benefits among policies for an insured individual who is covered by at least two different policies providing coverage for dental expenses. It passed by a vote of 26-5. HB 3028 by John Frullo (R-Lubbock) and Kirk Watson (D-Austin) would expand applicability and penalties related to regulation of discount drug card programs and operators. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar.
Next Week: House Calendar:
SB 1462 by Royce West (D-Dallas) and Eric Johnson (D-Dallas) would authorize the prescription, administration, and possession of an opioid-antagonist when used solely for the treatment of a suspected opioid overdose. It is on the House calendar for May 25, 15 (committee substitute). Sunday’s Senate Intent Calendar:
HB 177 by Bill Zedler (R-Arlington) and Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) would create a Texas Adult Stem Cell Research Coordinating Board and higher education consortium to collect and
research adult stem cells, and would authorize hospitals to use adult stem cells with patient written consent.
HB 416 by Debbie Riddle (R-Tomball) and Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) would require personnel at abortion facilities to receive training on human trafficking.
HB 1403 by Kenneth Sheets (R-Dallas) and Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls) would exclude suits brought against non-subscribing employers and suits brought against employers following a work-related death from being labeled health care liability claims which are claims brought against health care providers following injury or death.
HB 1514 by J.D. Sheffield (R-Gatesville) and Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) would require a health insurance identification card issued by a qualified health plan issuer to display the acronym “QHP”, or “QHP-S” if the enrollee receives advance payment of the premium tax credit.
HB 3074 by Drew Springer (R-Muenster) and Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) would clarify requirements relating to the provision of artificially administered nutrition and hydration. HB 3519 by Bobby Guerra (D-McAllen) and Kirk Watson (D-Austin) would allow home telemonitoring services for a person diagnosed with a condition for which the Health and Human Services Commission makes an evidence-based determination that monitoring through the use of home telemonitoring services is cost-effective and feasible. (committee substitute) HB 3994 by Geanie Morrison (R-Victoria) and Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) would add new
requirements to laws governing judicial bypass under which a judge may grant minors seeking an abortion to receive the procedure without parental consent.
HIGHER EDUCATION
Reported From Committee:
HB 1287 by Ron Simmons (R-Carrollton) and Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) would require
institutions of higher education to have a link on the institution’s Internet website to the Texas Consumer Resource for Education and Workforce Statistics (“Texas CREWS”) report on gainful employment applicable to the institution for the most recent year for which the report is available. It was reported favorably from the Senate Higher Education Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar.
HB 1583 by Travis Clardy (R-Nacogdoches) and Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) would require public junior colleges to establish a block schedule curriculum for each health-related associate degree or certificate program offered under which courses required for a student’s enrollment in the program as a full-time student are offered each semester in scheduled blocks designed to provide scheduling predictability from semester to semester and allow students to enroll in an entire block schedule curriculum rather than enrolling in individual courses. It was reported favorably as substituted from the Senate Higher Education Committee.
HB 1613 by Ryan Guillen (D-Rio Grande City) and Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) would exempt a student from taking the Algebra 1, English1 and English II end-of-course tests if the student meets college readiness standards in a college preparatory mathematics or English language arts course. It was reported favorably as substituted from the Senate Higher Education
Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar. It is on the Senate Intent calendar for May 24, 2015.
HB 1807 by Elliott Naishtat (D-Austin) and Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) would require the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to maintain an inventory of postsecondary educational programs and services provided for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities by institutions of higher education. It was reported favorably from the Senate Higher Education Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar.
HB 2472 by John Zerwas (R-Fulshear) and Kirk Watson (D-Austin) would repeal Section 51.803(a-3) of the Education Code which sunsets the University of Texas at Austin’s ability to fulfill 75 percent of their admissions under the top ten percent automatic admissions rule rather than 100 percent of admissions under the top ten percent rule after the 2017-2018 academic year. It was reported favorably from the Senate Higher Education Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar.
HB 3348 by Travis Clardy (R-Nacogdoches) and Kevin Eltife (R-Tyler) would allow the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to authorize one or more junior colleges to offer a baccalaureate degree program in the field of dental hygiene. It was reported favorably as substituted from the Senate Higher Education Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar.
HB 3577 by Donna Howard (D-Austin) and Brian Birdwell (R-Granbury) would require the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to distribute 8 percent of the Texas Educational
was reported favorably as substituted from the Senate Higher Education Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar.
HB 3987 by Marsha Farney (R-Georgetown) and Sylvia Garcia (D-Houston) would allow school districts and charter schools to establish a school-based savings program to facilitate increased awareness of the importance of saving for higher education and facilitate personal financial literacy instruction. It was reported favorably from the Senate Education Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar.
SB 13 by Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) and Jimmie Don Aycock (R-Killeen) would prohibit a rule adopted by the Commissioner of Education from limiting the number of dual credit hours in which a student can enroll. It was reported favorably as substituted from the House Public Education Commtitee.
SB 453 by Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) and Travis Clardy (R-Nacogdoches) would increase the scaled score of 50 percent to 60 percent for the minimum score required for public school students to receive credit by examination administered through the College-Level Examination Program. It was reported favorably from the House Public Education Committee and recommended for the Local and Consent calendar.
SB 1543 by Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) and James Frank (R-Wichita Falls) would require institutions of higher education that sort applicants by high school graduating class rank to place applicants that have successfully completed a nontraditional secondary education at or above the average high school graduating class rank. It was reported favorably from the House Higher Education Committee and recommended for the Local and Consent calendar.
SB 1624 by Jose Rodriguez (D-El Paso) and Marisa Marquez (D-El Paso) would add information on mental health and suicide prevention services to the required orientation for
undergraduate students. It was reported favorably as substituted from the House Higher Education Committee and recommended for the Local and Consent calendar.
Passed the House:
SB 24 by Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) and John Zerwas (R-Fulshear) would require training for members of higher education governing boards to be in the member’s first year of board service. One floor amendment was adopted and it passed by a vote of 84-55.