Conservative Republicans of Texas (CRTX) News
LEGISLATIVE REPORT
April 25th, 2023
There are only 35 days left in the Session. The following bills have passed the Senate and are in House Committees. They should be passed promptly. This will set a nationwide standard on how Christians and conservatives can take back our country from the wicked, woke, atheistic, perverted, Communist Democrats.
BILLS THAT PROTECT CHILDREN
Creating the Offense of Child Grooming
SB 1562, by Sen. Hancock, creates a criminal felony offense for grooming children to participate in sexual activity. Referred on 04/17 to The House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee, chaired by Democrat Rep. Joe Moody. 512.463.0728. The House companion, HB 4509 by S. Thompson, has not been heard in the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee.
Drag Queens
SB 12 and 1601, both by Sen. Hughes, ban children’s exposure to drag queen shows in schools, public libraries and business establishments. Referred on 4/13 and 4/17, respectively, to the House State Affairs Committee, chaired by Republican Rep. Todd Hunter. 512.463.0325. These bills do not have a House companion.
Obscene Books in Public School Libraries and Access to Pornography on Internet Websites
SB 13, by Sen. Paxton, protects children from obscene books in school libraries. 04/24 referred to the House State Affairs Committee. The companion bill, HB 5251, by Rep. Toth, has not been heard in the House State Affairs Committee, chaired by Republican Rep. Todd Hunter. 512.463.0325.
SB 2021, by Sen. Paxton, which restricts access to sexual materials harmful to minors on an Internet website, was referred to the House Select Committee on Youth Health and Safety on 04/20. A similar bill, HB 3570, by Rep. Schatzline was reported favorably as substituted on 4/13 from the House Select Committee on Youth Health and Safety, chaired by Democrat Rep. Senfronia Thompson. 512.463.0720.
HB 900, by Rep. Patterson, regulates library materials sold to or included in public school libraries. Passed the House on third reading 04/20. This bill does not have a Senate companion.
Parental Rights
SB 8, by Sen. Creighton, empowers parents’ rights over their children’s education, including school choice. Referred on 4/17 to the House Public Education Committee, chaired by Republican Brad Buckley. 512.463.0684. The House companion, HB 5261, by Rep. Frank, has not been heard in the House Public Education Committee.
SB 163, by Sen. Campbell, requires parental approval for human sexuality instruction in public schools. Received on 4/20 in the House. The companion, HB 478, by Rep. Hull, has not been heard in Public Education, chaired by Republican Brad Buckley. 512.463.0684.
SB 1072, by Sen. Hughes, relates to human sexuality instruction provided at public school and the role of the local school health advisory council. 0n 04/19 at vote was taken in the Senate Education Committee. This bill does not have a House companion.
SJR 29, by Sen. Paxton establishing the constitutional right of a parent to direct a child’s education. Received in the House on 04/20. This SJR does not have a House companion.
SJR 70, by Sen. Hughes, which creates a constitutional protection for the fundamental right of parents to raise their children, was received in the House on 04/20. Similar bills, HJR 85, by Rep. Burrows, and HHR 58, by Rep. Frank, have not been heard in the House State Affairs Committee, which is chaired by Republican Rep. Todd Hunter. 512.463.0325.
HB 1149, by Rep. Swanson, requiring parental consent for psychological or psychiatric examination, testing, or treatment conducted by a school district employee, was reported favorably as substituted from the House Public Education Committee on 04/21. SB 595, by Sen. Kolkhorst, which is similar, was left pending on 04/19 in the Senate Education Committee.
Pro-life
HB 1: Engrossed Rider 26, by Rep. Vasut, increases funding to the Alternatives to Abortion Program by $40 million. For consideration by the Conference Committee on HB 1.
SB 2381, by Sen. Paxton, requires the Texas Health and Human Services to create a mobile friendly website and mobile application that provides comprehensive information about resources available to expectant mothers. Received in the House on 04/21. There is no companion House bill.
Protecting Children from Transgender Treatments and Procedures
SB 14, by Sen. Campbell, prohibits state funding for transgender sex change drugs and sex mutilation surgery. 04/24,the committee report was sent to the House Calendars Committee. HB, 1686, by Rep. Oliverson, the House companion is still awaiting the committee report. The House Public Health Committee, chaired by Republican Stephanie Klick. 512.463.0599.
SB 250, by Sen. Hall, prohibits physicians and other health care providers from prescribing and performing treatments and procedures which would modify or alter the sex characteristics of a child suffering from gender dysphoria, prohibits professional liability insurance coverage for gender-transitioning drugs and procedures for minors, and requires the revocation of the licensure of health care providers who prescribe gender-transitioning drugs or who perform gender-transitioning procedures. 04/12 the Senate committee report was printed and distributed. This bill does not have a House companion.
SB 1029, by Sen. Hall, relates to the civil liability for governmental health plan coverage of, and public funding for gender modification procedures and treatments. Placed on the Senate Intent Calendar on 04/24. This bill does not have a House companion.
HB 1, by Rep. Bonnen. The budget. The budget prohibits the use of Employee Retirement System, Teacher Retirement System and Health and Human Services funds for transgender treatments. Rep. Steve Toth’s 4 floor amendments are in the bill for the conferees to consider, including one amendment that prohibits the use of General Revenue Funds for procedures and treatments that are intended to transition a minor’s biological sex organs or affirm the gender identity” and includes the laundry list of treatments and procedures identified by Gen. Paxton as child abuse.
HB 888, by Rep. Slawson, relating to the statute of limitations on a health care liability claim involving certain gender modification drugs provided and procedures performed on a minor, on 04/10, was reported favorably as substituted from the House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Committee. SB 1148, a similar bill by Sen. Hall, has not been heard in the Senate State Affairs Committee.
Putting God and Country back in the Public Schools
SB 164 by Sen. Campbell, relating to the display of the national motto and the founding documents in public schools. Received in the House on 04/21. This bill does not have a House companion.
SB 763, by Sen. Middleton, allows schools to employ or accept as volunteers, chaplains to perform the duties of school counselor. 04/24 passed to engrossment as amended. The House companion, HB 3614 by Hefner, on 04/21, was reported favorably as substituted from the House Public Education Committee.
SB 1396, by Sen. Middleton, allows for a period of prayer and reading of the Bible or other religious texts in public schools. Received in the House on 04/21. The House companion, HB 4949 by Cain, has not been heard in House State Affairs.
SB 1515, by Sen. King, requires public schools to conspicuously place in each classroom a durable poster or a framed display of The Ten Commandments. Received in the House on 04/21. The House companion, HB 3448 by Noble, has not been heard in the House Public Education committee.
SB 1556, by Sen. Parker, establishes the right of an employee of a public or charter school to engage in religious speech or prayer while on duty. Received in the House on 04/21. This bill does not have a House companion.
ADDITIONAL CONSERVATIVE LEGISLATION
Biological Sex Restrictions for Participants in Women’s College Athletics/Confinement of inmates
SB 15, by Sen. Middleton, protects women’s college athletics from being invaded by men who claim to be women. Referred on 4/10 to the House Higher Education Committee, chaired by Republican John Kuempel. 512.463.0602. This bill does not have a House companion.
HB 3147, by Rep. Swanson, requires juveniles and inmates to be housed based on their biological sex. Scheduled on 04/24 for a public hearing in the House Corrections Committee. This bill does not have a Senate companion.
Budget
HB 1, by Rep. Bonnen, has passed the senate. A conference committee has been appointed. Senate Conferees are Huffman, Chair, Nichols, Kolkhorst, and Creighton. House Conferees are Bonnen, Chair, Gonzales, Mary, Van Deaver, Jetton, and Moody. The conferees will meet 04/25 for their respective organizational meeting.
Currency and Currency Exchange
HJR 146, by Rep. Capriglione, secure the right to own, hold and use a mutually agreed upon medium of exchange, including cash, coin, bouillon, digital currency, or privately issued scrip. On 04/19 left pending in the House Committee on Pensions, Investments & Financial Services, which is chaired by Republican Rep. Giovanni Capriglione. 512.463.0690. SJR 67, by Sen. Parker, is identical, and has not received a hearing in the Senate Business and Commerce Committee, chaired by Sen. Charles Schwertner, 512.463.0105.
CSHB 1666, by Rep. Capriglione, would regulate digital asset service providers’ digital currency holdings to ensure consumer funds are secure and protected. Passed the Senate on 04/20. An identical bill, SB 770, by Sen. Parker, was left pending on 04/13 in the Senate Business and Commerce Committee, chaired by Sen. Charles Schwertner. 512.463.0105.
Election Integrity
SB 2, by Sen. Hughes, restores vote fraud, including vote harvesting, to a felony offense. Referred on 4/10 to the House Elections Committee, chaired by Republican Rep. Reggie Smith. 512.463.0297. The House companion, HB 4198, by Rep. Toth, has not been heard in the House Elections Committee.
SB 823, by Sen. Bettencourt, provides for the suspension of a county elections administrator. Senate Committee report printed and distributed on 04/06. HB 2020, an identical bill by Rep. Oliverson, was left pending in the House Elections Committee on 03/30/2023.
SB 990, by Sen. Hall, eliminating the countywide polling place program, was received in the House 04/21. HB 5231, by Rep. Toth, which is identical, has not been heard in the House Elections Committee, which is chaired by Republican Rep. Reggie Smith. 512.463.0297
SB 1039, by Sen. Bettencourt, establishes processes to address election irregularities in a county and imposes civil penalties. Referred on 04/17 to the House Elections Committee, chaired by Republican Rep. Reggie Smith. 512.463.0297. The House companion, HB 2536 by Rep. Toth, has not been heard in the House Elections Committee.
SB 1600, by Sen. Hughes, requires proof of citizenship in order to register to vote. 04/24 referred to the House Elections Committee, chaired by Republican Rep. Reggie Smith. 512.463.0297. This bill does not have a House companion.
SB 1705, by Sen. Middleton, addresses concerns that the use of conventions by third parties to pick their nominees robs voters of the important campaigns necessary to thoroughly vet political candidates, by requiring all candidates for office to participate in a primary election to decide their party’s nominees.
Places on the Senate Intent Calendar on 04/12/2023. This bill does not have a House companion.
SB 1750, by Sen. Bettencourt, abolishes the county elections administrator position in counties with populations greater than 3.5 million. Referred on 04/20 to the House Elections Committee, chaired by Republican Reggie Smith. 512.463.0297. Identical House bills, HB 3876 by Rep. Cain, and HB 2027 by Rep. Schofield, have not been heard in the House Elections Committee.
SB 1807, by Sen. Springer, relating to unlawful altering of elections procedures, was referred on 04/21 to the House Elections Committee. HB 2727, by Rep. Toth, a similar bill has not been heard in the House Elections Committee, which is chaired by Republican Rep. Reggie Smith. 512.463.0297.
SB 1846, by Sen. Creighton, A manufacturer of voting systems used in an election may not enter into a contract, or extend or renew a contract, for software development services with a company or other entity headquartered in China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, or Russia; or an individual who is based in China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, or Russia. Received in the House on 04/21. This bill does not have a House companion.
SB 1911, by Sen. Bettencourt, creating a criminal offense and increasing criminal penalties for the failure to provide sufficient elections supplies and relating to the conduct of elections. 04/24/ referred to the House Elections Committee, chaired by Republican Rep. Reggie Smith. 512.463.0297. This bill does not have a House companion.
SB 1993, by Sen. Middleton, authorizes the Secretary of State to order a new election in certain counties. 04/25 placed on the Senate Intent Calendar. An identical bill, HB 5082, by Rep. Swanson, has not been heard in the House Elections Committee.
SB 2433, by Sen. Bettencourt, relating to certain election practices and procedures; increasing a criminal penalty; providing an administrative penalty. Received in the House on 04/21. This bill does not have a House companion.
HB 1243, by Rep. Hefner, increases the penalty for illegal voting. Reported favorably out of the House Elections Committee on 04/20. A similar bill, SB 166, by Sen. Hughes, has not been heard in the Senate State Affairs Committee, which is chaired by Sen. Bryan Hughes.
HB 1671, by Rep. Jetton, creating a civil penalty for vote harvesting. 04/20 left pending in the House Elections Committee, chaired by Republican Rep. Reggie Smith. 512.463.0297. This bill does not have a senate companion.
HB 5131, by Rep. Cecil Bell, relates to procedures for state oversight of county elections. On 04/19, the House Committee Report was sent to Calendars. An identical bill, SB 1933, by Sen. Bettencourt, was referred on 04/17 to the House Elections Committee, chaired by Republican Rep. Reggie Smith. 512.463.0297.
End Taxpayer Funded Lobbying
SB 175, by Sen. Middleton, would prohibit the use of public funds for lobbying and certain other activities. Referred to the House State Affairs Committee on 04/13. An identical bill, HB 3538 by Rep. Troxclair has not been heard in the House State Affairs Committee, which is chaired by Republican Rep. Todd Hunter. 512.463.0325.
Government Mandates
SB 29, by Sen. Birdwell, prohibits governmental implementation or enforcement of a vaccine mandate, mask requirement or business and school closures. Referred on 04/13 to the House State Affairs Committee, chaired by Republican Rep. Todd Hunter. 512.463.0325. The House companion, HB 5027 by Toth, has not been heard in the House State Affairs Committee.
SB 177, by Sen. Middleton, requires informed consent for vaccines and provides exemptions for vaccine requirements. 04/24 referred to the House Public Health Committee. The House companion, HB 81 by Harrison, on 04/17, was reported favorably from the House Public Health Committed, chaired by Republican Stephanie Klick, 512.463.0599.
SB 1024, by Sen. Kolkhorst, prohibits governmental entities from requiring individuals to wear masks or mandate vaccinations. These entities include schools, counties, cities, higher education institutions, and public hospitals. Placed on the Senate Intent Calendar on 04/19. This bill does not have a House companion.
HB 4440, by Rep. Hunter. relating to state and local government responses to a pandemic disaster, including the establishment of the Pandemic Disaster Legislative Oversight Committee. Scheduled for a public hearing in the House State Affairs Committee on 04/26/2023. This bill does not have a senate companion.
HB 4841, by Rep. Hunter prohibiting COVID-19 restrictions, with exceptions, has not been heard in his own committee, the House State Affairs Committee.
Grid Protection and Reliability
SB 7, by Sen. Schwertner, makes sure that the ERCOT Energy Grid is reliable. Referred on 4/17 to the House State Affairs Committee, chaired by Republican Rep. Todd Hunter. 512.463.0325. The House companion, HB 4832 by Rep. Hunter, was left pending in the House State Affairs Committee on 03/29.
SB 330, by Sen. Hall, relating to the resilience of the electric grid and certain municipalities. Placed on the Senate Intent Calendar 04/20. HB 1412, by Rep. Schaefer, has not been heard in the House State Affairs Committee.
Illegal Immigration and Border Security
SB 423, by Sen. Paxton, authorizes the use of unmanned aircraft by the Texas military forces. 04/18 reported favorably as substituted from the House Defense & Veteran’s Affairs Committee.
SB 600, by Sen. Birdwell, increases the minimum term of imprisonment for human smuggling from 2 years to 10 years. 04/14 referred to the House State Affairs Committee, chaired by Republican Rep. Todd Hunter. 512.463.0325. An identical bill, HB 1611 by Rep. Lozano, has not been heard in the House State Affairs Committee.
SB 602, by Sen. Birdwell, grants U.S. Border Patrol Agents the powers of a Texas peace officer to arrest and conduct a search and seizure for any offense under Texas or federal law. 04/12 referred to the House Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee, chaired by Republican Rep. Gyan Guillen. 512.463.0416. On 04/10, similar bill HB 884, by Rep. Harless, was referred to the House Calendars Committee, which is chaired by Republican Rep. Dustin Burrows. 512.463.0542.
SB 1403, by Sen. Parker, establishes interstate compact for border security, including building a border wall. 04/24 referred to the House State Affairs Committee, chaired by Republican Rep. Todd Hunter. 512.463.0325. This bill does not have a House companion.
SB 1427, by Sen. Flores, increases criminal penalties on the drug cartel. Referred on 04/18 to the House State Affairs Committee, chaired by Republican Rep. Todd Hunter. 512.463.0325. This bill does not have a House companion.
SB 1621, by Sen. Kolkhorst, requires state contractors, political subdivisions of this state, and private employers to participate in the federal electronic verification of employment authorization program, or E-verify. 04/11 left pending in the Senate Business and Commerce Committee, chaired by Sen. Charles Schwertner. 512.463.0105. HB 3846, by Rep. Toth, an identical bill, has not been heard in the House State Affairs Committee, chaired by Republican Rep. Todd Hunter. 512.463.0325.
SB 2424, by Sen. Birdwell, enforces border protection by creating a criminal offense for improper entry from a foreign nation. Those who have a criminal record and enter illegally would commit a first degree felony offense punishable by a life sentence in prison. Referred on 04/17 to the House State Affairs Committee, chaired by Republican Rep. Todd Hunter. 512.463.0325. Similar House bills, HB 5270 by Toth and HB 5281 by Bumgarner, have not been heard in the House State Affairs Committee.
SCR 23, by Sen. Kolkhorst, demands Congress declare an invasion under Sec. 219 of the Immigration and Nationalization Act, 8 USC §1189; finds that Texas has been invaded and that citizens are in imminent danger of irreparable harm; encourages all applicable state and local resources to use any authority granted under Art. 1, Sec. 10 Clause 3 of the US Constitution; states that on November 16, 2022, Governor Abbott invoked the state’s authority to act, and notified President Biden of that fact. Received in the House on 04/20. HCR 78 by Rep. Bumgarner and HCR 79 by Rep. Dorazio are identical to the SCR. Neither CR has been heard in H State Affairs, which is chaired by Republican Rep. Todd Hunter. 512.463.0672.
HB 82, by Rep. Spiller authorizing the state to enter into an interstate compact relating to border security and immigration enforcement, was left pending on 04/21 in the House State Affairs Committee, chaired by Republican Rep. Todd Hunter. 512.463.0325. SB 237, a similar bill by Sen. Hall, has not been heard in the Senate Border Security Committee.
Prohibiting CRT at Universities
SB 16, by Sen. Hughes, bans Critical Race Theory (CRT) at Texas universities. 04/24 referred to the House Higher Education Committee, chaired by Republican Rep. John Kuempel. 512.463.0602. This bill does not have a House companion.
SB 17, by Sen. Creighton, prohibits Texas State funded Universities from establishing or maintaining a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) office for hiring which makes them hire on merit. DEI really means Discrimination, Exclusion and Indoctrination. Received in the House on 04/20. The House companion, HB 5127 by Rep. Shaheen, on 3/24 was referred to the House Higher Education Committee, chaired by Republican Rep. John Kuempel. 512.463.0602.
Property Tax Relief
SB 3, by Sen. Bettencourt, relating to an increase in the amount of certain exemptions from ad valorem taxation by a school district applicable to residence homesteads, an adjustment in the amount of the limitation on school district ad valorem taxes imposed on the residence homesteads of the elderly or disabled to reflect increases in the exemption amounts, and the protection of school districts against the resulting loss in local revenue. 04/10 referred to the House Ways and Means Committee, chaired by Republican Rep. Morgan Meyer. 512.473.0367. This is the enabling legislation for SJR 3. HB 5046, by Rep. Toth is an identical bill that has not been heard in the House Ways and Means Committee.
SB 4, by Sen. Bettencourt, provides for property tax relief by fixing the maximum of the school tax rate. 04/10 referred to the House Ways and Means Committee, chaired by Republican Rep. Morgan Meyer. 512.473.0367.
SB 5, by Sen. Parker, provides a property tax exemption for part of the value of tangible personal property held or used for the production of income; and a franchise tax credit for payment of certain ad valorem taxes. 04/10 referred to the House Ways and Means Committee, chaired by Republican Rep. Morgan Meyer. 512.463.0367.
SJR 3, by Sen. Bettencourt, proposing a constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation a portion of the market value of tangible personal property that is held or used for the production of income, to increase the amount of certain exemptions from ad valorem taxation by a school district applicable to residence homesteads, to adjust the amount of the limitation on school district ad valorem taxes imposed on the residence homesteads of the elderly or disabled to reflect increases in the exemption amounts, and to except certain appropriations to pay for school district ad valorem tax relief from the constitutional limitation on the rate of growth of appropriations. 04/10 referred to the House Ways and Means Committee, chaired by Republican Rep. Morgan Meyer. 512.463.0367.
HB 2, by Rep. Meyer, which provides property tax relief was received in the Senate on 04/17/2023. This bill does not have a Senate companion.
HJR 129, by Rep. Metcalf, proposing a constitutional amendment exempting tangible personal property from ad valorem taxation, and his enabling HB 2987 are scheduled for public hearing in the House Ways and Means Committee on 04/24/2023. Identical bills SB 1789 and SJR 78, by Sen. Middleton have not been heard in the Senate Local Government Committee, chaired by Sen. Paul Bettencourt. 512.463.0107.
HJR 153, by Rep. Wilson, proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing a political subdivision other than a school district to establish a limitation on the amount of ad valorem taxes that the political subdivision may impose on the residence homesteads of persons who are disabled or elderly and their surviving spouses. The HJR and the enabling legislation, HB 3757, are scheduled for a public hearing in the House Ways and Means Committee 04/24/2023. Identical bills SB 830 and SJR 42 by Sen. Flores have not been heard in the Senate Local Government Committee.
Public Safety /Judicial and Prosecutorial dereliction of duty/No bail/New Criminal Offense/Increased Penalties
SB 20, by Sen. Huffman, provides a mechanism for removing district attorneys who refuse to enforce the Texas Criminal Code. Referred on 04/17 to the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee, chaired by Republican David Cook. 512.463.0374. This bill does not have a House companion.
SB 21, by Sen. Huffman, provides a mechanism for impeaching judges who do not enforce Texas civil or criminal law. Referred on 04/13 to the House Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence Committee, chaired by Democrat Jarvis Johnson. 512.463.0554. The House companion, HB 5008 by Toth, has not been heard in the House Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence Committee.
SB 23, by Sen. Huffman, increases the length of a prison sentence, and impacts the eligibility of a defendant for community supervision if a weapon was used in a crime. Referred on 04/13 to the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee, chaired by Democrat Rep. Joe Moody. 512.463.0728. This bill does not have a House companion.
SB 129, by Sen. Springer, increases the criminal penalty for possession or promotion of child pornography, with enhancements for caregivers who exploit a child. Referred 04/21 to the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee. HB 2143 by Rep. Meyer, similar to SB 129, has not been heard in the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee. chaired by Democrat Rep. Joe Moody. 512.463.0728.
SB 1011, by Sen. Parker, increasing the punishment for trafficking of persons, is scheduled for a public hearing on 04/25 in the Senate Criminal Justice Committee, chaired by Sen. Whitmire. 512.463.0115. This bill does not have a House companion.
SB 1179, by Sen. Perry giving the Texas Civil Commitment Office the ability to criminally charge a civilly committed sexually violent predator for certain acts against another while civilly committed, was received in the House on 04/21. An identical bill, HB 4886, by Rep. Herrero, is scheduled for a public hearing in the House Corrections Committee on 04/24.
SB 1267, by Sen. Parker, increases the punishment for the criminal offense of operating a stash house. Scheduled for a public hearing on 04/25 in the Senate Criminal Justice Committee, chaired by Sen. Whitmire. 5125.463.0115. This bill does not have a House companion.
SJR 44, by Huffman, proposes a constitutional amendment authorizing the denial of bail in some circumstances. Scheduled for a hearing on 04/25 in the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee, chaired by Democrat Rep. Joe Moody. 512.463.0728. The House companion, HJR 181 by Rep. Smith, has not been heard in the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee.
The following bill is OPPOSED by Conservative Republicans of Texas and numerous grassroots conservative organizations. The Texas Republican Party has opposed homosexual conduct in its platforms since 1984 because it is violation of God’s moral standard of conduct. NO Republican should support this bill.
OPPOSE Repealing the Crime of Homosexual Conduct
HB 2055, by Democrat Rep. Venton Jones, repealing the offense of homosexual conduct, passed out of the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee and the committee report has been sent to the Calendars Committee, which is chaired by Republican Rep. Dustin Burrows. 512.463.0542. An identical bill, SB 2046, by Sen. John Whitmire, has not been heard in the Senate State Affairs Committee.