CRTX NEWS LEGISLATIVE REPORT:
PRIORITY BILLS IDENTIFIED BY CATEGORY
Steven Hotze, M.D.
President, CRTX News
May 24, 2023
* Effective Immediately
** Sent to the Governor
*** Passed Both Chambers
**** On a Calendar for 2nd Reading
***** On a Calendar for 3rd Reading
PRO-LIFE
***PATRICK PRIORITY: SB 24, by Sen. Kolkhorst, relating to the powers and duties of the Health and Human Services Commission and the transfer to the commission of certain powers and duties from the Department of Family and Protective Services. Establishes the Texas Pregnancy and Parenting Support Network to ensure it is implemented as a continuation of the current Alternatives to Abortion Program. 05/22 finally passed the House.
-DEAD – 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. 05/23 House General State Calendar. Not reached before the deadline.
BIOLOGICAL SEX RESTRICTIONS FOR PARTICIPANTS IN WOMEN’S COLLEGE ATHLETICS
***PATRICK PRIORITY: SB 15, by Sen. Middleton, protects women’s college athletics from being invaded by men who claim to be women. 05/18 House final passage as amended reported to the Senate.
BORDER SECURITY
*SB 423, by Sen. Paxton, authorizes the use of unmanned aircraft by the Texas military forces. 05/29 effective immediately.
**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. 05/12 sent to the Governor.
**SB 1403, by Sen. Parker, establishes interstate compact for border security, including building a border wall. 05/17 sent to the Governor.
***SB 1518, by King, relating to the establishment of a terrorist offender registry and to the supervision of those terrorist offenders; creating criminal offenses related to terrorism. 05/22 finally passed the House.
****PHELAN PRIORITY: HB 7, by Rep. Guillen, relating to measures to address public safety threats in this state presented by transnational criminal activity, including establishing a Texas Border Force, and to compensate persons affected by those threats; increasing criminal penalties; creating criminal offenses including the criminal offense of illegal entry into Texas. 05/24 Senate Regular Order of Business Calendar for 3rd reading.
****SCR 29, by Creighton, declaring an invasion of the State of Texas by transnational cartel terrorists, urging the governor to accelerate the construction of a wall along the Southern Border, and urging Congress to deploy military forces to combat transnational cartels. 05/24 Senate Regular Order of Business Calendar.
****HB 800, by Rep. Guillen, relating to the punishment for certain criminal conduct involving the smuggling of persons or the operation of a stash house, increasing criminal penalties. 05/24 Senate Regular Order of Business Calendar.
–DEAD – 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. 05/24 Senate Regular Order of Business Calendar.
-DEAD – 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. 05/23 postponed in the House. This language was added to HB 7.
BUDGET
***PHELAN PRIORITY: 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 Conference Committee had its organizational meeting on 04/25. The Senate Conference Committee report (the most recent version of the bill) contains a prohibition against funding transgender surgeries under the Health and Human Services Budget. 05/16 Rules Suspended in the Senate to allow the conference committee to meet while the Senate is in session.
CURRENCY AND CURRENCY EXCHANGE
***HB 1666, by Rep. Capriglione, would regulate digital asset service providers’ digital currency holdings to ensure consumer funds are secure and protected. 05/19 signed in the House.
DRAG QUEENS
***SB12 by Sen. Hughes, relating to restricting certain sexually oriented performances on public property, on the premises of a commercial enterprise, or in the presence of a child; authorizing a civil penalty; creating a criminal offense. 05/22 finally passed the House.
ELECTION INTEGRITY
***SB 1599, by Sen. Hughes, relating to ballots voted by mail; providing for the standardization of voting procedures including with respect to a voter’s ability to correct certain defects and actions taken by early voting clerks, early voting boards, and signature verification committees. 05/23 sent to the Governor.
***SB 1070, by Sen. Hughes, relating to the interstate voter registration crosscheck program. 05/23 finally passed the House
***HB 246, by Rep. Swanson, establishing a pilot program for recording ballot counting activity. 05/12 signed in the House.
***HB 1217, by Rep. Swanson, clarifies that early voting must be conducted for 12 consecutive hours each day and that funding applies only to those counties that have increased hours of early voting as a result of H.B. 1217. 05/19 finally passed the Senate.
***HB 2800, by Rep. Paul, amends the Election Code to require a meeting of a county election board to be held in person and open to the public. The bill requires the county clerk of a county that maintains a website to post on that website notice of a meeting of the county election board not later than 48 hours before each meeting. 05/19 senate amendments analysis distributed.
***SB 1750, by Sen. Bettencourt, abolishes the county elections administrator position in counties with populations greater than 3.5 million. 05/23 finally passed the House.
***SB 1933, by Sen. Bettencourt, relates to certain oversight procedures of the state over county elections. 05/23 finally passed the House.
***SB 1661, by Sen. Hughes, relating to a ballot scan system used in a central counting station. 05/23 finally passed the House.
****HB 1243, by Hefner, relating to conduct constituting the criminal offense of illegal voting, increasing a criminal penalty. 05/24 Senate Regular Order of Business Calendar for 3rd reading.
****HB 5180, by Rep. Wilson, relating to the public inspection of election records. 05/24 Senate Regular Order of Business Calendar for 3rd reading.
****SJR 35, by Sen. Birdwell, a constitutional amendment clarifying that a voter must be a United States citizen. 05/24 House Constitutional Amendments Calendar on 3rd reading.
-DEAD – SB 1039, by Sen. Bettencourt, establishes processes to address election irregularities in a county and imposes civil penalties. 05/23 House General State Calendar. Not reached before the deadline.
-DEAD – 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. 05/23 House General State Calendar. Not reached before the deadline.
-DEAD – SB 2208, by Sen. Parker, relating to the venue for the prosecution of an election offense. 05/23 House General State Calendar. Not reached before the deadline.
EXPANDED MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
***ABBOTT EMERGENCY ITEM AND PATRICK PRIORITY: SB 26, by Sen. Kolkhorst, relating to local mental health authority and local behavioral health authority audits and mental and behavioral health reporting, services, and programs. 05/23 finally passed.
FENTANYL CRISIS
***ABBOTT EMERGENCY ITEM AND PHELAN PRIORITY: HB 6, by Rep. Goldman, relating to the designation of poisoning with a controlled substance included in Penalty Group 1-B for purposes of the death certificate and to the criminal penalties for certain controlled substance offenses; creating criminal offenses; increasing a criminal penalty. 05/20 the final measure was agreed to by both chambers and is reported Enrolled.
GOVERNMENT MANDATES
***ABBOTT EMERGENCY ITEM AND PATRICK PRIORITY: SB 29, by Sen. Birdwell, prohibits governmental implementation or enforcement of a vaccine mandate, mask requirement or business and school closures. 05/23 finally passed the House as amended.
-DEAD – SB 1104, by Sen. Birdwell, relates to the authority of the legislature, governor, and certain political subdivisions with respect to disasters and emergencies. 05/23 House General State Calendar. Not reached before the deadline.
GRID PROTECTION AND LIABILITY
***PATRICK PRIORITY: SB 7, by Sen. Schwertner, makes sure that the ERCOT Energy Grid is reliable. 05/23 finally passed the House.
***SB 947, by Sen. King, relating to creating a criminal offense for damaging certain critical infrastructure facilities and providing for the prosecution of that conduct as manslaughter in certain circumstances; increasing a criminal penalty. 05/23 finally passed the House.
****SB 2013, by Sen. Schwertner, relating to access to and security of certain critical infrastructure. 05/23 finally passed the House.
****SB 2627, by Sen. Schwertner, relating to funding mechanisms to support the construction and operation of electric facilities. 05/23 House passage as amended reported.
***SJR 93, by Sen. Schwertner, proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the creating of the Texas energy fund to support the construction, maintenance, modernization, and operation of electric generating facilities. 05/22 House passage as amended reported to the Senate.
***HB 1833, by Rep. Shaheen, relating to increasing the criminal penalty for the offense of criminal mischief involving a public power supply. 05/23 finally passed the Senate, as amended.
-DEAD – SB 330, by Sen. Hall, relating to the resilience of the electric grid and certain municipalities. 05/23 House General State Calendar. Not reached by the deadline.
-DEAD – SB 2012, by Sen. Schwertner, relating to the implementation of a program to meet the reliability needs of the ERCOT power region. 05/23 postponed until June 2024.
OBSCENE BOOKS IN PUBLIC SCHOOL LIBRARIES AND ACCESS TO PORNOGRAPHY ON INTERNET WEBSITES
***HB 1181, by Rep. Shaheen, restricts access to sexual materials harmful to minors on an Internet website. 05/20 Senate Amendments Analysis Distributed to the House.
***HB 2700, by Rep. Guillen, relating to the prosecution of certain criminal offenses prohibiting sexually explicit visual material involving children. 05/22 finally passed the Senate.
***HB 4520, by Rep. Harris, Cody, relating to employment and retirement consequences for an educator convicted of or placed on deferred adjudication community supervision for the sale, distribution or display of materials harmful minors. 05/22 finally passed the Senate.
***ABBOTT EMERGENCY ITEM: HB 900, by Rep. Patterson, regulates library materials sold to or included in public school libraries. 05/23 finally passed the Senate.
***HB 18, by Rep. Slawson, relating to the protection of minors from harmful, deceptive, or unfair trade practices in connection with the use of certain digital services. 05/23 finally passed the Senate.
****HB 1227, by Rep. Metcalf, relating to changing the eligibility for community supervision of a person convicted of possession or promotion of child pornography. 05/24 Senate Regular Order of Business Calendar.
****HB 1730, by Rep. Schaefer, enhancing the penalty for indecent exposure from a Class B misdemeanor to a Class A misdemeanor if the person on trial has once previously been convicted of such an offense. It is further enhanced to a state jail felony if the person on trial has been convicted for indecent exposure two or more times. 05/24 Senate Regular Order of Business Calendar.
PARENTAL RIGHTS/ SCHOOL CHOICE
***CSHB 890, by Rep. Keith Bell, relating to parental rights; instructional materials. 05/23 finally passed the Senate.
***HB 100, by Rep. Ken King, the school finance bill; school choice. 05/23 finally passed the Senate as amended.
– DEAD – SB 595, by Sen. Kolkhorst, requires parental consent for psychological or psychiatric examination, testing, or treatment conducted by a school district. 05/23 House General State Calendar.
– DEAD – ABBOTT EMERGENCY ITEM: SB 163, by Sen. Campbell, requires parental approval for human sexuality instruction in public schools. 05/23 not reached House General State Calendar before the deadline. This language may have been added to CSHB 890.
PROHIBITING DISCRIMINATION/ENDING TENURE
***PATRICK PRIORITY: 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. 05/22 finally passed the House as amended.
***SB 18, by Sen. Creighton, relating to the tenure and employment of faculty members at certain public institutions of higher education. 05/23 finally passed the House.
PROPERTY TAX RELIEF
***PATRICK PRIORITY: 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. 05/19 House passage as amended reported to the Senate.
PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM TRANSGENDER TREATMENTS AND PROCEDURES and RELATED
**PATRICK PRIORITY: SB 14, by Sen. Campbell, prohibits state funding for transgender sex change drugs and sex mutilation surgery. 05/19 sent to the Governor.
PUBLIC SAFETY/JUDICIAL & PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT/NO BAIL/NEW CRIMINAL OFFENSE/INCREASED PENALTIES
**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. 05/19 sent to the Governor.
***PHELAN PRIORITY: HB 17, by Rep. Cook, relating to “taking politics out of prosecutions” relates to official misconduct by and removal of prosecuting attorneys. 05/23 House conferees announced.
***HB 3452, by Rep. Jetton, relating to the discipline of judges by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct and the legislature. 05/22 finally passed the Senate as amended.
***SB 129, by Sen. Springer, increases the criminal penalty for possession or promotion of child pornography, with enhancements for caregivers who exploit a child. 05/22 finally passed the House.
****HB 1227, by Rep. Metcalf, relating to changing the eligibility for community supervision of a person convicted of possession or promotion of child pornography. 05/24 Senate Regular Order of Business Calendar.
-DEAD – SB 740, by Sen. Huffman, a local government must secure voter approval before passing a budget that reduces regular funding for a prosecutor’s offices compared to the previous fiscal year, as a percentage of the total annual budget. 05/23 House General State Calendar. Not reached before the deadline.
-DEAD – ABBOTT EMERGENCY ITEM: SB 1011, by Sen. Parker, increasing the punishment for trafficking of persons. 05/23 House General State Calendar. Not reached before the deadline.
-DEAD – SB 1267, by Sen. Parker, increases the punishment for the criminal offense of operating a stash house. 05/23 House General State Calendar. Not reached before the deadline.
-DEAD – ABBOTT EMERGENCY ITEM: SJR 44, by Sen. Huffman, proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the denial of bail under some circumstances to a person accused of a violent or sexual offense or of continuous trafficking of persons and requiring a judge or magistrate to impose the least restrictive conditions of bail that may be necessary to ensure the person’s appearance in court as required and the safety of the community, law enforcement, and the victim of the alleged offense. 05/23 postponed.
-DEAD – PATRICK PRIORITY: SB 21, by Sen. Huffman, provides a mechanism for impeaching judges who do not enforce Texas civil or criminal law. 05/23 postponed.
PUTTING GOD AND COUNTRY BACK IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
***SB 763, by Sen. Middleton, allows schools to employ or accept as volunteers, chaplains to perform the duties of school counselor. 05/23 Senate adopt the conference committee report (CCR).
SCHOOL SAFETY
***ABBOTT EMERGENCY ITEM and PHELAN PRIORITY: HB 3, by Rep. Burrows, relating to measures for ensuring public school safety; including the development of, implementation of, and funding for public school safety and security requirements and the provision of safety-related resources. 05/23 Senate Amendment analysis distributed to the House.
-DEAD – ABBOTT EMERGENCY ITEM AND PATRICK PRIORITY: SB 11, by Sen. Nichols, relating to measures for ensuring safety and security in public schools, including measures related to certain student records and truant conduct and active shooter training for certain peace officers. 05/23 postponed.
SECOND AMENDMENT
***HB 2837, by Rep. Schaefer, prohibits a person or entity from surveilling, reporting, or tracking the purchase of firearms, ammunition, and accessories through the use of certain merchant category codes and imposes a civil penalty. 05/20 the final measure was agreed to by both chambers and is reported Enrolled.
***HB 3137, by Rep. Isaac, relating to prohibited local regulation with respect to a firearm or air gun. 05/23 finally passed.
PARENTAL RIGHTS / SCHOOL CHOICE
ABBOTT EMERGENCY ITEM AND PATRICK PRIORITY: SB 8, by Sen. Creighton, empowers parents’ rights over their children’s education, including school choice. 05/15 left pending in the House Public Education Committee, chaired by Republican Brad Buckley. 512.463.0684.
ABBOTT EMERGENCY ITEM: SB 163, by Sen. Campbell, requires parental approval for human sexuality instruction in public schools. 05/16 reported favorably without amendments from the House Public Education Committee, chaired by Republican Rep. Brad Buckley. 512.463.0684. The committee clerk needs to send the committee report to House Calendars. This bill needs to make it on to a House Calendar.
ABBOTT EMERGENCY ITEM: SB 165, by Sen. Campbell, relates to parental rights in education and to audits by TEA of school district curricula. 04/27 left pending in the Senate Education Committee, chaired by Republican Sen. Brandon Creighton. 512.463.0104. This bill needs to be voted out of Senate Education and pass both the Senate and the House.
SB 1072, by Sen. Hughes, relates to human sexuality instruction provided at public school and the role of the local school health advisory council. 05/06 referred to the House Public Education Committee, chaired by Republican Rep. Brad Buckley. 512.463.0684. This bill needs a hearing in the House Public Education Committee.
ABBOTT EMERGENCY ITEM: SJR 70, by Sen. Hughes, which creates a constitutional protection for the fundamental right of parents to raise their children. 04/28 referred to the House State Affairs Committee, chaired by Republican Rep. Todd Hunter. 512.463.0672. This SJR needs a hearing in House State Affairs.
ABBOTT EMERGENCY ITEM: SJR 29, by Sen. Paxton establishing the constitutional right of a parent to direct a child’s education. 04/28 referred to the House Public Education Committee, chaired by Republican Rep. Brad Buckley. 512.463.0684. This SJR needs a hearing in the House Public Education Committee.
SB 595, by Sen. Kolkhorst, requiring parental consent for psychological or psychiatric examination, testing, or treatment conducted by a school district. 05/04 referred to the House Public Education Committee, chaired by Republican Rep. Brad Buckley. 512.463.0684. This bill needs a hearing in House Public Education.
HB 890, by Rep. Keith Bell, relating to a process adopted by a school district regarding complaints and hearings on complaints. 05/18 reported favorably without amendments from the Senate Education Committee, chaired by Republican Sen. Brandon Creighton. 512.463.0104. This bill needs to make it to a Senate Calendar.
HB 3315, by Rep. Keith Bell, relating to a school district’s grievance procedure regarding complaints concerning violation of parental rights. 05/18 left pending in the Senate Education Committee, chaired by Republican Sen. Brandon Creighton. 512.463.0104. This bill needs to be voted out of committee and placed on a Senate Calendar.
PROHIBITING DISCRIMINATION
PATRICK PRIORITY: 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 needs a hearing in House Higher Ed.
PATRICK PRIORITY: 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. 05/19 placed on the House Major State Calendar.
PROPERTY TAX RELIEF
ABBOTT EMERGENCY ITEM: Cut property taxes by using $15 billion. He said Huffman and Bonnen agreed with him. I don’t know which of these bills would be considered Abbott’s emergency items.
PATRICK PRIORITY: 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. 05/18 passed to 3rd reading in the House.
PATRICK PRIOTITY: 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 4 needs a hearing in House Ways and Means.
PATRICK PRIORITY: SB 5, by Sen. Parker, proposing a constitutional amendment that 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. The enabling bill, 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. SB 5 and SJR 3 need a hearing in House Ways and Means.
ABBOTT EMERGENCY ITEM AND PHELAN PRIORITY: HB 2, by Rep. Meyer, which provides property tax relief. 05/02 referred to the Senate Local Government Committee, chaired by Republican Sen. Paul Bettencourt. 512.463.0107. This bill needs a hearing in Senate Local Government.
ABBOTT EMERGENCY ITEM: SJR 78, by Sen. Middleton proposes a constitutional amendment exempting tangible personal property from ad valorem taxes. SJR 78, and the enabling legislation SB 1789 on 03/16 referred to the Senate Local Government Committee, chaired by Sen. Paul Bettencourt. 512.463.0107. These bills look pretty dead.
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. 05/11 referred to Senate Local Government, chaired by Republican Sen. Paul Bettencourt. 512.463.0107. The enabling legislation, HB 3757, 05/12 was referred to Senate Local Government. These bills need a hearing in the Senate Local Government Committee.
PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM TRANSGENDER TREATMENTS AND PROCEDURES
PATRICK PRIORITY: SB 1, by Sen. Huffman and HB 1, by Rep. Bonnen, includes a prohibition on spending taxpayer funds appropriated to the Health and Human Services Commission for transgender surgery. The bill is in the conference committee process.
PATRICK PRIORITY: SB 14, by Sen. Campbell, prohibits state funding for transgender sex change drugs and sex mutilation surgery. 05/18 Senate concurred w House amendments.
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 needs to pass the Senate AND the House.
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. 05/06 referred to the House State Affairs Committee, chaired by Republican Rep. Todd Hunter. 512.463.0672. This bill needs a hearing in House State Affairs.
PUBLIC SAFETY /JUDICIAL & PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT/NO BAIL/NEW CRIMINAL OFFENSE/INCREASED PENALTIES
PATRICK PRIORITY: SB 20, by Sen. Huffman, provides a mechanism for removing district attorneys who refuse to enforce the Texas Criminal Code. 04/17 referred to the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee, chaired by Republican Rep. David Cook. 512.463.0374. This bill needs a hearing in the House.
PATRICK PRIORITY: SB 21, by Sen. Huffman, provides a mechanism for impeaching judges who do not enforce Texas civil or criminal law. 05/10 reported favorably as substituted from House Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence Committee, chaired by Democrat Rep. Jarvis Johnson. 512.463.0554. The committee clerk needs to release the committee report.
ABBOTT EMERGENCY ITEM AND PATRICK PRIORITY: 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. 05/02 left pending in the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee, chaired by Democrat Rep. Joe Moody. 512.463.0728. This bill needs to be voted out and sent to Calendars.
SB 740, by Sen. Huffman, a local government must secure voter approval before passing a budget that reduces regular funding for a prosecutor’s offices compared to the previous fiscal year, as a percentage of the total annual budget. 05/17 reported favorably without amendments from the House State Affairs Committee. This bill needs to make it to a House Calendar.
SB 129, by Sen. Springer, increases the criminal penalty for possession or promotion of child pornography, with enhancements for caregivers who exploit a child. 05/19 House Gen State Calendar.
ABBOTT EMERGENCY ITEM: SB 1011, by Sen. Parker, increasing the punishment for trafficking of persons. 05/17 reported favorably without amendments from the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee, chaired by Democrat Rep. Joe Moody. 512.463.0728. This bill needs to make it to a House Calendar.
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. 05/17 passed the House. Headed for the Governor.
SB 1267, by Sen. Parker, increases the punishment for the criminal offense of operating a stash house. 05/17 reported favorably w/o amendments from the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee, chaired by Democrat Rep. Joe Moody. 512.463.0728. This bill needs to make it to a House Calendar.
ABBOTT EMERGENCY ITEM: SJR 44, by Sen. Huffman, proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the denial of bail under some circumstances to a person accused of a violent or sexual offense or of continuous trafficking of persons and requiring a judge or magistrate to impose the least restrictive conditions of bail that may be necessary to ensure the person’s appearance in court as required and the safety of the community, law enforcement, and the victim of the alleged offense.05/15 reported favorably as substituted from the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee, chaired by Democrat Rep. Joe Moody. 512.463.0728. The JR needs to make it to a House Calendar.
PHELAN PRIORITY: HB 17, by Rep. Cook, relating to “taking politics out of prosecutions” relates to official misconduct by and removal of prosecuting attorneys. 05/17 reported favorably as substituted; committee report printed and distributed from the Senate State Affairs Committee, chaired by Republican Sen. Bryan Hughes. 512.463.0101. This bill needs to be placed on a Senate Calendar.
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. 04/28 referred to the House Public Education Committee, chaired by Republican Rep. Brad Buckley. 512.463.0684. This bill needs a hearing.
SB 763, by Sen. Middleton, allows schools to employ or accept as volunteers, chaplains to perform the duties of school counselor. 05/11 Senate conferees reported. 05/15 House conferees reported. This bill needs to pass the House.
SB 1396, by Sen. Middleton, allows for a period of prayer and reading of the Bible or other religious texts in public schools. 04/25 referred to the House State Affairs Committee, chaired by Republican Rep. Todd Hunter. 512.463.0672 This bill needs a hearing.
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. 05/16 reported favorably without amendments from the House Public Education Committee, chaired by Republican Rep. Brad Buckley. 512.463.0684. The committee clerk needs to send the committee report to Calendars.
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. 04/28 referred to the House State Affairs Committee, chaired by Republican Rep. Todd Hunter. 512.463.0672. This bill needs a hearing.
SCHOOL SAFETY
ABBOTT EMERGENCY ITEM and PHELAN PRIORITY: HB 3, by Rep. Burrows, relating to the development of, implementation of, and funding for public school safety and security requirements. 05/18 committee report printed and distributed from the Senate Education Committee, chaired by Republican Sen. Brandon Creighton. 512.463.0104. This bill needs to be placed on a Senate calendar.
ABBOTT EMERGENCY ITEM AND PHELAN PRIORITY: HB 13 by Rep. Ken King, relating to training, preparedness, and funding for school safety and emergencies in public schools. 05/02 referred to the Senate Education Committee, chaired by Republican Sen. Brandon Creighton. 512.463.0104. This bill needs a hearing.
ABBOTT EMERGENCY ITEM AND PATRICK PRIORITY: SB 11, by Sen. Nichols, relating to measures for ensuring safety and security in public schools, including measures related to certain student records and truant conduct and active shooter training for certain peace officers. 05/16 reported favorably as substituted from the House Public Education Committee, chaired by Republican Brad Buckley. 512.463. 0684. The committee clerk needs to send the committee report to the committee coordinator.
SECOND AMENDMENT
HB 2837, by Rep. Schaefer, prohibits a person or entity from surveilling, reporting, or tracking the purchase of firearms, ammunition, and accessories through the use of certain merchant category codes and imposes a civil penalty. 05/18 placed on the Senate Intent Calendar.