This week (Mar 17 - 20) is a very busy week at the Texas Capitol in Austin. Here are some of the events and bills I am following. Note that I include links for comments in Texas House hearings that you can use to weigh in even if you cannot make it to Austin. At least three bills endorsed by RPT Legislative Priorities will be heard. I include bills in which I have a personal interest.
Monday, March 17
HB 930 by Briscoe Cain – Save the Texas National Guard – in House Defense & Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee starting 11:00 am in E1.026. RPT Legislative Priority Endorsed (End Federal Overreach)
Hearing notice: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/schedules/html/C3092025031711001.HTM
Online comments: https://comments.house.texas.gov/home?c=c309 (The comments are shut off at the end of testimony, so move fast.)
Tuesday, March 18
HB 530 by Ellen Troxclair – Prohibits Guaranteed Income Programs by Subdivisions – in House Intergovernmental Affairs starting at 8:00 am in E2.026. Companion to Paul Bettencourt SB 2010
Hearing notice: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/schedules/html/C3242025031808001.HTM
Online comments: https://comments.house.texas.gov/home?c=c324
HB 75, HB 76, HJR 16– John Smithee – Bail Reform – in House Criminal Jurisprudence starting at 10:30 am or upon adjournment in E2.014.
Hearing notice: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/schedules/html/C2202025031810301.HTM
Online comments: https://comments.house.texas.gov/home?c=c220
SB 542– Charles Schwertner – Prohibits HOAs from fining property owners for not watering lawns during droughts – in Senate Business & Commerce starting at 8:00 am in E1.012.
Hearing notice: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/schedules/html/C5102025031808001.HTM
Online comments not available. Must sign in at Capitol Senate kiosk.
SB 95 – Requires health care providers to obtain informed consent of parent or guardian of child for immunizations – in Senate Health and Human Services starting at 1:00 pm or adjournment in Senate Chamber.
Hearing notice: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/schedules/html/C6102025031813001.HTM
Online comments not available. Must sign in at Capitol Senate kiosk.
Wednesday, March 19
Secure the Texas Grid Symposium – 10 am – 3 pm at Texas Public Policy Foundation Office – 901 Congress, Suite 400, Austin
HJR 7 – Cody Harris – Constitutional Amendment for Dedicated Funding of Water Infrastructure – in House Natural Resources starting at 8 am in E2.036. Governor priority. Similar to Charles Perry SJR 66.
Hearing notice: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/schedules/html/C3902025031908001.HTM
Online comments: https://comments.house.texas.gov/home?c=c390
HB 267 – Jared Patterson – Removes exceptions for showing porn to children – in House State Affairs starting at 8:00 am in JHR 140. RPT Legislative Priority Endorsed (Stop Sexualizing Texas Kids). Companion to Mayes Middleton SB 412.
Hearing notice: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/schedules/html/C4502025031908001.HTM
Online comments: https://comments.house.texas.gov/home?c=c450
HB 1393 – Will Metcalf – Permanent Daylight Savings Time – in House State Affairs starting at 8:00 am in JHR 140. Hearing notice: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/schedules/html/C4502025031908001.HTM
Online comments: https://comments.house.texas.gov/home?c=c450
HB 298 – Mano DeAyala – Requires adding indication that holder is US citizen to Texas Driver’s License if true – in House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans’ Affairs starting at 10:30 am or adjournment in E2.016.
Hearing notice: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/schedules/html/C3082025031910301.HTM
Online comments: https://comments.house.texas.gov/home?c=c308
Thursday, March 20
Republican Party of Texas Legislative Priority Day – 10am – 3 pm – Texas Capitol, Room TBD
HB 25 – Lacy Hull – A Texas MAHA bill promoting nutrition – in House Disease Prevention & Women’s & Children’s Health Subcommittee starting at 8:00 am starting at E1.014. Companion to Lois Kolkhorst SB 25.
Hearing notice: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/schedules/html/C4122025032008001.HTM
Online comments: https://comments.house.texas.gov/home?c=c412
House Election Committee Hearing starting at 10:30 am or adjournment in E2.012.
Hearing notice: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/schedules/html/C2402025032010301.HTM
Online comments: https://comments.house.texas.gov/home?c=c240
OPPOSE HB 242 – Ryan Guillen – criminal offense for obtaining voter info – Intended to stop voting secrecy security whole created by countywide voting. Barry Wernick who identified and publicized the problem opposes. Wernick’s solution is to end countywide voting and electronic voting machines, not make investigating voter fraud a criminal act.
HB 342 – Richard Hayes – allows consolidation of small precincts for voting cost efficiency. RPT Legislative Priority Endorsed (Secure Texas Elections)
OPPOSE HB 614 – John Bucy (D) – procedures for voters that have moved – RPT Legislative Priority OPPOSED (Secure Texas Elections)
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