FILED BILLS FOR THE 83RD TEXAS LEGISLATIVE SESSION (PART II)
In previous articles, I began outlining several of the bills which were filed within the pre-filing period. In this week’s article I am going to continue outlining some of the bills which have been filed following the opening of the 83rd Texas Legislature. The 83rd legislative session’s pre-filing period officially began on November 12th. It is important to remember that unlike our counterparts in Washington D.C., the Texas Legislature meets for only 140 days in every odd-numbered year. The established pre-filing period allows the legislature the opportunity to hit the ground running at the beginning of the session, which officially started on January 8th of this year.
During the pre-filing period, approximately 535 bills, joint resolutions, and concurrent resolutions were filed with the Chief Clerk of the House and the Secretary of the Senate’s respective offices. Since the opening day of session an additional 263 bills, joint resolutions, and concurrent resolutions have been filed. Below is a selection of House bills which have been filed to-date:
• HB 244 is relating to requiring photo identification for credit card purchases.
• HB 251 addresses the performance of certain students on state assessment instruments in evaluating school district and campus performance.
• HB 274 is related to the reporting requirements applicable to school districts that obtain exceptions from class size limits.
• HB 281 is concerning the right of one immediate family member of certain deceased peace officers to make an oral statement regarding the terms of a plea bargain agreement.
• HB 294 relates to the exemption from ad valorem taxation of certain property owned by a charitable organization and used in providing housing and related services to certain homeless individuals.
• HB 298 is relating to prohibiting employer retaliation against employees who seek recovery of unpaid wages and procedures in wage claim hearings conducted by the Texas Workforce Commission; providing administrative penalties..
• HB 314 seeks abolish the Alternative Fuels Research and Education Division program administered by the Railroad Commission of Texas.
• HB 316 is relating to the pilot program authorizing a property owner to appeal to the State Office of Administrative Hearings regarding certain appraisal review board determinations.
• HB 318 seeks to prohibit an employer from requiring or requesting access to the personal accounts of employees and job applicants through electronic communication devices; establishing an unlawful employment practice.
Below is a selection of the Senate bills which have been filed to-date:
• SB 172 is relating to diagnosing the reading development and comprehension of public school kindergarten students.
• SB 173 seeks to address Relating to diagnosing the reading development and comprehension of public school kindergarten students.
• SB 181 related to the use of a wireless communication device to provide evidence of motor vehicle financial responsibility.
• SB 182 is relating to the carrying of concealed handguns on the campuses of and certain other locations associated with institutions of higher education.
• SB 186 addresses the abatement of mosquitoes in stagnant water located on certain uninhabited residential property.
The filed bills for the 83rd (R) legislative session are available for the public to view at www.capitol.state.tx.us.
If you have questions or comments regarding any of the filed bills mentioned in this article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. As always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).
– State Representative Todd Hunter, District 32
Rep. Hunter currently represents Part of Nueces County. He can be contacted at todd.hunter@house.state.tx.us or at 512-463-0672.
