The 84th Texas Legislative Session Begins-Pre-Filed Bills
The 84th Texas Legislative Session began on Tuesday, January 13. The Texas House of Representative’s swearing-in ceremony was held on the Texas House of Representatives floor on January 13. Governor-elect Greg Abbott will be sworn in this week. During this session, I would like to invite you to come to Austin sometime during the 84th session and visit the Capitol office. We want you to be a part of your Texas Legislature. Our office is located on the Ground Floor of the Texas Capitol building in room number GW.18.
Last week, I discussed some of the bills that had been pre-filed for this session. Pre-filing of bills began in November of 2014. I’d like to continue to discuss more of these bills so that our area can be familiar with the subject matter of bills being filed.
• HB 456 is relating to a prohibition on the use and possession of vapor products on school property.
• HB 459 is relating to zero-based budgeting for certain entities funded by this state and submission of a zero-based budget by and performance of a financial audit of an agency undergoing review by the Sunset Advisory Commission.
• HB 469 is relating to the allocation of certain motor vehicle sales tax revenue to the state highway fund and to the uses of that revenue.
• HB 482 is relating to allowing the holder of a brewpub license to sell ale and malt liquor to certain wholesalers.
• HB 485 is relating to the availability on the Internet of personal financial statements filed by certain state officeholders.
• HB 508 is relating to an exemption for certain law enforcement and military personnel from the requirement to complete a hunter education program; authorizing a fee.
• HB 530 is relating to the use of proceeds from criminal asset forfeiture to provide college scholarships to children of peace officers killed in the line of duty and to an annual report regarding the total value of forfeited property in this state.
• HB 542 is relating to an annual state budget and legislative budget sessions in even-numbered years and to political contributions made during a legislative session.
• HB 550 is relating to the provision of health and human services in this state, including the powers and duties of the Health and Human Services Commission and other state agencies, and the licensing of certain health professionals; clarifying certain statutory provisions; authorizing the imposition of fees.
• HB 552 is relating to the phaseout and repeal of the franchise tax; lowering the rates of the tax.
• HB 558 is relating to the issuance of specialty license plates for Vietnam veterans.
Below is a selection of the Senate bills which have been filed to-date:
• SB 293 is relating to a clarification of the law governing eligibility of National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing events for funding under the Major Events trust fund.
• SB 295 is relating to tracking career information for graduates of Texas medical schools and persons completing medical residency programs in Texas.
If you would like to follow the Texas House and learn more information on news, committees or other aspects of the legislative body, visit Texas House of Representatives. The site features live streaming from the House floor, committee hearings as well as access to a number of other resources. Also to follow the Texas Senate visit, Texas Senate. Additional visit The Texas Governor to follow the governor’s official website.
If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this week’s article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. Please always feel free to contact my office if you have any questions or issues regarding a Texas state agency, or if you would like to contact my office regarding constituent services. 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.
