The 84th Texas Legislative Session Is Underway
The 84th Texas Legislative Session began on Tuesday, January 13th. The Texas House of Representative’s swearing-in ceremony was held on the Texas House of Representatives floor on January 13th. Governor Greg Abbott was sworn in on January 20th. During this session, I would like to invite you to come to Austin 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 589 is relating to a disqualification for unemployment benefits for refusing to take or failing a preemployment drug test.
• HB 591 is relating to the eligibility of land owned by certain members of the armed services of the United States for appraisal for ad valorem tax purposes as qualified open-space land.
• HB 597 is relating to the designation for criminal prosecution and other purposes of certain chemicals commonly referred to as synthetic cannabinoids as controlled substances and controlled substance analogues under the Texas Controlled Substances Act.
• HB 611 is relating to reporting requirements concerning Ebola virus disease.
• HB 612 is relating to license plates issued to female veterans with disabilities.
• HB 619 is relating to an exemption from and a limitation on the sales tax imposed on certain boats and boat motors.
• HB 642 is relating to an alcohol awareness program or drug education program for certain minors convicted of or adjudicated to have engaged in, or placed on deferred disposition or community supervision for, certain drug or alcohol related offenses; authorizing a fee.
• HB 647 is relating to prohibiting the sale of nicotine products to minors; creating an offense.
• HB 874 is relating to employment of persons with advanced degrees as public school teachers.
• HB 877 is relating to creating the offense of intimidation by a member of a criminal street gang.
• HB 882 is relating to the director and assistant director of the Texas Military Preparedness Commission.
• HB 883 is relating to the punishment for the offense of graffiti and the creation of a graffiti pretrial diversion program; authorizing a fee.
• HB 886 is relating to the issuance of Iraq Campaign Medal specialty license plates.
Below is a selection of the Senate bills which have been filed to-date:
• SB 171 is relating to the addition of an offense for the continuous smuggling of persons.
• SB 272 is relating to making a voluntary contribution to the Special Olympics Texas fund when registering a motor vehicle or renewing a motor vehicle registration.
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.
