In addition to Texas Impact's priority issues for the state budget, there are also many important bills that are not related to new, specific budget measures. Here are ten (or so) priority bills without associated budget measures that can still make it through the legislative process.
2. Texas Department of Insurance Sunset
3. Repealing the Law of Parties
5. Higher efficiency standards for state buildings
6. Unemployment Insurance Benefits
10. Ozone Analysis
1. COBRA Continuation
Legislation: SB 1771: Helps more laid-off Texans access federal COBRA assistance to maintain health coverage.
(Read the Bill Here)
By: Senator Robert Duncan
Status: Passed the Senate and the House; moving to the Gov's desk.
Action: Call Gov. Perry at (800) 252-9600 to ask him to sign SB 1771
2. Texas Department of Insurance Sunset
Legislation: SB 1007: This bill presents an opportunity to provide the TDI with the tools necessary to address Texas' uninsured and underinsured problem while protecting consumers from unreasonable insurance practices. Numerous amendments to this bill, related to health insurance, have been proposed that legislators should adopt to build a sustainable health care system with access to quality affordable health insurance.
(Read the Bill Here)
By: Senator Glen Hegar
Status: Passed the Senate; scheduled for the House floor on Saturday, May 23rd. Not heard on the House floor.
Action: Call your representative and ask them to support amendments that would strengthen Texas' health care system.
3. Repealing the Law of Parties
Legislation: HB 2267
By: Representatives Hodge and Dutton
Status: Passed the House; Placed on the Senate Intent calendar for May 27, 2009; not heard.
Action: Call your representative and ask them to support HB 2267.
4. Children and Nature
Legislation: SB 205: This bill establishes an inter-agency council with members of the public and the heads of Parks and Wildlife, Agriculture, Education Agency and State Health Services, to plan for increased access for outdoor recreation, increased physical activity, and environmental literacy.
(Read the Bill Here)
By: Senator Elliot Shapleigh
Status: Passed unanimously from the Senate; scheduled for the House floor on Saturday, May 23. Not heard.
Action: Call your Representative and ask him or her to support the bill.
5. Higher Efficiency Standards for State Buildings
Legislation: HB 431
By: Representative Eddie Lucio, III
Status: Passed the House; Passed the Senate with 6 amendments. House must concur.
Action: Call your Representative and ask them to concur on the Senate amendments.
6. Unemployment Insurance benefits
Legislation: SB 1569: "Modernizing" the unemployment compensation regulations (Read the bill here.)
By: Senator Kevin Eltife
Status: Passed by the Senate; set on House calender for Thursday, May 21; heard 8 of 15 amendments before it was postponed.
Action: Call your representative and ask them to support this bill.
7. Corporate Prohibition
Legislation: HB 2511 (For more imformation, read all about the bill here.)
By: Representative Todd Smith
Status: Passed by the House; referred to Senate State Affairs
Action: Call Chairman Duncan at (512) 463-0128 and ask him to support HB 2511
8. Innocence Commission
Legislation: HB 498: Establishes a commission to investigate and prevent wrongful convictions
(Read Bill Here)
By: Representative Ruth Jones McClendon
Status: Passed from the House; Passed from Senate with an amendment; House must concur
Action: Call your representative and ask them to concur on the amendments to HB 498.
9. Human Trafficking
Legislation: SB 89 would create training, task force, and funding sources to combat human trafficking.
By: Senator Jane Nelson; Co-authors Davis and Uresti
Status: The bill was amended onto HB 4009 and passed; House must concur.
Action: Call your representative and ask them to concur on the Senate amendment to HB 4009.
10. Ozone Analysis
Legislation: SB 16: Improves air quality and reduces emmissions
By: Senator Kip Averitt
Status: Passed the Senate; amended to HB 1796; House must concur on the amendment.
Action: Call your representative and ask them to concur on Senate Amendment 4 to HB 1796.
Bills that are no longer moving:
Legislation: HB 3584: Improving procedures for compensating individuals and their families who have been wrongfully convicted and subsequently exonerated (Read bill here).
By: Representative Pete Gallego
Status: Unfortunately, this bill did not pass through committee before the deadline and is no longer viable.
Legislation: HB 2623: "Modernizing" the unemployment compensation regulations (Read the bill here.)
By: Representative Joe Deshotel
Status: Unfortunately, this bill did not pass through committee before the deadline and is no longer viable.
Legislation: HB 2495: Requires the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to consider the cumulative effects of emissions from proposed facilities on applications for certain air contaminant emissions permits (Read bill here).
By: Representative Jim Dunnam
Status: Unfortunately, this bill did not pass through committee before the deadline and is no longer viable.
Legislation: HB 721: Relating to permitting procedures of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for control of air pollution. (Read bill here).
By: Representative Donna Howard, et al
Status: Unfortunately, this bill did not pass through committee before the deadline and is no longer viable.
Legislation: SB 544: Eliminates smoking in all work places and public places (Read the bill here).
By: Senator Rodney Ellis
Status: SB 544 not heard on the Senate floor, so it is no longer considered viable.
