May 17-18, 2021
Two weeks are left in the 87th Legislature. Action will be directed at calling your state representative and state senator, and there will likely be additional action alerts throughout the week as things move very quickly.
Oppose Bullying Children that Identify as Transgender
Oppose SB 1311 by Sen. Hall
Last week, HB 1399 died on the House Calendar. Tell your state senator to oppose a similar SB 1311, which would prohibit the doctors from performing gender-affirming medical treatments. Those currently receiving treatments such as hormone replacement would immediately lose access.
SB 1311 is on the Senate Intent Calendar which means it could come up at any time if there are the 18 votes needed to advance.
Oppose SB 155 by Sen. Perry
SB 155 would refer for criminal investigation with the Attorney General’s Office any voter that moved counties, tells their previous county of residence that they are not a resident for purposes of jury selection, but did not cancel their previous voter registration. There is no legal requirement that a voter cancel a previous registration.
Support SB 2212 by Sen. West
SB 2112 is a George Floyd related bill that would require an officer to stop and render aid to a suspect being arrested.
Both bills are on the Monday Calendar in the Texas House and need to receive a majority number of votes on the floor on Monday, and again on Tuesday, in order to advance.
Pass Two Good Healthcare Bills for Moms & Children
Support HB 133 by Rep. Rose
HB 133 would provide twelve months of health coverage after pregnancy.
HB 133 passed the House on 4/15. It was referred to the Senate Health & Human Services Committee on 4/19. Call the Senate Health & Human Services Committee and ask them to set a hearing for HB 133.
|
Chair |
Sen. Kolkhorst, Lois |
(877) 801-0551 |
|
Vice Chair |
Sen. Perry, Charles |
(877) 649-1015 |
|
Sen. Blanco, Cesar |
(877) 751-9042 |
|
|
Sen. Buckingham, Dawn |
(877) 612-2212 |
|
|
Sen. Campbell, Donna |
(877) 649-0965 |
|
|
Sen. Hall, Bob |
(877) 209-4797 |
|
|
Sen. Miles, Borris |
(877) 399-9590 |
|
|
Sen. Powell, Beverly |
(877) 314-4951 |
|
|
Sen. Seliger, Kel |
(877) 857-0758 |
Support HB 290 by Rep. Cortez
HB 290 would provide twelve months of continuous health coverage for children as opposed to making parents reapply every six months.
HB 290 passed the House on 4/15, but has not been referred to a committee. Call the Lieutenant Governor and ask him to refer the bill to a committee so that it can have a hearing.
|
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick |
(877) 251-9546 |
Status of Three Good George Floyd Related Bills
Support HB 829 by Rep. Senfronia Thompson
HB 829 would establish a progressive disciplinary matrix for police officer misconduct in certain municipalities.
Support HB 830 by Rep. Senfronia Thompson
HB 830 would not permit an arrest for a fine only, class C misdemeanor.
HB 829 and HB 830 have been referred to the Senate Committee on Jurisprudence. Call the committee and ask that they be set for a hearing.
|
Chair |
Sen. Huffman, Joan |
(877) 673-7187 |
|
Vice Chair |
Sen. Hinojosa, Juan “Chuy” |
(877) 874-9250 |
|
Sen. Creighton, Brandon |
(877) 235-0082 |
|
|
Sen. Hughes, Bryan |
(877) 207-1495 |
|
|
Sen. Johnson, Nathan |
(877) 655-3415 |
Support HB 834 by Rep. Senfronia Thompson
HB 834 would require the corroboration of eyewitness testimony in drug cases.
HB 834 passed the House on 4/15, but has not been referred to a committee. Call the Lieutenant Governor and ask him to refer the bill to a committee so that it can have a hearing.
|
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick |
(877) 251-9546 |
TAKE ACTION!
NOTE: We have set up toll-free numbers for all members of the Texas House and Senate. We ask that you use those numbers and save them in your phones. Dialing this number allows us to track the volume of calls to each office. If the number stops working, please let us know so we can set up a new number.
Find toll free numbers at https://texasimpact.org/texas-legislative-contact-information-2021/
Find your elected officials via the “Who Represents Me” page at http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/Home.aspx
Weekly Witness Action Alert Sample Script
See the list of toll free numbers (https://texasimpact.org/texas-legislative-contact-information-2021/) for each member of the Texas Legislature and save the number. Using the toll free number allows Texas Impact staff to track how many calls are going in to each office.
Sample Script
Hello, my name is _________________and I live in ___________. I am calling to thank Representative/Senator _____________________for his/her service this Legislative Session.
As a person of faith (or clergy) I want to be constructive in working with Representative/Senator _______________ and hope they will support/oppose Bill number.
Feel free to use any of the bullet points in the Action Alert above. If your congregation has a special connection to the issue area you are referencing, feel free to briefly reference that connection. Don’t forget to thank the staff member you are talking to at the end of the call, even if you disagree with their boss on the issue or bill—they are working hard and appreciate being appreciated!
In the past, legislative offices occasionally have blocked our toll free number because of high call volume from people of faith. If you call twice and receive busy signals, email engagement@texasimpact.org and we will update the number.
For updated information, visit www.texasimpact.org, follow us on Facebook or Twitter or contact engagement@texasimpact.org To join the Texas Impact Rapid Response Team and receive updated Texas Impact Action Alerts or a Legislative Engagement Group to be connected with other members in your district, visit: https://texasimpact.org/action-center/
Texas Impact is a membership organization. Join Texas Impact and be part of Texas’ oldest and largest interfaith action network! For more information, visit: https://texasimpact.org/join