The month of March marks the beginning of “committee season” in a Texas legislative session. The first week is often a “warm up” week, and committees in both chambers have scheduled hearings on bills we support.
Support Water Cremation: SB 105 by Johnson
SB 105 would authorize water cremation, also known as aquamation and alkaline hydrolysis, as a method of disposition when a person dies. The method does not require fossil fuels, is 90 percent more energy efficient, and does not use land or materials for a casket. Funeral practices have always been closely connected to religious belief, and many people of faith desire a funeral that better cares for God’s Creation, such as the Archbishop Desmond Tutu. There are no health or safety concerns with water cremation. It is authorized in 26 states. Read the 1-pager.
Call the Senate Business & Commerce Committee
Chair: Sen. Charles Schwertner – (866) 730-1359
Vice Chair: Sen. Phil King – (866) 730-1395
Sen. Brian Birdwell – (866) 730-1395
Sen. Donna Campbell – (866) 772-1951
Sen. Brandon Creighton – (866) 730-1355
Sen. Nathan Johnson – (866) 770-7364
Sen. Lois Kolkhorst – (866) 770-7366
Sen. José Menéndez – (866) 772-1954
Sen. Mayes Middleton – (866) 730-1396
Sen. Robert Nichols – (866) 730-1335
Sen. Judith Zaffirini – (866) 730-1335
Support Death Penalty Reform
HB 180 by Moody would authorize a prosecutor to withdraw an execution date, which has been an issue in the Melissa Lucio case.
HB 314 by Toth would prohibit the death sentence in a case in which guilt is based solely on the testimony of one eyewitness.
HB 727 by Rose would prohibit the death sentence in a case in which the defendant suffered from severe mental illness.
Call the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee
Chair: Rep. Joe Moody – (855) 893-7425
Vice Chair: Rep. David Cook – (866) 596-1702
Rep. Salman Bhojani – (866) 573-1651
Rep. Rhetta Andrews Bowers – (855) 739-2182
Rep. Drew Darby – (866) 536-5680
Rep. Brian Harrison – (855) 921-1368
Rep. Jeff Leach – (866) 534-6753
Rep. Christina Morales – (866) 730-0827
Rep. Nate Schatzline – (866) 573-1652
Support Sales Tax Exemptions for Necessities: HB 300 by Howard
HB 300 would exempt diapers, baby wipes, feminine hygiene products, and maternity clothes from the sales tax, which would make the sales tax less regressive. Eighty-one percent of Texans support a sales tax exemption for diapers and baby wipes, 75 percent support an exemption for feminine hygiene products, and 67 percent support an exemption for maternity clothes.
Call the House Ways & Means Committee
Chair: Rep. Morgan Meyer – (855) 704-2553
Vice Chair: Rep. Shawn Thierry – (855) 704-2554
Rep. Angie Chen Button – (855) 705-0255
Rep. Tom Craddick – (855) 705-3750
Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins – (855) 706-0756
Rep. Cole Hefner – (855) 706-0757
Rep. Sergio Muñoz, Jr. – (855) 706-1694
Rep. Candy Noble – (855) 706-1703
Rep. Richard Peña Raymond – (855) 729-6257
Rep. Hugh Shine – (855) 733-2187
Rep. Chris Turner – (855) 736-6906
Support Doula Coverage in Medicaid: HB 465 by Thierry
HB 465 would create a pilot program to cover doula services in the Medicaid program in two counties with high maternal and infant mortality rates.
Call the House Human Services Committee
Chair: Rep. James B. Frank – (855) 693-3927
Vice Chair: Rep. Toni Rose – (855) 704-0851
Rep. Liz Campos – (866) 695-0632
Rep. Lacey Hull – (866) 721-0897
Rep. Stephanie Klick – (855) 701-2295
Rep. Christian Manuel – (855) 918-1301
Rep. Candy Noble – (855) 706-1703
Rep. Ana-Maria Ramos – (866) 631-6168
Rep. Matt Shaheen – (866) 533-8228