April 22 , 2019
DON'T MISS IT

 
TRACKED BILLS
 CLICK HERE  to view the bills we are tracking this session.

PUBLIC POLICY COMMITTEE
Join the Plano Chamber of Commerce on the first Wednesday of the month from 7:30 am -9:00 am for our monthly Public Policy Committee meeting. This committee discusses legislation and issues that affect the business community. Committee meetings are open to all members in good standing. CLICK HERE for more details. 

LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
The Plano Chamber works tirelessly to identify the issues of highest priority to our business community and to act on their behalf.  View the Legislative Priorities  for the 86th Texas Legislative Session for more details.

Official Photo with Governor Abbott
GOVERNOR

Texas Instruments Expansion - On Thursday, Governor Greg Abbott announced that Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) will increase its presence in Richardson, Texas and build a new 300mm analog semiconductor wafer fabrication facility. Upon completion, the new facility is expected to create more than 488 jobs and represent more than $3.1 billion in capital investment. A Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) grant of $5,124,000 has been extended to TI contingent upon the company fulfilling these investment and staffing commitments.
SENATE NEWS  

The Senate was in session Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.
On Monday, the Senate passed 4 bills including SB 2 by Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston), the proposed Texas Property Tax Reform and Relief Act of 2019. The bill was amended to have a 3.5% rollback rate. Senator Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) voted to suspend the Senate's rules to allow debate to take place on SB 2, but remained steadfast in his opposition to the legislation. This decision prevented the blocker bill, which ensures cooperative work in the Senate, from being removed from the order of business in the so-called "nuclear option."
 
Also on Monday, the Senate passed SB 9 by Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola), an election fraud prevention bill. Supporters see this legislation as a tool to prevent voter fraud, audit existing systems, and increase penalties for fraud. The bill was opposed by the League of Women Voters because while they support some of the bill's measures to audit and modernize election equipment, the bill increases suspicions around voter fraud and intimidates voters.
 
On Wednesday, the Senate gave preliminary approval to three bills and passed 31 bills including SB 29 by Bob Hall (R-Edgewood), which would prohibit the use of public funds for lobbying expenses.
 
Total number of bills reported out of Senate Committees this week: 112
Total number of bills passed by the Senate this week: 150
Total number of bills passed on the Local & Uncontested Calendar: 83
Total number of bills passed by the Senate this session: 440
 
This Week: The Senate will reconvene at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 23.

HOUSE NEWS 

The House was in session Monday through Thursday of this week.
 
On Monday, the House gave preliminary approval to 54 bills and passed two bills.
 
On Tuesday, the House passed 59 bills to third reading and gave final approval to 55 bills. Receiving preliminary approval were HB 18, which would add positive behavior interventions support to school districts' improvement plans and expanding school counseling programs for students with mental health conditions; HB 19, which would require local mental health authorities to employ a non-physician mental health professional to serve as a mental health resource for school districts; and HB 1070, which would require additional mental health first aid training for school employees, all by Four Price (R-Amarillo).
 
On Wednesday, the House gave preliminary approval to 27 bills and passed 60 bills including HB 26 by Jeff Leach (R-Plano), known as the "Texas Born-Alive Infant Protection Act."
 
On Thursday, the House gave preliminary approval to 2 bills and passed 26 bills on the regular calendar and 38 bills on the Local & Consent calendar. They gave final approval to HB 8 by Victoria Neave (D-Dallas), which would clear the backlog of untested "rape kits" and revise timelines for analyzing sexual assault kits.
 
Other bills that passed the House this week are in the issue categories below.
 
Total number of bills reported out of House Committees this week: 365    
Total number of bills passed by the House this week: 181
Total number of bills passed on the Local & Consent Calendar: 38
Total number of bills passed by the House this session: 447
 
This Week: The House will reconvene at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 23.
STATEWIDE

Passed the House:
HB 7 by Geanie Morrison (R-Victoria) would require the Division of Emergency Management to develop a plan to assist political subdivisions with contracts for services needed following a disaster. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed the House by a vote of 131 to 0.
HCR 40 by Charlie Geren (R-Fort Worth) would authorize the lieutenant governor and the speaker to appoint joint committees. It passed the House on the Local & Consent calendar.
 
On Monday, the House State Affairs Committee took up:
SB 72 by Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) would require the attorney general to establish the Human Trafficking Prevention Coordinating Council to develop and implement a five-year strategic plan for preventing human trafficking. It was voted out favorably.
 
This Week:
House Calendar:
HJR 145 by Sarah Davis (R-Houston) would propose a constitutional amendment establishing a new Disaster Reinvestment and Infrastructure Planning Revolving Fund to be used by political subdivisions for rebuilding infrastructure damaged or destroyed in a disaster or constructing infrastructure to mitigate damage from a future disaster; and would fund it from $15 million from the Economic Stabilization Fund.
 
The House Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Infrastructure, Resiliency & Investment will meet on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at 8:00 a.m. in E1.030 of the capitol extension to take up:
HB 1917 by Jim Murphy (R-Houston) would establish a Disaster Response Loan Fund to be used to provide short-term loans to political subdivisions affected by a disaster; and would appropriate $1 billion from the Economic Stabilization Fund to the Disaster Response Loan Fund.
BUDGET

Conferees - On Wednesday, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick appointed conferees on HB 1, the appropriations bill. Senate conferees are Senators Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound), Joan Huffman (R-Houston), Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham), Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood), and Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville). The previously appointed House conferees are Representatives John Zerwas (R-Fulshear), Greg Bonnen (R-Friendswood), Sarah Davis (R-Houston), Oscar Longoria (D-Mission), and Armando Lucio Walle (D-Houston). The first meeting of the HB 1 conference committee will be at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 23, 2019. Conferees were also appointed for SB 500, the supplemental appropriations bill. They are Senators Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound), Joan Huffman (R-Houston), Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham), and Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa (D-McAllen) and Representatives John Zerwas (R-Fulshear), Giovanni Capriglione (R-Keller), Mary Gonzalez (D-El Paso), Rick Miller (R-Sugar Land), and Toni Rose (D-Dallas).
 
Passed the House:
HB 3317 by John Zerwas (R-Fulshear) would dedicate and rededicate revenue for use in certifying the budget. Three floor amendments were adopted and it passed the House by a vote of 120 to 14. The companion, SB 2179, is set for a hearing in the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday, April 25, 2019.
 
Passed the Senate:
SB 69 by Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) would eliminate the legislative committee that determines the sufficient balance for the Economic Stabilization Fund (ESF) and require the comptroller to calculate the sufficient balance. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed the Senate on the Local & Uncontested calendar.
SB 462 by Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) would require ballot propositions of political subdivisions that authorize bonds to clearly state the purpose of the bonds, the principal amount to be authorized the taxes sufficient to pay the principal and interest on the bonds, the aggregate amount of the outstanding principal of the previously issued bonds, and the ad valorem debt service tax rate expressed in an amount per $100 valuation of taxable property. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed the Senate by a vote of 24 to 7.
SB 849 by Pat Fallon (R-Prosper) would require the proposed budget of a local governmental entity that includes revenue from a new fee or a fee increase to contain a cover page stating that the budget includes estimated revenue from a new or increased fee and a description of the fee. One floor amendment was adopted and it passed the Senate by a vote of 26 to 5. The companion, HB 984, was voted favorably as substituted from the House Urban Affairs Committee this week.
 
On Monday, the House Appropriations Committee took up:
HB 3908 by Shawn Thierry (D-Houston) would abolish the B-On-Time student loan account and allocate the remaining funds in the account among eligible institutions based on a three-year average of the number of bachelor's degrees conferred on at-risk students in accordance with a performance-based methodology. It was left pending. The companion, SB 1504 is on the Senate Intent calendar for Tuesday, April 23, 2019 (first placement).
HB 4000 by Steve Toth (R-The Woodlands) would require the Legislative Budget Board in coordination with the Texas Education Agency to study the effect of state educational mandates on school districts. It was voted out favorably as substituted.
 
This Week :
House Calendar:
HB 20 and HJR 10 by Giovanni Capriglione (R-Keller) would propose a constitutional amendment establishing the Texas Legacy Fund and would provide that in a year in which the balance of the Economic Stabilization Fund (ESF) is above its sufficient balance, the remainder above the amount would be deposited to the Texas Legacy Fund; and would require the Comptroller to invest money in the legacy fund under the prudent-person standard.
 
The Senate Business & Commerce Committee will meet on Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at 8:00 a.m. in E1.023 of the capitol extension to take up:
HB 81 by Terry Canales (D-Edinburg) would make public funds expended by a governmental body for a parade, concert, or other entertainment event open to the general public subject to disclosure under the open records laws.
 
The House Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Infrastructure, Resiliency & Investment will meet on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at 8:00 a.m. in E1.030 of the capitol extension to take up:
HJR 42 by Will Metcalf (R-Conroe) would propose a constitutional amendment establishing a state debt retirement account and would provide that if the Economic Stabilization Fund reaches its constitutional cap, the annual amount that would have been transferred to the ESF to the debt retirement account to pay down the principal on state bonds, notes or other obligations.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 

Passed the House:
HB 1000 by Chris Paddie (R-Marshall) would require the Governor's Office of Economic Development and Tourism to administer the Rural and Opportunity Fund to make growth investments in targeted small businesses in rural communities and federally-designated opportunity zones. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed the House by a vote of 115 to 22. The companion, SB 826 has been heard and left pending in the Senate Business & Commerce Committee.
SB 743 by Bob Hall (R-Canton) and Brad Buckley (R-Killeen) would establish the Texas Olive Oil Industry Advisory Board to develop recommendations to the Commissioner of Agriculture to promote and expand the olive and olive oil industry in Texas. SB 743 was substituted for HB 1514 on the House floor, and it passed by a vote of 130 to 16.
 
On Monday, the House International Relations & Economic Development Committee took up:
HB 1221 by Jared Patterson (R-Frisco) would allow municipal economic development corporations to spend their sales tax revenue on general infrastructure and first responder personnel if the voters approve. An election could be called by the city council, or held after a petition threshold is triggered. It was left pending.
 
On Wednesday, the Senate Natural Resources & Economic Development Committee took up:
SB 132 by Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa (D-McAllen) would establish the Texas Leverage Fund to be used to make loans to economic development corporations for eligible projects of Type A or Type B corporations. It was voted out favorably as substituted.
GENERAL BUSINESS

Passed the House:
HB 1535 by Dan Flynn (R-Van) is the sunset bill for the State Securities Board. It passed the House by a vote of 123 to 2.
 
Passed the Senate:
SB 645 by Brian Birdwell (R-Granbury) Birdwell would remove the limit on package store ownership and the so-called "consanguinity loophole." It passed the Senate by a vote of 27 to 4.
SB 1450 by Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills) would create a consumer delivery permit from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to allow delivery of alcoholic beverages from a retailer to the ultimate consumer. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed the Senate on the Local & Uncontested calendar.
 
On Tuesday, the Senate Business & Commerce Committee took up:
HB 1442 by Chris Paddie (R-Marshall) is the sunset bill for the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner. It was left pending.
HB 1520 by Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) is the sunset bill for the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy. It was left pending.
 
Reported and Voted From Committee:
HB 1924 by Cesar Blanco (D-El Paso) would require any state agency with regulatory authority to give a small business the opportunity to remedy a violation before imposing an administrative or civil penalty against the small business. It was voted favorably from the House State Affairs Committee.
HB 2165 by Ana Hernandez (D-Houston) would prohibit the holder of a permit or license for retail sale of alcoholic beverages from selling an alcoholic beverage at retail at a cost less than the retailer's cost. It was voted favorably as substituted from the House Licensing & Administrative Procedures Committee.
HB 2625 by Mary Ann Perez (D-Pasadena) would make it a felony criminal offense to possess or use five or more counterfeit credit or debit cards with intent to harm or defraud another person; and the degree of felony would depend on the number of cards/numbers possessed. It was reported favorably as substituted from the House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Committee.
SB 619 by Brian Birdwell (R-Granbury) would re-set the sunset dates of several agencies. It was reported favorably as substituted from the Senate Natural Resources & Economic Development Committee. It is on the Senate Intent calendar for Tuesday, April 23, 2019. The companion, HB 1680, has been heard and left pending in the House State Affairs Committee.
SB 928 by Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills) would allow the holder of a brewer's permit to import ale and malt from a nonresident brewer for purposes of manufacturing, mixing, blending, bottling, and selling the product. It was reported favorably from the House Licensing & Administrative Procedures Committee.
SB 1232 by Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) would allow the holder of a wine and beer retailer's permit who is also the holder of a local cartage permit to make deliveries to and collections from customers in the same manner as the holder of a package store permit. It was voted favorably from the House Licensing & Administrative Procedures Committee.
 
The House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Committee will meet on Thursday, April 25, 2019 at 8:00 a.m. in E2.026 of the capitol extension to take up:
HB 190 by Diego Bernal (D- San Antonio) would prohibit a credit services organization from obtaining or assist in obtaining an extension of consumer credit for a consumer unless the organization finds that the consumer can reasonably repay in cash in the time and schedule of payments established in the contract.
 
The House Urban Affairs Committee will meet on Thursday, April 25, 2019 at 8:00 a.m. in E2.010 of the capitol extension to take up:
HB 1252 by Eddie Rodriguez (D-Austin) would establish the grocery access investment fund program to provide financing to construct, rehabilitate, or expand grocery stores, mobile markets, farm stands, and other eligible projects to increase food access in underserved low-income and moderate-income areas.
 
This Week :
House Calendar:
HB 1998 by Craig Goldman (R-Fort Worth) would allow the holder of a brewer's permit to import ale and malt from a nonresident brewer for purposes of manufacturing, mixing, blending, bottling, and selling the product.
 
Senate Intent Calendar:
SB 572 by Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) would add pickled vegetables, including pickled beets and carrots to the list of products produced by a cottage food production operation.
 
The Senate Business & Commerce Committee will meet on Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at 8:00 a.m. in E1.023 of the capitol extension to take up:
SB 785 by Nathan Johnson (D-Dallas) would authorize the sale of alcoholic beverages between noon and 10:00 p.m. on Sundays and extend the hours of allowed alcoholic beverages on other days from 9:00 to 10:00 p.m.
HEALTH

Passed the House:
HB 10 and HJR 5 by Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) would establish the Texas Mental & Behavioral Health Research Institute to be funded with voter-approved bonds. The committee substitute and five floor amendments were adopted and HB 10 passed the House by a vote of 114 to 32. The committee substitute and one floor amendment were adopted and it passed the House by a vote of 110 to 32.
HB 39 and HJR 12 by John Zerwas (R-Fulshear) would propose a constitutional amendment increasing the bonding authority for the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas from $3 billion to $6 billion. HB 39 passed the House by a vote of 114 to 18. HJR 12 passed the House by a vote of 130 to 15. The companion, SB 438, was withdrawn from the Senate Local & Uncontested calendar on April 17, 2019 to wait for arrival of the House bill.
HB 253 by Jessica Farrar (D-Houston) would require Executive Commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission to develop a five-year strategic plan to improve access to postpartum depression screening, referral, treatment, and support services to be implemented by the Department of State Health Services. The committee substitute and one floor amendment were adopted and it passed the House by a vote of 89 to 55.
HB 1504 by Chris Paddie (R-Marshall) is the sunset bill for the Texas Medical Board. The committee substitute and two floor amendments were adopted and it passed the House by a vote of 127 to 7.
 
On Tuesday, the Senate Health & Human Services Committee took up:
SB 792 by Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) would include teledentistry to the telemedicine and telehealth statutes in the Occupations Code. It was left pending. The companion, HB 1756, was sent to a subcommittee of the House Public Health Committee.
 
On Wednesday, the House Public Health Committee took up:
HB 1782 by Philip Cortez (D-San Antonio) would require the Health and Human Services Commission to develop and implement an action plan to expand the use of and increase access to telemedicine medical services, telehealth services, and related mobile applications for those services by health care providers for Texas residents. It was left pending.
 
Voted and Reported from Committee:
HB 1706 by Tom Oliverson (R-Cypress) would expand the allowed participants in a telepharmacy system to include a federally qualified health center, an ambulatory surgical center, a birthing center, a community health center, a hospital, an outpatient clinic, and a public health clinic. It was reported favorably from the House Public Health Committee and recommended for the Local & Consent calendar.
SB 21 by Joan Huffman (R-Houston) would increase the smoking age to 21. It was voted favorably from the House Public Health Committee.
 
This Week :
House Calendar:
HB 3345 by Four Price (R-Amarillo) would require health benefit plans to provide coverage for a covered health care service or procedure delivered by a preferred or contracted health professional to a covered patient as a telemedicine medical service or telehealth service on the same basis and to the same extent that the plan provides coverage for the service or procedure in an in-person setting.
 
The House Public Health Committee will meet on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. in E2.026 of the capitol extension to take up:
HB 3304 by Richard Raymond (D-Laredo) would repeal provisions in the Health and Safety Code, which sunsets the Texas Health Services Authority a seamless electronic health information infrastructure on September 1, 2021.
HB 4455 by Rick Miller (R-Sugar Land) would authorize a health care professional to provide mental health services that are within the scope of his/her professional license through telemedicine or telehealth services to a patient who is located outside the state.
HIGHER EDUCATION

Passed the House:
HB 1735 by Donna Howard (D-Austin) would require institutions of higher education to adopt a policy on sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking applicable to each student and employee of the institution. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed the House by a vote of 113 to 20. The companion, SB 585, was reported favorably as substituted from the Senate Higher Education Committee this week.
HB 1891 by Lynn Stucky (R-Sanger) would exempt students from the Texas Success Initiative assessment requirement in a content area if the student receives above a score set by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board on a high school equivalency examination in that content area. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed by a vote of 136 to 0.
HB 2000 by Chris Turner (D-Burleson) would authorize the issuance of tuition revenue bonds for infrastructure at institutions of higher education. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed the House by a vote of 132 to 9.
 
On Wednesday, the House Higher Education Committee took up:
HB 132 by Mary Gonzalez (D-El Paso) would freeze tuition at 2019-2020 levels for the 2021 school year. It was left pending.
HB 998 by Philip Cortez (D-San Antonio) would establish the Texas Promise Scholarship Program. It was left pending.
HB 1040 by Terry Meza (D-Irving) would establish the Texas Promise Grant Program to provide assistance in the payment of tuition and mandatory fees to enable eligible students to attend two-year institutions of higher education. It was left pending.
HB 2887 by Trey Martinez Fischer (D-San Antonio) would establish the Texas Promise Scholarship Program as an optional program under which participating two-year institutions of higher education may provide assistance in the payment of tuition and fees to enable eligible students to attend the institution. It was left pending.
HB 3240 by Terry Meza (D-Irving) would require the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to study the long-term costs, benefits, and other effects of the tuition de-regulation and going back to the legislature setting tuition rates. It was left pending.
HB 3395 by Charlie Geren (R-Fort Worth) would affirm that it is the policy of the state to protect the expressive constitutional rights of individuals by recognizing freedom of speech and assembly as central to the mission of institutions of higher education. It was left pending.
HB 3893 by Ana-Maria Ramos (D-Dallas) would give a tuition and fee exemption for high school students taking a dual credit course if the student is a member of a future teacher association. It was left pending.
HB 4586 by Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas) would require degree or certificate programs offered at an off-campus academic or research site to receive prior approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. It was left pending.
 
Also on Wednesday, the Senate Higher Education Committee took up:
SB 1758 by Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) would expand the Teach for Texas loan repayment assistance program to students at a nonprofit, tax-exempt, regionally accredited college or university. It was left pending. The companion, HB 3282, was voted favorably as substituted from the House Higher Education Committee this week.
SB 1770 by Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) would establish the Texas Competency-Based Education Grant Program to provide financial assistance to enable eligible students to enroll in competency-based baccalaureate degree programs. It was left pending. The companion, HB 3657, has been reported favorably from the House Higher Education Committee.
 
Voted and Reported from Committee:
HB 1630 by Ken King (R-Canadian) would require the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to ensure that institutions of higher education receive the same level of funding for providing a dual credit course for joint high school and junior college credit as the institution of higher education receives for providing the same course to non-dual credit students. It was reported favorably from the House Higher Education Committee.
HB 1749 by John Wray (R-Waxahachie) would allow a public junior college to offer a baccalaureate degree program if it receives approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. It would take out the bracket that currently limits that authority to a community college district with a taxable property valuation of at least $6 billion. It was voted favorably as substituted from the House Higher Education Committee.
HB 1933 by Donna Howard (D-Austin) would allow institutions of higher education to establish a textbook affordability program. It was voted favorably as substituted from the House Higher Education Committee.
HB 1943 by Ana-Maria Ramos (D-Dallas) would require institutions of higher education to include in the guidelines published on the institution's Internet website, information on a transfer pathway for each major in the top 25 majors at the institution. It was reported favorably from the House Higher Education Committee.
HB 4010 by Chris Turner (D-Grand Prairie) would require dual credit students to file a degree plan after completing 15 semester credit hours. It was reported favorably from the House Higher Education Committee. The companion, SB 1324, was also voted favorably from the House Higher Education Committee this week.
HB 4018 by Chris Turner (D-Grand Prairie) would require institutions of higher education to develop a recommended course sequence for each undergraduate certificate or degree program offered by the institution. It was reported favorably from the House Higher Education Committee. The companion, SB 25, is on the Senate Intent Calendar on Tuesday, April 23, 2019 (first placement).
 
This Week :
House Calendar:
HB 2140 by Victoria Neave (D-Dallas) would require the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to adopt procedures to allow a person to complete and submit the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) of a similar application for state student financial assistance by electronic submission through the board's Internet website.
HB 3042 Chris Turner (R-Burleson) would establish the Texas Working Off-Campus: Reinforcing Knowledge and Skills (WORKS) Internship Program to provide jobs funded in part by the state to enable students to attend institutions of higher education, explore career options, and strengthen marketable skills through paid internships.
HB 3808 by Armando Lucio Walle (D-Houston) would require dual credit students to file a degree plan after completing 30 semester credit hours.
 
Senate Intent Calendar:
SB 25 by Royce West (D-Dallas) would require institutions of higher education to develop a recommended course sequence for each undergraduate certificate or degree program offered by the institution that identifies the required courses in the general core curriculum applicable to the certificate or degree. It would institute other requirements to facilitate credit transfer.
 
The House Higher Education Committee will meet on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at 8:00 a.m. in E1.014 of the capitol extension to take up:
HB 3621 by Matt Schaefer (R-Tyler) would require a student's postsecondary transcript to include the average grade that was awarded to all students in the class immediately to the right of the student's individual grade.
HUMAN RESOURCES/EMPLOYMENT

On Monday, the House International Relations & Economic Development Committee took up:
HB 995 by Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) would require employers with 50 or more employees to provide sick leave to their employees who have worked for more than 20 calendar weeks within the current or preceding calendar year. It was left pending.
HB 1559 by Terry Meza (D-Irving) would require an employer to provide family and medical leave to an employee who has worked for the employer for at least one year. It was left pending.
 
On Wednesday, the House State Affairs Committee took up:
HB 244 by Jessica Farrar (D-Houston) would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity or expression of an individual. It was left pending.
HB 328 by Lina Ortega (D-El Paso) would authorize cities and counties to adopt a minimum wage greater than the state or federal minimum wage. It was left pending.
HB 761 by Gene Wu (D-Houston) would establish the Texas Pay Equity Task Force to assess whether a disparity exists on the basis of gender or race in compensation paid to employees of state agencies, counties and municipalities. It was left pending.
PROPERTY

The House Land & Resource Management Committee will meet on Thursday, April 25, 2019 at 8:00 a.m in E2.012 of the capitol extension to take up:
HB 991 by DeWayne Burns (R-Cleburne) is an eminent domain reform bill. It would apply only to private entities with statutory eminent domain authority. (the companion is SB 421, also on the agenda)
HB 1157 by Cecil Bell, Jr. (R-Magnolia) would require an entity with eminent domain authority who makes an offer to acquire real property for public use to disclose any new, amended, or updated appraisal reports acquired after the initial offer.
HB 1253 by Ben Leman (R-Iola) would change the definition of "actual progress" in an eminent domain proceeding by requiring three of the specified actions rather than two and by eliminating two actions from the list: the acquisition of a tract or parcel adjacent to the property for the same public use project for which the owner's land was acquired from the list of actions and the adoption by a governing body of a development plan that indicates the entity will not complete more than one  before the 10 th anniversary of the acquisition of the owner's property.
HB 1919 by Ernest Bailes (R-Shepherd) would give the landowner the right to file a complaint against a pipeline seeking to exercise eminent domain authority with the Railroad Commission; and would add a statement of this right to the Landowner's Bill of Rights.
HB 1987 by Ben Leman (R-Iola) would require an entity to report to the comptroller any court proceeding filed to determine the validity of extent of the entity's eminent domain authority including the outcome of the proceeding; and would require the comptroller to maintain a list of entities whose authority is subject to a current challenge.
SB 421 by Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) is a comprehensive eminent domain reform bill. It would apply only to private entities with statutory eminent domain authority. (the companion is HB 991, also on the agenda)
SB 552 by Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) would require notice to a property owner of the owner's rights concerning the examination or survey by an entity with the power of eminent domain.
SB 553 by Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) would require, if an initial offer includes property that the entity is not seeking to acquire by eminent domain, a separate identification of the real property that the entity does not seek to acquire by condemnation and a separate offer for that property.
SB 555 by Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) would make the penalty and interest due on conversion of agriculture property to non-agriculture use as a result of condemnation the responsibility of the condemning entity.
PUBLIC EDUCATION

Passed the House:
HB 18 by Four Price (R-Amarillo) would add positive behavior interventions and support into each school district's improvement plan; increase training and curriculum requirements on mental health issues; and expand school counseling programs for students with mental health conditions. The committee substitute and two floor amendments were adopted and it passed the House by a vote of 129 to 14.
HB 19 by Four Price (R-Amarillo) would require local mental health authorities to employ a non-physician mental health professional to serve as a mental health and substance use resource for school districts; and would require the authority to collaborate with local regional education service centers. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed the House by a vote of 127 to 19.
HB 55 by Mary Gonzalez (D-El Paso) would limit the pre-kindergarten instructor/student ratio to 11-1 for classes of 16 students or more or at least one certified teacher or teacher's aide per class for smaller classes. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed the House by a vote of 98 to 35.
HB 128 by Gina Hinojosa (D-Austin) would require school districts to provide parents with a copy of the results of the physical fitness assessment of the parent's child by the last day of the school year. The committee substitute and one floor amendment were adopted and it passed the House by a vote of 103 to 29.
HB 314 by Donna Howard (D-Austin) would allow compensatory education allotment funding to be used to provide child-care services or assistance with child-care expenses for students at risk of dropping out of school. It passed the House by a vote of 83 to 46.
HB 455 by Alma Allen (D-Houston) would require Texas Education Agency to develop model policies on the recess period during the school day that encourages constructive, age-appropriate outdoor playtime. One floor amendment was adopted and it passed the House by a vote of 95 to 48.
HB 663 by Ken King (R-Canadian) would require the State Board of Education (SBOE) to review and revise the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) to narrow the number and scope of student expectations for each subject and grade level; and would provide that for any biennium, the State Board of Education could only issue instructional materials proclamations in which the total estimated cost does not exceed 75 percent of the total amount used to fund technology and instructional materials in that biennium. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed the House by a vote of 115 to 32.
HB 953 by Ken King (R-Canadian) would require charter schools to pay into the Teacher Retirement System of Texas. The committee substitute and one floor amendment were adopted and it passed the House by a vote of 144 to 0.
HB 1051 by Gary VanDeaver (R-New Boston) would make an adult education program provided under a high school diploma and industry certification charter school a permanent program instead of a pilot program. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed the House by a vote of 129 to 13.
HB 1070 by Four Price (R-Amarillo) would require additional reporting regarding the number of school district employees receiving mental health first aid training. It passed the House by a vote of 139 to 8.
HB 1182 by Vikki Goodwin (D-Austin) would require school districts to provide a one-half credit course in personal financial literacy that includes instruction on completing the application for federal student aid (current law requires school districts to offer it as an elective). The committee substitute and two floor amendments were adopted and it passed the House by a vote of 148 to 0. The companion, SB 686, was voted favorably as substituted from the Senate Education Committee this week.
HB 1639 by Armando "Mando" Martinez (D-Weslaco) would allow school districts to hold election for its officers on the November uniform election date and to transition the terms of office to three- or four-year staggered terms. It passed the House on the Local & Consent calendar.
HB 2984 by Steve Allison (R-San Antonio) would require kindergarten through 8th-grade TEKS to include coding, computer programming, computational thinking, and cybersecurity in the technology applications curriculum. It passed the House by a vote of 132 to 9.
 
Passed the Senate:
SB 251 by Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) would allow public junior colleges to enter into an agreement to provide dual credit courses with any school district located in a county in the service area of the junior college or in an adjacent county in which all or part of a junior college service area is located. It passed the Senate on the Local & Uncontested calendar.
SB 1114 by Eddie Lucio, Jr. (D-Brownsville) would allow a school district to authorize the sale, at less than fair market value, or donate property held in a trust for public school purposes to the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation or another nonprofit organization to develop affordable housing for school district personnel. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed the Senate by a vote of 24 to 7.
SB 1569 by Pat Fallon (R-Prosper) would prohibit school board members, school employees, or contractors of a school district from distributing a communication that advocates for or against a candidate, measure, political party or political philosophy. The committee substitute and two floor amendments were adopted and it passed the Senate by a vote of 22 to 9.
SB 1679 by Royce West (D-Dallas) would clarify that a child that is eligible for enrollment in a pre-kindergarten class at the age of three remains eligible for enrollment at the age of four. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed the Senate on the Local & Uncontested calendar.
SB 2018 by Royce West (D-Dallas) would abolish dissolution committees established to abolish county boards of education and transfer the duties to the commissioners court of the county in which the county board of education is located. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed the Senate unanimously. The companion, HB 3387, was voted favorably as substituted from the House Public Education Committee this week.
SB 2180 by Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) would require kindergarten through 8th-grade TEKS to include coding, computer programming, computational thinking, and cybersecurity in the technology applications curriculum. It would also require the Texas Education Agency to establish the Computer Science Strategic Advisory Committee to develop and provide recommendations for increasing computer science instruction and participation in public schools. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed the Senate unanimously.
SB 2244 by Angela Paxton (R-McKinney) would delete several Education Code provisions restricting access to electronic courses through the Virtual School Network. One floor amendment was adopted and it passed the Senate by a vote of 26 to 5.
 
On Tuesday, the House Public Education Committee took up:
HB 429 by Matt Shaheen (R-Plano) would delete several Education Code provisions restricting access to electronic courses through the Virtual School Network. It was left pending.
HB 580 by Shawn Thierry (D-Houston) would authorize a school district to contract with a private employer to reimburse the employer for all or part of the cost of providing a paid internship or similar program to a student participating in a career and technology education program in the district. It was voted out favorably. The companion, SB 2074, has been set for a hearing in the Senate Education Committee on Tuesday, April 23, 2019.
HB 3009 by James Talarico (D-Round Rock) would require the social studies curriculum to include civics instruction; and would require the State Board of Education to develop a civics curriculum. It was voted out favorably.
HB 3387 by Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas) would abolish dissolution committees established to abolish county boards of education and transfer the duties to the commissioners court of the county in which the county board of education is located. It was voted out favorably as substituted. The companion, SB 2018, passed the Senate this week.
HB 4270 by Gene Wu (D-Houston) would allow municipal management districts to provide public education facilities and public education services. It was reported out favorably.
 
Also on Tuesday, the Senate Education Committee took up:
SB 968 by Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills) would require a municipality to consider an open-enrollment charter school a school district for purposes of zoning, permitting, code compliance and development; but would prohibit a municipality, county or political subdivision from enacting or enforcing an ordinance, order, regulation, or resolution that prohibits an open-enrollment charter school from operating at any location or within any zoning district in the political subdivision. It was left pending. The companion, HB 3155, was voted out favorably as amended from the House Public Education Committee this week.
SB 1454 by Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood) would prescribe procedures for closing an open-enrollment charter school and liquidation of funds. It was left pending.
SB 2117 by Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) would clarify that for school district campuses operating under a charter partnership, the campus performance rating received during the first two school years of the partnership is included in calculating the campus performance rating in consecutive school years. It was left pending. The companion, HB 3861, was voted favorably as substituted from the House Public Education Committee this week.
SB 2266 by Royce West (D-Dallas) would require the Commissioner of Education to approve or deny an application for an open-enrollment charter based on whether the geographical area to be served by the proposed charter includes the attendance zone of a school district campus that received an overall performance rating of B for the preceding school year; did not have significant student academic achievement differentials among students from different racial or ethnic groups and socioeconomic backgrounds for the preceding school year; and is not at full enrollment capacity or for which a charter has been granted to replicate successful educational programs within the preceding five years. It was left pending.
 
On Wednesday, the House Public Education Committee took up:
HB 2002 by Jeff Leach (R-Plano) would require school districts to report the costs associated with administering state-required assessments. It was voted out favorably.
HB 2691 by Gary VanDeaver (R-New Boston) would require any operator conducting business with the Texas Education Agency, a school district, charter, regional education service center, or other local education agency to adhere to a state required student data sharing agreement that includes an established data masking standard for all operators. It was voted out favorably as substituted.
HB 3000 by James Talarico (D-Round Rock) would require school districts to notify Texas Education Agency and parents of students in the school district of a data breach involving student information within 10 days after the district becomes aware of a data breach. It was left pending.
HB 3220 by Steve Allison (R-San Antonio) would add physicians who are licensed specialists in school psychology to the physician student loan repayment assistance program. It was voted out favorably.
HB 3467 by Ken King (R-Canadian) would require revenue received by the School Land Board from mineral or royalty interests to be transferred monthly to the State Board of Education for investment in the permanent school fund. It was left pending. The companion, SB 1659, has been heard and left pending in the Senate Education Committee.
 
Voted and Reported From Committee:
HB 1468 by James Talarico (D-Round Rock) would establish the Public School Mental Health Task Force to examine the effectiveness of school counseling programs for students in public schools. It was voted favorably as substituted from the House Higher Education Committee.
HB 2487 by Harold Dutton (D-Houston) would provide that an open-enrollment charter school is a political subdivision and the officers and members of the governing body of the open-enrollment charter school are considered to be officials of the political subdivision and employees of the charter school considered to be public employees. It was voted favorably from the House Public Education Committee. The companion, SB 2293, was heard and left pending in the Senate Education Committee this week.
HB 2879 by John Rainey (R-Bryan) would require the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston to establish a competitive grant program to promote early literacy and award grants for the implementation or expansion of literacy programs. It was voted favorably as substituted from the House Public Education Committee. The companion, SB 1284 is set for a hearing in the Senate Education Committee on Tuesday, April 23, 2019.
SB 213 by Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) would extend the sunset date from September 1, 2019 to September 1, 2023 on statutes authorizing the use of individual graduation committees and alternative methods to satisfy high school graduation requirements. It was reported favorably from the House Public Education Committee.
SB 1276 by Beverly Powell (D-Burleson) would institute requirements for agreements between school districts and institutions of higher education to provide a dual credit program. It was voted favorably from the House Higher Education Committee.
SB 1412 by Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) would allow low-performing schools to submit an accelerated campus excellence turnaround plan. It was voted favorably as substituted from the Senate Education Committee.
SB 2282 by Royce West (D-Dallas) would add mental health services to the list of services that a school district can provide through a cooperative health care program and school-based health centers. It was voted favorably from the Senate Education Committee. The companion, HB 198, has been heard and left pending in the House Public Education Committee.
 
This Week :
House Calendar:
HB 851 by Dan Huberty (R-Humble) would eliminate the sunset date (September 1, 2019) on statutes authorizing the use of individual graduation committees and alternative methods to satisfy high school graduation requirements.
HB 906 by Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) would establish the Collaborative Task Force on Public School Mental Health Services to evaluate mental health services to students, parents or family members or school or school district employees.
HB 4611 and HJR 151 by Dan Huberty (R-Humble) would propose a constitutional amendment allowing increased distributions to the available school fund.
 
Senate Intent Calendar:
SB 608 by Kirk Watson (D-Austin) is the sunset bill for the School Land Board, which continues the board until 2031.
SB 1323 by Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood) would require students who have earned 15 or more semester credit hours through dual credit to complete an application for federal student aid (FAFSA) or a Texas application for state financial aid (TASFA).
 
The House Public Education Committee will meet on Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at 8:00 a.m. in E2.036 of the capitol extension to take up:
HB 535 by Victoria Neave (D-Dallas) would make completion of a federal student aid application (FAFSA) of a Texas application for state financial aid (TASFA) a requirement for high school graduation.
HB 3851 by Mike Lang (R-Granbury) would require the comptroller, after each legislative session, to publish a list of state-required unfunded educational mandates; and would provide that a school district is not required to comply with a state mandate on the unfunded list.
 
The Senate Education Committee will meet on Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. in E1.028 to take up:
SB 1284 by Borris Miles (D-Houston) would require the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston to establish a competitive grant program to promote early literacy and award grants for the implementation or expansion of literacy programs.
SB 2201 by Pat Fallon (R-Prosper) would institute term limits for trustees of a school district with an enrollment of 20,000 or more students of three three-year terms or two four-year terms; and would allow the board of trustees of smaller school districts to institute or remove term limits for trustees. And, it would require school districts to develop student outcome plans.
TAX

Passed the House:
HB 380 by Charlie Geren (R-Fort Worth) would allow a property owner to appeal an Appraisal Review Board order to district court if the ARB lacks jurisdiction to make a final determination; and would allow each party to the appeal to waive remand of the action to the ARB and elect the court to determine the appeal on the merits. It passed the House by a vote of 137 to 6.
HB 1802 by Dwayne Bohac (R-Houston) would increase the deadline from 45 days to 60 days for a property owner to request an appeal of a property appraisal for arbitration. One floor amendment was adopted and it passed the House by a vote of 137 to 0. The companion, SB 1429, has been heard and left pending in the Senate Property Tax Committee.
HB 1823 by Philip Cortez (D-San Antonio) would change the heading of Section 46.009 of the Education Code from "Payment of School Facilities Allotments" to "Reduction of School District Property Taxes as Result of School Facility Allotment." It passed the House on the Local & Consent calendar.
 
Passed the Senate:
SB 2 by Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) would be the Property Tax Reform & Relief Act of 2019. Three floor amendments were adopted and it passed the Senate by a vote of 18 to 12. The companion, HB 2, was on the House calendar for Monday, April 15, 2019 but was postponed to Wednesday, April 24, 2019.
 
On Monday, the Senate Finance Committee took up:
SB 66 by Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) would phase out the franchise tax by reducing the franchise tax by half of the amount by which general revenue-related growth in the upcoming biennium is projected by the biennial revenue estimate to grow up to 5 percent. It was left pending.
SB 412 by Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola) would establish a franchise tax credit equal to the difference between the property tax paid on the retail inventory and the amount that would have been paid if the taxable value of that inventory were the entity's total annual sales divided by 12, up to 100 percent of the entity's franchise tax with a three-year carryforward. It was left pending.
SB 570 by Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) would provide a franchise tax credit for each eligible student that completes an eligible internship program offered by the business of up to $1,000 per intern. It was left pending.
SB 574 by Borris Miles (D-Houston) would provide a franchise tax credit for opening a grocery store or a healthy corner store located in a food desert or a low- or moderate-income area. It was left pending.
SB 774 by Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) would provide a franchise tax credit to companies that provide tuition assistance to their employees attending a postsecondary educational institution. It was left pending.
SB 1081 by LarryTaylor (R-Friendswood) would allow a federal defense contractor to deduct any costs not already deducted as cost of goods sold (COGS) or as compensation that are properly allowable under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) for contracts, or subcontracts supporting those contracts, for the sale of goods or services to the federal government. It was left pending.
SB 2326 by Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) would abolish the franchise tax effective January 1, 2026 and require the comptroller to study alternative methods to the franchise tax and prioritize the revenue needs of the state and identify potential reductions in expenditures. It was left pending.
 
On Tuesday, the Senate Property Tax Committee took up:
SB 1090 by Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) would require a two-third vote of the electorate to pass a bond initiative funded by an increase in ad valorem taxes. It was left pending.
SB 1309 by Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) would remove the authority of a school district to employ a person to assess or collect the district's property taxes; and would require the county assessor-collector to assess and collect school property taxes. It was left pending.
SB 1986 by Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) would provide for elected appraisal review board members serving two-year terms, one from each of the four county commissioner precincts and one at-large member. It was left pending.
SB 2337 by Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) would repeal tax increment financing zone values from tax rate calculations. It was left pending.
 
On Wednesday, the House Ways & Means Committee took up:
HB 42 and HJR 13 by James White (R-Hillister) would propose a constitutional amendment dedicating 2 percent of oil and gas production tax revenue to a Severance Tax Trust Fund for distribution to counties prorated and distributed monthly based on each county's pro rata share of statewide gas and oil production. Counties could only use the funds to supplement constriction and maintenance of county roads and bridges impacted by oil and gas activities. They were left pending.
HB 322 and HJR 26 by Charlie Geren (R-Fort Worth) would proposing a constitutional amendment expanding the current mandatory freeze on school district property taxes on homesteads owned by individuals who are disabled or over 65 to all taxing unit types. They were left pending.
HB 388 and HJR 31 by Jim Murphy (R-Houston) would propose a constitutional amendment granting a property tax exemption to real property leased to an open-enrollment charter school if the property is used exclusively by the school for educational functions. They were left pending. The companion to HB 388, SB 2345, is set for a hearing in the Senate Property Tax Committee on Tuesday, April 23, 2019.
HB 484 by Dade Phelan (R-Port Neches) would allow an appraisal review board (ARB) to order the appraised value of a homestead, in the current tax year and for the preceding two tax years, to be changed to the sales price of the property if the price is at least 10 percent below the appraised value and if the ARB finds that the sales price reflects the market value of the property. It was left pending.
HB 2159 by Morgan Meyer (R-Dallas) would establish procedures for correction of an appraisal roll based on unequal appraisal or excessive market value of a property. It was left pending.
HB 3423 by Steve Allison (R-San Antonio) would provide a franchise tax or property tax credit to a business that donates money to a school district to create a new career and technical education program or course or expand an existing CTE program or course in the district. It was left pending.
HB 4621 and HJR 3 by Dan Huberty (R-Humble) would propose a constitutional amendment increasing the sales tax and provide an offset property tax reduction. They were left pending.
 
Reported and Voted From Committee:
HB 2358 by Ryan Guillen (D-Rio Grande City) would require marketplace providers to collect sales and use tax on the sales by third party sellers using the marketplace provider's platform. (similar to HB 1525, but it also includes some advertising restrictions.) It was voted favorably as substituted from the House Ways & Means Committee.
SB 1525 by Kirk Watson (D-Austin) is the comptroller's sales tax clean-up bill. It was reported favorably as substituted from the Senate Finance Committee and recommended for the Local & Uncontested calendar. The companion, HB 3787, was voted favorably as substituted from the House Ways & Means Committee this week.
 
This Week :
House Calendar:
HB 2 by Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) is the House's property tax reform bill. It was postponed until Wednesday, April 24, 2019 waiting for SB 2 to catch up with it.
HB 2872 by Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) would require marketplace rental providers to collect sales taxes owed to cities and counties on motor vehicles rented through the marketplace.
 
Senate Intent Calendar:
SB 347 by Pete Flores (R-Pleasanton) would require directors of a central appraisal district board to be an elected member of a governing body (city or county) of a taxing unit that is entitled to vote on the appointment of the district's board.
 
The Senate Property Tax Committee will meet on Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. in 2E.20 of the capitol building to take up:
SB 1086 and SJR 46 by Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) would propose a constitutional amendment capping the annual appraisal on all real property (business and residential) at 5 percent.
HB 440 by Jim Murphy (R-Houston) would require a sample ballot for a local general obligation bond election to be posted on a taxing unit's website at least 21 days before the election; and would add a new Chapter 1253 in the Government Code, "General Obligation Bonds Issued by Political Subdivisions" which would prohibit a taxing unit from issuing general obligation bonds to purchase, improve, or construct improvements or to purchase personal property if the weighted average maturity of the bonds exceeds 120 percent of the reasonably expected weighted average economic life of the items purchased.
HB 477 by Jim Murphy (R-Houston) would require ballot language for issuance of local debt obligations to include a general description of the purpose for which the debt obligations are to be authorized; the total principal amount of the debt obligations to be authorized; and that taxes sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on the debt obligations will be imposed.
 
The House Ways & Means Committee will meet on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at 8:00 a.m. in Room 140 of the John H. Reagan State Office Building to take up:
HB 21 by Terry Canales (D-Edinburg) would institute a sales tax holiday for college textbooks for one week before each semester.
HB 297 by Andrew Murr (R-Junction) would eliminate school property taxes associated with school district maintenance and operations costs but allow them for local enrichment; repeal Chapter 41 of the Education Code, which requires recapture (Robin Hood); increase the state sales tax and motor vehicle sales tax from 6.25 percent to 12 percent; increases the motor vehicle rental tax from 10 percent to 19 percent; and dedicates the new revenue and tobacco and franchise tax revenue to the foundation school fund.
HB 313 by Donna Howard (D-Austin) would exempt diapers (infant and adult) from the sales tax.
HB 384 and HJR 29 by Dwayne Bohac (R-Houston) would propose a constitutional amendment exempting 100 percent of the homestead value of a homeowner who is 80 years old or older who has had the homestead for at least ten years and would extend the exemption to the surviving spouse if the surviving spouse is at least 55 years old.
HB 385 by Dwayne Bohac (R-Houston) would double the price ceiling to $200 per item for the annual back-to-school sales tax holiday; and would add e-readers, personal computers, and tablets as eligible items if sold for less than $750 and not purchased over the Internet. It would not apply to a gaming console or smartphone.
HB 631 by Ana Hernandez (D-Houston) would institute a sales tax holiday for college textbooks for one week before each semester.
HB 983 by Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound) would provide a franchise tax credit for qualified capital investment in an enterprise project of up to 7.5 percent of the investment, with a five-year carry-forward.
HB 2995 by James Talarico (D-Round Rock) would institute a sales tax exemption for educational materials bought by teachers.
 
The Senate Finance Committee will meet on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. in E1.036 of the capitol extension to take up:
SB 685 by Carol Alvarado (D-Houston) would authorize a sales tax refund or a franchise tax credit for businesses that employ students in a certified industry-recognized apprenticeship program. The credit/refund would be the lesser of 50 percent of the wages paid or $2,500.
SB 833 by Beverly Powell (D-Fort Worth) would institute a sales tax holiday for college and university textbooks during a period designated by the comptroller for seven consecutive days preceding or during the months in which the terms of institutions of higher education begin.
TRANSPORTATION

Passed the House:
HB 11 by Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) would transfer issuance of driver's licenses and personal identification certificates from the Department of Public Safety to Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. The committee substitute and four floor amendments were adopted and it passed the House by a vote of 130 to 1.
 
Passed the Senate:
SB 969 by Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills) would allow a person to operate a personal delivery device if a human is actively monitoring or is exercising physical control over the navigation and operation of the device. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed the Senate on the Local & Uncontested calendar. The companion, HB 2301, has been voted favorably as substituted from the House Transportation Committee.
 
On Tuesday, the House Transportation Committee took up:
HB 709 by John Wray (R-Waxahachie) would prohibit the use of private activity bonds to finance high-speed rail service. It was left pending.
HB 1055 John Wray (R-Waxahachie) would require high-speed rail tracks in counties with a population of more than one million and counties adjacent to those counties to be elevated on pylons to 40 feet or more above the ground. It was left pending.
HB 1234 by Cecil Bell, Jr. (R-Magnolia) would require private high-speed rail operators to file a bond with the Texas Department of Transportation, in an amount determined by the commission to be sufficient to restore real property used for the service to its original condition of the service ceases operation. It was left pending.
HB 1235 by Cecil Bell, Jr. (R-Magnolia) would prohibit a state agency from issuing a permit for the construction of a private high-speed rail project unless the entity meets all requirements and conditions including any condition requiring the applicant to obtain an additional permit or approval from another government entity. It was left pending.
HB 1242 by Trent Ashby (R-Lufkin) would prohibit a private entity from entering the lands or waters of any person or corporation to make an examination or survey for a proposed high-speed rail facility unless the Texas Department of Transportation has determined that the entity is a railroad company. It was left pending.
HB 1368 by Cody Harris (R-Palestine) would invalidate a contract held by a high-speed rail company to acquire real property for a high-speed rail project on the filing of a bankruptcy petition by or against the company. It was left pending.
HB 1369 by Cody Harris (R-Palestine) would prohibit a private entity from beginning construction on a high-speed rail project unless the entity has acquired all real property necessary for the construction of the project. It was left pending.
 
On Wednesday, the Senate Transportation Committee took up:
SB 711 by Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa (D-McAllen) would allow the Department of Public Safety to include safety recall information on a vehicle inspection report stating whether the vehicle is subject to a safety recall that has not been repaired. It was voted out favorably as substituted. The companion, HB 1692, was reported favorably as substituted from the House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee this week.
 
And, on Wednesday, the House Transportation Committee took up:
HB 436 by Matt Shaheen (R-Plano) would require a toll project to become a part of the state highway system without tolls when the costs of acquisition and construction of the toll project have been paid and the bonds have been paid off. It was left pending.
HB 1541 by Chris Paddie (R-Marshall) is the sunset bill for Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. It was left pending.
 
Voted From Committee:
HB 1631 by Jonathan Stickland (R-Bedford) would prohibit a local authority from implementing or operating a photographic traffic signal enforcement system on a highway or street under the jurisdiction of the authority. It was voted favorably from the House Transportation Committee. The companion, SB 653, has been heard and left pending in the Senate Transportation Committee.
SB 549 by Royce West (D-Dallas) would institute regulations on the operation of a motor-assisted scooter. It was voted favorably as substituted from the Senate Transportation Committee.
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