April 15 , 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 7:30-9am 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. 

COLLIN COUNTY DAYS
Collin County Days was held March 26-27, 2019 in Austin, TX. CLICK HERE  to learn more about our trip.

COFFEE WITH THE CITY 
Learn more about City of Plano update and developments during Coffee with the City. This session provides you an opportunity to discuss the proposed projects in the May Bond Referendum.  CLICK HERE  to register.

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

State Securities Board - Last Monday, Governor Greg Abbott appointed Kenny Koncaba to the State Securities Board for a term set to expire on January 20, 2023. The board registers securities offered and sold in Texas and oversees the firms and individuals selling securities or providing investment advice to Texans.
SENATE NEWS  

The Senate was in session Monday through Thursday of last week. On Thursday, they had their first Local & Uncontested calendar.
On Monday, the Senate gave preliminary approval to two bills and passed 9 bills including:
  • SB 1037 by Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood) addressing the problem of surprise balance billing for out-of-network emergency services.
 
On Tuesday, the Senate passed 15 bills including:
  • HB 1 by John Zerwas (R-Fulshear) and Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) is the general appropriations bill. (additional information is in the Budget section)
  • SB 21 by Joan Huffman (R-Houston) increasing the smoking age from 18 to 21. (additional information is in the Health section)
  • SB 1640 by Kirk Watson (D-Austin) prohibiting members of a governmental body from avoiding public meetings requirements by conducting a series of small, private conversations.
  • SB 1891 by Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills) establishing a consolidated general revenue appropriations spending limit based on population growth and inflation.
 
On Wednesday, the Senate passed 20 bills including:
  • SB 531 by Brian Birdwell (R-Granbury) extending the Texas Emissions Reduction Program.
  • SB 943 by Kirk Watson (D-Austin) clarifying contracting information that is exempt from public information requirements. (additional information is in the Procurement section)
  • SB 944 by Kirk Watson (D-Austin) clarifying that public information maintained on a privately owned device is public information. (additional information is in the Privacy section)
  • SB 1017 by Beverly Powell (D-Burleson) establishing the Advisory Council on Postsecondary Education for Persons With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. (additional information is in the Higher Education section)
  • SB 26 and SJR 24 by Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) dedicating the sales tax on sporting goods to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission. (additional information is in the Tax section)
 
On Thursday, the Senate gave preliminary approval to one bill and passed 26 bills including:
  • SB 30 by Brian Birdwell (R-Granbury) requiring detailed ballot language for propositions that issue bonds or impose a tax.
  • SB 604 by Dawn Buckingham (R-Lakeway) is the sunset bill for Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. (additional information is in the Transportation section)
  • SB 962 by Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville) establishing the sufficient balance in the economic stabilization fund for allocation of funds to the highway fund.
  • SB 1048 by Pat Fallon (R-Prosper) requiring school bond elections to be on the November uniform election date. (additional information is in the Public Education section)
  • SB 1276 by Beverly Powell (D-Burleson) instituting requirements for dual credit agreements between school districts and institutions of higher education. (additional information is in the Public Education section)
  • SB 2485 by Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) prohibiting local regulation of employment benefits provided by private employers.
  • SB 2487 by Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) prohibiting local regulation of employment leave provided by private employers.
 
Total number of bills reported out of Senate Committees this week: 203
Total number of bills passed by the Senate this week: 173
Total number of bills passed on the Local & Uncontested Calendar: 103
Total number of bills passed by the Senate this session: 290
 
This Week: The Senate will reconvene at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 15, 2019.
HOUSE NEWS 

The House was in session Monday through Friday of last week. They debated bills every day. On Friday, they had this session's first Local & Consent calendar.
 
On Monday, the House gave preliminary approval to 34 bills.
 
On Tuesday, the House passed 34 bills to third reading and gave final approval to 34 bills including:
  • HB 102 by Diego Bernal (D-San Antonio) establishing and funding teacher mentoring programs. (additional information is in the Public Education section)
  • HB 304 by Dennis Paul (R-Webster) changing the governance of municipal management districts. (additional information is in the Property section)
  • HB 360 by Jim Murphy (R-Houston) extending the sunset date on the Property Redevelopment and Tax Abatement Act. (additional information is in the Tax section)
  • HB 1136 by Four Price (R-Amarillo) removing the population limit from tourism public improvement districts.
  • HB 2129 by Jim Murphy (R-Houston) extending the expiration date of the Texas Economic Development Act. (additional information is in the Tax section)
 
On Wednesday, the House gave preliminary approval to 40 bills and passed 35 bills including:
  • HB 477 by Jim Murphy (R-Houston) prescribing information that must be provided before a political subdivision can issue debt. (additional information is in the Budget section)
  • HB 1501 by Poncho Nevarez (D-Eagle Pass) establishing the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council. (additional information is in the Health section)
  • HJR 4 by Dade Phelan (R-Nederland) establishing the Flood Infrastructure Fund. (additional information is in the Statewide section)
 
On Thursday, the House gave preliminary approval to 15 bills and passed 39 bills including:
  • HB 5 by Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) requiring planning for debris removal following a disaster. (additional information is in the Statewide section)
  • HB 6 by Geanie Morrison (R-Victoria) establishing a task force to assist with long-term disaster recovery efforts. (additional information is in the Statewide section)
  • HB 13 by Dade Phelan (R-Victoria) establishing the Flood Infrastructure Fund. (additional information is in the Statewide section)
  • HB 996 by Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) making consumer debts barred by the statute of limitations non-revivable. (additional information is in the General Business section)
  • HB 1159 by Four Price (R-Amarillo) prescribing wording of a written instrument of a limited liability company. (additional information is in the General Business section)
  • HB 1525 by Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) requiring marketplace providers to collect and remit sales taxes on sales made through the marketplace. (additional information is in the Tax section)
  • HB 1965 by Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) exempting theatrical productions contracted by nonprofits from the sales tax. (additional information is in the Tax section)
  • HB 2016 by Ryan Guillen (D-Rio Grande City) adding dessert-flavored wine and rice wind to the types of alcohol that can be sold by wine and beer retailers.
  • HB 2153 by Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) allowing remote sellers to use a single local sales tax rate on purchases made by Texas residents. (additional information is in the Tax section)
  • SB 450 by Beverly Powell (D-Burleson) and Will Metcalf (R-Conroe) delaying the due date on annual report of 4-A and 4-B economic development corporations. (additional information is in the Economic Development section)
  • SB 726 by Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) and Stan Lambert (R-Abilene) establishing the investment limit for bank investments promoting community development. (additional information is in the Economic Development section)
On Friday, the House gave final approval to 14 bills including:
  • HB 1480 by Gary VanDeaver (R-New Boston) reducing STAAR testing. (additional information is in the Public Education section)
 
Total number of bills reported out of House Committees this week: 323    
Total number of bills passed by the House this week: 190
Total number of bills passed on the Local & Consent Calendar: 68
Total number of bills passed by the House this session: 266
 
This Week: The House will reconvene at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 15, 2019.
STATEWIDE

Sales Tax/Property Tax Swap - Last Wednesday, Governor Greg Abbott, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick and Speaker Dennis Bonnen issued a joint statement calling for a once-cent increase in the state sales tax once passage of SB2/HB2 related to property tax reform occurs. They assert that the increased sales tax will result in billions of dollars of new revenue to drive down local property taxes in the "short and long term." Opponents are concerned that the sales tax is regressive and will disproportionately affect low income Texans.
BUDGET

Passed the House:
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 committee substitute was adopted and it passed the House by a vote of 146 to 0.
 
Passed the Senate:
HB 1 by John Zerwas (R-Fulshear) and Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) is the general appropriations bill. Senator Nelson said, "This a compassionate, fiscally responsible, forward-looking budget that will keep Texas strong and prosperous for years to come. It is the product of hours of careful deliberations in committee - and reflects input from the entire Senate. This budget prioritizes tax relief and ensures that classroom teachers receive a well-deserved pay raise. It also provides additional funding for school districts and ensures that we are meeting our responsibility to our most vulnerable citizens." The committee substitute was adopted and it passed the Senate unanimously. The House refused to concur in Senate amendments and requested a conference committee. House conferees are Representative John Zerwas (R-Fulshear), Oscar Longoria (D-Mission), Greg Bonnen (R-Friendswood), Sarah Davis (R-Houston), and Armando Lucio Walle (D-Houston).
SB 68 by Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) would require the Legislative Budget Board to perform a strategic fiscal review for each state agency concurrently with Sunset Advisory Commission review of the agency. It passed the Senate on the Local & Uncontested calendar.
SB 241 by Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) would eliminate and streamline state agency reports that no longer serve their intended purpose or are redundant of other reporting requirements. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed the Senate on the Local & Uncontested calendar.
SB 26 and SJR 24 by Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) would propose a constitutional amendment to automatically appropriate the sales tax on sporting goods to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission. The committee substitutes were adopted and SB 26 and SJR 24 passed the Senate by a vote of 30 to 0.
 
On Monday, the House Appropriations Committee took up:
HB 230 by Matt Krause (R-Fort Worth) would require political subdivisions that receive or expend federal funds that have not been appropriated by the Texas legislature to report the total amount of federal funds received or expended in the previous fiscal year. It was left pending.
HB 236 by Matt Krause (R-Fort Worth) establish a Fiscal Risk Management Commission to study the effect of federal fiscal policy on the Texas economy and the effect that a political or market-led default on the United States' debt obligations would have on the Texas economy. It was left pending.
HB 634 by Brad Buckley (R-Killeen) would expand eligibility of cities to receive state aid to partially offset the fiscal impact of large numbers of disabled veterans' homestead exemptions to include a city located wholly or partly in a county in which a military installation is wholly or partly located. It was left pending.
HB 1214 and HJR 39 by John Cyrier (R-Lockhart) would dedicate sales tax revenue from the sale of sporting goods to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission unless the legislature temporarily reduces the dedication by a two-thirds vote and even then no more than 50 percent. They were voted out favorably.
HB 1243 by Trent Ashby (R-Lufkin) would require the comptroller to deposit 10.7143 percent of the mixed beverage taxes received from permit holders outside an incorporated city into the drug court account. It was left pending.
HB 2235 by Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) would limit the total amount credited to the judicial fund to provide basic civil legal services to indigents to $50 million per state fiscal year (instead of biennium). It was reported favorably as substituted.
 
On Thursday, the Senate Finance Committee took up:
SB 1525 by Kirk Watson (D-Austin) is the comptroller's sales tax clean-up bill. It was left pending.
SB 214 and SJR 21 by Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) would propose a constitutional amendment to provide for the reduction in the rates of the state oil and gas production taxes if the Economic Stabilization Fund ending balance for the preceding fiscal year is greater than 10 percent of the prior fiscal year's total net general revenue-related (GR-R) collections. They were left pending.
SB 918 by Joan Huffman (R-Houston) would repeal the driver responsibility program and increase the insurance policy surcharge from $2 to $4 and dedicate 60 percent of the surcharge to the trauma facility and emergency medical services account. It was left pending.
 
Reported and Voted from Committee:
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. Both were voted favorably as substituted from the House Appropriations Committee.
HB 281 by Mayes Middleton (R-Wallisville) would prohibit local governments from spending public money to influence or attempt to influence the outcome of legislation. It was reported favorably as substituted from the House State Affairs Committee.
HB 2048 by John Zerwas (R-Fulshear) would repeal the driver responsibility program. It was voted favorably as substituted from the House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee. The companion, SB 918, has been heard and left pending in the Senate Finance Committee.  
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Passed the House:
HB 360 by Jim Murphy (R-Houston) would extend the date of the Property Redevelopment and Tax Abatement Act (Section 312 of the Tax Code) from September 1, 2019 to September 1, 2029. It passed the House by a vote of 124 to 20.
HB 2129 by Jim Murphy (R-Houston) would extend the Texas Economic Development Act (Chapter 313 of the Tax Code) from through 2022 to through 2032. It passed the House by a vote of 115 to 28.
SB 450 by Beverly Powell (D-Burleson) and Will Metcalf (R-Conroe) would change the due date for the annual reports to the comptroller for Type 4-A and 4-B economic development corporations from February 1 to April 1. HB 1588 was on the House calendar for Monday, April 8, 2019. The companion, SB 450, was substituted for HB 1588 on the House floor and was passed.
 
Voted From Committee:
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. It was reported favorably as substituted from the House International Relations & Economic Development Committee. It is on the House calendar for Monday, April 15, 2019.
HB 2111 by Leo Pacheco (D-San Antonio) would remove obsolete grandfather provisions in reinvestment zone statutes and would provide that a reinvestment zone may not exceed the captured appraised value estimated for a year in the reinvestment zone financing plan. It was voted favorably as substituted from the House Ways & Means Committee.
 
Texas Economic Development Corporation - On April 8th, Governor Greg Abbott appointed J. Pat Hickman, Vicki Hollub, Woody Hunt, Jim Lentz, Drayton McLane, Jr., Abid Neemuchwala, Scott Prochazka, and Bryan Sheffield to the Texas Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors for terms to expire at the pleasure of the Governor. Additionally, the Governor intends to name McLane chair and Hollub vice chair of the board, pending their Senate confirmation. The corporation markets Texas competitively and dynamically to businesses to let them know they can Go Big in Texas.
Pat Hickman of Canyon is chairman and CEO of Happy Bancshare, Inc. He previously served as chairman and vice chairman of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT), director of the IBAT Education Foundation, and as chairman of IBAT Services. He is a former member of the Texas Department of Banking Commissioners Council, the Independent Community Bankers of America Government Affairs and Education Committee, and the Independent Community Bankers of America Federal Legislative Committee. Additionally, he is a member of the Texas Tech Foundation Board of Directors, and the West Texas A&M University Executive Advisory Committee. Hickman studied marketing at Texas Tech University.
Vicki Hollub is president and CEO of Occidental Petroleum, an international oil and gas exploration and production company, and one of the largest U.S. oil and gas companies based on equity market capitalization. She joined Occidental's Board of Directors in 2015. During her 35-year career with Occidental, she has held management and technical positions in the United States, Russia, Venezuela and Ecuador. She has extensive operations and leadership experience and, most recently, was president and COO, overseeing oil and gas, chemical and midstream operations. She serves on the boards of Lockheed Martin, the American Petroleum Institute and Khalifa University for Science and Technology in Abu Dhabi. She is the U.S. chair for the U.S.-Colombia Business Council and a member of the World Economic Forum and the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative. Hollub received a Bachelor of Science in mineral engineering the University of Alabama. She was inducted into the University of Alabama College of Engineering 2016 class of Distinguished Engineering Fellows.
Woody Hunt of El Paso is senior chairman of Hunt Companies, Inc. He is a member of the Complete College America Board of Directors and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors, a trustee of the Texas Higher Education Foundation, and founding chairman and board member of the Borderplex Alliance in El Paso. He is a member and former chairman of the Texas Business Leadership Council, vice chairman for Texas Aspires and the Council for Regional Economic Expansion and Educational Development, and an advisory director for WestStar Bank. Additionally, he is former chairman of the Texas Higher Education Strategic Planning Committee and The University of Texas Investment Management Company Board of Directors, former vice chairman of The University of Texas System Board of Regents, and was founding chairman and a board member of the Medical Centers of the Americas Foundation in El Paso. Hunt received a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance and a Master of Business Administration from The University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Arts in management from the Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University.
Jim Lentz of Westlake is the CEO of Toyota Motor North America. In this role, Lentz oversees all business for Toyota's North America region, including Manufacturing, Research and Development, Sales, Marketing, Product Support and Corporate Resources. He is a member and former chairman of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, secretary of The Association of Global Automakers, and a member of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation Advisory Board. Additionally, he is a member of the University of Denver Executive Advisory Board and the Dallas Stars Advisory Board. Lentz received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Denver.
Drayton McLane, Jr. of Temple is chairman of the McLane Group. He is board chairman of Texas Central Partners, board member emeritus of the Baylor University Board of Regents, and a board member for the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library Foundation, Baylor Scott & White Healthcare Board of Trustees, Cooper Institute, and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors. Additionally, he is a member of the Baylor College of Medicine Board of Trustees, board director of Happy State Bank, and a board member of the Heart of Texas Defense Alliance. McLane received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Baylor University and a Master of Business Administration from Michigan State University.
Abid Neemuchwala of Coppell is CEO and board director of Wipro Limited. He is a board member of the DFW World Affairs Council. Neemuchwala received a bachelor's degree in electronics and communication from NIT, Raipur, India, and a master's degree in industrial management from IIT Mumbai, India.
Scott Prochazka of Houston is president and CEO of CenterPoint Energy. He is the incoming chairman of the American Gas Association and a board member of Edison Electric Institute and the Electric Power Research Institute. He is a former board member of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and former chairman of Texas Gas Association, Gridwise Alliance, and the Southeastern Electric Exchange. He is chairman of Central Houston Inc. and a board member of the Greater Houston Partnership. Prochazka received a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from The University of Texas at Austin.
Bryan Sheffield of Austin is the executive chairman of Parsley Energy, Inc. Sheffield founded Parsley in 2008 and quickly set the stage for the successful growth of the publicly-traded independent oil and gas company. He is a member of the Texas Business Leadership Council and serves on the board of the Greater Austin Crime Commission. Sheffield received a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance from Southern Methodist University.
 
This Week :
House Calendar:
HB 1514 by 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. It was on the House calendar for Monday, April 8, 2019, but was postponed to Monday, April 15, 2019. The companion, SB 743, has passed the Senate and been reported favorably from the House Agriculture & Livestock Committee so it will be substituted for HB 1514.
 
The House International Relations & Economic Development Committee will meet on Monday, April 15, 2019 at 8:00 a.m. in E2.014 of the capitol extension to take 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.
GENERAL BUSINESS

Passed the House:
HB 996 by Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) would specify when a debt buyer can initiate a collection on a consumer debt. The committee substitute and one floor amendment were adopted and it passed the House by a vote of 120 to 20.
HB 1159 by Four Price (R-Amarillo) would prescribe the wording for an acknowledgement of a written instrument on behalf of a limited liability company. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed the House by a vote of 144 to 0.
SB 726 by Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) and Stan Lambert (R-Abilene) would limit a bank's investments to promote community development to a maximum of 25 percent of the bank's unimpaired capital and surplus without prior authorization of the banking commissioner. HB 1175 was on the House calendar on Monday, April 8, 2019. SB 726 was substituted for it on the House floor, and it passed by a vote of 145 to 1.
 
Passed the Senate:
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 passed the Senate on the Local & Uncontested calendar. The companion, HB 1998, is set on the House calendar for Monday, April 15, 2019.
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. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed the Senate on the Local & Uncontested calendar. The companion, HB 2296 has been reported favorably as substituted from the House Licensing & Administrative Procedures Committee.
 
On Monday, the House State Affairs Committee took up:
HB 1198 by Hugh Shine (R-Temple) would allow a professional corporation to organize as an Employee Stock Ownership Company (ESOP) giving ownership to employees. It was left pending.
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 left pending.
 
On Tuesday, the House Licensing & Administrative Procedures Committee took up:
HB 469 by Drew Springer (R-Muenster) would allow the sale of wine and beer on Sundays during any hours. It was left pending.
HB 1443 by Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) would require counties to certify the wet or dry status of a proposed location within 30 days of request for certification coinciding with a permit application submitted to the Alcoholic Beverage Commission for an alcoholic beverage permit or license. It was reported favorably and recommended for the Local & Consent calendar.
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 left pending.
 
On Wednesday, the House Public Health Committee took up:
HB 644 by Gary VanDeaver (R-New Boston) would add pickled fruit or vegetables to the definition of cottage food production operations. It was left pending.
 
Reported and Voted From Committee:
HB 321 by Mary Gonzalez (D-El Paso) would change in statute "health spa" to "health club" and increase from $50,000 to $75,000 the maximum amount of a surety bond required to secure a health club. It was reported favorably from the House Business & Industry Committee and recommended for the Local & Consent calendar.
HB 1202 by Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) would clarify that rent-to-own agreements are not subject to theft of service statutes in the Penal Code. It was reported favorably from the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee.
HB 1694 by Stan Lambert (R-Abilene) would add cottage food production operations to the definition of "food" allowing them to provide samples of food at a farm or farmers' market without a permit. It was voted out favorably as substituted from the House Public Health Committee.
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. It was reported favorably as substituted from the Senate Health & Human Services Committee.
 
This Week :
Tuesday's House Calendar:
HB 1535 by Dan Flynn (R-Van) is the sunset bill for the State Securities Board.
 
Monday's Senate Intent Calendar:
SB 645 by Brian Birdwell (R-Granbury) Birdwell would remove the limit on package store ownership and the so-called "consanguinity loophole."
SB 799 by Carol Alvarado (D-Houston) would create a business advisory council to provide advice and expertise on actions state and local governments can take to assist businesses in recovering from a disaster.
HEALTH

Passed the House:
HB 1501 by Poncho Nevarez (D-Eagle Pass) would establish the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council; and would continue and transfer to regulation of psychologists, and marriage and family therapists to the council. One floor amendment was adopted and it passed the House by a vote of 134 to 13.
 
Passed the Senate:
SB 21 by Joan Huffman (R-Houston) would increase the smoking age to 21. The committee substitute and one floor amendment were adopted and it passed the Senate by a vote of 20 to 11. The companion, HB 749, has been reported favorably as substituted from the House Public Health Committee.
 
On Tuesday, the House Insurance Committee took up:
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. It was voted out favorably as substituted.
 
On Thursday, the House Public Health Committee took up:
HB 122 by Gina Hinojosa (D-Austin) would create an affirmative defense to prosecution for possession of marijuana for medical purposes that the person was a patient of a licensed physician in Texas who recommended marijuana for amelioration of the patient's symptoms. It was left pending.
HB 209 by Ron Reynolds (D-Missouri City) would legalize the prescription, testing, cultivation and use of medical marijuana. It was left pending.
HJR 21 by Ron Reynolds (D-Missouri City) would propose a constitutional amendment authorizing and regulate the possession, cultivation, and sale of cannabis for medical use. It was left pending.
 
Voted and Reported from Committee:
HB 1063 by Four Price (R-Amarillo) would extend home telemonitoring services through Medicaid to pediatric patients. It was voted out favorably as substituted from the House Human Services Committee.
HB 1504 by Chris Paddie (R-Marshall) is the sunset bill for the Texas Medical Board. It was reported favorably as substituted from the House Public Health Committee. It is on the House calendar for Tuesday, April 16, 2019.
 
This Week :
Monday's House Calendar:
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.
 
Tuesday's House Calendar:
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.
HIGHER EDUCATION

On Wednesday, the House Higher Education Committee took up:
HB 1203 by Mayes Middleton (R-Wallisville) would authorize the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to authorize junior colleges to offer baccalaureate degree programs in any field. It was left pending.
HB 2193 by Sergio Munoz (D-Mission) would increase the number of baccalaureate degree programs a junior college can offer at the same time from five to seven. It was left pending.
HB 4615 by Morgan Meyer (R-Dallas) would require the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to provide performance-based incentives to institutions of higher education based on the achievement of progress toward the 60x30TX goals; and would require the board to provide grants to support teacher education and development initiatives. It was left pending.
 
This Week :
Tuesday's House Calendar:
HB 2000 by Chris Turner (D-Burleson) would authorize the issuance of tuition revenue bonds for infrastructure at institutions of higher education.
PROCUREMENT

Passed the Senate:
SB 943 by Kirk Watson (D-Austin) would make contracting information excepted from public information requirements if the vendor or contractor or potential vendor or contractor to whom the information related demonstrates that disclosure of the information would reveal confidential information. The committee substitute and one floor amendment were adopted and it passed the Senate by a vote of 28 to 2. The companion, HB 2189, has been voted favorably as substituted from the House State Affairs Committee.
PUBLIC EDUCATION

Passed the Senate:
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. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed the Senate on the Local & Uncontested calendar. The companion, HB 851, is set on the House calendar on Monday, April 15, 2019.
SB 364 by Kirk Watson (D-Austin) would require Texas Education Agency to develop model policies on the recess period during the school day that encourages constructive, age-appropriate outdoor playtime that maximizes the effectiveness of outdoor physical activity; and would require school districts to adopt a recess policy based on the model policies. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed the Senate on the Local & Uncontested calendar. The companion, HB 455, is set on the House calendar on April 15, 2019.
SB 1276 by Beverly Powell (D-Burleson) would specify requirements for agreements between school districts and institutions of higher education to provide a dual credit program. It passed the Senate unanimously.
 
On Tuesday, the House Public Education Committee took up:
HB 139 by Mary Gonzalez (D-El Paso) would require the Commissioner of Education to provide notice of a new charter or charter expansion amendment to school districts from which the proposed open-enrollment charter or campus is likely to draw students and each member of the legislature that represents the geographic area to be served at least 18 months before the date the charter or campus is anticipated to open. It was left pending.
HB 228 by Matt Krause (R-Fort Worth) would require the Commissioner of Education to adopt objective eligibility standards for a school district seeking designation as a district of innovation, including academic performance eligibility and financial accountability eligibility standards; and would require the standards to be posted on the Texas Education Agency's website. It was left pending.
HB 2824 by Gary VanDeaver (R-New Boston) would extend the writing assessment pilot program through September 1, 2023 (instead of 2019). It was voted out favorably as substituted.
HB 2983 by Dan Huberty (R-Humble) would eliminate the math assessments in grades four, six and seven; eliminate the reading assessments in grades four, six and seven; and eliminate the writing, spelling and grammar assessments in grade four and seven and require them in grades five and eight. It was voted out favorably as substituted.
 
On Wednesday, the House Public Health Committee took up:
HB 1335 by Four Price (R-Amarillo) would allow a school district to establish a school-based behavioral health center. It was left pending.
 
On Thursday, the Senate Education Committee took up:
SB 686 by Carol Alvarado (D-Houston) 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). It was left pending. The companion, HB 1182, is set on the House calendar on Monday, April 15, 2019.
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 left pending. The companion, HB 198, has been heard and left pending in the House Public Education Committee.
 
Voted and Reported From Committee:
HB 233 by Matt Krause (R-Fort Worth) would prohibit school districts from having a school start date before Labor Day and require school districts to end the school year between May 15th and Memorial Day, unless the district operates a year-round system. It was voted out favorably as substituted from the House Public Education Committee.
SB 11 by Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood) would establish several new programs and requirements related to improving public school safety and student mental health. It was voted out favorably as substituted from the Senate Education Committee.
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. It was reported favorably as substituted from the Senate Education Committee and recommended for the Local & Uncontested calendar. The companion, HB 3387, is set for a hearing in the House Public Education Committee on Tuesday, April 16, 2019.
SB 2244 by Angela Paxton (R-McKinney) would delete several Education Code provisions restricting access to electronic courses through the Virtual School Network. It was reported favorably from the Senate Education Committee and recommended for the Local & Uncontested calendar.
 
This Week :
Monday's House Calendar:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
 
Tuesday's House Calendar:
HB 953 by Ken King (R-Canadian) would require charter schools to pay into the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.
 
Monday's Senate Intent 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.
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.
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.
SB 2073 by Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood) would require school districts that reduce the number of instruction days for students to give a corresponding reduction of teacher in-service days.
 
The House Public Education Committee will meet on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at 8:00 a.m. in E2.036 of the capitol extension to take up:
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.
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. (the companion is SB 2018)
 
The Senate Education Committee will meet on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. in E1.028 to take up:
HB 3 by Dan Huberty (R-Humble) and Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood) is a comprehensive school finance reform bill.
 
The House Pubic Education Committee will meet on Wednesday, April 17, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. in E2.036 of the capitol extension to take up:
HB 2002 by Jeff Leach (R-Plano) would require school districts to report the costs associated with administering state-required assessments.
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; and would require them to use the unique identifier system established by the Texas Student Data System for any account creation, data upload, data transmission, analysis, or re to mask all personally identifiable student information.
HB 3638 by Jared Patterson (R-Frisco) would expand the master teacher grant program from reading teachers only to include reading, mathematics, technology, and science teachers; and would make some other non-substantive changes in reporting requirements.
HB 3820 by Carl Sherman (D-De Soto) would require students to be given one of the valid, reliable, and nationally norm-referenced college-readiness assessment instruments used by colleges and universities as part of their undergraduate admissions process after the student has taken Algebra I or English I and English II.
HB 3846 by Giovanni Capriglione (R-Keller) would require the State Board of Education to develop and make available to school districts and charters additional instruction intended for use after completion of state assessments including personal financial literacy, computer coding, and cyber security.
HB 3906 by Dan Huberty (R-Humble) would make several changes regarding student assessments by changing references from "reading" to "language arts" in statutes.
HB 4454 by Eddie Rodriguez (D-Austin) would require the State Board of Education to adopt developmentally appropriate, evidence-based standards for social and emotional learning including standards regarding the development of competency in self-management, self-awareness, and social awareness and responsible decision-making.
TAX

On Tuesday, the Senate Property Tax Committee took up:
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. It was voted out favorably.
SB 1161 by Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) would include one-half of the portion of the market value of property not otherwise fully taxable by the school district at market value because of an action taken by the school district in determining the value of property for purposes of the comptroller's property value study. It was left pending.
SB 1430 by Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills) would rename the rollback tax rate to "voter approval tax rate." It was left pending.
 
Also on Tuesday, the House Ways & Means Committee took up:
HB 1144 by Shawn Thierry (D-Houston) would establish a new tax on e-cigarette vapor products of five cents per milliliter. It was left pending.
HB 3364 by Dennis Paul (R-Webster) would impose a tax on vapor products. It was left pending.
HJR 38 by Jeff Leach (R-Plano) would propose a constitutional amendment prohibiting a state personal income tax. It was left pending.
 
This Week :
Monday's House Calendar:
HB 2 by Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) is the House's property tax reform bill. It was originally on the House calendar for Thursday, April 11, 2019, but it was postponed until Monday, April 15, 2019.
 
Tuesday's House Calendar:
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.
HB 861 by Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas) would clarify provisions on the penalties and interest on supplemental property tax bills.
 
The Senate Finance Committee will meet on Monday, April 15, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. in E1.036 of the capitol extension to take 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.
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.
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.
SB 774 by Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) would provide a franchise tax credit to companies that provide tuition assistance to their employees attending a post-secondary educational institution.
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 a prioritize the revenue needs of the state and identify potential reductions in expenditures.
 
The House Ways & Means Committee will meet on Wednesday, April 17, 2019 at 8:00 a.m. in Room 140 of the John H. Reagan State Office Building to take up:
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.
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.
TRANSPORTATION 

Passed the Senate:
SB 604 by Dawn Buckingham (R-Lakeway) is the sunset bill for Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. Three floor amendments were adopted and it passed the Senate unanimously. The companion, HB 1541, is scheduled for a hearing in the House Transportation Committee on Wednesday, April 17, 2019.
 
On Wednesday, the Senate Transportation Committee took up:
SB 1721 by Eddie Lucio, Jr. (D-Brownsville) would require regional transit authorities to cover the cost of relocating pipelines. It was left pending. The companion, HB 71, passed the House this week.
 
Also on Wednesday, the House Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee took up:
HB 1750 by Ben Leman (R-Iola) would require all vehicles to get a safety inspection every two years, including new vehicles. It was left pending.
 
Voted From Committee:
HB 803 by Jared Patterson (R-Frisco) would require toll project entities to annually report the entity's financial data, toll revenue, operational expenses, and outstanding debt for each toll project on the entity's Internet website. It was voted out favorably as substituted from the House Transportation Committee.
HB 1287 by Celia Israel (D-Austin) would lower the speed limit from 30 to 25 miles per hour on an urban street; and would allow municipalities to declare a lower speed limit of not less than 20 (instead of 25) miles per hour. It was voted favorably from the House Transportation Committee.
HB 4362 by Poncho Nevarez (D-Eagle Pass) would formally incorporate car sharing into the state's overall transportation system. It was voted favorably as substituted from the House Transportation Committee.
 
This Week :
Monday's Senate Intent Calendar:
SB 1512 by Pete Flores (R-Pleasanton) would require the state to pay for the relocation of a utility facility if the relocation is required for the improvement of state highways.
 
The House Transportation Committee will meet on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at 8:00 a.m. in E1.026 of the capitol extension to take up:
HB 709 by John Wray (R-Waxahachie) would prohibit the use of private activity bonds to finance high-speed rail service.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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