March 25 , 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 will be held this week (March 26-27, 2019) at the Intercontinental Stephen F. Austin Hotel in Austin, TX. CLICK HERE for more information. We look forward to sharing more about our trip next week. 

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.


GOVERNOR

Letter to University Boards of Regents - On Monday Governor Greg Abbott sent a letter to all Texas public University Boards of Regents following the U.S. Department of Justice's investigation into the widespread college admissions bribery scheme. In his letter, the Governor directs the Boards to examine and investigate its admissions policies and procedures to ensure that no university employee engages in fraudulent schemes.
 
Governor's University Research Program - On Thursday, Governor Greg Abbott and The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) announced that Surendra Shah, Ph.D., has joined the Departments of Material Science and Engineering and Civil Engineering at UTA through the Governor's University Research Program (GURI). The matching GURI award of $1,965,000 will aid Dr. Shah's research on nano-material impact on the performance and infrastructure of cements, and also fund the construction of the new UTA Center for Advanced Construction and Innovative Materials for Infrastructure. This new facility is expected to attract significant external funding as well as develop agreements with companies in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and beyond that are engaged in construction materials to spur economic development. 

SENATE NEWS  

The Senate was in session Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of last week.
 
On Monday, the Senate passed four bills including:
  • SB 40 by Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) allowing court proceedings to be briefly suspended in a declared disaster area (see Tort section for more information);
  • SB 230 by Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) limiting landowner liability for rock climbing recreational activities on his/her property (see Tort section for more information);
  • SB 282 by Dawn Buckingham (R-Lakeway) providing reimbursement to counties for delayed transportation projects (see Transportation section for more information); and
  • SB 489 by Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) protecting the home address of judges and their spouses (see Privacy section for more information).
 
On Tuesday, the Senate passed nine bills including:
  • SB 41 by Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) exempting pro bono attorneys ad litem from rotation and reporting requirements;
  • SB 83 by Bob Hall (R-Canton) designating a portion of FM 1570 in Hunt County as the John L. Horn Memorial Parkway;
  • SB 401 by Kirk Watson (D-Austin) establishing the Joint Oversight Committee on Government Facilities to review deferred maintenance plans;
  • SB 467 by Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) requiring the State Commission on Judicial Conduct to report pending complaints (see Tort section for more information);
  • SB 476 by Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills) allowing restaurant customers to bring their dog to the patio (see General Business section for more information);
  • SB 554 by Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) clarifying buy-back opportunities on land taken through eminent domain (see Property section for more information);
  • SB 743 by Bob Hall (R-Canton) establishing the Texas Olive Oil Industry Advisory Board (see Economic Development section for more information)
  • SB 748 by Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) establishing the Newborn Screening Preservation Account to provide newborn screenings; and
  • SB 752 by Joan Huffman (R-Houston) granting immunity from liability from volunteer health care providers during a disaster (see Tort section for more information).
 
On Wednesday, the Senate passed ten bills including:
  • SB 6 by Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) requiring the Department of Emergency Management to prepare a handbook of best practices in disaster response (see Statewide section for more information);
  • SB 7 by Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) establishing the Texas Infrastructure Resiliency fund for flood mitigation projects (see Public Education section for more information);
  • SB 8 by Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) establishing a statewide flood response and mitigation plan (see Public Education section for more information);
  • SB 18 by Joan Huffman (R-Houston) establishing free speech policies for college campuses (see Higher Education section for more information)
  • SB 65 by Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) instituting procurement reforms (see Procurement section for more information);
  • SB 355 by Royce West (D-Dallas) developing a strategic plan to ensure Texas' mental health prevention plan and early intervention services meet federal requirements;
  • SB 363 by Kirk Watson (D-Austin) prescribing circumstances for the Department of Public Safety to access data in the Prescription Monitoring Program;
  • SB 420 by Dawn Buckingham (R-Lakeway) removing the requirement for pharmacists to check the Prescription Monitoring Program for refills (see Health section for more information);
  • SB 563 by Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) requiring quarterly reports on federal money for flood mitigation projects (see Environment section for more information);
  • SB 607 by Kirk Watson (D-Austin) is the sunset bill for the Veterans' Land Board.
 
About Senate passage of the Hurricane Harvey disaster response bills, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick said, "Senate Bills 6, 7 and 8 are some of the most important bills the Texas Senate will pass this session. They will impact generations of Texans for years to come. I congratulate Senators Kolkhorst, Creighton and Perry and the entire senate for unanimously passing these disaster response bills, which are key to our rebuilding effort following Hurricane Harvey and mitigating future flood disasters across the state."
 
Total number of bills reported out of Senate Committees this week: 62
Total number of bills passed by the Senate this week: 23
Total number of bills passed by the Senate this session: 28
 
This Week: The Senate reconvenes at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, March 25.


HOUSE NEWS

The House was in session on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of last week. 
 
On Tuesday, the House gave preliminary approval to nine bills including:
  • HB 41 by Will Metcalf (R-Conroe) offering leave for state employees who are search and rescue volunteers;
  • HB 92 by Eddie Rodriguez (D-Austin) allowing underperforming campuses to operate as community schools (see Public Education section for more information);
  • HB 109 by Armando "Mando" Martinez (D-Weslaco) prohibiting open-enrollment charter schools from operating on Memorial Day (see Public Education section for more information);
  • HB 111 by Mary Gonzalez (D-Clint) requiring training to prevent abuse of children with cognitive disabilities (see Public Education section for more information);
  • HB 234 by Matt Krause (R-Fort Worth) prohibiting local ordinances against children's lemonade stands;
  • HB 277 by Tom Oliverson (R-Cypress) requiring online admission applications to link to employment data (see Higher Education section for more information);
  • HB 330 by Gary VanDeaver (R-New Boston) excluding students who suffer serious injuries from school dropout rates (see Public Education section for more information);
  • HB 403 by Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) requiring child abuse prevention training for school administrators (see Public Education section for more information); and
  • HB 1244 by Trent Ashby replacing the U.S. history end-of-course assessment with a civics test (see Public Education section for more information).
 
On Wednesday, the House gave final approval to the nine Tuesday bills, and gave preliminary approval to eight bills including
  • HB 81 by Terry Canales (D-Edinburg) requiring disclosure of information on public entertainment events (see Economic Development section for more information);
  • HB 125 by Armando "Mando" Martinez (D-Weslaco) restricting publication of home addresses of counselors and social workers (see Privacy section for more information);
  • HB 305 by Dennis Paul (R-Webster) requiring political subdivisions to post information on meetings and elections online (see Tax section for more information);
  • HB 339 by Andrew Murr (R-Junction) requiring speed limit signs at the end of work zones (see Transportation section for more information);
  • HB 396 by Gary VanDeaver (R-New Boston) expanding the uses of the instructional materials and technology fund (see Public Education section for more information);
  • HB 422 by Alma Allen (D-Houston) ensuring a school board has created district- and campus-level committees (see Public Education section for more information);
  • HB 540 by Jeff Leach (R-Plano) designating the Officer David Sherrard Memorial Highway; and
  • HB 637 by Mary Gonzalez (D-Clint) removing a salary cap for superintendents at the Texas School for the Blind and School for the Deaf.
 
On Thursday, the House gave final approval to the eight bills initially debated on Wednesday.
 
New House Members - On Monday, Christina Morales (D-Houston) was sworn in to represent House District 145. On Thursday, Ray Lopez (D-San Antonio) was sworn in to represent House District 125. The House is now complete with 150 members.
 
Total number of bills reported out of House Committees this week: 63       
Total number of bills passed by the House this week: 17
Total number of bills passed by the House this session: 17
 
This Week: The House reconvenes at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, March 25.

BUDGET   

On Monday, the House Appropriations Committee reported out HB 1 the general appropriations bill and SB 500 the supplemental appropriations bill. They are on the House Calendar for Wednesday, March 27, 2019. A "Put and Take" calendar rule was adopted for both bills requiring any amendment that adds or increases an item of appropriation in the bill made from general revenue, a general revenue-dedicated account, or the Economic Stabilization Fund must contain an equal or greater reduction in one or more items of appropriation in the bill. Proposed amendments must be filed with the Chief Clerk's office by 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 24, 2019.
 
Reported From Committee:
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. It was voted favorably as substituted from the Senate Business & Commerce Committee.
 
This Week:
The Senate Finance Committee will meet on Thursday, March 28, 2019 and Friday, March 29 at 9:00 a.m. in E1.036 of the capitol extension to take up pending business on SB 1 and to consider recommendations from the workgroups.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Passed the House:
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. One floor amendment was adopted. It passed by a vote of 142-0.
 
Passed the Senate:
SB 743 by Bob Hall (R-Canton) 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 passed the Senate unanimously.
 
On Thursday, the House, Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Commission took up:
HB 1175 by 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. It was left pending. The companion is SB 726.
 
Reported From Committee:
HB 1588 by 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 April 1 to February 1. It was voted favorably from the House International Relations & Economic Development Committee. The companion is SB 450.
SB 726 by Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) 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. It was reported favorably from the Senate Business & Commerce Committee.
 
This Week:
Senate Intent Calendar:
SB 450 by Beverly Powell (R-Burleson) would change the due date for the annual reports to the comptroller for Type 4-A and 4-B economic development corporations from April 1 to February 1. (The companion is HB 1588)

GENERAL BUSINESS

Passed the Senate:
SB 476 by Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills) would allow a food service establishment to permit a customer to be accompanied by a dog in an outdoor dining area. Senator Hancock said, "SB 476 would not require restaurants to permit dogs in outdoor dining areas, but provides that food service establishments statewide may do so if they choose. Since bringing this legislation forward, we've heard from dog lovers all across Texas who want to let their canine companions tag along more often. I appreciate my colleagues' support on this legislation that's simply designed to get over-the-top government regulation out of the way of enjoying time with family or friends on a patio - man's best friend included." It passed the Senate by a vote of 30-1.
 
On Monday, the House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Committee took up:
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. It was left pending.
 
On Tuesday, the House Licensing & Administrative Procedures Committee took up:
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. It was left pending.
 
Reported From Committee:
HB 286 by Ed Thompson (R-Pearland) would require the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in cooperation with the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office to produce a plan to stimulate the use of recyclable materials as feedstock in manufacturing. It was voted favorably as substituted from the House Environmental Regulation Committee.
HB 1442 by Chris Paddie (R-Marshall) is the sunset bill for the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner. It was voted favorably as substituted from the House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Committee.
HB 1520 by Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) is the sunset bill for the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy. It was reported favorably as substituted from the House Licensing & Administrative Procedures Committee.
SB 614 by Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville) is the sunset bill for the Finance Commission of Texas, the Texas Department of Banking and the Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending. It was voted favorably as substituted from the Senate Business & Commerce Committee.
 
This Week:
The House Licensing & Administrative Procedures Committee will meet on Tuesday, March 26, 2019 at 8:00 a.m. in E2.028 of the capitol extension to take up:
HB 2296 by Craig Goldman (R-Fort Worth) 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.
 

HEALTH

On Monday, the Senate State Affairs Committee took up:
SB 21 by Joan Huffman (R-Houston) would increase the smoking age to 21. It was left pending.
 
Reported from Committee:
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. It was voted favorably as substituted from the House Public Health Committee.
SB 670 by Dawn Buckingham (R-Lakeway) would prohibit a Medicaid managed care contractor from denying reimbursement for a covered health care service or procedure delivered by a health care provider with whom the managed care organization contracts to a recipient as a telemedicine or telehealth service solely because the covered service or procedure is not provided through an in-person consultation. It was reported favorably as substituted from the Senate Health and Human Services Committee It is on the Senate Intent Calendar for Monday, March 25, 2019.
HIGHER EDUCATION

Passed the Senate:
SB 18 by Joan Huffman (R-Houston) 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; would require public institutions of higher education to ensure that common outdoor areas are deemed to be traditional public forums and permit any individual to engage in expressive activities in those areas freely; and would require institutions of higher education to adopt a policy detailing students' rights and responsibilities regarding expressive activities. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed the Senate unanimously.
 
On Wednesday, the House Higher Education Committee took up:
HB 2000 by Chris Turner (D-Burleson) would authorize the issuance of tuition revenue bonds for infrastructure at institutions of higher education. It was left pending.
PROPERTY

Passed the Senate:
SB 554 by Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) 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 action before the 10th anniversary of the acquisition of the owner's property. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed the Senate by a vote of 30-1.
 
This Week:
Senate Intent Calendar:
SB 421 by Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) is a comprehensive eminent domain reform bill. (committee substitute; first placement)
SB 552 by Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) would require the notice to a property owner of the owner's rights concerning the examination or survey by an entity with the power of eminent domain to include a statement that:
  • The entity is responsible for damages to the property arising from the survey;
  • The property owner has the right to refuse permission to enter the property to conduct a survey;
  • The property owner has the right to negotiate terms under which the survey may be conducted; and
  • The entity has the right to sue a property owner to obtain a court order authorizing the survey if the property owner refuses.
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. (committee substitute)

PUBLIC EDUCATION

On Tuesday, the House Public Education Committee took up:
HB 462 by Charlie Geren (R-Fort Worth) would require the legislature to set the basic allotment and the guaranteed level of state and local funds per weighted student at the amounts necessary for the state funds portion to comply with the minimum constitutional requirements or greater. It was left pending.
HB 735 by Gary VanDeaver (R-New Boston) would allow a school district that has held a successful Tax Ratification Election since 2006 to lower its maintenance and operations tax rate to raise it back up in a subsequent year to the previously approved rate without holding another election. It was left pending.
HB 1160 by Jarvis Johnson (D-Houston) would allow compensatory education allotment funding to be used for a district's school guidance and counseling program or for counseling or social work services provided by a licensed social worker or licensed professional counselor. It was left pending.
HJR 24 by Charlie Geren (R-Fort Worth) would propose a constitutional amendment requiring the state to pay at least 50 percent of the cost of maintaining and operating the public school system. It was left pending.
 
Also on Tuesday, the Senate Education Committee took up:
SB 213 by Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) 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. It was left pending.
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. It was left pending.
 
Reported From Committee:
HB 3 by Dan Huberty (R-Humble) is a comprehensive school finance reform bill. It was voted out favorably as substituted from the House Public Education Committee.
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. It was voted favorably as substituted from the House Public Education Committee.
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 require less time for a demonstration of mastery. The SBOE would be required to ensure that a revision of the TEKS does not result in a need for the adoption of new instructional materials. It would also 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. It was voted favorably as substituted from the House Public Education Committee.
 
This Week:
The House Public Education Committee will meet on Tuesday, March 26, 2019 at 8:00 a.m. in E2.036 of the capitol extension to take up:
HB 17 by Greg Bonnen (R-Friendswood) is a school safety bill that includes building and facility security standards, multi-hazard emergency operations plans, communication access, safety and security audits, notification plans, and emergency drills.
HB 1754 by Greg Bonnen (R-Friendswood) would establish a school safety allotment of at least $50 per student in the foundation school program to be used to improve school safety and security including securing school facilities through infrastructure, installation of physical barriers, security equipment or cameras, employing peace officers and school marshals, and safety and security training.

TAX

On Monday, the Senate Finance Committee took up:
SB 70 by Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) would allow an out-of-state Internet seller or other "remote seller" to elect to collect a single, statewide local sales tax rate calculated annually by the comptroller, instead of collecting the rate actually imposed by the various taxing jurisdictions (cities and other local entities) at a destination address. It was left pending. The companion is HB 2153.
SB 687 by Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) would increase from 6 days to 30 days the amount of time that a person who receives public information from the comptroller relating to a taxpayer that the comptroller is auditing from using the information for the direct solicitation of business or employment for pecuniary gain. It was reported favorably and recommended for the Local & Uncontested calendar.
SB 890 by Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) would require marketplace providers to collect sales and use tax on the sales by third party sellers using the marketplace provider's platform. It was left pending. The companion is HB 1525.
SB 1214 by Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) would expand the sales tax exemption for agricultural-use aircraft to include any other use necessary to operate a business that performs an agriculture service such as crop dusting, predator control, and animal health inspection. It was left pending.
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. It was reported out favorably as substituted.
 
On Wednesday, the House Ways & Means Committee took up:
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 was left pending.
HB 492 and HJR 34 by Hugh Shine (R-Belton) would provide for an exemption of a portion of appraised value for property, other than land, in a declared disaster area if the property is at least 15 percent damaged, as determined by the chief appraiser, and the exemption is adopted by the taxing unit. The chief appraiser would be required to assign each property a damage assessment rating of Level I (15-30 percent damaged), Level II (30-60 percent damaged), or Level III (60 percent to below total loss), or Level IV (total loss). The exemption by level would be 15 percent, 30 percent, 60 percent, and 100 percent and pro-rated by the number of days remaining in the year that the property was damaged. They were left pending. The companions are SB 1322 and SJR 49.
HB 493 and HJR 35 by Hugh Shine (R-Belton) would entitle a taxing unit to a disaster exemption assistance payment from the state if the taxing unit pays refunds to owners of property damaged in a declared disaster. They were left pending. The companions are SB 1322 and SJR 49.
HB 845 by J.M. Lozano (R-Kingsville) would add water desalination projects to the list of items that can qualify for a Tax Code Chapter 313 agreement (the Texas Economic Development Act). It was left pending.
HB 861 by Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas) would clarify provisions on the penalties and interest on supplemental property tax bills. It was left pending.
HB 1729 by Jim Murphy (R-Houston) would limit the sales tax pre-payment discount to the lower of its current level of 1.25 percent or an annually adjusted amount based on the January prime rate plus four percent. It was left pending.
HB 1815 by Scott Sanford (R-McKinney) would extend from April 1 to May 1 the deadline for a person requesting allocation of in-state vs. out-of-state presence of aircraft and vessels subject to property tax to file an application. It was left pending.
HB 1965 by Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) would clarify the sales tax exemption for amusement services includes an entity contracted to provide touring theatrical productions. It was left pending.
HB 1977 by Sheryl Cole (D-Austin) would require taxing units to prepare a fiscal impact statement that addresses the direct economic impact that a proposed tax abatement agreement would have on schools, transportation, and public safety in the county or municipality in which a proposed reinvestment zone would be located under a tax abatement agreement. It was left pending.
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 was left pending.
HB 2438 by Dade Phelan (R-Nederland) would extend the deadline for the Property Redevelopment and Tax Abatement Act (Chapter 312) agreements from September 1, 2019 to December 31, 2032; and would extend the deadline for the Texas Economic Development Act (Chapter 313) agreements from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2032. It was left pending.
HB 2799 by Scott Sanford (R-McKinney) would require tax abatement agreements involving property in a reinvestment zone to be approved in a public meeting of the governing body of the municipality. It was left pending.
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. It was left pending.
HB 3143 by Jim Murphy (R-Houston) would extend the Property Redevelopment and Tax Abatement Act (Chapter 312) agreements until September 1, 2029 (instead of 2019); would require the governing body of a taxing unit to hold a public hearing before adopting, amending, repealing, or reauthorizing guidelines and criteria related to a tax abatement agreement; and would require the chief appraiser to report to the comptroller the appraised value of the property that was the subject of the agreement in each of the first three tax years following the expiration of an agreement. It was left pending.
 
Reported From Committee:
HB 1525 by Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) would require marketplace providers to collect sales and use tax on the sales by third party sellers using the marketplace provider's platform. It was voted favorably as substituted from the House Ways & Means Committee.
HB 2153 by Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) would allow an out-of-state Internet seller or other "remote seller" to elect to collect a single, statewide local sales tax rate calculated annually by the comptroller, instead of collecting the rate actually imposed by the various taxing jurisdictions (cities and other local entities) at a destination address. It was voted favorably as substituted from the House Ways & Means Committee.
 
This Week:
Senate Intent Calendar:
SB 449 by Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) would repeal subsection (i) of 42.23 of the Tax Code, "Judicial Review: Scope of Review" which provides that in a court case for a valuation dispute, the court "may give preference to an employee" authorized to perform an appraisal of real estate under the Occupations Code.


TRANSPORTATION 

Passed the Senate:
SB 282 by Dawn Buckingham (R-Lake Travis) would require the Texas Department of Transportation to track liquidated damages, including road user costs retained by the department associated with delayed transportation project contracts and annually allocate to each department district the district's share to be used for transportation projects in that district. It passed the Senate by a vote of 30-0.
 
On Wednesday, the Senate Transportation Committee took up:
SB 653 by Bob Hall (R-Canton) 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 left pending.
 
This Week:
The House Administration Committee will meet on Monday, March 25, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. in E1.010 of the capitol extension to take up:
HB 1370 by Cody Harris (R-Palestine) would establish the Joint Interim Committee on High-Speed Rail Development to evaluate the feasibility of creating a statewide high-speed rail initiative through a public-private partnership and work with the Texas Department of Transportation to develop a comprehensive statewide strategy for the development of high-speed rail.
 
The House Transportation Committee will meet on Tuesday, March 26, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. in Room 120 of the John H. Reagan State Office Building to take up:
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.
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.
HB 2262 by Ed Thompson (R-Pearland) would prohibit the use of traffic surveillance systems except for the purpose of collecting or enforcing tolls.

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