Energy & Environment
Helpful Links:
www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us
www.powertochoose.org
www.puc.state.tx.us
Rep England received an A+ on the Texas League of Conservation Voters for his record on conservation legislation during the 81st legislative session.
The scorecard can be found here: www.tlcv.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/TLCV-2009-Scorecard.pdf
Important Legislation:
SB 2182- Provides that an institution of higher education could charge each enrolled student an environmental service fee, if approved by a majority of the student body, for environmental improvements related to such things as recycling, energy efficiency, and renewable energy, transportation, employment, planning, and maintenance.
HB 4261- Establishes a no-interest loan program to promote the use of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy technology in certain residential dwellings, commercial buildings, and places of worship.
HB 1937- Provides authority to municipalities to enact property tax financing for energy improvements made by homeowners to their homes, including such things as solar energy devices.
HB 2667- Enhances water saving performance standards for certain plumbing fixtures by meeting the national standards of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
Transportation
Helpful Links:
http://www.dot.state.tx.us/project_information/
http://www.ntta.org/
Important Legislation:
HB 432- Requires that state agency vehicles purchases which meet or exceed certain EPA emission standards increase from the current law’s 10% to 25% of an agency’s fleet. Also, no later than Sep 30, 2010, a state agency’s fleet must be comprised of at least 50% alternative fuels vehicles. The measure intends to reduce costs incurred to state agencies on fueling the vehicles. http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/texas-legislature-advances-clean-power-and-green-jobs-but-loses-steam-in-political-wranglings
HB 55- Prohibits the use of cell phones while driving within a school crossing zone unless the vehicle is stopped or the phone is used with a hands-free device.
HB 662- Prohibits the use of cell phones while driving for anyone under age 18, except in case of an emergency.
SB 1382- Requires the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to create a long-term plan for a statewide passenger rail system. It also requires TxDOT to coordinate the planning, construction, operation, and maintenance of a statewide passenger rail system and to coordinate with local entities involved with passenger rail responsibilities.
Economics
Helpful Links:
www.window.state.tx.us/recovery
www.window.state.tx.us/taxes
Important Legislation:
HB 1801- Expands the annual sales tax holiday to include backpacks and certain other school supplies. http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxpubs/tx98_490/tx98_490.html
HB 469- Provides a franchise tax credit for an entity operating a clean energy project which meets certain requirements, including being implemented in connection with the construction of a new facility. http://www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us/re_incentives.htm
HB 4765- Small businesses making less than $1 million in annual revenue are now exempt from paying the state franchise tax. Before, the small business tax exemption was only $300,000. www.business.gov/states/texas/
HB 873- Provides economic incentives for film, television, and video digital interactive media production industries to operate in Texas. http://www.txmpa.org/
HB 2032- Rep England’s bill which allows certain cities to recapture and reinvest state taxes generated at new entertainment venues, convention centers, and any hotels located at those convention centers.
HB 1134- Allows the Dallas County Flood Control District No. 1 to enter into a tax abatement agreement to designate a reinvestment zone, promoting development within the district in Irving.
Education
Helpful Links:
www.tea.state.tx.us
www.texastuitionpromisefund.com
www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment
Important Legislation:
HB 130 : Prekindergarten Programs will be awarded grants to school districts to implement an enhance quality full-day pre-kindergarten program for eligible children to promote student achievement and school readiness. The bill also included a measure for TEA to develop outreach materials for school districts to increase public awareness of this pre-k program. www.texasprojectfirst.org
HB 3 : Puts a greater emphasis on college readiness, including the elimination of the TAKS test in certain elementary and middle school grades, and revamped performance ratings for schools and districts.
HB 2018 : Requires one student representative be included as a member of the district-level committee to establish and review the districts education plans, goals, performance objectives and classroom instructional programs.
SB 9 : A measure requiring the State Board for Educator Certification to conduct a history background reviews all of the certified public school employees. This bill gives the board a right -to-refuse certification to a person convicted of certain offenses, including those involving sexual or physical abuse of a minor, and possession of a controlled substance.
HB 2347 Peace Officers : Exempting a peace officer from paying tuition at a higher education institution if they enroll in courses offered as a part of a criminal justice or law enforcement management-related curriculum.
HB 2013 Firefighters : Exempting payment of tuition and laboratory fees a student enrolled in a fire science curriculum who is an active member of an organized volunteer fire department and holds a certain level of certification in firefighting.
SB 93 : Service Members : Exemptions for those who served in the military, along with eligible spouses and children from tuition and fees at Texas institutions of higher education. Also, HB 3951 ensures that all state institutions of higher ed. have one or more employees trained in understanding state and federal student financial assistance programs available to military veterans or their family members.
SB 175 : Fixed tuition rates for all students in higher education, whereby tuition rates would not exceed the rates charged during the first semester of their enrollment in college. http://www.collegefortexans.com/
Healthcare
SB 187 : A Medicaid Buy-In program for children with disabilities whose family income do not exceed 300 % of the federal poverty level. Participants would be required to pay monthly premiums according to a sliding scale based on family income. http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/mbi.html
HB 451 : Current law requires health insurance for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder for enrollees older than age 2 and younger than age 6, HB 451 expands that coverage to include from the date of diagnosis through age 9 of the child.
HB 2962 : A bill to increase enrollment for Texas Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and enhance public awareness. Before September 2009, the income eligibility level was 200%, After HB 2962 passed that level of eligibility increased to 300% or below of the federal poverty. For those that fall in between 300-400% of the federal poverty level have an option to buy-into CHIP. http://www.chipmedicaid.org/.
HB 4029 : In releasing healthcare information on a patient , a patient’s payment information is included in the definition of confidential and cannot be released without a patient’s written authorization.
Corrections
Helpful Links:
http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/
http://www.tyc.state.tx.us/
Legislation:
HB 2066 : A measure that would increase the penalty for assault by strangulation in domestic violence cases from a Class A misdemeanor to a felony. Before increasing the punishment, the offense must be accompanied by physical evidence, or that the testimony of a witness to the crime other than the victim.
HB 1711 : In efforts to reduce recidivism and ensure successful reentry into society, Texas Department of Criminal Justice must develop a comprehensive plan on how to achieve better results for the offenders upon release.
SB 839 : If a juvenile, is tried as an adult, and is convicted of a capitol felony, that offender is not eligible for release on parole until the actual calendar time the inmate served equals 40yrs.
HB. 3352 : When purchasing a firearm, individuals who have been reported by DPS to the FBI regarding their mental stability no longer have access to purchase a firearm. When the court no longer thinks that the individual is dangerous to the public the ban is lifted.
