The House and Senate continue to refer bills to committee. As of this morning, the House has referred 477 bills and the Senate has referred 599 bills to committees.
House: Adjourned until Mon, Feb 21, 2011 1:00 pm
Senate: Adjourned until Tue, Feb 22, 2011 11:00 am
Friday, March 11, 2011 marks the 60th day of session and is the deadline for filing bills and joint resolutions other than local bills, emergency appropriations, and bills that have been declared an emergency by Governor Perry.
Spotlight on Bills Filed:
- HB 12, Solomons, Relating to the enforcement of state and federal laws governing immigration by certain governmental entities. The sanctuary cities bill prohibits cities or counties from ignoring federal or state laws regarding immigration. The bill would also prohibit policies that prevent peace officers from asking the status of someone lawfully detained or arrested, or from cooperating with federal immigration officers. Jurisdictions not in compliance could be denied state grant money.
- SB 7, Nelson, Relating to strategies for and improvements in quality of health care provided through and care management in the child health plan and medical assistance programs designed to achieve healthy outcomes and efficiency.
- SB 8, Nelson, Relating to improving the quality and efficiency of health care.
- SB 645, Nichols, Relating to the continuation and functions of the State Soil and Water Conservation Board.
- SB 646, Nichols, Relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas Forest Service.
- SB 647, Hegar, Relating to the continuation and operation of the office of public insurance counsel.
- SB 720, Williams, Relating to the calculation of the ad valorem rollback tax rates of certain taxing units. The bill would lower the rollback rate from eight percent to five percent, except that the taxing unit may use eight percent if: (1) any part of the taxing unit is in a declared disaster area; or (2) the governing body finds that the higher rate is necessary to protect the health, safety, or property of the residents.
Spotlight on Bills on the Move:
The controversial abortion sonogram bill, SB 16 by Dan Patrick, passed the Senate 21-10 yesterday. Under Patrick’s legislation, a doctor would have to describe to a woman the details of a sonogram hours before performing the abortion, show her the sonogram and play the heartbeat audibly, unless the patient opts out. Women with fetal abnormalities, or who have been a victim of rape or incest, are excluded from this requirement.