Happening at the Capitol this week…
The House will reconvene at 2:30 p.m.
The Senate will reconvene at 11:00 a.m.
Video Broadcasts: House | Senate
Upcoming Deadlines
Friday, May 19 (130th) last day for the House to consider local house bills on 2nd and 3rd reading. It is also the first day the Senate can consider bills and resolutions the first day they are posted on the Senate Intent Calendar.
Saturday, May 20 (131st) last day for house committee to report Senate Bills and Senate Joint Resolutions.
Stats
140 House and Senate bills have been sent to the Governor to date* and 8 of those bills have already been signed by the Governor.
*TLO Report
Moving to the Governor
The Senate unanimously concurred on House amendments to SB 680, relating to step therapy protocols required by health benefit plans, on 5/16. The bill will now be sent to the Governor.
Conferees
The Senate refused to concur in House amendments to SB 2190 (Huffman/Flynn), relating to to the public retirement systems of certain municipalities, and have appointed the following conferees to work out the differences:
- Sens.: Joan Huffman (R – Houston), Jane Nelson (R – Flower Mound), Charles Schwertner (R – Georgetown), Kelly Hancock (R – North Richland Hills) and Carlos Uresti (D – San Antonio)
- Reps.: Dan Flynn (R- Van), Jim Murphy (R – Houston), Garnet Coleman (D – Houston), Armando Walle (D – Houston) and Will Metcalf (R – Conroe)
Tentative approval
HB 1774 (Bonnen/Hancock), relating to liability associated with certain weather-related claims, was given tentative approval in the Senate on Tuesday with 21 ayes and 8 nays. Legislative intent was discussed as the bill was debated on the Senate floor and those remarks will be printed in the journal.
SB 312 (Nichols/Gonzales), TxDOT Sunset legislation, was given tentative approval in the House on Tuesday with 30 adopted floor amendments, 12 of which were related to naming highways and bridges.
SB 533 (Nelson / Geren) Relating to state agency contracting and procurement, was given tentative legislative approval in the House on Tuesday with 8 adopted floor amendments.
Calendars
Wednesday, May 17 – House
The House Supplemental Calendar includes on Second Reading:
- Two Sunset bills – Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners (SB 304) and State Board of Dental Examiners (SB 313).
Thursday, May 18 – House
In addition to the House Congratulatory & Memorial Calendar, the House Daily Calendar has several bills they intend to take up including:
Friday, May 19 – House
The House will take up its Local and Consent Calendar full of House Local Bills and Resolutions as well as multiple Senate Bills and Resolutions.
The House Daily Calendar has two bills posted at this time, more are expected to be added, SB 8 (Schwertner) regarding fetal remains & SB 30 regarding driver education courses including instruction on interaction with peace officers.
Senate Intent
The Senate takes up bills as they suspend rules but they must take up bills off of the Senate Intent Calendar. However, it does not mean that every bill on the calendar will be heard that day or at all (more details on the process). Bills on the Intent Calendar include:
- HB 25 (Simmons/Hancock) – Relating to the elimination of straight-party voting
- HB 100 (Paddie/Schwertner) – Relating to transportation network companies
Upcoming Committee Hearings
The latest hearing information can be found by visiting HillCo’s “Legislative News from Texas.” Please note that dates and times are subject to change and additional hearings dates may also be added at any time so you will want to re-visit the page frequently to confirm hearings. Formal hearings may not be broadcast.
Senate Committee Meetings
Health & Human Services – 5/17/2017
Time: 8:00 AM, Location: Senate Chamber
Transportation – 5/17/2017
Time: 8:00 AM, Location: E1.016 (Hearing Room)
Higher Education – 5/17/2017
Time: 9:00 AM, Location: E1.012 (Hearing Room)
Intergovernmental Relations – 5/17/2017
Time: 9:15 AM, Location: E1.028 (Hearing Room)
Veteran Affairs & Border Security – 5/17/2017
Time: 1:30 PM, Location: 2E.20 (Betty King Cmte. Rm.)
Business & Commerce – 5/18/2017
Time: 8:00 AM, Location: E1.016 (Hearing Room)
Nominations – 5/18/2017
Time: 8:00 AM, Location: 2E.20 (Betty King Cmte. Rm.)
Administration – 5/18/2017
Time: 9:00 AM, Location: E1. 714
Education – 5/18/2017
Time: 9:00 AM, Location: E1.028 (Hearing Room)
Finance – 5/18/2017
Time: 9:00 AM, Location: E1.036 (Finance Room)
State Affairs – 5/18/2017
Time: 9:00 AM, Location: Senate Chamber
House Committee Meetings
Land & Resource Management – 5/17/2017
Time: 7:30 AM, Location: E2.026
Higher Education – 5/17/2017
Time: 9:30 AM, Location: E2.030
Elections – 5/17/2017
Time: 10:30 AM, Location: Agricultural Museum, 1W.14
Natural Resources – 5/17/2017
Time: 11:30 AM, Location: E2.010
Economic & Small Business Development – 5/17/2017
Time: 12:00 PM, Location: E2.028
Transportation – 5/17/2017
Time: 1:00 PM, Location: E2.014
County Affairs – 5/17/2017
Time: 1:30 PM, Location: Agricultural Museum, 1W.14
Public Education – 5/18/2017
Time: 8:00 AM, Location: E2.036
Special Purpose Districts – 5/18/2017
Time: 8:00 AM, Location: E2.028
General Investigating & Ethics – 5/18/2017
Time: 10:30 AM or upon final adjourn./recess (Canceled), Location: E1.010
