Redistricting
SB 4 (Huffman) relating to the composition of districts for the election of members of the Texas Senate passed out of the House (81-60) with no amendments. The bill has now passed both chambers. The current map can be found here.
SB 6 (Huffman) relating to the composition of the districts for the election of members of the United States House of Representatives went to conference committee. The conferenced committee report can be found here and has been distributed. It will be eligible in the House at 9 a.m. on 10/18.
- Senate conferees: Huffman, Nelson, Nichols, Campbell and Perry
- House conferees: Hunter-chair, Jetton, Landgraf, Lozano and Senfronia Thompson
SB 7 (Huffman) relating to the composition of districts for the election of members of the State Board of Education passed the House with no amendments (84-61). The bill has now passed both chambers. The current map can be found here.
HB 1 (Hunter) the House’s redistricting plan has passed both chambers. The current map can be found here.
ARPA Appropriations
SB 8 (Nelson) relating to making supplemental appropriations and giving direction regarding appropriations is going to conference committee.
- Senate conferees: Nelson, Creighton, Huffman, Kolkhorst and Nichols
- House conferees: Bonnen-Chair, Capriglione, Gonzalez of El Paso, Walle and Wilson
Youth Sports
The House concurred on Senate amendments to HB 25 (Swanson) relating to requiring public school students to compete in interscholastic athletic competitions based on biological sex. The bill will now move to the Governor’s desk.
State & Local Vaccine Mandates
SB 51 (Hughes) relating to prohibited COVID-19 vaccine mandates and vaccination status discrimination and to exemptions from certain vaccine requirements was voted out of Senate State Affairs (5-3) on 10/14. The bill has been placed on the Senate’s Intent Calendar for 10/18.
Employer Vaccine Mandates
SB 51 (Hughes) relating to prohibited COVID-19 vaccine mandates and vaccination status discrimination and to exemptions from certain vaccine requirements was voted out of Senate State Affairs (5-3) on 10/14. The bill has been placed on the Senate’s Intent Calendar for 10/18.
Restraint of Dogs
SB 5 (Lucio/Patterson) relating to the unlawful restraint of a dog was finally passed out the House (106-22) with one amendment. The adopted amendment by Rep. Schaefer allows for a chain restraint of a certain dog as long as the weight and gauge does not harm the dog. The bill will now move over to the Senate to either concur or move to conference.
Property Tax
SB 1 (Bettencourt) relating to the provision of direct relief from ad valorem taxes to certain property owners in this state is going to conference committee.
- Senate conferees: Bettencourt, Creighton, Kolkhorst, Lucio and Perry
- House conferees: Meyer-chair, Bonnen, Button, Guillen and Raymond
Higher Education
SB 52 (Creighton) relating to the issuance of revenue bonds to fund capital projects at public institutions of higher education and the designation of certain appropriated funds allocated to those institutions was passed by the House (131-8) as amended on 10/17. The bill will now move over to the Senate to either concur or move to conference.
HB 133 (Jetton) Relating to education benefits at public institutions of higher education for certain survivors of public servants was passed by the House (138-0) on 10/17. The bill will now move to the Senate for further deliberation.
Miscellaneous
SCR 3 (Nichols) urging Congress to pass legislation that would grant licensing authority for public school bus drivers to the states has passed both chambers.