In January Governor Rick Perry declared emergency items for the 82nd Legislative Session; they are eminent domain/protecting private property rights, abolishing sanctuary cities, a balanced budget amendment to the US Constitution, voter identification and sonogram requirements before abortions. Declaring these issues emergency items enabled lawmakers to take action on legislation related to the items during the first 60 days of session, which is otherwise prohibited without emergency declaration from the governor. Highlights on legislation regarding the Governor’s emergency items are below.
Eminent Domain
SB 18 by Senator Craig Estes, relating to the use of eminent domain authority, passed the Senate on February 9 and was referred to the House Committee on Land and Resource Management on February 15. A hearing is set by the House Committee for 1:00PM or upon adjournment on March 7 for consideration.
Voter Identification
The Senate took up SB 14 by Senator Troy Fraser, relating to requirements to vote, including presenting proof of identification, in January. It passed the Senate on January 26 and was referred to the House Select Committee on Voter ID and Fraud on February 11. SB 14 is pending action by the House Select Committee as of March 1.
Balanced Budget Amendment to US Constitution
SJR 1 by Senator Steve Ogden, related to applying to the Congress of the United States to call a convention to propose an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to provide for a federal balanced budget, passed the Senate on February 23. It was received in the House on February 24, but not referred to committee.
Sanctuary Cities
The House Committee on State Affairs held a hearing on March 2 to hear testimony on issues relating to sanctuary cities. The committee took up a total of six immigration bills, including HB 12, by Rep. Burt 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. The bill was left pending in committee.
Sonogram Requirement
HB 15 by Representative Sid Miller, relating to providing a sonogram before an abortion, was passed favorably out of the House State Affairs committee as substituted on March 2. It is currently set on the House Calendar and was laid out for consideration in the House around lunch and passed to engrossment just a few minutes after 9 p.m. last night. The bill is up for third reading on the Monday House calendar. If voted out, it will then may its way back to the Senate before ending up on the governor’s desk for his signature.