June 13, 2011
Original Call – Fiscal Matters
Legislation that would help the already passed budget (HB 1) from the 82nd Regular Session achieve its anticipated savings is making its way through the chambers.
After lengthy debate on second reading and almost 100 floor amendments, the House passed SB 1 the fiscal matters bill, which also contains a school finance component, out of the House on Friday. The bill will now go to the Senate where they can either accept the changes or move to go to conference committee. It is expected that a number of House floor amendments will not make it through conference committee negotiations.
Another fiscal matters bill and technical corrections bill, SB 2, was also passed out of the House on Friday. An amendment in the House was added that would appropriate $2 billion from the Rainy Day Fund (RDF) to public education, if the balance exceeds the expected revenues of $6.5 billion. That bill will also head to the Senate where they can either concur or go to conference.
SB 7, the bill relating to quality and efficiencies in health care and Medicaid was passed out of the House on June 9. The bill will now head to the Senate where they can either concur with the numerous amendments made on the House floor or go to a conference committee.
Congressional Redistricting
SB 4, relating to the composition of the congressional districts for the State of Texas, was reported out of House committee favorably as substituted. The bill has been place on the House Major State Calendar for tomorrow, June 14.
Texas Windstorm Insurance Association
HB 3, the bill relating to the operation and name of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) and to the resolution of certain disputes concerning claims made to that association; providing penalties has been voted out of committee and is scheduled to be heard on the House floor on June 15.
Sanctuary Cities
This morning at 9 am, the Senate Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security will hear:
SB 9 – Relating to the enforcement of state and federal laws governing immigration by certain governmental entities and the administration of certain documentation of citizenship status and other lawful admittance by the Department of Public Safety.