Bill Analysis

BILL NAME SESSION ANALYSIS
HB 1603 87(R) - 2021 Individual Graduation Committees were created by the legislature on a temporary basis several years ago as a means to help create a path to high school graduation for struggling students who would otherwise not graduate based on their unsatisfactory scores on certain tests. HB 1603 removes the statutory expiration date for Individual Graduation Committees in school districts and open-enrollment charter schools, making them a permanent...Read More
HB 1853 87(R) - 2021 HB 1853 would require the board of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs to biennially adjust for inflation any amount specified in the qualified allocation plan relating to the acceptable cost of a development by square foot. The board would use 2021 as the base year for the adjustment. In making the adjustment, the board would consider the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, or its successor in function.Read More
HB 2788 87(R) - 2021 HB 2788 would establish standards for civil actions in which a transportation network company is being sued for loss of property, bodily injury, or death arising from the actions of a driver. The plaintiff would have to file an affidavit with their original complaint confirming that the damages suffered exceed the $1 million insurance coverage limit. The defendant company would have 30 days to file an answer to the petition. If the plaintiff...Read More
HB 443 87(R) - 2021 HB 443 would require a vehicle operator to stop and yield the right of way to a pedestrian in certain circumstances, rather than merely yielding without stopping. Read More
HB 285 87(R) - 2021 HB 285 would increase the penalty for an obstruction or retaliation offense from a third-degree felony to second-degree felony if the victim was harmed or threatened because of their status as a public servant.Read More
HB 3082 87(R) - 2021 HB 3082 would permit a defendant in a Medicaid fraud action to recover reasonable attorney's fees and court costs from a private plaintiff if the court finds that the action is frivolous and the private plaintiff was not the original source of the information on which the case is based.Read More
HB 873 87(R) - 2021 HB 873 would replace the current section of code regulating the unlawful restraint of a dog. The new language would expand the definition of “Properly fitted” to a collar or harness that does not choke the dog and does not cause pain or injury to the dog. It would require an owner to provide the dog adequate shelter, enough space to avoid standing water, shade from direct sunlight, and potable water if they are to leave it outside...Read More
HB 610 87(R) - 2021 HB 610 would permit an occupational license holder to seek to enjoin enforcement of a local law if the local law imposes more stringent restrictions on the holder than state law or would result in an adverse economic impact on the holder. The license holder would have to show by a preponderance of the evidence that the local law does one of those two things. If the license holder satisfies that requirement, the municipality would have to...Read More
HB 162 87(R) - 2021 HB 162 would prohibit a juvenile from being arrested or referred to juvenile court for engaging in prostitution and remove it as conduct that qualifies as delinquent conduct or need for supervision. The bill would prohibit the prosecution of a minor younger than 17 years old for committing the offense of prostitution.A peace officer who apprehends a juvenile for engaging in prostitution would be required to, as soon as possible, transfer...Read More
HB 244 87(R) - 2021 HB 244 would allow the establishment of a competitive professional development grant program to encourage teachers to obtain computer science certification and continue professional development in coding, computational thinking, cybersecurity, and computer science education. The bill stipulates qualification requirements to participate in such a program if one is established. Grants may be made from any federal funds available...Read More
HB 1086 87(R) - 2021 HB 1086 would replace state jail felonies with the new name felonies of the fourth degree and replace mentions of state jail felonies in state law with the new name. A person previously convicted of a state jail felony is to be considered convicted of a fourth-degree felony from the effective date of the bill. If enacted, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice would be permitted to use existing state jail felony facilities in whatever...Read More
HB 2065 87(R) - 2021 HB 2065 would add to the Texas Cybersecurity Council, one employee of secretary of state's Elections Division.Read More
HB 205 87(R) - 2021 HB 205 creates definitions for dispatchers and ride operators with regards to water amusement parks. The bill mandates that ride operators must be at least 16 and be trained in the operation of the ride they are operating. The bill would also stipulate that rider operators cannot operate two or more rides simultaneously unless the ride operate serves as a dispatcher for adjacent or proximate elevated waterslide amusement rides. The...Read More
HB 195 87(R) - 2021 Under current law, violation of certain migratory labor housing laws results in a penalty of $200 for each day that the violation occurs. HB 195 would amend this section of code to revise the penalty to "not less than $50 for each person occupying the migrant labor housing facility" for each day that the violation occurs.The bill would also require Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs to...Read More
HB 1907 87(R) - 2021 HB 1907 would require the Texas Department of Insurance to collaborate with and leverage the existing resources and infrastructure of the Center for Healthcare Data at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston to establish a statewide all payor claims database to collect, process, and store health care claims information. At minimum, a payor would be required to annually submit to the...Read More
HB 2193 87(R) - 2021 HB 2193 would require the University Interscholastic League to ensure students with disabilities have an opportunity to participate in team athletic activities by establishing an inclusive sports program. Read More
HB 980 87(R) - 2021 HB 980 would require a health benefit plan issuer to reimburse a preferred or contracted health professional at the same rate for a covered service regardless of whether or not the service was by phone or in person.Read More
HB 2795 87(R) - 2021 HB 2795 would, among other things, increase the penalty for solicitation of prostitution from a Class A misdemeanor to a state jail felony. The previous conviction enhancement would also be increased from a state jail felony to a third-degree felony.Read More
HB 719 87(R) - 2021 HB 719 would remove the statutory reference to transfer prison facilities in Government Code, thereby enabling the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to move eligible persons to an appropriate facility without having to first send them to a transfer facility.Read More
HB 4653 87(R) - 2021 HB 4653 would create The Lancaster Logistics District as a special district in the City of Lancaster to promote, develop, encourage, and maintain employment, commerce, transportation, housing, tourism, recreation, the arts, entertainment, economic development, safety, and the public welfare in the district. Read More