Bill Analysis

BILL NAME SESSION ANALYSIS
SB 1349 87(R) - 2021 SB 1349 would allow a parent to file suit to modify the final order rendered in the parent-child separation case if the final order appointed someone other than the parent or the Department of Family and Protective Services to serve as the child's managing conservator and did not terminate the rights of the parent, and appoints the parent as a possessory conservator of the child. In this suit, the court would be allowed to return the child...Read More
SB 1923 87(R) - 2021 SB 1923 would make small changes to laws regarding criminal court fees. It would clarify that certain fees to cover the costs of post-conviction services should be defined as reimbursement fees. It would define “conviction” in the section of code regarding costs, fines, and fees as the imposition of a judgment or sentence upon a defendant or their placement into community supervision, deferred adjudication, or deferred disposition....Read More
SB 1719 87(R) - 2021 SB 1719 would allow an applicant for service from a water supply or sewer service corporation to appeal to the Texas Public Utility Commission for a determination of whether the membership or tap fee required to be paid for service is consistent with the tariff of the water supply or sewer service corporation. If the PUC finds the amounts charged are inconsistent, then the PUC would have authority to issue an order for the organization...Read More
SB 1458 87(R) - 2021 SB 1458 would require the Office of Court Administration to develop standard forms available on their website for people and courts applying for different protective orders to use. The forms would have to ensure that copies of the order are sent to all required parties and all required information is put into the statewide law enforcement information system. In developing the forms, the Office would have to consult with knowledgeable...Read More
HB 1033 87(R) - 2021 HB 1033 makes minor language changes to current statute regarding disclosure of drug prices.  However the main thrust of the bill is the administration of a fee, the amount of which is at the Department of State Health Services' discretion, that pharmaceutical drug manufacturers must pay with each annual drug price disclosure report. The bill also authorizes the department to penalize pharmaceutical drug manufacturers...Read More
HB 917 87(R) - 2021 HB 917 would allow one of the three elected board members of the Employees Retirement System of Texas to be a retired member.Read More
SJR 61 87(R) - 2021 SJR 61 proposes a constitutional amendment to prohibit anyone from amending or suspending the procedures or qualifications for absentee voting unless the law expressly provides otherwise. This would keep authority over the procedures and qualifications for absentee voting squarely within the domain of the legislature, where it belongs. Read More
SB 692 87(R) - 2021 SB 692 would require a financial institution or person, upon request of the Guardianship Abuse, Fraud, and Exploitation Deterrence Program, to provide access to the financial records of a ward’s estate for the purpose of conducting reviews and audits. The Program would be able to ask the court presiding over the guardianship to order a financial institution or person to provide them access.Read More
SB 784 87(R) - 2021 SB 784 would prohibit a municipality or a municipally-owned utility from establishing a rate for water or sewer service that is applicable only to entities that qualify for a sales tax or ad valorem tax exemption that is higher than the water or sewer service rate established for other entities that receive comparable utility services but do not receive a tax exemption.Read More
HB 2429 87(R) - 2021 HB 2429 would require that in certain taxing units that are not required to hold an election to change tax rates, the following definitions be added to the notice provided by the taxing entity: "The voter-approval tax rate is the highest tax rate that (name of taxing unit) may adopt without holding an election to seek voter approval of the rate, unless the de minimis rate for (name of taxing unit) exceeds the voter-approval tax...Read More
HB 786 87(R) - 2021 HB 786 would require all 9-1-1 dispatchers in the state to be trained in giving CPR instructions over the phone.Read More
HB 780 87(R) - 2021 HB 780 requires the Health and Human Services commission to establish a bone marrow donor recruitment program to educate residents of this state about its need, the requirements for registration with the federally authorized registry, the medical procedures involved, and the availability of information about bone marrow donation.HB 780 would then require the Department of Public Safety, in consultation with the federal authorized registry,...Read More
HB 723 87(R) - 2021 HB 723 would require, for a death certificate that is not pending, a person who submits to the Department of State Health Services a request for a death certificate amendment to modify the medical certification information on the certificate to provide written notice of the modification to a decedent's next of kin. Read More
SB 1750 87(R) - 2021 SB 1750 would require power generation companies, ERCOT, and entities engaged in the production, transport, gathering, storage, or shipping of natural gas to establish and submit a winter preparedness emergency operations plan subject to their respective jurisdictions to the Public Utility Commission of Texas.  The bill would also require any of the above entities to respond to a notice of any potential...Read More
SB 272 87(R) - 2021 SB 272 would require the board of trustees of each school district to create a student trustee position on the board. The bill proscribes a process for districts to select a student trustee and stipulates that a student trustee would have all the powers of a regular trustee except for the ability to vote, second a motion, or be counted for the purpose of establishing quorum. Read More
SB 746 87(R) - 2021 SB 746 would require the parent of a student enrolled in a school district to provide in writing to the district, the student’s address, phone number, and e-mail address. If the student’s contact information changes during the school year, the student’s updated information would be required to be provided within two weeks of the change.Read More
SB 1343 87(R) - 2021 SB 1343 would allow a commissioners court which is in a declared disaster area, in which transportation to the meeting location is dangerous or difficult as a result of the disaster, to hold an open or closed meeting, including a telephone conference call, solely to deliberate about disaster or emergency conditions and related public safety matters that require an immediate response without complying with the requirements...Read More
SB 1889 87(R) - 2021 SB 1889 would stipulate the type of American or Texas history courses can satisfy the six semester credit hour requirement for the American history undergraduate requirement. Additionally, the bill would require the State Board of Education, in consultation with institutions of higher education, to establish the American History and Civics Project to strengthen American history and civics education at public high schools and institutions...Read More
SB 1191 87(R) - 2021 SB 1191 would clarify that a school resource officer does not include a peace officer who provides law enforcement at a public school or public school event only for extracurricular activities. Read More
SB 1260 87(R) - 2021 SB 1260 would give the state of Texas a first lien, superior to all preexisting and subsequent liens and security interests, on the drill cuttings stored at the site or facility and in any abandoned equipment that is located on a site that has ceased oil and gas operations and would allow the Railroad Commission to sell drill cuttings at a public auction or in a private or public sale.SB 1260 considers drill cuttings subject to a lien...Read More