Bill Analysis

BILL NAME SESSION ANALYSIS
HB 1743 86(R) - 2019 HB 1743 would make changes to the calculation for the additional property tax and interest imposed as a result of a change to a non-qualifying use of certain open-space or timber land, with the aim of reducing the tax and interest. Under the bill, the calculation for the additional tax on the land would be the difference between the taxes imposed on the land for each of the last three years (decreased from five) and the tax that would have...Read More
HB 1590 86(R) - 2019 HB 1590 would require the office of the Governor to establish the Sexual Assault Survivor's Task Force. This office's duties would include to facilitate cooperation and communication with state agencies that handle sexual assault crimes, collect and analyze data regarding prevention, investigation, and prosecution of sexual assault as well as services provided to survivors, and make recommendations to the attorney general.Read More
HB 98 86(R) - 2019 In the 84th Session, the legislature passed a statute imposing civil and criminal liability for the disclosure of intimate  photos of a person without that person's consent. Since then, the statute has been struck down by the 12th Court of Appeals as unconstitutional. The case is currently pending before the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.HB 98 would add language to specify that a person commits an offense if: (1) without consent,...Read More
HB 1355 86(R) - 2019 HB 1355 would allow for a police officer to execute a warrant to take a blood sample of a person suspected of committing an intoxication offense, such as a DWI or Intoxicated Manslaughter, in counties adjacent to the county that the warrant was issued. The police officer would have to be authorized to make an arrest in the county in which the warrant was executed.  Read More
HB 823 86(R) - 2019 HB 823 would require the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission to implement an expedited inspection process that allows an applicant for an assisted living facility license or license renewal to obtain an on-site inspection not later than the 21st day after the date the request is made. Read More
HB 601 86(R) - 2019 HB 601 would update procedures for law enforcement to determine, for certain defendants, if there is "reasonable cause to believe that the defendant has a mental illness or is a person with an intellectual disability," to provide for an interview of such a defendant by a mental health professional, and to provide related mental health services. Read More
HB 295 86(R) - 2019 HB 295 would designate March 30 as Master Sergeant Jonathan J. Dunbar Day. Master Sergeant Dunbar was a native Texas and member of the U.S. Army who was killed in Syria in 2018 while supporting the military intervention against ISIS.Read More
HB 4669 86(R) - 2019 HB 4669 would create the Northeast Burnet County Water District No. 1 near the City of Briggs. Read More
HB 3768 86(R) - 2019 HB 3768 would allow persons who hold licenses or permits to manufacture alcoholic beverages to hold product tastings without the need of any additional license or permit, as long as the tastings are conducted at the State Fair under the "GO Texas" Partner Program. The GO Texas Program promotes Texan products, culture, and communities, and the products are showcased at the State Fair each year.Read More
HB 3648 86(R) - 2019 HB 3648 would clarify the powers and duties of the office of the independent ombudsman for the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD). The powers would include inspection of facilities and investigation of complaints alleging a violation of the rights of children committed to or placed in TJJD's custody.Read More
HB 3225 86(R) - 2019 Currently, motor vehicle dealer's are required to report their inventory by the tenth day of each month. There is a $100 per day penalty for late filings and a $500 per month penalty for failing to file or failing to timely file.HB 3225 would allow the appropriate tax collector to impose a penalty for failure to file or timely file, rather than require that a dealer pay the penalty. It would also reduce the amount of the penalty for each...Read More
HB 1545 86(R) - 2019 Note that this is a brief summary of major provisions of a 300+ page bill, not a comprehensive list of all its provisions. Please view the full bill text for additional information. HB 1545 is the sunset review bill for the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. The bill extends TABC's operations until 2031 and would make various changes to the operation of the Commission, such as altering training requirements and repealing the requirement...Read More
HB 3116 86(R) - 2019 HB 3116 would establish a task force to study best practice standards for the detention of people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The task force would be required to submit their report by December 2020. Read More
HB 3100 86(R) - 2019 HB 3100 would amend Section 13.004(c), Election Code, to expand confidentiality of the residential address of the spouse of a peace officer. This would ensure that the address is not made publicly available through voter registration information.Read More
HJR 34 86(R) - 2019 HJR 34 proposes an amendment to the Texas Constitution to create a temporary local-option property tax exemption for property that is damaged in a disaster. In order to be exempted, the property would need to be located in an area declared a disaster area by the Governor. The legislature would be permitted to prescribe the method for determining the amount and duration of the exemption. The enabling legislation is HB 492.Read More
HB 2441 86(R) - 2019 HB 2441 would prohibit an eligible disabled person who is 65 or older from receiving both a disabled and an elderly residence homestead exemption from the same taxing unit, but would allow the person to choose either if a taxing unit has adopted both exemptions. It would also allow an eligible disabled person who is 65 or older to receive both a disabled and an elderly residence homestead exemption in the same year if the person receives...Read More
HB 1633 86(R) - 2019 HB 1633 would allow Wilson County to impose a hotel occupancy tax, with a seven percent cap on the price paid per room and a further two percent cap if the hotel is in a municipality which already imposes a hotel occupancy tax. Read More
HB 1593 86(R) - 2019 Currently, members of the Texas State Guard must pay for their own uniforms and equipment used during training and deployments to state-active duty. The typical uniform costs about $300. The Texas State Guard Uniform and Insignia Fund consists of donations, revenue received by the Texas State Guard from the sale of uniforms and insignia to members of the guard, and depository interest and investment income earned on money in the fund. HB...Read More
HB 1649 86(R) - 2019 Under current law, subsidies are provided to incentivize the purchase or lease of certain reduced emissions light-duty motor vehicles. HB 1649 would expand eligibility for these subsidies to include a $2,500 subsidy for the purchase of a new motorcycle powered by an electric drive.Read More
HB 1526 86(R) - 2019 HB 1526 would clarify that "nursery stock weather protection units" are implements of husbandry in order to exempt them from ad valorem taxation. Read More