Bill Analysis

BILL NAME SESSION ANALYSIS
HB 3010 85(R) - 2017 This is a local bill for international boarder municipalities to expand the use of short term vehicle rental taxes to allow those taxes to also be used for certain venue projects. Read More
HB 2092 85(R) - 2017 HB 2092 would amend the Health and Safety Code to prohibit the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) from issuing a permit, registration, or other authorization for land application of grit trap waste or grease trap waste, with a few exceptions.Read More
HB 3383 85(R) - 2017 Under current law, each state agency is required to develop procedures to achieve a management-to-staff ratio of one manager per 11 staff members. HB 3383 would repeal this provision.Read More
HB 1821 85(R) - 2017 Current law regulates the amount and circumstances under which a property owner may charge a tenant in fees for late payment of rent. This bill would simplify these regulations by setting an initial fee amount at not more than eight percent of one month's rent and a daily fee of not more than one percent of a month's rent. This would make the amount of a late fee more certain than it is under the current law which is somewhat open to interpretation. Read More
HB 1086 85(R) - 2017 This bill would make unlawful participation in a primary election (i.e., voting in more than one party's primary) or convention a state jail felony rather than a Class C misdemeanor as it currently is.Read More
HJR 73 85(R) - 2017 This proposed constitutional amendment would prohibit the legislature from requiring a county or municipality to expand or establish activities that require an additional expenditure of revenue. Before imposing mandates on counties and municipalities the legislature must establish a revenue source for the payment or reimbursement for the costs of complying with the mandate.If HJR 73 passes, this joint resolution will be submitted to the...Read More
HB 141 85(R) - 2017 Under current law, the Department of Transportation may not operate a nontolled state highway as a toll project with a few exceptions. HB 141 would prohibit the department from operating any part of State Highway 255 in Webb County as a toll project.  Read More
HB 1416 85(R) - 2017 HB 1416 would allow the governing body of a public retirement system to conduct a study to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and feasibility of implementing fund-creation strategies. A written report of this study shall be submitted to the legislature and the related committees, and this act will expire on December 31, 2018. Read More
HB 3838 85(R) - 2017 HB 3838 is a bracketed bill which would expand hotel occupancy tax eligibility to additional municipalities. According the the statement of purpose for the bill "The purpose of H.B. 3838 is to make certain municipalities, such as the cities of Katy, Sugar Land, and Port Aransas, eligible for certain tax rebates related to the construction of a qualified convention center hotel project."Read More
HB 3428 85(R) - 2017 This bill would require the commission on jail standards to adopt reasonable rules and procedures establishing minimum standards regarding the continuity of prescription medications for the care and treatment of prisoners. The rules must allow for a person lawfully taking prescription drugs to remain on that medication, or an equivalent generic drug, upon entering a county jail, and until a qualified health care professional directs otherwise.Read More
HB 1864 85(R) - 2017 HB 1864 would establish two new education requirements related to traffic stops by law enforcement. First, information related to law enforcement procedures, proper actions to take during a traffic stop, and appropriate interactions with law enforcement would be included in drivers' education courses. Second, peace officers would be required to receive training related to traffic stops as it relates to proper procedures and appropriate use of force.Read More
HB 3640 85(R) - 2017 This bill would make calls to a public safety agency or public safety answering point confidential with disclosure being allowed only under certain circumstances. Read More
HB 3108 85(R) - 2017 A suit filed by the government entity after taking possession of the child would be required to be supported by an affidavit stating that there was immediate danger to the safety of the child in the form of sexual abuse/trafficking, parental use of controlled substances, or the parent taking the child on the premises of a place used for the manufacture of methamphetamine, and that continuation of the child in the home would be contrary to...Read More
HB 3626 85(R) - 2017 HB 3626 would amend current Tax Code by adding a subsection that would authorize certain municipalities to use the revenue collected from the hotel occupancy tax to directly enhance and promote tourism.    The bill is a local bracketed bill which would only add municipalities in the bracketed area as eligible for the hotel occupancy tax. Read More
HB 4021 85(R) - 2017 Under current law the Texas Mobility Fund can be used for a port security, transportation, or facility project including a maritime port study. House Bill 4021 would amend the Transportation Code so as to restrict use of Mobility Funds to only those projects that will construct or improve public roadways that will enhance connectivity to ports. This bill would also create the Ship Channel Improvement Revolving Fund. The bill would...Read More
HB 39 85(R) - 2017 This bill would establish a career development and education program for foster children in order to help them obtain high school diplomas, industry certifications, career guidance, information about tuition fees and waivers for institutes of higher education available to foster children, and available programs that provide housing assistance, educational assistance, and any other service to assist foster...Read More
HB 2557 85(R) - 2017 HB 2557 amends Transportation Code relating to local government transportation infrastructure projects specifically rail projects.   The bill would authorize counties and navigation districts to develop and issue bonds for rail facilities in certain areas. The counties bracketed in the bill would be authorized to add improvements to ports and transportation infrastructure in the navigation districts. The improvements...Read More
HB 3871 85(R) - 2017 HB 3871 is a bill bracketed for Harris County that would make the owner of a substandard residential building to be personally liable for the payment of a substandard residential building fine. Until the fine is paid, a municipality may file a lien on the building for the amount of the fine. Read More
HB 424 85(R) - 2017 Under current law, a municipality can annex land without the consent of the residents and landowners, including for limited purposes. HB 424 makes many major changes to Texas code regarding municipal annexation, as well as providing minor updates to statutory language.The major changes include restricting the ability of municipalities to annex various areas involuntarily; instead requiring the poplar consent of residents and landowners,...Read More
HB 1462 85(R) - 2017 This bill would require that all temporary branch polling places remain open during early voting for at least eight hours a day or 3 hours a day if the city or county clerk does not serve as the early voting clerk for the territory holding the election and the territory has fewer than 1,000 registered voters. Read More