Showing posts with label ballot access. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ballot access. Show all posts

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Blog # 16 The List

Summary List of 81st Legislature Bills In favor and Against.
Final lobby effort results.




After 140 days (no where near enough time to consider the important and unresolved legislation that died via political machinations, no matter what the House Speaker may say - more on this in my next blog), many meetings, negotiations and a great deal of energy expended (including much ceremonial Hoo Hah), the 81st Texas Legislature has finished - except for the as yet unscheduled "Special Session" to complete the sunset reviews for TxDOT, TDI and other agencies, the agency renewal bills not making it to the floor for a vote because of the Republican insistence to force the undemocratic Voter I.D. bill.  

Following are the bills I witnessed for and against which cover many of the issues Greens represent. 

 

As a guide to my notes following, the result for each bill is below the bill number in BOLD.  I also put in BOLD the bill numbers of the legislation that made it all the way to the Governors signature.

Bills ended their tenure at several steps in the legislative process:  1) referred to a committee, 2) left pending in committee, 3) considered in calendars (there are three different calendar committees, 4) some step in the printing/reporting process before or after calendars, 5) referred to one house or the other, and  6) sent to the Governor for signing, and 7) signed by the Governor.  Please refer to the Texas Legislature on-line "How a bill becomes law" to answer your questions in the step-wise process http://www.tlc.state.tx.us/gtli/legproc/process.html


Or you can look up a bill on the website http://www.legis.state.tx.us/ and click on "bill stages" to see how far along the bill moved.


My next blog will be a review of my experiences and observations of/at the legislature and my impressions of high and low points.

Stay tuned!





In Favor

HB 820  Ortiz, Jr., Ballot Access - Relating to certain ballot access requirements.  

Left pending in committee 4.27.09


(Lobbied/requested staff Re-filing) HB 2209 Proportional voting - Instant Runoff Voting - Filed by Rep. Rodriguez in the 80th Legislative Session.  

Was not re-filed.


(Lobbied/requested staff Re-filing) HB 2280 Primary Screen-Out - Filed by Rep. Strama in the 80th Legislative Session.  

Was not re-filed.


HB 682 Farrar | Hodge | Marquez, Abolition of Death Penalty.  

Left pending in committee 3.12.09


HB 164 Naishtat | Coleman, Relating to the medical use of marihuana.   

Referred to Public Health, 2.12.09


HB 741 Castro | Strama | Villarreal | Farrar | Allen Relating to health education curriculum and instruction in public schools (Accurate Sex Education in Schools)   Companion bill:  SB 515 by Ellis, Identical   

Left pending in committee 3.31.09


HCR 75 Lucio III | Alonzo | Burnam  Urging congress to explore alternatives to border security in South Texas other than the fencing described in the Secure Fence Act.  Alternatives to (Mexico) Border Fence. 

Considered in Calendars - 052409


HB 595 Leibowitz | Rodriguez  Relating to a restriction on permits authorizing discharges of sewage effluent into any water in the contributing or recharge zone of the San Antonio or Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer.Restrict permits for sewage effluent into Edwards Aquifer.  

Left pending in Committee 031709


HB 1508 Bolton  Relating to a restriction on permits authorizing direct discharges of waste or pollutants into water in certain areas associated with the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer.  Restrict permits for direct discharge of pollutants into Edwards Aquifer  

Committee Report sent to Calendars 042808


HB 538 Villarreal | Cohen  Relating to the prohibition of employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.  Prohibit employment discrimination on basis of sexual orientation....  

Referred to State Affairs  021809


HB 353 Rodriguez | Cohen | Farrar  Relating to certain health care rights of domestic partners.  Domestic partners medical and funeral decisions  

Referred to Public Health  021709


HB 1455 Howard, Donna  Relating to the award of attorney's fees, costs, and certain damages in a proceeding to revoke a medical power of attorney.  

Referred to Public Health 030209 


HB 861 Naishtat | Cohen | Strama | Thompson  Relating to the authority of certain university systems to provide benefits to certain qualified individuals.  University benefits for employees and faculty and their dependents.  

Left Pending in Committee 041409


HB 197 Alonzo  Relating to prohibition of certain insurance discrimination.  Insurance discrimination  

Referred to Insurance 021209


HB 1323 Strama | Gonzales | Anchia | Lucio III | Pierson  Relating to bullying and harassment in public schools.  relating to bullying and harassment in public schools.  

Placed in General State Calendar 050809


HB 616 Veasey | Thompson | Anchia | Vaught  Relating to a study regarding the effectiveness of the James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Act.  

Committee report sent to Calendars.


HB 682 Farrar | Hodge | Marquez  Relating to abolishing the death penalty.  

Left pending in subcommittee 031209


HB 297 Dutton Relating to the abolition of the death penalty.  

Left pending in subcommittee 031209


HB 4299 Rose  Relating to rainwater harvesting and other water conservation initiatives.  Rainwater Harvesting incentives  

Placed on intent calendar


HB 171 Olivo, Relating to consideration of mitigating factors in determining appropriate disciplinary action to be taken against a public school student.  SB 2270 Gallegos, Identical.  

Sent to the Governor 060309


HB 172 Olivo, Relating to the right of a parent of a public school student to prompt notice of certain disciplinary action taken against the student.  

Placed on General State Calendar 051309


HB 943 Dutton, Relating to disciplinary actions imposed on public school students who disrupt the conduct of class or other school activities.  

Referred to Public Education 022309


HB 850 Eissler, Relating to repeal on a periodic basis of the provisions of Titles 1 and 2 of the Education Code to provide for legislative review of the primary state statutes governing public education.  

Left pending in committee  031009


HB 2267 Hodge  - Dutton  - "Law of Parties" - Relating to the joint or separate prosecution in capital felony cases.    

Left pending in sub-cmte 3.19.09


HB 304 Dutton - "Law of Parties" Relating to the extent of a defendant's criminal responsibility for the conduct of a co-conspirator in certain felony cases.

Left pending in sub-cmte 3.23.09


HB 1739  Donna Howard, Relating to a recognition week to celebrate Texas native plants.  

Sent to the Governor  053109


HB 2088  by Donna Howard, Relating to increasing public awareness of the benefits of native plant species.  

05/11/2009 H Placed on General State Calendar


SB 126 Ellis - Relating to a temporary moratorium on authorizations for certain coal-fired electric generating facilities.  

03/24/2009 S Left pending in committee


HB 977 by Burnam, Relating to use of the money from the Texas enterprise fund to promote renewable energy technology.  Identical bill by Wendy Davis, SB 878  05/12/2009 H Considered in Calendars


HB 1243 by Gallego | Farabee | Solomons | Swinford | Coleman, Relating to net metering for retail electric service customers and compensation for excess electricity generated by a retail electric customer's on-site generator.  

05/30/2009 H Statement of Leg. Intent Recorded in Journal


HB 1643  by Farabee, Relating to net metering for retail electric service customers and compensation for excess electricity generated by certain renewable energy technology generators.  

03/31/2009 H Subcommittee members named


HB 722  Donna Howard - Relating to the authority of certain municipalities to regulate the location of facilities to supply drinking water.  

05/08/2009 H Corrected comm. rept. sent to Local & Consent


HB 892 Villarreal, Naishtat - Relating to the Women's Health Program. Pending in Committee.  SB 594 Van de Putte, identical  

04/24/2009 H Committee report sent to Calendars


HB 1627 Naishtat, Walle - Relating to Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program payments to assist certain households receiving food stamp benefits.  

04/30/2009 H Committee report sent to Calendars


Hse Resolution 680 Naishtat - In memory of William Judson Holloway III, co-chair of the Travis County Green Party.  

04/01/2009 H Reported enrolled


HB 1768   Branch, Homer - Relating to the elimination of straight-party voting. SB 317 Wentworth, identical / HB 135 Straus, duplicate.   

03/30/2009 H Left pending in committee



HB 3369 Rose - Relating to the use of prohibited electronic devices at polling locations.  Allows recognized/certified news reporters (including those principally reporting from the Web) access in polling stations.  

03/30/2009 H Left pending in committee


SB 1850 Shapleigh, Zaffirini co-author - Relating to the establishment of a home- and community-based services workforce council.  Reported favorably w/o amendments, recommended for local & uncontested calendar, cmte report printed & distributed.  HB 3263 Naisthtat [identical]  

5/22/2009 H Motion to suspend rules fails


HB 1323 Strama, Gonzales, Pierson - Relating to bullying and harassment in public schools. 

05/08/2009 H Placed on General State Calendar


HB 1567 Villarreal - Relating to abstinence education in public schools. Pending in Committee.  SB 1076 Van de Putte, identical.  

03/31/2009 H Left pending in committee


HB 741 Castro, Strama, Villarreal, Farrar, Allen - Relating to health education curriculum and instruction in public schools. Pending in Committee.  SB 515 Ellis, identical.  03/31/2009 H Left pending in committee


SB 1363 Shapiro - Relating to clarification of the essential knowledge and skills of the public school curriculum and the evaluation of conforming curriculum management systems. Pending in Committee., then set for new Public Hearing on 04/02/09.  HB 2155 Edwards, identical.  

05/19/2009 H Committee report sent to Calendars


SB 1459 Shapiro - Relating to education initiatives for students of limited English proficiency and students at risk of dropping out of school.  

04/30/2009 H Referred to Public Education


SB 1460 Shapiro - Relating to professional development academies designed for public school teachers who provide instruction to certain students of limited English proficiency.  

Passed Senate Education Committee.  04/30/2009 H Referred to Public Education


HB 1635 Todd Smith - Relating to the abolition of the Texas Residential Construction Commission.  

03/31/2009 H Left pending in subcommittee


HB 2243  Leibowitz - Relating to the licensing and regulation of residential construction contractors and the abolition of the Texas Residential Construction Commission; providing a criminal penalty.  

03/31/2009 H Left pending in subcommittee


HB 2695 Gattis - Relating to the abolition of the Texas Residential Construction Commission.  

03/31/2009 H Left pending in subcommittee


HB 1386 by Yvonne Davis - Relating to the reporting of health care-associated infections at health care facilities.

Rationale:  Additional transparency of information, especially in the healthcare field, is always a benefit for the public!  

04/07/2009 H Left pending in committee


HB 3755 by Donna Howard - Relating to the period for which a prescription written for a Medicaid recipient is valid.

Provides for the consistency between state and federal regulations.  

05/11/2009 H Placed on General State Calendar


HB 40 by Corte - Relating to regulations on certain complementary and alternative health care services.

(Protection against consumer fraud in alternative medical practices.)  

04/07/2009 H Left pending in committee


HB 3259 by Naishtat - Relating to the creation of the Council on Children and Families and the Children's Behavioral Health Council.

Bill analysis by the House Research Organization:  

C.S.H.B. 3259 establishes the Council on Children and Families to be administered through the Office of Program Coordination for Children and Youth in the Health and Human Services Commission. The bill requires the commissioner or executive directors of each state agency serving children and youth to be a member of the council and sets forth the required duties of the council.  The bill also establishes the Children's Behavioral Health Council to provide a coordinated, comprehensive, interagency approach to the development and delivery of behavioral health services to children.   

04/24/2009 H Committee report sent to Calendars


HB 4341 by Truitt - Regulation of discount health care programs by Texas Department of Insurance.

(Proposed legislation for consumer protection against discount health care companies.)  

05/26/2009 E Sent to the Governor



HB 2468 Rodriuez - Relating to public access to the examination and approval of voting systems used in an election.  

I witnessed in favor for this bill,  because PUBLIC access is always a good thing, especially when it comes to elections and voting systems!  

04/20/2009 H Left pending in committee


HB 2524 Anchia - Relating to the accuracy, security, and reliability of certain electronic voting systems.

I witnessed in favor of this bill because I felt it points to the fact that there are problems with voting with non-verifiable computer voting machines.  I know Rep. Anchia is aware of where there has been identified systemic fraud - he spoke at www.davidhasissues.com on the Voter I.D. bill(s) and spoke about real instances/circumstances of voting fraud.  However, in the Green Party alliance with the Voterescue.org folks I was later reminded that they were against this bill feeling that ALL computer voting machines arrive "pre-hackable".   06/03/2009 E Sent to the Governor


HB 721 Rep. Donna Howard | Moody | Naishtat | Farrar- Relating to permitting procedures of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for control of air pollution.  

04/29/2009 H Left pending in committee


HB 3182 by Rep. Sinfronia Thompson -  The Texas Home Lemon Law - Relating to consumer protection for and remedies available to a homebuyer whose home does not comply with certain warranties; providing an administrative penalty.  

04/22/2009 H Left pending in committee


HB 799 Lucio III | et al. - Relating to an exemption from the sales tax for certain renewable energy devices.  

04/22/2009 H Left pending in committee


HB 880 Strama | et al. - Relating to the exemption from ad valorem taxation of certain energy efficiency-related improvements to real or personal property.  04/22/2009 H No action taken in committee


HJR 47 Strama | et al. - Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation certain energy efficiency-related improvements to real or personal property.  

04/22/2009 H No action taken in committee


HB 1140 Truitt - Relating to a franchise tax credit for the purchase and installation of solar energy devices connected to an electric transmission or distribution system.  04/22/2009 H No action taken in committee


HB 1361 Anchia | et al. - Relating to the imposition of a fee for certain plastic bags provided to customers by retailers.  

04/22/2009 H Left pending in committee


HB 1417 Leibowitz | et al. - Relating to an exemption from the sales tax for certain renewable energy systems and related equipment.  

04/22/2009 H Left pending in committee


HB 1751 Leibowitz - Relating to an exemption from ad valorem taxation of a renewable energy device, structure, facility, or system installed or constructed on residential property, land designated for agricultural use, or open-space land devoted to farm or ranch purposes for the generation of energy for use in connection with the property.  04/22/2009 H Left pending in committee


HJR 72 Leibowitz - Proposing a constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation of a renewable energy device, structure, facility, or system installed or constructed on residential property, land designated for agricultural use, or open-space land devoted to farm or ranch purposes for the generation of energy for use in connection with the property.  

04/22/2009 H Left pending in committee


HB  1936 Villarreal - Relating to the authority of the governing body of a municipality to exempt a portion of the value of a residence homestead from ad valorem taxation if the homestead meets certain energy efficiency standards.  

04/27/2009 H Committee report sent to Calendars


HJR 75 Villarreal - Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the governing body of a municipality to exempt a portion of the value of a residence homestead from ad valorem taxation if the homestead meets certain energy efficiency standards.  

04/27/2009 H Committee report sent to Calendars


HB 2150 Kleinschmidt - Relating to the eligibility of land for ad valorem tax appraisal as qualified open-space land.  

04/22/2009 H Left pending in committee


HB 2184 Leibowitz - Relating to a franchise tax credit for building new single-family homes or duplexes hat exceed certain energy efficiency standards.  

04/22/2009 H Left pending in committee


HB 2226 Parker - Relating to exemptions from the sales tax for certain solar and wind energy devices.  

05/05/2009 H Committee report sent to Calendars


HB 3098 Bolton - Relating to the use of hotel occupancy tax funds for the construction and maintenance of a children's playground located in a general law city.  05/31/2009 E Sent to the Governor


HB 3272 Howard, Donna - Relating to the eligibility of land for ad valorem tax appraisal as recreational, park, or scenic land on th basis of a restriction contained in a probated will.  

04/22/2009 H Left pending in committee


HB 3965 Dunnam - Relating to the exemption from a valorem taxation for certain property used to control pollution.  

05/13/2009 H Placed on General State Calendar


HB 4639 Lucio III - Relating to a franchise tax credit for certain investments made in relation to certain renewable energy technology systems.  

04/22/2009 H Left pending in committee


HJR 141 Coleman - Proposing a constitutional amendment to provide property tax abatement for home and business owners who install solar panels on their homes or businesses.  

04/22/2009 H Left pending in committee


 HB 282  Anchia | Maldonado - Relating to the designation of certain election days as state holidays.  Companion bill:  SB 138 by Ellis, Very Similar  

04/27/2009 H Left pending in committee


HB 1821 Davis, John - Relating to requiring a voter to be affiliated with a political party to vote in that party's primary election or otherwise participate in that party's affairs.  04/27/2009 H Left pending in committee


HB 4653 Howard, Donna - Relating to certain election practices and procedures relating to the conduct of elections; providing penalties.  THE "TX HAND-COUNTED PAPER BALLOT BILL OF 2009"  

04/27/2009 H Left pending in committee


HB 823  Turner, Sylvester | Rodriguez | Edwards  - Relating to the authority of a peace officer to take a blood specimen from a vehicle operator to test for alcohol concentration or other intoxicating substances.

YES, in Favor:   Restrict a peace officer from taking blood!  

05/05/2009 H Committee report sent to Calendars


HB 4082 Farrar -Relating to reducing mercury emissions from electric generating facilities; providing for an administrative penalty.  

04/29/2009 H Left pending in committee


SB 16 Averitt - Relating to the enhancement of air quality, including the capture and storage of carbon dioxide and development of a greenhouse gas registry, the development of emissions reduction technologies, and the improvement of energy efficiency in buildings, vehicles, and appliances; providing civil penalties.  

05/23/2009 H Placed on Major State Calendar


HCR 177 Howard, D. - Directing state agencies to initiate emission reduction policies and programs in order to help Central and South Central Texas meet the 2008 National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ground-level ozone.  

05/30/2009 S Received from the House


HB 4056  Allen - Relating to the establishment of a program for the collection, transportatin, recycling, ad disposal of mercury-added thermostats.  

05/12/2009 H Committee report sent to Calendars


HB 3590 Burnam - Relating to the creation by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality of an inventory of emissions of air contaminants from oil or gas production, transportation, or processing facilities.  

04/29/2009 H Left pending in committee


HB 3591 Burnam - Relating to the control of emissions from crude oil and condensate storage tanks in certain areas of this state.  

04/29/2009 H Left pending in committee


HB 4085 Farrar - Relating to monitoring air contaminants under the Texas Clean Air Act.  

04/29/2009 H Left pending in committee


HB 3165 Davis, Yvonne - Relating to prohibition of certain practices by owners of developments supported with low income housing tax credit allocations.  

05/14/2009 H Laid on the table subject to call


HB 2675 Davis, Yvonne - Relating to the establishment of the foreclosure prevention program.  

04/29/2009 H No action taken in committee


HB 1735 Burnam - Relating to the imposition of an income tax on income that exceeds $100,000 to provide property tax relief and fund public education; providing penalties.  

04/29/2009 H No action taken in committee


HB 3361 Villarreal - Relating to a study by the comptroller on the use of call options by state government as a hedge against inflation in the cost of commodities purchased by state government.  

04/29/2009 H Left pending in committee


SB 598 Van de Putte - pilot revolving loan program at schools to retrofit photo voltaic solar panels and associated energy efficiency improvements.  

05/22/2009 H Placed on General State Calendar


SB 1973 Ellis - Relating to the creation and duties of the State NRG savings performance contract advisory council.  

05/06/2009 H Left pending in committee


HB 3135 Gallego - Relating to a TEXAS grant pilot project to provide incentives for students to attend certain underutilized public institutions of higher education.  

04/29/2009 H Left pending in committee


HB 3586 Gallego - Relating to the Texas Academy of Fine Arts, Culture, and Sciences at Sul Ross State University.  

05/12/2009 H Committee report sent to Calendars


HB 2058 Gallego - Senate review - Increase qualifications of lawyers representing indigent death penalty cases.  

Effective on 9/1/09  05/13/2009  Signed by the Governor 05/13/2009 

  





Against

SB 690 by Wentworth, Relating to the requirements for a petition proposing an amendment to the charter of a home-rule municipality.  Increases the number of signatures of citizens that would be required to place a charter amendment on the local ballot in home rule cities. 

Coalition of new political parties and individuals, including:  Green Party of Texas, Libertarian Party, Constitution Party, Independent Texans, others....  

03/18/2009 S Left pending in committee


Against HB 604 by Farabee - Relating to projects that may be undertaken by certain development corporations in connection with water conservation programs.

In my opinion a slippery slope has been created/promoted benefiting development corporations which have undue access to public funding, via so-called 'public-private partnerships', and are focused/function purely on a profit motive.  Water must be a public right and not a "resource" that can be manipulated by for-profit 'development' corporations, and therefore needs to be overseen by a public entity.  

04/07/2009 H Left pending in committee


Against SB 362 by Fraser - Relating to requiring a voter to present proof of identification.  

05/23/2009 H Placed on Major State Calendar


Against HB 125 by Brown - Relating to requiring a voter to present proof of identification.  

04/07/2009 H Left pending in committee


Against HB 2335 by Heflin - Relating to fees charged for issuance by a state or local governmental entity of identification that may be presented to be accepted to vote.  

04/07/2009 H Left pending in committee


Against HB 3556 by Bonnen - Relating to requiring a voter to present proof of identification.  

04/07/2009 H Left pending in committee


Against HB 1780 Hochberg - relating to the use of a driver's license or identification card issued by the Department of Public Safety in voter registration.

I witnessed the Green Party against this bill because I felt that, again, this was yet another attempt at a Voter I.D. approach which would not only serve as an additional cost to those not driving, seniors, minorities without birth certificates, etc., i.e. all the same reasons I have already written and others have observed against a Voter I.D.  

04/20/2009 H Left pending in committee


Against HB 1892  Berman -Relating to nominations by primary election by all political parties.

I witnessed against this bill - This was the bill that the libertarians had identified as a possible way in which to financially cripple New Parties by forcing them to hold a primary election (I have chosen to take up the monicker of referring to so-called 3rd parties as new, in order to connote alternative instead of 3rd place or "3rd world").  

04/20/2009 H No action taken in committee


HB 2721 by Flynn - Callegari, Relating to the procedure used by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in acting on certain applications for a permit, permit amendment, or permit renewal for a nuclear electric generation facility.  Bill threatens to fast-track water permits for nuclear plants, which use vast quantities of water. Water is precious, and Governor Perry has just requested federal aid for all 254 counties in Texas due to a statewide drought. Water permits should be given careful scrutiny, and not be rushed. The bill would actually deny citizens the right to a contested case hearing for these water permits!  

04/22/2009 H Left pending in committee


HB 2721 by Dan Flynn (NE Texas),  Bill Callegari (Katy).  Co-Authors, Phil King (Weatherford), Tim Kleinschmidt (Bastrop area), Randy Weber (Pearland, his district includes Bay City - home of South Texas Nuclear Project).  Relating to the procedure used by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in acting on certain applications for a permit, permit amendment, or permit renewal for a nuclear electric generation facility.  

04/22/2009 H Left pending in committee


HB 797 Lucio III - Relating to exempting fuel ethanol derived from cellulosic biomass and blended with gasoline from the motor fuels tax.  

04/22/2009 H Left pending in committee


HB 4166 Callegari - Relating to the provision of severance tax credits and exemptions and other incentives and procedures for producing oil from certain wells.   

04/22/2009 H Left pending in committee


SB 220 by Nichols, co-authors Watson | West, HB 1438 by Bolton, Similar, relating to the conversion of a nontolled state highway or segment of the state highway system to a toll project.  

05/12/2009 H Left pending in committee


HB 300 byIsett | Pickett | Harper-Brow, TXDOT Sunset Bill - Relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas Department of Transportation, including the transfer of certain functions to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation; providing penalties.

Included provisions for nontolled roads to become tolled, continued support for the Trans Texas Corridor (Number of Amendments = 180), 

05/30/2009 H Conf. Comm. Report printed and distributed


HB 1796 by Chisum | Hancock | Burnam | Hartnett, Senate sponsor Watson, Relating to the development of carbon dioxide capture and sequestration in this state.  

06/03/2009 E Sent to the Governor


HCR 180 by Isett | McClendon - Expressing the intention of the Texas Legislature not to implement the federal REAL ID Act of 2005.  

While DHS secretary is seeking a repeal to rebrand Real ID, potentially to include Enhanced Drivers License, we are not going to allow Texas to give tacit approval on the "fixed" version of Real ID as our deadline expires at the end of 2009.  

04/21/2009 H Referred to State Affairs


HB 44 Corte - relating to disclosing information to persons obtaining emergency contraception.  

A business establishment at which emergency contraception is dispensed or distributed shall display a sign, in clear view of each cash register in the establishment, that is at least 18 inches high by 24 inches wide and that, in block letters in a font that may be read clearly, reads in English and Spanish: "IF YOU BELIEVE THAT LIFE BEGINS AT FERTILIZATION THE POINT WHERE THE SPERM AND EGG UNITE THEN YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION MAY EITHER FUNCTION AS A CONTRACEPTIVE TO PREVENT THE EGG AND SPERM FROM UNITING OR PREVENT THE IMPLANTATION OF YOUR ALREADY FERTILIZED EGG IN YOUR WOMB. THE PHARMACIST DISPENSING THIS DRUG IS REQUIRED TO EXPLAIN TO YOU HOW THE PRODUCT MAY HELP TO PREVENT YOUR PREGNANCY."   

02/12/2009 H Referred to Public Health


SB 182 Patrick - Relating to informed consent to an abortion.  HB 36 by Corte, Identical  Abortion Consent and Forced Sonogram. 

05/26/2009 H Placed on Major State Calendar



Friday, March 13, 2009

Blog #2 Lobbying for Election Reforms

March 13, 2009




Meetings with Legislative Directors - Election Committee bills, filed & re-filed?

Since my last posting, over the past two weeks, I have primarily been lobbying legislators to support election reform bills that will allow third parties easier access to participate in a democratic process.   Two bills that were filed in the 80th legislative session which I have been 'shopping' to be re-filed by 'friendly' Representatives were HB 2209 Proportional Voting (re. instant runoff voting - filed in Elections Committee but did not receive a hearing) and HB 2280 Primary Screen-out (ability for a registered voter to sign a petition for a third party candidate - this bill was left pending in the Elections Committee after receiving a hearing);  I lobbied the original authors themselves, Eddie Rodriguez and Mark Strama, as well as the offices of Representatives Dr. Alma Allen, Elliott Naishtat,  Donna Howard, Valinda Bolton, Solomon Ortiz, Rafael Anchia, Mike Villarreal, and Garnet Coleman.  The deadline for filing bills is today, Friday the 13th, and for all the meetings with friendly legislative staff the final response/reason for not filing these bills has been the  overwhelming number of bills already filed by each Representative.  This was quite disappointing, especially given the fiscal merits of the proportional voting bill to save money for municipalities by not having to hold a runoff election!   


It is clear that the process for gaining support, in action toward re-filing or co-sponsoring not just their thoughtful consideration, needs to start prior to the beginning of the legislative session - back in November - especially for those bills focused on election reform:  Holding public forums (both electronic and in person) and stimulating a movement built on commitment from individual constituents lined up and ready with a communication system for easily contacting legislators to take action - the eyes and "I's" of Texas.


Kat Swift's latest GreenWire clearly and succinctly listed the Election Committee bills that require immediate constituent action (calls / e-mails / personal visits to your Representatives) especially in response to this Wednesday's vote in the Senate in favor of the Voter I.D. bill, which could be voted in the House as early as this coming Monday.


We also need support for HB 820, especially for your legislator to co-sponsor the bill, so that it can get some traction toward receiving a hearing in the Elections Committee:  This bill will greatly reduce the number of required signatures necessary to get a candidate on the ballot, from 1% of those who voted for the Governor (40,000 +) down to 500! 


Other Election Committee bills include HB 282/SB 138 which would designate election day as a state-wide holiday; additionally, there is a bill which would eliminate straight-party voting, HB135 (referred to Elections) and companion in the Senate, SB317 (left pending in Committee, 3/9/09).  Note that this bill along with the entire list of bills under consideration, other than those already posted on the http://txgreens.org website, both positive and negative to the Green Party core values are being reviewed by the Legislative Committee and the State Executive Committee to determine how best to use our energy at the Legislature.  If you have identified a bill or bills that we should lobby support or be concerned about please write me at billstout@txgreens.org


Lastly, I will endeavor to post this blog at least once a week rather than every two weeks in order to shorten the amount of material to cover and the length of these posts!



Coming up:  Public Hearings this week

Monday, 3/16

HCR 75   Urging congress to explore alternatives to border securty in South Texas other than th fencing described in the Secure Fence Act.


Tuesday, 3/17

HB 595

Relating to a restriction on permits authorizing discharges of sewage effluent into any water in the contributing or recharge zone of the San Antonio or Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer.


HB 1508

Relating to a restriction on permits authorizing direct discharges of waste or pollutants into water in certain areas associated with the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer.




Equality Texas Lobby Day

Monday, March 2

Kat Swift, Nick Payne Freeman and I attended this very well organized event and teamed up with a student from Texas A&M to lobby Representatives Farrabee, Cook, Turner and Villarreal promoting support for HB 538 prohibition of employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.  Issues important to the LGBT community include:  Foster Care/Adoption, employment non-descrimination, safe schools, anti-hate crimes and transgender inclusion/gender I.D.  


Bills in this session that Equality Texas is monitoring and lobbying for include HB 353 allowing for Domestic partners medical and funeral decisions, HB 1455 Legal power of attorney, HB 861 University benefits for employees and faculty and their dependents, HB 197 Insurance discrimination, HB 1323 relating to bullying and harassment in public schools, HB 616 Relating to a study regarding the effectiveness of the James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Act.


Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty Lobby Day

Wednesday, March 10

Christine Morshedi and Art Browning from the State Executive Committee attended this well organized event.  They met with Rep. Alan Fletcher and also had the great fortune while meeting with the staff of Representative Al Edwards in that Rep. Edwards met with them personally and after hearing their case for supporting HB 682 he agreed on the spot to co-sponsor the bill!  Many congratulations to this very effective lobbying team.  


The public hearing for HB 682 and HB 297 were held on Thursday March 12, with both bills left pending in the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee.



Planned Parenthood Lobby Day

Thursday, March 12

I was not able to meet with representatives of Planned Parenthood on this lobby day (nor attend the public hearings on this morning for the bills supporting the Abolition of the Death Penalty) because of a recurring back injury.  However, I have a personal friend who is an Assistant Director for Planned Parenthood and will follow up with her as to how the lobby day went and those bills the organization is both for and against.



Rainwater Harvesting Legislation Roundtable Discussion Group

Tuesday, March 3

Representative Patrick Rose invited water conservation stake holders to join a Roundtable Discussion Group, to discuss possible changes/additions to his filed House Bill 1818  - relating to rainwater harvesting and other water conservation initiatives.


The bill seeks to provide additional rainwater harvesting (RWH) incentives, tax breaks, research, and water conservation brush control tax incentives.  The meeting included approximately 50+ members of the academic, public policy, municipal and commercial interests promoting RWH in Texas - I was very pleased to be invited to this meeting and made a point of recommending three new ideas for incentives during the speak-out segment of the meeting; I have identified these in ITALIC below.


Below are my questions and suggestions for additions to the bill.  Please reference the bill to compare with my recommendations:

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/Text.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB1818


Questions:

SECTION 1 (2)  Reasoning behind limiting scope to rainwater harvesting technology addressed under this bill to "...that is located in an area of this state in which the average annual rainfall is at least 28 inches" - 

This would eliminate sections of west texas which average annual rainfall is 12" or less.


SECTION 3.  PROPERTY CODE

As written in:

(d) This section does not:

(1) restrict a property owners' association from regulation th requirements, including size, type, shielding, and materials, ...if the restriction does not prohibit the economic installation of the device on the property owner's property where there is reasonably sufficient area to install the device:

?Who/what agency or governmental entity will have the responsibility to regulate or make this determination in situ (on the ground/in practice)?



Suggested additions:

SECTION 4. (3) (B)  Exemption ad valorem taxes for fire protection (plumbing) fixtures/devices used to connect/coupleing to the standard fire hose (i.e. Fire Department plumbing requirements/code)  for existing and new residential, commercial, industrial rainwater storage tanks - 

WINDOW ON STATE GOVT. TAX BREAKS:

http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxpubs/tx96_237_4_02.html#waterequip


SECTION 4. (3) Amend Sales Tax Exemptions for Water Related Equipment to ADD the tax exemption to include a collection surface area THAT CAN ALSO BE used as a roof of a structure or storage area.  An additional incentive could be added for roof materials that are superior for rainwater harvesting such as metal or tile vs. asphalt shingles.


SECTION 4. (3) Amend Tax Code to allow the Texas Department of Insurance to allow for changes (rate reduction incentives) to municipal fire code ratings to include/take into consideration rainwater harvesting (system) equipment to buildings.


SECTION 6.  TWDB  to study and make proposals to finance RWHS, by issuing low interest debt to water utilities (cities, counties, river authorities, private utilities, underground water districts, etc.) which in turn would provide low interest financing to individual residences, commercial, and industrial customers.


SECTION 2 - RAINWATER HARVESTING

Include a section "Directing a cooperative effort by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners to develop a certification program on rainwater harvesting and provide associated training in their continuing education programs.  Additionally, encourage Texas institutions of higher education and technical colleges to develop curricula and provide instruction on rainwater harvesting technology." 

(Sited:  Texas Rainwater Harvesting Evaluation Committee, Report to the 80th Legislature, TWDB, November 2006:  Chapter 6 - Recommendations for Promoting Rainwater Harvesting in Texas, # 8 and # 10)

Additionally, include a section "Directing the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and other state agencies to continue to exempt homes that use rainwater harvesting as their sole source of water supply from water quality regulations that may be required to public water systems. Guidelines provided in the above sited Texas Rainwater Harvesting Evaluation Committee Report, recommendation # 4). 


SECTION 4. (1).  Request to strike "...and ashe juniper" from Brush Control "removal, or reduction from watershed rangelands..."

Recent and continuing research on the functions of Ashe Juniper species in ecosystems is showing not only that this species provides preferred habitat for endangered bird species but that it serves as a soil "producer" in environments where other plants cannot survive.


Additionally, brush control (land clearing) creates the potential for soil erosion (loss of topsoil, aggravating sediment clogging of rivers, creeks, streams and aquifers), and also contributes to the release of carbon into the atmosphere contributing to global warming. 


Therefore, consider adding tax incentives to the purchase and planting of NATIVE REGIONAL PLANT SPECIES that are low-water users and can function in/as soil erosion abatement and carbon sequestration.  Examples are many, regionally specific, and can include desert willow or native grass species like big-bluestem, buffalo grass and side-oats gramma prairie grass (State grass species of Texas).


SECTION 4. (2)

Request the removal of the category of "Desalination" of water for drinking water purposes from being considered to receive beneficial tax incentives as included in this legislation.  Desalination may be a viable source of creating drinking water, however it is extremely energy intensive and by the necessity of recent practice of burning fossil fuels as the energy source for this process/procedure it is therefore an additional cause of air pollution and carbon to the atmosphere.

Additionally, desalination of water produces large quantities of 'brine' which also needs a useful commercial use, other than in the extraction of petroleum, creating another waste stream.  

Given these 'externalities' please consider providing tax incentives to desalination of water when/after 'clean' energy technology becomes available and ecologically or commercially beneficial uses are found.


SECTION 5 Public Policy.

Add the legal protection of rainwater capture as a PRIVATE WATER RIGHT:   Whereby no permit is needed to capture rainwater given the productive use for outdoor irrigation or indoor non-potable water uses.  Note that the Right will NOT prevent municipalities from setting health and safety regulations.  The inclusion of this will eliminate the potential 'blind-siding' of the public if at some point amended legislation is added to create restrictive rules similar to those in place in the State of Colorado and the State of Washington (which are presently under review). 

(see: http://www.hcn.org/issues/40.18/a-good-idea-2013-if-you-can-get-away-with-it 

 http://www.martenlaw.com/news/?20080723-rainwater-harvesting)


Note:  Given the intent and actions of SB 2 (2001) it seems unlikely that the capture of rainwater would be deemed illegal in the State of Texas; however, this was a concern I heard voiced several times by proponents and practitioners of rainwater harvesting systems in that this threat exists and therefore needs to be clearly stipulated in Texas law.



Thank you for the opportunity to participate and add comments to the drafting of this legislation.  Sincerely,



Bill Stout

Water Quality Specialist / Environmental Educator


Legislative Liaison

Green Party of Texas

billstout@txgreens.org

512.589.8048