Update on the 85th Texas Legislative Session from Representative Poncho Nevárez

Budget

Right before 2 a.m. on Thursday April 7th, the Texas House Budget was approved after considering over four hundred amendments and plenty of  heated debates. The budget debate spanned over fifteen hours eventually ending when the Texan lawmakers passed the two year, $218 billion legislation, with 131 votes in favor and 16 votes against. Some of the budget highlights include funding boosts for Child Protective Services, foster care funding, and disabled children’s physical, occupational and speech therapy programs. The lower chamber also voted in opposition of state money subsidizing private schools, an issue also known as “vouchers.” Representative Nevarez worked tirelessly throughout the day to make sure House District 74 received funding for education and programs in the district. The House voted 131-16  to use money from the state’s rainy day fund, withdrawing $2.5 billion to make up for the monetary vacuum left after the 84th legislation. The Senate utilized the same amount of money but their version dipped into funds meant for highway spending. The House must now work with the Senate to make up for their budget differences as session comes to a close.

Bill Update

Representative Nevarez is working hard to pass bills that address issues brought to him by constituents in the district. Bills are heard in public meetings allowing for public comment in their subject matter committees before they are heard before the entire House.

House Bill 899 would create a visual representation that simplifies the sign for  banning handguns on certain property. It does not affect which properties are allowed to ban handguns.

House Bill 1082 would increase transparency when a governmental body submits a grant application.

House Bill 1173 would allow a photo ID issued by a federally recognized tribe to be an acceptable form of identification at the ballot box.

House Bill 1325 would repeal the sales and use tax for land surveyors.

House Bill 1891 would allow the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to issue a year-round license to documented members of the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas for hunting antlerless white-tailed deer for use in the tribal .

House Bill 1894 stipulates that vacancies in the office of director in hospital districts are to be filled by a majority vote of the remaining directors, instead of a unanimous vote.

House Bill 2351 simply applies investigative rights for all fire fighters in cities that have adopted civil service through Chapter 143, Local Government Code.

House Bill 2369 stops the exploitation of legislative appropriations by preventing municipal water services from charging school districts extra fees not charged to commercial businesses.
House Bill 2484 grants the Texas Department Agriculture oversight of private animal export-import processing facilities to protect the livestock industry and the public’s health, safety, and welfare.

House Bill 2655 prevents transferring of a firearm to an individual acquitted of a crime by reason of insanity or lack of mental responsibility or deemed incompetent to stand trial.

House District 74 Visitors at the Capitol

Last week, Representative Nevarez had the honor to host the Sul Ross State University delegation at the Texas State Capitol. Sul Ross, founded in 1917, celebrated their centennial with a resolution commemorating their rich history in the city of Alpine. The Representative encourages students looking for a university to visit Sul Ross. On Wednesday, Representative Nevàrez hosted the Val Verde County delegation on their county day. It was an honor and privilege to recognize their hard work with resolutions on the House Floor. A moment that stood out during the week for the Representative was when he was while he was chairing the Homeland Security and Public Safety committee. The Mother of Sandra Bland, Geneva Reed Veal, delivered a powerful testimony supporting HB 2702. House Bill 2702 improves the interactions between law enforcement and individuals detained or arrested on suspicion of the commission of criminal offenses and the confinement or release of those individuals prior to prosecution.

Representative Nevárez wishes everyone a happy and meaningful Passover, Holy week and a blessed Easter Sunday with your friends and family.

All constituents are invited to come visit the Capitol during session to express their policy concerns or just to say hello. Please reach out to the Capitol office with any concerns or opinions about state legislation, or if we can assist you in any issues with a state agency.  Our phone number is 512-463-0566.