Lt. Gov. Patrick Patrick Announces Additional Legislative Priorities Including E-Verify

Affirms Commitment to Life Liberty & Conservative Pro-Prosperity Government Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick followed-up on the release earlier this month of his Top 20 Legislative Priorities with five additional pieces of legislation that will receive low bill numbers indicating that he has also designated them as high-priorities.

These 5 pieces of legislation along with the 20 bills previously announced will be my top priorities in the 2017 Legislative Session said Patrick earlier today. These bills reflect the agenda that a majority of Texans elected me to push forward. They reflect our Texas values including life liberty and a principled conservative government. These tenets will maintain our strong economy and make us a strong global competitor.

SB 23 - E-Verify I will continue the efforts of the Texas Legislature in the electronic verification of employment authorization. This will ensure that individuals employed by state partners are also authorized for employment. SB 24 - Religious Liberty - Sermon Safeguard The Senate will continue to protect the most fundamental First Amendment religious liberty rights by protecting pastors from forced testimony and shielding sermons from government subpoena power. SB 25 - Wrongful Birth The Senate will continue to fight to protect and value the lives of children born with disabilities by prohibiting this cause of action in Texas. SB 21 - Convention of States - I support the efforts of Governor Greg Abbott in adopting a call for an Article V Convention of States to limit the power of the federal government. SB 22 - Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) By targeting workforce-ready partnerships between K-12 higher education and industry we will continue to improve our workforce and prepare students to be successful in todays competitive and rapidly changing economy.

• To see the legislative priorities the lieutenant governor previously announced click here and here.

The lieutenant governor has designated an additional five low bill numbers SB 26 to SB 30 that will be assigned and announced between now and the beginning of the 2017 legislative session.