We set out to address three major priorities this Legislative Session and thats exactly what we did
By State Senator Jane Nelson
AUSTIN Texas (Texas Insider Report) Prior to the 86th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature adjourning earlier this week we set out to address three major priorities this Legislative Session Property Tax Relief Teacher Pay and reforming the way Texas pays for Public Education. And that is exactly what we did.
We passed a bold responsible budget that meets our growing needs we took steps to secure our borders keep our communities safe and combat human trafficking and we passed conservative reforms and several bills that originated from my SD 12 constituents.
It was a successful session by all accounts. Here are some highlights of the overall legislative package I was fortunate to have been involved in.
State Appropriations Bill: This budget makes targeted investments in education including a well-deserved pay raise for Texas teachers and continues our work on transportation mental health and other key priorities.
HB 1 the Appropriations Bill was approved overwhelmingly in both chambers. It establishes the states funding priorities for the next two years. We also ramp up our efforts to combat human trafficking help survivors of sexual assault and protect our state against cyber attacks which is a clear and present danger.
Teachers & Retired Teachers: This was the session of the teacher and as a former educator I am so proud we were able to show our teachers how much we value what they do. Taken together SB 500 HB 1 and SB 12 provide significant benefits to active and retired teachers including the resources necessary to make the Teacher Retirement System sound and give retired teachers a 13th check of up to $2000.
My Senate Bill 3 would have given teachers an across-the-board pay raise but that legislation did not advance in the House. Instead the House and Senate agreed on a compensation package that including salary and benefits could average as much as $4200 per teacher with a priority given to veteran teachers with 6 years or more of service. This funding would also benefit librarians counselors and nurses.
There is no more important investment we can make in education than in our teachers.
Born-Alive: HB 16 which I co-sponsored bans the gruesome practice of born-alive abortions. This is a barbaric practice akin to outright murder and it has no place in our society.
Zero-Based Budgeting: Zero-based budgeting will allow us to take a deep dive into the budgets of every state agency without assuming current spending levels are justified. SB 68 directs all state agencies to undergo a zero-based budget process on a schedule tied to their Sunset review. This will require that each agencys budget start at zero rather than their current funding level.
We should put each program under a microscope to ensure we are making the most efficient use of taxpayer dollars.
Cybersecurity: Data is the new oil and the state possesses highly sensitive highly sought-after information that must be protected. We are working on several fronts to ensure that Texas is well positioned to defend against cyber threats.
SB 64 strengthens the Department of Information Resources oversight of agency cybersecurity assists local entities in responding to cyber breaches grows the cybersecurity workforce pipeline and helps secure the electric grid. These measures will protect sensitive data and ensure that vital services are provided uninterrupted.
With billions of attempted hacks each month we must remain vigilant. As threats evolve so must our responses.
Human Trafficking Council & Strategic Plan: Human trafficking is a scourge on our society and we have to end this epidemic once and for all. SB 72 creates the Statewide Human Trafficking Coordinating Council whose members include all state agencies that receive an appropriation to address human trafficking. SB 72 directs the Council to develop a strategic plan and ensure cross-agency coordination in the effort to combat human trafficking an illegal enterprise that victimizes over 300000 people in Texas every year.
This bill will ensure that state resources are being maximized and that agencies are working together to root out traffickers and help victims.
Contracting Reform: Despite repeated legislative intervention we continue to see breakdowns in contracting across state government. This cannot continue. SB 65 responds to the continued failure of state agencies to follow laws and procedures on state contracting. It increases conflict-of-interest oversight enhances oversight of risky procurements strengthens scoring guidelines and bolsters vendor performance tracking.
My reform bill will ensure agencies are held accountable and that the state is receiving the best possible services at the appropriate cost to taxpayers.
Sexual Assault Nursing: Every survivor of sexual assault deserves compassionate care and justice - regardless of where they live. SB 71 establishes a tele-medicine program that will deliver high-quality medical forensic care to sexual assault survivors throughout Texas. This bill allows local medical providers to consult via tele-medicine with Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) who are trained to collect evidence and provide expert testimony in court proceedings.
With only 357 certified SANE practitioners in Texas the program will dramatically expand the number of locations where survivors can obtain care. This legislation will ensure that we are providing expert care and collecting forensic evidence in a manner that will stand up in court.
Economic Stabilization Fund (ESF) Reform: Transportation impacts economic development commerce and public safety and must remain a top priority for Texas. SB 69 reforms the Economic Stabilization Fund (ESF) and extends a dedicated funding stream to transportation. Specifically it abolishes the Sufficient Balance Committee sets the sufficient balance at 7 of the available certified general revenue and allows up to 75 of the ESF to be invested using the prudent investor standard.
This bill maximizes our potential interest earnings while ensuring we maintain healthy reserves to address emergencies and make smart investments in our future. It also continues our commitment to dedicate funding to transportation which is much more than a quality-of-life issue.
Judicial Safety: Given the nature of their work judges often become targets of individuals who wish to do them harm. SB 73 protects judges and their families by closing a loophole to keep personal information private from the public. The bill builds on the 85th Legislatures Judge Julie Kocurek Judicial & Courthouse Security Act by expanding the list of documents county clerks may conceal to include mineral leases mechanics liens and any other document with a judges address.
It is important that we take these extra measures to ensure the safety of our judges and their families.
Domestic Violence Lease Termination: Ending the cycle of domestic violence begins with giving victims the resources they need to get out of harms way and start over. SB 234 makes it easier for victims of domestic violence to move out of an unsafe environment. It expands the types of documents a victim may use to break a lease to include a certification letter provided by a family violence center advocate a licensed health care provider who examined the victim or a mental health provider who examined the victim.
There is still work to be done to address of domestic violence in our state but SB 234 will give victims more freedom to set themselves on a path to recovery.
Occupational Licensing Privacy Assessment: In an age of heightened focus on cybersecurity agencies must keenly review the information they are freely sharing online. SB 237 ensures that agencies are deliberate in deciding what personal information of their licensees they are posting to the internet by including a review of those procedures in Sunset review. This bill in response to a constituent whose personal information was included on a public website related to her occupational license information.
Lemonade Stands: Lemonade stands are a fun way for young people to experience the building blocks of entrepreneurship. HB 234 which passed unanimously exempts lemonade stands from burdensome regulations.
Students should have the opportunity to try their hand at entrepreneurship without government interference.
Obsolete Reports: SB 241 eliminates and streamlines agency reports that no longer serve their intended purpose or are redundant of other reporting requirements. Through this bill we will ensure that state resources can be focused on current priorities rather than the production of obsolete reports at the expense of taxpayers.
Special District Transparency: Special districts have the authority to levy property taxes and assessments on property and then budget that money much like other governmental entities. SB 239 provides better access to open meetings for residents who live in special districts including Municipal Utility Districts Fresh Water Supply Districts or Water Control and Improvement Districts.
This bill requires special districts with population of over 500 residents to hold board meetings within the districts boundaries and make video and audio recordings of board meetings available online. Residents of these districts should be given the same access to these meetings that they have to city county and state government.
Senate District 12 Successes: In addition to the significant investments we made in our schools and teachers the state budget I help write as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee includes $8 million for a new driver license facility in Denton a $5 million grant for an arts center in Flower Mound a $1.5 million grant to help restore the Gibson-Grant Historical Cabin.
Lockheed-Martin is headquartered in Senate District 12 and the Legislature approved my Senate Bill 240 to create an F-35 Sound of Freedom license plate.
The Legislature also approved SB 235 to assist the Corinth Fire District and HB 4247 to assist The Colony with a new convention center and hotel.
My legislative package is always constituent-driven and we accomplished a lot for Senate District 12 this session.
- To search all legislation from the 85th Legislative Session visit the Texas Legislature online at www.capitol.state.tx.us.
