WEEKLY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE MAY 26, 2015

WEEKLY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE MAY 26, 2015 DRC ACTIVITIES We are in the final week of the 84th legislative session, and legislators are spending long hours at the Capitol. Jay Barksdale, our Senior Vice President of Public Policy, was in Austin last week working on the final details of bills that affect our region s water, transportation, higher education, and economic development initiatives. Much of the focus for the week was on removing an amendment from the budget that would have been detrimental to the Texas high-speed rail project. On Memorial Day, the DRC Public Policy team encouraged the Dallas-area delegation to remove an amendment from a groundwater bill. The amendment would have made it much more difficult to plan and construct future reservoirs in Texas. The North Texas delegation stood firm and the amendment was removed. Jay also registered support for HB 26 and HB 1155. These bills both keep Texas competitive by maintaining economic development incentives that attract business to Texas. STATEWIDE The legislature is heading into its final week of the legislative session, which ends on June 1, 2015. Here are the major issues and their status: Budget HB 1, the general appropriations bill, is in conference committee, but they have concluded their decision docket; HB 2, the supplemental appropriations bill, has passed the House and been reported favorably as substituted from the Senate Finance Committee; HB 8/HJR 8 directing budget surplus to retiring state debt, have passed the House and been reported favorably from the Senate Finance Committee; and HB 5 requiring strategic fiscal reviews of state agencies is in a conference committee.

Border Security HB 11 has passed the House, been reported favorably from the Senate Subcommittee on Border Security and is on the Senate Intent calendar for May 24, 2015; SB 3 has passed the Senate and been referred to the House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee. Economic Development HB 26, the House s omnibus economic development incentive reform bill, has passed the House and been reported favorably from the Senate Natural Resources and Economic Development Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar. Energy SB 931, terminating the state s goals for renewable energy, has passed the Senate and been referred to the House State Affairs Committee; HB 40, state preemption on regulation of oil and gas operations, has passed the House and Senate and been signed by the governor. Environment Texas Emissions Reduction Plan SB 603 has passed the Senate and been referred to the House Environmental Regulation Committee, and HB 14 has passed the House, been reported favorably from the Senate Natural Resources and Economic Development Committee, and is on the Senate Intent Calendar for May 24, 2015; HB 1865, contested case hearing reform, has passed the House and Senate and been signed by the governor; and sunset review of river authorities SB 523 has passed the Senate and House. Handguns Open carry - SB 17 has passed the Senate and been referred to the House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee and HB 910 has passed the House and the Senate; Campus carry - SB 11 has passed the Senate and been reported favorably from the House Homeland Security and Public Safety and HB 937 was reported from the House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee but not set on the House calendar and is therefore DEAD. Health HB 2813, requiring insurance coverage for ovarian cancer screening, has passed the House and Senate and been sent to the governor; Right to Try drugs in clinical trials for terminally ill patients - HB 21 has passed the House and Senate; SB 97 regulating the sale, use and advertising of vapor products, has passed the Senate and House and been sent to the governor. Higher Education HB 100, tuition revenue bonds, is in a conference committee; SB 1191, the Constitutional appropriation for non-puf universities, has passed the Senate and House and is on the Senate Items Eligible list to determine if the Senate concurs in House amendments or requests a conference committee.

Public Education SB 14, parent trigger authorizing parents of students at a campus with an unacceptable performance rating to request repurposing or closure, has passed the Senate and was heard in the House Public Education Committee and left pending, so it is DEAD; SB 149, requiring individual graduation committees for students that fail end-of-course assessments, has passed and been signed by the governor; HB 2804, would redesign the accountability system for evaluating school districts and campuses and includes an A-F campus rating provision, has passed the House, been reported out of the Senate Education Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar; and HB 1759, public school finance reform, was on the House calendar on May 14, 2015, but was withdrawn by the author and is DEAD. Governor s Early Childhood Education Package: HB 4, high quality Pre-Kindergarten, has passed the House and Senate; SB 925, literacy achievement academies, has passed the Senate and House and been signed by the governor; SB 934, math achievement academies, has passed the Senate and House; SB 935, reading excellence teams, has passed the Senate and House; and SB 972, Reading-to-Learn academies, has passed the Senate and House. Tax Relief The Senate-passed tax reform package includes: SB 1/SJR 1, increasing the homestead exemption; SB 7, decreasing the franchise tax rate by 15 percent; and SB 8, increasing the small business franchise tax deduction from $1 million to $4 million. SB 1, SJR 1, have been reported favorably from the House Ways and Means Committee and are on the House calendar for May 24, 2015. SB 8 has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee but has not had a hearing. The House-passed tax reform package includes: HB 31, decreasing the state sales tax rate from 6.25 percent to 5.95 percent; and HB 32, decreasing the franchise tax rate by 25 percent. HB 32 has been reported from the Senate Finance Committee and is on the Senate Intent calendar for May 24, 2015. Telecommunications HB 80, prohibiting texting while driving, has passed the House, been reported out of the Senate State Affairs Committee, and is on the Senate Intent calendar for May 24, 2015. Transportation SJR 5, dedicating a portion of sales tax revenue to the State Highway Fund, has passed the Senate and House and is in a conference committee. Sunset Bills: State Office of Administrative Hearings HB 2154 has passed the House and Senate and been sent to the governor.

Department of Aging and Disability Services SB 204 has passed the Senate and passed to Third Reading in the House. Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services HB 2463 has passed the House and Senate and is on the Senate Items Eligible list for May 24, 2015 to concur or appoint a conference committee. Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities HB 1679 has passed the House and Senate and been signed by the governor. Texas Education Agency SB 214 has been referred to the Senate Education Committee; and HB 1763 has been referred to the House Public Education Committee. No action has been taken on either bill. HB 3123 sets the sunset review date for Texas Education Agency for 2025. Department of Family and Protective Services SB 206 has passed the Senate and is on the House calendar for May 26, 2015. Portions of SB 206 were added in the Senate in HB 1217 and HB 1309 on the Senate floor. Health and Human Services Commission SB 200 has passed the Senate and is on the House calendar for May 24, 2015. Texas Health Services Authority SB 203 has passed the Senate and House and been signed by the governor. Texas Department of State Health Services SB 202 has passed the Senate and is set on the House Calendar for May 24, 2015. Governor s Committee on People with Disabilities HB 1678 has passed the House and Senate and been sent to the governor. Texas Council on Purchasing from People with Disabilities SB 212 has passed the Senate and House and is on the Senate Items Eligible list to concur or request a conference committee. Self-Directed Semi-Independent Status of State Agencies SB 217 has passed the Senate and been referred to the House State Affairs Committee.

University Interscholastic League SB 213 has passed the Senate and is set for a hearing in the House Public Education Committee on May 19, 2015 but was removed from the hearing agenda, so it is DEAD. Texas Workforce Commission SB 208 has passed the Senate and is on the House calendar for May 25, 2015. Texas Workforce Investment Council HB1606 has passed the House and Senate and been signed by the governor. Sunset Schedule (Safety Net) HB 3123 has passed the House and Senate and is in a conference committee. It sets the sunset date for Texas Education Agency at 2025. Tax Relief Agreement On Thursday, Governor Greg Abbott, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick and Speaker Joe Straus today announced a $3.8 billion tax relief package for Texas businesses and homeowners. The agreement reached by the Lt. Governor and the Speaker on the tax proposal, along with additional legislation, includes: 25 percent permanent reduction in the business Margins Tax; $10,000 increase in the Homestead Exemption, beginning in 2015, subject to passage of a Constitutional Amendment adopted in the November election; and SB 1760, requiring a 60 percent vote of the governing body of any taxing unit wishing to adopt an increase in property taxes that exceeds the effective tax rate. Governor Greg Abbott said, Texas leaders have come together to advance conservative principles that will improve the lives of Texans and continue to make Texas the model for doing business. Every dollar businesses and homeowners pay in taxes is a dollar that could be invested in new jobs, higher wages and stimulating the Texas economy. I commend the Speaker and Lieutenant Governor for working with us to achieve meaningful tax relief for Texans. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick added, It is a major achievement to come to an agreement on such a broad spectrum of significant legislation. I believe when this session concludes it will be one of the most, if not the most, productive legislative sessions in the history of the Texas Senate and the entire legislature. I thank the Governor and the Speaker for their hard work in finalizing this agreement. Speaker Joe Straus concluded, "This agreement will allow the House to vote on tax relief that encourages economic growth. I want to thank the Members of the House who have worked to put this agreement in place, as well as Governor Abbott and Lieutenant Governor Patrick. I look forward to working with my House colleagues to approve this plan as part of a successful end to our legislative session."

GOVERNOR Governor Abbott Signs HB 40 On Monday, Governor Greg Abbott signed HB 40 by Drew Darby (R-San Angelo) and Troy Fraser (R-Horseshoe Bay), which preempts regulation of oil and gas activity at the city level and resides that duty with the state. Governor Abbott said, "HB 40 does a profound job of helping to protect private property rights here in the State of Texas, ensuring those who own their own property will not have the heavy hand of local regulation deprive them of their rights. This law ensures that Texas avoids a patchwork quilt of regulations that differ from region to region, differ from county to county or city to city. HB 40 strikes a meaningful and correct balance between local control and preserving the state's authority to ensure that regulations are even-handed and do not hamper job creation." Texas Oil and Gas Association Todd Staples, president of Texas Oil & Gas Association said, HB 40 will keep Texas communities safe and our economy strong. It represents balanced legislation that will build upon a 100-year history of cooperation between Texans, their communities and oil and natural gas operators. HB 40 enjoys widespread, bi-partisan support because the legislation provides cities with authority to reasonably regulate surface activity related to oil and gas operations, while affirming that regulation of oil and natural gas operations like fracking and production is under the exclusive jurisdiction of the state. HB 40 balances local control and property rights, while allowing Texas to continue to benefit from billions of dollars in annual state and local taxes that directly fund our schools, roads and essential services. Governor Abbott Signs SB 925 On Wednesday, Governor Greg Abbott signed SB 925 by Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) and Jimmie Don Aycock (R- Killeen), which establishes literacy achievement academies to provide high-quality, face-to-face professional development to public school teachers who instruct students in kindergarten through third grade. SB 925 is the first piece of legislation responsive to Governor Abbott s early education emergency item to reach his desk for signature. Governor Abbott said, Our children must first learn to read before they can then read to learn, and I applaud the Legislature for recognizing the importance of providing our teachers with the tools necessary to improve literacy instruction by passing SB 925. These literacy achievement academies will serve as a catalyst in the transformation of our state s early education system, and ensure generations of Texas students will receive the highest quality education possible during their critical early learning years. SENATE

The Senate was in session Monday through Saturday this week, but on Saturday, they met only for a Local and Uncontested calendar and for a joint session with the House to honor military families. On Monday, the Senate passed 8 bills including: HB 158 by Lyle Larson (R-San Antonio) and Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls) would appropriate sales taxes collected on sporting goods to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission. It passed by a vote of 29-1. HB 495 by Donna Howard (D-Austin) and Juan Chuy Hinojosa (D-McAllen) would extend the nursing education program from 2015 to 2019. There were no amendments. HB 2167 by Wayne Smith (R-Baytown) and Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) would allow unmanned aircraft to capture an image if the image is captured by a Texas licensed surveyor in connection with the practice of professional surveying or if the image is captured by a Texas licensed professional engineer. The committee substitute and one floor amendment were adopted. On Tuesday, the Senate passed 9 bills including: HB 100 by John Zerwas (R-Fulshear) and Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) would authorize the issuance of Tuition Revenue Bonds for capital construction projects at Texas colleges and universities. The committee substitute and one floor amendment were adopted and it passed by a vote of 26-5. (It is now in a conference committee.) And, they gave preliminary approval to: HB 801 by Ken King (R-Canadian) and Kevin Eltife (R-Tyler) would require the Texas Parks & Wildlife Commission to adopt plans for prescribed burns on land owned by the department. The committee substitute and two floor amendments were adopted. On Wednesday, the Senate passed 94 bills on the Local and Uncontested calendar including: HB 315 by Richard Raymond (D-Laredo) and Don Huffines (R-Dallas) would authorize the issuance of In God We Trust specialty license plates. HB 792 by Travis Clardy (R-Nacogdoches) and Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville) would authorize the issuance of specialty license plates for antique buses.

They passed an additional 20 bills on the Intent calendar including: HB 157 by Lyle Larson (R-San Antonio) and Kevin Eltife (R-Tyler) would require the sales tax rate adopted by cities to be in one-eighth of one percent increments; however it does not allow the combined rate of all local sales taxes to exceed the two percent cap. It passed by a vote of 26-4. HB 706 by Jessica Farrar (D-Houston) and Joan Huffman (R-Houston) would prohibit the chief appraiser from requiring a person to re-apply for an exemption if property on which a solar or wind-powered energy device is installed or constructed has already qualified for an exemption unless the property changes ownership or the person s qualification for the exemption changes. It passed by a vote of 28-2. HB 1736 by Jason Villalba (R-Dallas) and Troy Fraser (R-Marble Falls) would require The State Energy Conservation Office to establish the Building Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee. One floor amendment was adopted and it passed by a vote of 29-1. HB 2717 by Craig Goldman (R-Fort Worth) and Royce West (D-Dallas) would deregulate hair braiding. On Thursday, the Senate passed 20 bills including: HB 7 by Drew Darby (R-San Angelo) and Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) would eliminate and reduce fees in dedicated accounts and designated funds. The committee substitute and seven floor amendments were adopted. HB 942 by Kyle Kacal (R-College Station) and Brian Birdwell (R-Granbury) would set out new safety and reporting requirements for the owner or operator of an ammonium nitrate storage facility and establish the procedure for inspection, corrective action, finding a violation, fining violators, and the use of fines collected from the violations established. It passed by a vote of 30-1. There were no amendments. SB 93 by Rodney Ellis (D-Houston) and Joe Pickett (D-El Paso) would repeal the Driver Responsibility Program. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed by a vote of 28-3. It has been reported favorably from the House Transportation Committee. SB 531 by Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) and Jeff Leach (R-Plano) would prohibit the application of a foreign law or selection of a foreign forum law in a manner arising under the Family Code. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed by a vote of 19-12. Lt.

Governor Dan Patrick said, "Today, the Texas Senate passed Senator Donna Campbell's Senate Bill 531, (SB 531), also known as the Sharia law bill, to third reading. The bill's purpose is to ensure that the constitutional rights of those who are part of the proceedings involving marriage, dissolution of marriage or a suit affecting the parent-child relationship, are protected. Senator Campbell has done a great job in leading senators to advance the laws that protect our basic rights from infringement. SB 531 upholds Texas morals from foreign laws that contradict or violate our laws and our beliefs. With a little over a week left in the 84th legislative session, the Senate continues to focus on Texan's priorities and protection of their constitutional rights." SB 1639 by Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) would prohibit a municipality from annexing an area for the limited purposes of applying its planning, zoning, health, and safety ordinances in the area, and prohibit a strategic partnership agreement from providing for limited purpose annexation. The committee substitute and one floor amendment were adopted and it passed to Third Reading by a vote of 17-14. It is on the Senate Intent calendar for Third Reading on May 24, 2015. (P-3) On Friday, the Senate passed 53 bills and a resolution petitioning Congress to provide funding for repairs to the Battleship Texas (HCR 80) on the Local and Uncontested calendar. They gave final approval to SB 531 (above). They passed 57 bills from the Intent calendar including: HB 10 by Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) and Joan Huffman (R-Houston) would increase penalties for human trafficking and compelling prostitution. HB 855 by Scott Sanford (R-McKinney) and Van Taylor (R-Plano) would require the Department of Information Resources (DIR) to identify the three most commonly used Internet browsers and post a list (updated biennially) containing those browsers in a conspicuous location on the departments Internet website. There were no amendments. They spent several hours debating HB 910 by Larry Phillips (R-Sherman) and Craig Estes (R- Wichita Falls), which would allow concealed handgun license holders to openly carry a holstered handgun. The committee substitute and one floor amendment were adopted and it passed by a vote of 20-11. Senator Don Huffines successfully added an amendment prohibiting a peace officer from making an investigatory stop or temporary detention to inquire as to a person s possession of a concealed handgun license solely because the person is carrying a visible handgun. Senator Rodney Ellis commented on his vote in support of Senator Huffines amendment saying, "I have a long history of opposing open carry legislation and a strong record of supporting sensible reforms to reduce gun violence and keep firearms out of the hands of

criminals. But if open carry is going to become law, law enforcement shouldn't be able to circumvent constitutional rights and detain someone solely because they are open carrying in compliance with the law. Our state has an unfortunate record on racial profiling and selective enforcement when it comes to detaining people of color. I supported Senator Huffines' amendment because minority Texans, like all Texans, should be able to exercise their rights, whatever those rights might be, without fear of selective infringement and detention without any reasonable suspicion of unlawful activity." On Saturday, the Senate passed 47 bills on its Local and Uncontested calendar. Total number of bills reported out of Senate Committees this week: 417 Total number of bills passed by the Senate this week: 308 Total passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar: 194 Next Week: The Senate adjourned until Sunday, May 24, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. Sunday s Senate Intent Calendar has 102 bills. Key Senate Intent calendar bills for Monday are included in the issue categories below. HOUSE This week, the House was in session everyday including Saturday and Sunday. On Monday, the House passed 11 Third Reading bills, and gave preliminary approval to 9 additional bills including: SB 55 by Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) and Susan King (R-Abilene) would require the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to establish a grant program to support community mental health programs serving veterans with mental illness. Three floor amendments were adopted and it passed the House by a vote of 136-5. It is not in a conference committee. SB 339 by Kevin Eltife (R-Tyler) and Stephanie Klick (R-Fort Worth) would authorize eligible licensees to cultivate and produce low-thc cannabis and allows physicians certified in epilepsy for patients with intractable epilepsy that are listed on the Department of Public Safety s compassionate-use registry. It passed by a vote of 108-38. There were no amendments. Representative Klick said, SB 339 will allow patients with intractable epilepsy access to cannabidiol (CBD) oil. Intractable epilepsy afflicts an estimated 149,000 people in Texas. Patients with intractable epilepsy can suffer hundreds of severe seizures each week. These individuals are at a higher risk for a shortened life span, excessive bodily injury, neurophyscological and mental health impairment, and social disability. Patients with

intractable epilepsy have seen dramatic reductions in seizures through the use of CBD oil without exhibiting adverse reactions. I am excited for the families of those patients who will be affected by the passage of this bill. Intractable epilepsy is a difficult disease to live with and I am excited that there is another treatment option for those who suffer from it. Senator Eltife added, I am most appreciative of the efforts of Representative Klick, the Epilepsy Foundation, the dedicated medical professionals who deal with this disease, and most of all, the many families who traveled to Austin on numerous occasions to put a face on this issue. Without them, we would not have had such overwhelming support in the House and Senate. Failed to Pass: SB 206 by Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) and Cindy Burkett (R-Sunnyvale) is the sunset bill for the Department of Family and Protective Services. The committee substitute and eight floor amendments were adopted before it was killed on a point of order. It was sent back to the House Human Services Committee where it was reported favorably as substituted and it will be back on the House calendar on May 26, 2015. On Tuesday, the House gave final approval to 10 Third Reading bills and gave preliminary approval to 7 additional bills including: SB 212 by Brian Birdwell (R-Granbury) and Cindy Burkett (R-Sunnyvale) would abolish the Texas Council on Purchasing from People with Disabilities and transfer its functions to the comptroller s office. The committee substitute and one floor amendment were adopted. SB 1657 by Kirk Watson (D-Austin) and Rick Miller (R-Sugar Land) would provide that the approval of the issuance of tax and revenue anticipation notes expires on the last day of the fiscal year for which the notes are approved. There were no amendments. On Wednesday, the House passed 8 Third Reading bills and gave preliminary approval to 15 additional bills including: SB 18 by Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) and John Zerwas (R-Fulshear) would expand graduate medical education (GME). The committee substitute and one floor amendment were adopted. SB 734 by Troy Fraser (R-Marble Falls) and Byron Cook (R-Corsicana) would allow the Public Utility Commission to set the annual interest rate for retail electric providers on customer deposits on any date on or before December 1 each year. There were no amendments.

On Thursday, the House passed: HCR 75 by Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) encouraging the State Preservation Board and the director of the Bullock Texas State History Museum to establish a museum of Texas music history as a permanent and integral program within the Bullock Museum. HR 1215 by Giovanni Capriglione (R-Southlake) would petition Congress to instruct the Transportation Security Administration to accept concealed handgun licenses as valid forms of identification. They also passed 15 Third Reading bills and passed another 24 bills on Second Reading including: SB 239 by Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) and John Zerwas (R-Fulshear) would require the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to establish a student loan repayment assistance program for mental health professionals. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed by a vote of 82-59. SB 582 by Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) and Patricia Harless (R-Spring) would remove the authority of local health jurisdictions to charge a fee for a certificate issued to a food service worker trained by an accredited food handling education program. The committee substitute was adopted. SB 664 by Van Taylor (R-Plano) and Kenneth Sheets (D-Dallas) would authorize an employer to discharge an employee, regardless of contractual obligations, based on a reasonable belief that the employee falsified military records to obtain employment or employment benefits. There were no amendments. SB 752 by Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) and Jim Murphy (R-Houston) would repeal the state inheritance tax and the tax on admission to combative sports events. The committee substitute was adopted. SB 757 by Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) and Drew Darby (R-San Angelo) would repeal the production taxes on crude petroleum and sulphur. It passed by a vote of 107-34. SB 760 by Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) and Four Price (R-Amarillo) would require the Health and Human Services Commission to establish minimum provider access standards for

provider networks of managed care organizations that contract to provide services to Medicaid recipients. Two floor amendments were adopted. SB 761 by Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) and Jim Murphy (R-Houston) would repeal Chapter 161 of the Tax Code that assesses an additional two percent sales tax on fireworks. It passed by a vote of 132-8. There were no amendments. SB 1115 by Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) and James White (R-Hillister) would require the Secretary of State s pilot program allowing active duty overseas military voters to cast a ballot electronically to involve more than one county and would extend the pilot to 2017. It passed by a vote of 140-1. There were no amendments. SB 1356 by Juan Chuy Hinojosa (D-McAllen) and Drew Darby (R-San Angelo) would add certified WaterSense products to the Memorial Day Weekend energy efficient products sales tax holiday. One floor amendment was adopted. It passed by a vote of 123-18. SB 2065 by Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls) and Scott Sanford (R-McKinney) would add new language to the Family Code that would prevent religious organizations, employees, and clergy from being required to solemnize any marriage that would cause the organization or individual to violate a sincerely held religious belief. It passed by a vote of 141-2. On Friday, the House passed 89 bills on the Local and Uncontested calendar. The House passed 24 Third Reading House bills, and passed 21 bills to Third Reading including: SB 523 by Brian Birdwell (R-Granbury) and Jim Keffer (R-Eastland) would require sunset review of river authorities. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed by a vote of 140-1. SB 807 by Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) and Kenneth Sheets (R-Dallas) would waive occupational license application and examination fees for qualified military service members, military veterans, and military spouses. The were no amendments. SB 935 by Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) and Joe Deshotel (D-Beaumont) would require the Commissioner of Education to establish and make available reading excellence teams to school campuses rated academically unacceptable on the basis of student performance on the reading assessment instrument. It passed by a vote of 128-11. SB 972 by Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) and Joe Deshotel (D-Beaumont) would require the Commissioner of Education to create Reading-to-Learn Academies for professional educators

in the fourth and fifth grades with a curriculum-focused teaching strategy to improve comprehension across all subjects. It passed by a vote of 103-37. On Saturday, the House passed 21 Third Reading bills and passed 16 bills to Third Reading including: SB 188 by Kirk Watson (D-Austin) and Sergio Munoz, Jr. (D-Palmview) would expand consumer inquiry protections by prohibiting a homeowners insurance carrier from increasing rates or costs or cancelling the policy based on a policyholder inquiring about their policy or coverage. It passed to Third Reading on a voice vote. It is on the House calendar for final approval on May 24, 2015. SB 204 by Juan Chuy Hinojosa (D-McAllen) and Richard Raymond (D-Laredo) would require the executive commissioner of Health and Human Services (HHSC) to develop, and the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) to use in assessing penalties and imposing disciplinary action, a matrix of progressive sanctions that increases in amount based on type, frequency, and seriousness of license violations. The committee substitute and 20 floor amendments were adopted and it passed by a vote of 122-3. SB 207 by Juan Chuy Hinojosa (D-McAllen) and Larry Gonzales (R-Round Rock) would implement the Sunset Advisory Commission recommendations to restructure the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of the Health and Human Services Commission. The committee substitute was adopted on a voice vote. It will be on the calendar for final approval on May 24, 2015. SB 1007 by Kevin Eltife (R-Tyler) Na John Kuempel (R-Seguin) would authorize an appraiser certified by a jurisdiction other than Texas to perform an appraisal review of an appraisal performed on real property in Texas. It was adopted on a voice vote. It will be on the calendar for final approval on May 24, 2015. And, three resolutions: HCR 52 by Ryan Guillen (D-Rio Grande City) would authorize the State Preservation Board to relocate the Texas Game Warden memorial to a site at the State Capitol, south of the Sam Houston Building. SCR 5 by Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls) and Dan Flynn (R-Van) would express dissatisfaction with the federal government s inadequate efforts to secure the Texas-Mexico International Border.

HR 1835 by Giovanni Capriglione (R-Southlake) would express support for the implementation of the Next Generation Air Transportation System. Failed to Pass: SB 1173 by Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville) and Larry Phillips (R-Sherman) would revise state law to comply with federal standards regarding commercial driver s licenses. It was killed on a point-of-order that was sustained. Total number of bills reported out of House Committees this week: 237 Total number of bills passed by the House this week: 230 Total passed on the Local and Consent calendar: 141 Next Week: The House adjourned until 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 24, 2015. Tuesday is the last day for the House to consider Second Reading Senate Bills, except Local and Consent bills. The last House calendar containing Senate bills must be printed and distributed by 10:00 p.m. Sunday, May 24, 2015. BUDGET The conference committee for HB 1, the state appropriations bill, wrapped up its final decisions this week on the state budget. The conference committee report, which now returns to the full Texas House of Representative and Senate for final approval, includes $3.8 billion in property and business tax relief, doubles what was appropriated last session for border security, ends diversions of transportation dollars and increases funding for education by $1.5 billion. Senate Finance Committee Chair Jane Nelson said, "We are making smart investments that will benefit our state for years to come. This budget is responsible. It is compassionate. And I truly believe it will take our states to even greater heights. Reported From Committee: HB 6 by John Otto (R-Dayton) and Juan Chuy Hinojosa (D-McAllen) would address the amount of unspent money in General Revenue-Dedicated accounts that can be counted for budget certification and reduce unspent balances. It was reported favorably as substituted from the Senate Finance Committee. HJR 8 by John Otto (R-Dayton) and Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) would propose a constitutional amendment to provide that if the Economic Stabilization Fund (Rainy Day Fund)

reaches its cap, the comptroller must move any excess oil and gas taxes or excess interest into an account dedicated to retiring state debt early. It was reported favorably from the Senate Finance Committee. HB 114 by Dan Flynn (R-Van) and Juan Chuy Hinojosa (D-McAllen) would prohibit political subdivisions from: issuing capital appreciation bonds with a maturity date of more than 20 years; extending the maturity date of bonds; and issuing bonds if they exceed 25% of the total bonded indebtedness (except for transportation projects). It was reported favorably as substituted from the Senate Finance Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Reported From Committee: HB 26 by Angie Chen Button (R-Garland) and Troy Fraser (R-Marble Falls) would make several changes to economic development programs in the governor s office. It was reported favorably as substituted from the Senate Natural Resources and Economic Development Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 1112 by Roland Gutierrez (D-San Antonio) and Carlos Uresti (D-San Antonio) would include job training programs for jobs in the health care, technology, or oil and gas industries as eligible projects of a defense adjustment management authority. It was reported favorably as substituted from the Senate Veteran Affairs and Military Installations. Passed the House: SB 100 by Juan Chuy Hinojosa (D-McAllen) and Jim Murphy (R-Houston) would make several changes to the Texas Enterprise Zone Program. It was left pending. SB 318 by Juan Chuy Hinojosa (D-McAllen) and Susan King (R-Abilene) would increase the cap on grants from the Texas Military Preparedness Commission from $2 million to $5 million. It passed to Third Reading on a voice vote and is on the calendar for final passage on May 24, 2015. Passed the Senate:

HB 2667 by Trent Ashby (R-Lufkin) and Kevin Eltife (R-Tyler) would eliminate obsolete economic development programs and funds. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar. ENERGY Reported From Committee: HB 1184 by Chris Paddie (R-Marshall) and Kevin Eltife (R-Tyler) would add alternative fuel programs resulting in energy cost savings and reduced emissions for local government vehicles to the kinds of projects an energy savings performance contract can be used for. It was reported favorably as substituted from the Senate Business and Commerce Committee the Local and Uncontested calendar. Passed the House: HCR 57 Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas) would urge the United States Congress and the president of the United States to eliminate the current ban on crude oil exports. It passed by a vote of 142-1. HCR 63 by Gene Wu (D-Houston) would urge the U.S. Congress to expedite natural gas imports. It passed unanimously. Next Week: House Calendar: SB 932 by Troy Fraser (R-Marble Falls) and Byron Cook (R-Corsicana) would authorize the Public Utility Commission to retain any consultant, accountant, auditor, engineer, or attorney the PUC considers necessary to represent the PUC in a proceeding before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. It is on the House calendar for Monday, May 24, 2015. SB 933 by Troy Fraser (R-Marble Falls) and Byron Cook (R-Corsicana) would prohibit an electric utility or municipally owned utility from interconnecting a facility to the ERCOT transmission grid that enables additional power to be imported into or exported out of the ERCOT power grid unless the utility obtains a certificate from the Public Utility Commission stating that public convenience and necessity requires the interconnection. It is on the House calendar for Monday, May 24, 2015. Sunday s Senate Intent Calendar:

HB 939 by Tony Dale (R-Cedar Park) and Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood) would prohibit a property owners' association from adopting or enforcing a deed restriction that prohibits or restricts an owner from owning, operating, installing or maintaining a permanently installed standby electric generator. HB 1101 by Sylvester Turner (D-Houston) and John Whitmire (D-Houston) would extend the timeline over which the system benefit fund would be exhausted by raising the limit for reduced electricity rates to assist low-income electric customers, and extending the expiration date. HB 2647 by Trent Ashby (R-Lufkin) and Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls) would prohibit a district from reducing or curtailing production from a well or limiting the groundwater production rate of a well to a rate or amount that is less than the maximum rate or amount of withdrawal. ENVIRONMENT Reported From Committee: HB 281 by Ron Simmons (R-Carrollton) and Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) would prohibit the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality from approving an application to expand the area or capacity of a solid waste landfill in a municipality unless it considers the comments of legislative members who represent the district containing the landfill described in the permit. It was reported favorably as substituted from the Senate Natural Resources Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 928 by Ryan Guillen (D-Rio Grande City) and Juan Chuy Hinojosa (D-McAllen) would require the Water Conservation Advisory Council to assist with drought preparedness and response by monitoring and developing strategies for responding to drought. It was reported favorably as substituted from the Senate Agriculture, Water, and Rural Affairs Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 2598 by John Kuempel (R-Seguin) and Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) would prohibit the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality from considering steel slag as solid waste if the steel slag is an intended output or result of the use of an electric arc furnace to make steel, sold and distributed in the stream of commerce for consumption, use, or further processing into another desired commodity. It was reported favorably from the Senate Natural Resources and Economic Development Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar.

HB 2763 by Ed Thompson (R-Pearland) and Jose Rodriguez (D-El Paso) would require the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to convene an advisory committee to conduct a study quantifying the amount of materials currently being recycled. It was reported favorably from the Senate Natural Resources and Economic Development Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar. SB 321 by Juan Chuy Hinojosa (D-McAllen) and Joe Pickett (D-El Paso) would eliminate the requirement for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to repay the Texas Emissions Reduction Program (TERP) for title fee transfers to the Texas Mobility Fund. It was reported favorably from the House Transportation Committee. SB 394 by Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) and Phil King (R-Weatherford) would require the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, for a respondent that is a local government and has not previously committed the same violation, to approve a supplemental environmental project that is necessary to bring the respondent into compliance with environmental laws or that is necessary to remediate environmental harm cause by the local government's alleged violation. It was reported favorably from the House Environmental Regulation Committee and recommended for the Local and Consent calendar. SB 413 by Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) and Tracy King (D-Batesville) would require the governor to make appointments to the Texas Water Development Board that the members reflect the diverse geographic regions and population groups of Texas. It was reported favorably as substituted from the House Natural Resources Committee. SB 521 by Troy Fraser (R-Marble Falls) and Jim Keffer (R-Eastland) would extend the initial period for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to issue an emergency authorization relating to the use of state water from 120 days to two years, and would allow the commission to renew or automatically renew such an authorization for a period not to exceed one year for each renewal. It was reported favorably from the House Natural Resources Committee. SB 551 by Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) and Jim Keffer (R-Eastland) would require the Water Conservation Advisory Council to submit recommendations for legislation to advance water conservation in its biennial report to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker. It was reported favorably from the House Natural Resources Committee and recommended for the Local and Consent calendar.

SB 1242 by Jose Rodriguez (D-El Paso) and Richard Raymond (D-Laredo) would require a scrap tire generator or used tire generator who stores scrap tires or used tires outdoors on its business premises to store the tires in a secure manner that locks the tires during nonbusiness hours. It was reported favorably from the House Environmental Regulation Committee. Passed the House: SB 912 by Kevin Eltife (R-Tyler) and Myra Crownover (R-Denton) would establish that an individual responsible for a facility which may cause pollution is not required to notify the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, officials, or media whenever an accidental discharge or spill occurs if the single accidental discharge occurs at a wastewater treatment or collection facility owned or operated by a local government; and is 1,000 gallons or less. It passed by a vote of 143-3. SB 991 by Jose Rodriguez (D-El Paso) and Lyle Larson (R-San Antonio) would require the General Land Office and the Texas Water Development Board to conduct a study regarding the use of wind and solar power to develop and desalinate brackish groundwater. It passed on the Local and Consent calendar. SB 1267 by Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls) and Travis Clardy (R-Nacogdoches) would set out provisions governing the amendment of a notice in a contested case under the Administrative Procedure Act in which the state agency has the burden of proof, and provisions governing the notification of decisions in a contested case. It passed on the Local and Consent calendar. SB 1301 by Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) and Eddie Lucio, III (D-Brownsville) would remove language specifying that there be six directors on the Texas Resources Finance Authority and allows the directors to call a meeting on request of a majority of the directors, as opposed to three directors. One floor amendment was adopted. Passed the Senate: HB 163 by Lyle Larson (R-San Antonio) and Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) would change the name of the Multi-State Water Resources Planning Commission to Southwestern States Water Commission and make several other changes to its composition and duties. The committee substitute was adopted. HB 200 by Jim Keffer (R-Eastland) and Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) would set out provisions governing the petition to appeal the Texas Water Development Board's approval of a desired

future condition of groundwater resources. Five amendments were adopted and it passed by a vote of 29-1. HB 655 by Lyle Larson (R-San Antonio) and Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) would grant the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality jurisdiction over the regulation and permitting of Aquifer Storage and Recovery Project injection wells. One floor amendment was adopted and it passed by a vote of 19-1. HB 763 by Susan King (R-Abilene) and Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) would require an interested person submitting a petition requesting the adoption of agency rules to be a Texas resident. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 1146 by Kyle Kacal (R-College Station) and Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) would allow a volunteer to be the licensed operator of a water supply system and require the owner or manager of such a water system to maintain records related to each volunteer operator. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 1331 by Phil King (R-Weatherford) and Troy Fraser (R-Marble Falls) would exempt a person who generates drill cuttings and transfers them to another person with the contractual understanding they will be used for a beneficial use from liability in tort for a consequence of the subsequent use of the drill cuttings. There were no amendments. HB 1794 by Charlie Geren (R-Fort Worth) and Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills) would provide that businesses subject to alleged environmental violations would pay punitive civil penalties only for their own intentional conduct, not for the actions of others as long as they are acting in good faith and complying with applicable state enforcement actions. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed by a vote of 24-6. HB 1902 by Donna Howard (D-Austin) and Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) would authorize the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to adopt and implement minimum standards for additional domestic uses and reuses of graywater, and would require rules to prevent contamination of the potable water supply and protect human health. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 2179 by Eddie Lucio, III (D-Brownsville) and Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) would authorize the board of directors of a groundwater conservation district to take action on any uncontested permit application at a properly noticed public meeting held at any time after the public hearing at which the application is scheduled to be heard, and to issue a written order to grant

the application; grant the application with special conditions; or deny the application. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 2187 by Wayne Smith (R-Baytown) and Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood) would add restrictions on persons who sell regulated material to a metal recycling entity. One floor amendment was adopted and it passed by a vote of 26-5. HB 2230 by Lyle Larson (R-San Antonio) and Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls) would authorize the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to authorize by individual permit, by general permit, or by rule a Class V injection well for the injection of nonhazardous brine from a desalination operation or nonhazardous drinking water treatment residuals into a Class II injection well that is also permitted by the railroad commission to be used for oil and gas waste disposal. There were no amendments. HB 2767 by Jim Keffer (R-Eastland) and Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) is a technical correction bill of statutes regulating groundwater conservation districts. There were no amendments. HB 4097 by Todd Hunter (R-Corpus Christi) and Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) would require TCEQ to adopt rules that allow desalinated seawater to be used for nonpotable uses. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 4112 by DeWayne Burns (R-Cleburne) and Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) would establish that groundwater ownership rights entitle the landowner, including a landowner's lessees, heirs, or assigns, to any other right recognized under common law, including the right to produce or save a fair share of the groundwater below the surface of the land. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar. Next Week: House Calendar: SB 1101 by Kevin Eltife (R-Tyler) and Chris Paddie (R-Marshall) would require a regional water planning group, if no groundwater conservation district exists within the area of the planning group, to determine the supply of groundwater for regional planning purposes. It is on the House calendar for May 25, 2015. Monday s Senate Intent Calendar:

HB 14 by Geanie Morrison (R-Victoria) and Kirk Watson (D-Austin) would make several changes to the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan including adding Bell, McLennan, and Webb Counties to the plan and continuing the plan to 2023 (instead of 2019). (committee substitute) GENERAL BUSINESS Reported From Committee: HB 1626 by Eric Johnson (D-Dallas) and Royce West (D-Dallas) would require the Finance Commission to administer a banking development district program to encourage the establishment of branches of a financial institution in areas where there is a demonstrated need for banking services to guarantee the deposit of state and local funds into bank branches that open in under-banked areas. It was reported favorably from the Senate Business and Commerce Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar. Passed the Senate: HB 2358 by Eddie Lucio, III (D-Brownsville) and Kevin Eltife (R-Tyler) would establish the Facilitating Business Rapid Response to State Declared Disasters Act. It would exempt an outof-state emergency or disaster response business entity performing work during a disaster response period from taxes and licensing obligations. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar. Next Week: Sunday s Senate Intent Calendar: HB 1629 by Eric Johnson (D-Dallas) and Royce West (D-Dallas) would override conflict-ofinterest rules preventing operators of crowdfunding websites from offering investments in businesses in which they have a financial stake, but only for non-profits and governmental agencies engaged in small business/economic development lending. HEALTH Reported From Committee: HB 867 by Ana Hernandez (D-Houston) and Sylvia Garcia (D-Houston) would establish the Texas Women Veterans Program. It was reported favorably from the Senate Veteran Affairs and

Military Installations and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar. It is on the Senate Intent calendar for May 24, 2015. HB 1038 by J. D. Sheffield (R-Gatesville) and Kirk Watson (D-Austin) would authorize the Health and Human Services Commission to provide a person eligible for the hemophilia assistance program with premium payment assistance, and specify that such a person is also eligible for coverage from the Texas Health Insurance Pool. It was reported favorably from the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 3283 by John Zerwas (R-Fulshear) and Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) would allow individuals who are obtaining their driver s licenses to donate any amount to the anatomical gift registry. It was reported favorably from the Senate Transportation Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 3374 by Geanie Morrison (R-Victoria) and Eddie Lucio, Jr. (D-Brownsville) would require a health care provider that administers a test for Down syndrome to, upon receiving a positive test result, provide the expectant or new parent with educational information required to be made available by the Department of State Health Services. It was reported favorably from the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 3404 by Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) and Eddie Lucio, Jr. (D-Brownsville) would require the Health and Human Services Commission to conduct a study on the benefits of providing integrated care to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. It was reported favorably from the Senate Veteran Affairs and Military Installations Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar. SB 96 by Juan Chuy Hinojosa (D-McAllen) and Roland Gutierrez (D-San Antonio) would require school districts to publish in the student handbook a statement on whether the district has adopted policies related to vapor products. It was reported favorably from the House Public Education Committee. Passed the House: SB 195 by Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) and Myra Crownover (R-Denton) would authorize the Texas State Board of Pharmacy to enter into an interoperability agreement with other states to access shared controlled substance prescription monitoring information

through a central database. The committee substitute and one floor amendment were adopted and it passed by a vote of 122-18. SB 332 by Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) and Todd Hunter (R-Corpus Christi) would require a health benefit plan or pharmacy benefit manager to only use the drug prices listed in the most recent version of the United States Food and Drug Administration's Orange Book in formulating the maximum allowable cost price for a drug. It passed by a vote of 138-2. SB 460 by Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) and Myra Crownover (R-Denton) would authorize a pharmacist, in the event of a natural or man-made disaster, to dispense not more than a 30-day supply of a dangerous drug without the authorization of the prescribing practitioner. It passed on the Local and Consent calendar. SB 519 by Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) and Myra Crownover (R-Denton) would require a dental support organization to register annually with the secretary of state, including the payment of a fee in an amount to be determined by the secretary of state. It passed by a vote of 94-48. SB 791 by Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) and John Zerwas (R-Fulshear) would require an infant who does not pass the newborn hearing screening to be tested for cytomegalovirus. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed on the Local and Consent calendar. SB 1235 by John Whitmire (D-Houston) and Allen Fletcher (R-Tomball) would clarify provisions defining the duties and penalties concerning pain management clinics. It passed on the Local and Consent calendar. SB 1899 by Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) and Armando Mando Martinez would authorize a certified EMT-paramedic, or licensed paramedic, acting under the authority of a licensed physician to provide health care and advanced life support services in an emergency or urgent care setting. One floor amendment was adopted and it passed to Third Reading by a voice vote on May 23, 2015. It is on the House calendar for final passage for May 24, 2015. Passed the Senate: HB 21 by Kyle Kacal (R-College Station) and Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) would establish the Right To Try Act authorizing patients with terminal conditions to access investigational drugs, biological products, and devices that are in clinical trials. The committee substitute was adopted. Senator Bettencourt said, "I am honored to have the support of every Texas Senator

to let patients and doctors fight terminally ill diagnoses. Under current law, the FDA has a compassionate use exception policy that allows for terminally ill patients to receive drugs and treatments prior to being FDA approved if the treating physician certifies that certain conditions are met. Under HB 21, the FDA s lengthy and unduly burdensome application process that takes approximately 30 days or longer is eliminated and replaced with a more efficient mechanism that results in the patient receiving the needed medication in a much more expeditious manner. The time saved can make the critical difference in living instead of dying for a patient because it allows them to start treatment when they are stronger and their bodies are healthy enough to fight and succeed with safe, ground breaking treatments. In these fairly uncommon situations, time is the great predator. If HB 21 is signed by the Governor, Texas will be the 21st state no longer standing in the way of a potential cure or at least extending lives." HB 574 by Greg Bonnen (R-Friendswood) and Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) would prohibit a health maintenance organization from terminating the participation of a physician solely because they inform an enrollee of the full range of physicians and providers available. It passed by a vote of 29-1. HB 606 by Sarah Davis (R-Houston) and Joan Huffman (R-Houston) would require the Health and Human Services Commission to conduct a study on the benefits of prenatal surgical procedures to treat birth defects. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 819 by J.D. Sheffield (R-Gatesville) and Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) would remove the Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito specification from the definition of a public health nuisance. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 1550 by John Zerwas (R-Fulshear) and Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) would authorize pharmacists to administer epinephrine through an auto-injector device to a patient in an emergency situation. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 1874 by John Zerwas (R-Fulshear) and Joan Huffman (R-Houston) would require the Health and Human Service Commission (HHSC) to establish the Palliative Care Interdisciplinary Advisory Council to assess the availability of patient-centered and family-focused palliative care. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 1878 by Jodie Laubenberg (R-Wylie) and Van Taylor (R-Plano) would require the Health and Human Services Commission to ensure that Medicaid reimbursement is provided to a physician for a telemedicine medical service provided by the physician. It passed by a vote of 30-1.

HB 2244 by John Zerwas (R-Fulshear) and Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) would make the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality responsible for the regulation of handling, transportation, storage, and disposal of medical waste through a permitting process for medical waste facilities. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 2340 by J.D. Sheffield (R-Gatesville) and Eddie Lucio, Jr. (D-Brownsville) would prohibit an applicant for a prescribed pediatric extended care center license from providing services until the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) issues the license. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 2578 by Four Price (R-Amarillo) and Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) would require the Health and Human Services Commission to consolidate the internal audit program for itself and each health and human services agency into a single internal audit program, and require each agency s information resources manager to report directly to the executive commissioner or a designated deputy commissioner. The committee substitute was adopted. HB 3024 by Bobby Guerra (D-McAllen) and Juan Chuy Hinojosa (D-McAllen) would require coordination of dental benefits among policies for an insured individual who is covered by at least two different policies providing coverage for dental expenses. It passed by a vote of 26-5. HB 3028 by John Frullo (R-Lubbock) and Kirk Watson (D-Austin) would expand applicability and penalties related to regulation of discount drug card programs and operators. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar. Next Week: House Calendar: SB 1462 by Royce West (D-Dallas) and Eric Johnson (D-Dallas) would authorize the prescription, administration, and possession of an opioid-antagonist when used solely for the treatment of a suspected opioid overdose. It is on the House calendar for May 25, 15 (committee substitute). Sunday s Senate Intent Calendar: HB 177 by Bill Zedler (R-Arlington) and Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) would create a Texas Adult Stem Cell Research Coordinating Board and higher education consortium to collect and

research adult stem cells, and would authorize hospitals to use adult stem cells with patient written consent. HB 416 by Debbie Riddle (R-Tomball) and Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) would require personnel at abortion facilities to receive training on human trafficking. HB 1403 by Kenneth Sheets (R-Dallas) and Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls) would exclude suits brought against non-subscribing employers and suits brought against employers following a work-related death from being labeled health care liability claims which are claims brought against health care providers following injury or death. HB 1514 by J.D. Sheffield (R-Gatesville) and Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) would require a health insurance identification card issued by a qualified health plan issuer to display the acronym QHP, or QHP-S if the enrollee receives advance payment of the premium tax credit. HB 3074 by Drew Springer (R-Muenster) and Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) would clarify requirements relating to the provision of artificially administered nutrition and hydration. HB 3519 by Bobby Guerra (D-McAllen) and Kirk Watson (D-Austin) would allow home telemonitoring services for a person diagnosed with a condition for which the Health and Human Services Commission makes an evidence-based determination that monitoring through the use of home telemonitoring services is cost-effective and feasible. (committee substitute) HB 3994 by Geanie Morrison (R-Victoria) and Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) would add new requirements to laws governing judicial bypass under which a judge may grant minors seeking an abortion to receive the procedure without parental consent. HIGHER EDUCATION Reported From Committee: HB 1287 by Ron Simmons (R-Carrollton) and Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) would require institutions of higher education to have a link on the institution s Internet website to the Texas Consumer Resource for Education and Workforce Statistics ( Texas CREWS ) report on gainful employment applicable to the institution for the most recent year for which the report is available. It was reported favorably from the Senate Higher Education Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar.

HB 1583 by Travis Clardy (R-Nacogdoches) and Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) would require public junior colleges to establish a block schedule curriculum for each health-related associate degree or certificate program offered under which courses required for a student s enrollment in the program as a full-time student are offered each semester in scheduled blocks designed to provide scheduling predictability from semester to semester and allow students to enroll in an entire block schedule curriculum rather than enrolling in individual courses. It was reported favorably as substituted from the Senate Higher Education Committee. HB 1613 by Ryan Guillen (D-Rio Grande City) and Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) would exempt a student from taking the Algebra 1, English1 and English II end-of-course tests if the student meets college readiness standards in a college preparatory mathematics or English language arts course. It was reported favorably as substituted from the Senate Higher Education Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar. It is on the Senate Intent calendar for May 24, 2015. HB 1807 by Elliott Naishtat (D-Austin) and Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) would require the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to maintain an inventory of postsecondary educational programs and services provided for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities by institutions of higher education. It was reported favorably from the Senate Higher Education Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 2472 by John Zerwas (R-Fulshear) and Kirk Watson (D-Austin) would repeal Section 51.803(a-3) of the Education Code which sunsets the University of Texas at Austin s ability to fulfill 75 percent of their admissions under the top ten percent automatic admissions rule rather than 100 percent of admissions under the top ten percent rule after the 2017-2018 academic year. It was reported favorably from the Senate Higher Education Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 3348 by Travis Clardy (R-Nacogdoches) and Kevin Eltife (R-Tyler) would allow the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to authorize one or more junior colleges to offer a baccalaureate degree program in the field of dental hygiene. It was reported favorably as substituted from the Senate Higher Education Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 3577 by Donna Howard (D-Austin) and Brian Birdwell (R-Granbury) would require the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to distribute 8 percent of the Texas Educational Opportunity Grant Program funding to public state colleges and public technical institutes. It

was reported favorably as substituted from the Senate Higher Education Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 3987 by Marsha Farney (R-Georgetown) and Sylvia Garcia (D-Houston) would allow school districts and charter schools to establish a school-based savings program to facilitate increased awareness of the importance of saving for higher education and facilitate personal financial literacy instruction. It was reported favorably from the Senate Education Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar. SB 13 by Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) and Jimmie Don Aycock (R-Killeen) would prohibit a rule adopted by the Commissioner of Education from limiting the number of dual credit hours in which a student can enroll. It was reported favorably as substituted from the House Public Education Commtitee. SB 453 by Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) and Travis Clardy (R-Nacogdoches) would increase the scaled score of 50 percent to 60 percent for the minimum score required for public school students to receive credit by examination administered through the College-Level Examination Program. It was reported favorably from the House Public Education Committee and recommended for the Local and Consent calendar. SB 1543 by Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) and James Frank (R-Wichita Falls) would require institutions of higher education that sort applicants by high school graduating class rank to place applicants that have successfully completed a nontraditional secondary education at or above the average high school graduating class rank. It was reported favorably from the House Higher Education Committee and recommended for the Local and Consent calendar. SB 1624 by Jose Rodriguez (D-El Paso) and Marisa Marquez (D-El Paso) would add information on mental health and suicide prevention services to the required orientation for undergraduate students. It was reported favorably as substituted from the House Higher Education Committee and recommended for the Local and Consent calendar. Passed the House: SB 24 by Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) and John Zerwas (R-Fulshear) would require training for members of higher education governing boards to be in the member s first year of board service. One floor amendment was adopted and it passed by a vote of 84-55.

SB 37 by Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) and Elliott Naishtat (D-Austin) would require the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to collect data and maintain a database relating to the participation of persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities in public higher education. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed by a vote of 119-20. SB 44 by Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) and Donna Howard (D-Austin) would add undergraduate research and undergraduate financial aid grants to the list of items an institution of higher education can receive to qualify for Texas Research Incentive Program matching grants. It passed on the Local and Consent calendar. SB 295 by Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) and Ryan Guillen (D-Rio Grande City) would require the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to maintain data regarding the initial medical residency program choices made by graduates of medical schools in Texas and the initial practice choices completing medical residency programs in Texas. It passed by a vote of 136-4. SB 1189 by Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) and John Zerwas (R-Fulshear) would require public junior college districts to establish a transfer associate degree program at each junior college in the district. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed by a vote of 131-8. SB 1655 by Royce West (D-Dallas) and Geanie Morrison (R-Victoria) would authorize the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to charge a fee to cover all or a portion of the board s costs associated with issuing, maintaining, or revising a certificate of authorization or certificate or authority. It passed on the Local and Consent calendar. SB 1750 by Royce West (D-Dallas) and Jim Murphy (R-Houston) would require eligible institutions of higher education to ensure that 50 percent of the employment positions provided through the work-study program are provided by employers located off campus. One floor amendment was adopted and it passed by a vote of 124-15. Passed the Senate: HB 700 by Helen Giddings (D-Dallas) and Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) would repeal the Texas B-Ontime student loan program. HB 1049 by Eddie Rodriguez (D-Austin) would classify courses of instruction in massage therapy provided by a licensed massage school as a postsecondary education program. It passed by a vote of 25-6.

HB 1054 by Travis Clardy (R-Nacogdoches) and Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) would require the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to prescribe a score below which a student is eligible for basic academic skills education for each assessment instrument designated by the board for use by institutions of higher education to determine the need for developmental education. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 1300 by Giovanni Capriglione (R-Southlake) and Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) would delete provisions allowing exceptions to the 2.75 grade point average minimum for persons admitted to educator preparation programs. There were no amendments. HB 1992 by John Zerwas (R-Fulshear) and Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) would provide that an institution of higher education may not require a score of more than three as the minimum required score on an Advanced Placement examination for granting course credit. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 2396 by Donna Howard (D-Austin) and Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) would repeal Section 61.539 of the Education Code, which requires medical schools to set aside two percent of tuition for the physician education loan repayment program; and would repeal Section 61.9731 of the Education Code, which requires law schools to set aside one percent of tuition for the repayment of education loans of attorneys. It passed by a vote of 30-1. HB 2628 by Travis Clardy (R-Nacogdoches) and Sylvia Garcia (D-Houston) would require the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to establish alignment between the college and career readiness standards and the knowledge, skills, and abilities students are expected to demonstrate in career and technical education. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 2812 by Drew Springer (R-Muenster) and Van Taylor (R-Plano) would repeal Section 130.008(f) of the Education code which limits junior college courses that a high school student my enroll in for dual credit to three if the student does not reside in the junior college territory. One floor amendment was adopted. HB 3062 by Travis Clardy (R-Nacogdoches) and Royce West (D-Dallas) would allow the comptroller to award grants to independent school districts from the Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) Grant Program for development of new career and technical education if the school district has entered into a partnership with a public junior college or technical institute. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar.

HB 3078 by Drew Darby (R-San Angelo) and Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) would establish the Uniform Pre-Nursing Curriculum Advisory Committee to develop and make recommendations on a uniform pre-nursing curriculum for undergraduate professional nursing programs offered by institutions of higher education. The committee substitute was adopted. Next Week: House Calendar: SB 632 by Troy Fraser (R-Marble Falls) and Angie Chen Button (R-Richardson) would establish the Governor s University Research Initiative Fund to assist universities and medical and dental units in recruiting distinguished researchers. It is on the House calendar for May 25, 2015. SB 1735 by Brian Birdwell (R-Granbury) and John Zerwas (R-Fulshear) would clarify eligibility for a tuition exemption for military personnel and their dependents including requiring eight years residency and requiring eligible students to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid application. It is on the House Calendar for May 24, 2015 (committee substitute). Sunday s Senate Intent Calendar: HB 1000 by John Zerwas (R-Fulshear) and Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) would change the Texas Competitive Knowledge Fund to the Texas Research University Fund; change the Research Development Fund to the Texas Comprehensive Research Fund; and establish the Core Research Support Fund to promote increased research capacity at emerging research universities. HUMAN RESOURCES/EMPLOYMENT Reported From Committee: HB 3547 by Lyle Larson (R-San Antonio) and Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) would allow a private employer to adopt a voluntary veteran s employment preference. It was reported favorably from the Senate Veteran Affairs and Military Installations Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar.

SB 1307 by Jose Menendez (D-San Antonio) and Susan King (R-Abilene) would clarify provisions related to occupational licenses for military service members, military veterans, and military spouses, authorizing a state agency waive any licensing prerequisites for a military applicant, upon reviewing the applicant's credentials. It was reported favorably from the House Defense and Veteran s Affairs Committee and recommended for the Local and Consent calendar. Passed the Senate: HB 1251 by Carol Alvarado (D-Houston) and Royce West (D-Dallas) would require the Texas Workforce Commission, in the case of a partial acquisition of an organization, trade, or business of an employing unit for which the transfer of compensation experience is required, to require the predecessor employer and successor employer to jointly submit information necessary for making a determination that the part of the organization, trade, or business transferred is definitely identifiable and segregable and that compensation experience can be specifically attributed to that part of the organization. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 1657 by Hubert Vo (D-Houston) and Eddie Lucio, Jr. (D-Brownsville) would clarify that an employer is prohibited from receiving a surplus credit rate if any delinquent unemployment compensation contributions are due on the computation date, rather than on the contribution date. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 2732 by Will Metcalf (R-Conroe) and Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) would authorize the Texas Workforce Commission to collect past-due unemployment compensation debt and penalties through participation in the federal Treasury Offset Program. It passed by a vote of 26-4. INSURANCE Reported From Committee: SB 189 by Kirk Watson (D-Austin) and Sergio Munoz, Jr. (D-Palmview) would expand consumer inquiry protections by prohibiting an automobile insurance carrier from increasing rates or costs or cancelling the policy based on a policyholder inquiring about their policy or coverage. It was reported favorably from the House Insurance Committee and recommended for the Local and Consent calendar. SB 1628 by Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood) and John Smithee (R-Amarillo) would make an insurer solely responsible for violations leading to unfair settlement practices related to provide adjusting, estimating, consulting, engineering, or other services related to the insurer's

adjustment of a claim. It was reported favorably as substituted from the House Insurance Committee. Passed the House: SB 654 by Kevin Eltife (R-Tyler) and Paul Workman (R-Austin) would authorize the Commissioner of Insurance to adopt rules governing the manner in which forms for commercial lines of insurance are regulated. One floor amendment was adopted. SB 667 by Kevin Eltife (R-Tyler) and John Smithee (R-Amarillo) would allow captive insurance companies to accept risks from and cede risks to or take credit for reserves on risks ceded to a captive reinsurance pool or an affiliated captive insurance company. There were no amendments. SB 782 by Kevin Eltife (R-Tyler) and John Smithee (R-Amarillo) would clarify that the Texas Insurance Commissioner is authorized to investigate other offenses in addition to insurance fraud, including by providing technical or litigation assistance to other governmental agencies. There were no amendments. SB 783 by Kevin Eltife (R-Tyler) and John Frullo (R-Lubbock) would prohibit the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) fraud unit from accepting gifts from a regulated entity, and would require the insurance fraud unit to develop fraud prevention educational programs and informational materials. It passed on the House Local and Consent calendar. SB 876 by Kevin Eltife (R-Tyler) and John Frullo (R-Lubbock) would prohibit the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) from renewing an insurance agent s license without evidence that the license holder completed the required continuing education, and authorize a nonresident insurance agent to apply to TDI for a comparable insurance license in Texas. One floor amendment was adopted and it passed by a vote of 143-1. Passed the Senate: HB 2145 by John Smithee (R-Amarillo) and Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) would authorize the Texas Department of Insurance to issue a provisional license to practice as an insurance agent for general property and casualty, county municipal, life insurance not to exceed $25,000, funeral prearrangement life, or general life, accident and health. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed by a vote of 29-1.

HB 2776 by Jim Murphy (R-Houston) and Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls) would authorize the insurance commissioner to approve a rating program that is based on claim other than an optional premium discount on residential property insurance, if the commissioner determines the program is actuarially justified. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar. Next Week: House Calendar: SB 494 by Kirk Watson (D-Austin) and Sergio Munoz, Jr. (D-Palmview) authorizing the Office of Public Insurance Counsel to post an insurer s specimen policy on the office s Internet website. It is on the House calendar for May 25, 2015. Sunday s Senate Intent Calendar: HB 1841 by Greg Bonnen (R-Friendswood) would remove services provided by a public insurance adjuster from services subject to the sales tax. PRIVACY Reported From Committee: HB 1481 by Jim Murphy (R-Houston) and Brian Birdwell (R-Granbury) would prohibit the operation of an unmanned aircraft less than 400 feet over a targeted facility unless the unmanned aircraft is operated by the federal government, the state, or a governmental entity; a law enforcement agency; an owner or operator of the targeted facility; or a person who has the prior written consent of the owner or operator of the targeted facility. It was reported favorably as substituted from the Senate Subcommittee on Border Security and is on the Senate Intent calendar for May 24, 2015. HB 2641 by John Zerwas (R-Fulshear) and Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) would require protected health care information exchanged between the health and human services agencies and a health care provider is exchanged pursuant to data exchange standards developed and accredited by the American National Standards Institute. It was reported favorably as substituted from the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar.

SB 1317 by Jose Menendez (D-San Antonio) and Doug Miller (R-New Braunfels) would make it an offense to transmit a visual image of an intimate area of another person without the person s consent. It was reported favorably from the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee and recommended for the Local and Consent calendar. It was reported favorably from the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee and recommended for the Local and Consent calendar. Passed the House: SB 34 by Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) and Larry Gonzales (R-Round Rock) would require the Department of Information Resources to submit a report prior to each legislative session evaluating the information security of the state s information resources. It passed on the Local and Consent calendar. SB 1714 by Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) and Donna Howard (D-Austin) would allow institutions of higher education to require the submission of a signed consent form authorizing the institution to release information regarding a student s academic courses, grades, and credit information. It passed on the Local and Consent calendar. SB 1878 by Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) and Gary Elkins (R-Houston) would require the Department of Information Resources to conduct a feasibility study regarding the adoption of an additional layer of sensitive data control and security or a comprehensive Identity and Access management (IAM) program. It passed on the Local and Consent calendar. Passed the Senate: HB 764 by Susan King (R-Abilene) and Jose Rodriguez (D-El Paso) would require the Texas Health Care Information Council to remove all sensitive identifying information, including social security numbers and birth dates from the data the council receives from health care providers; and would require health care providers to provide written notice to patients whose data is being collected, the name of the agency or entity receiving the data, and the name of the person within the agency the patient can contact regarding the data collected. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 2179 by Eddie Lucio, III (D-Brownsville) and Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) would authorize the board of directors of a groundwater conservation district to take action on any uncontested permit application at a properly noticed public meeting held at any time after the public hearing at which the application is scheduled to be heard, and to issue a written order to grant

the application; grant the application with special conditions; or deny the application. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar. Next Week: House Calendar: SB 1135 by Sylvia Garcia (D-Houston) and Mary Gonzalez (D-El Paso) would provide injunctive relief and damages for a person depicted in intimate visual material if another person discloses the material without permission. It is on the House calendar for May 25, 2015. SB 1877 by Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) and Rick Galindo, III (R-San Antonio) would direct the Department of Information Resources to work with each state agency to create a minimum uniform standard data and technology user agreement and would require agency employees to sign the user agreement at least once every two years. It is on the House calendar for May 25, 2015. Sunday s Senate Intent Calendar: HB 1912 by Gary Elkins (R-Houston) and Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) would require the governing board of the Department of Information Resources to employ a statewide data coordinator to improve the control and security of information collected by state agencies. (committee substitute) PROCUREMENT Reported From Committee: HB 15 by John Otto (R-Dayton) and Kevin Eltife (R-Tyler) would make several changes to oversight of state contracts. It was reported favorably from the Senate Finance Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 3193 by Diego Bernal (D-San Antonio) and Jose Menendez (D-San Antonio) would allow municipalities to consider a vendor s principal place of business in awarding municipal contracts if the contract is for services of less than $100,000 or for purchases less than $500,000. It was reported favorably as substituted from the Senate Intergovernmental Relations Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. It is on the Senate Intent calendar for May 24, 2015.

Passed the House: SB 20 by Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) and Four Price (R-Amarillo) would make several changes to procurement statutes. The committee substitute and 14 floor amendments were adopted. It is now in a conference committee. SB 59 by Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) and Richard Raymond (D-Laredo) would provide that competitive bidding requirements would not apply to state purchase of services provided by a family violence center. It passed on the Local and Consent calendar. SB 408 by Jose Rodriguez (D-El Paso) and Cesar Blanco (D-El Paso) would allow counties to give preference to local bidders for purchase of real or personal property if the local bidder is within five percent of the lowest bid price received by the county. It passed on the House Local and Consent calendar. SB 1281 by Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) and Garnet Coleman (D-Houston) would authorize local governmental entities to participate in a cooperative purchasing program with another local government of Texas or another state or with a local cooperative organization in Texas or another state. It passed on the House Local Texas, the Lower Colorado River Authority, private schools, private or independent institutions of higher education, and volunteer fire departments to purchase information technology commodity items through the Department of Information Resources. There were no amendments. HB 3014 by Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound) and Royce West (D-Dallas) would establish the Success Contract Payments Trust Fund with the comptroller as the trustee for payments due in connection with success contracts where the majority of the contract payment is conditioned on the contractor meeting or exceeding specified performance measures toward the outcome of the contract s objectives. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed by a vote of 29-2. HB 3342 by John Kuempel (R-Seguin) and Kevin Eltife (R-Tyler) would allow the comptroller to enter into, participate in, sponsor, conduct, or administer one or more compacts, interagency agreements or cooperative purchasing agreements directly with or through an entity that facilitates cooperative purchasing agreements. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar. PROPERTY

Reported From Committee: HB 1277 by Trent Ashby (R-Marshall) and Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) would authorize a general-law municipality to annex an area in which 50 percent or more of the property in the area to be annexed is primarily used for a commercial or industrial purpose only if the municipality is otherwise authorized to annex the area and complies with prescribed requirements. It was reported favorably from the Senate Intergovernmental Relations Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar. SB 1575 by Jose Rodriguez (D-El Paso) and Mary Gonzalez (D-El Paso) would authorize a commissioners court by order to implement a process applicable to a subdivision in which 50 percent or more of the lots are undeveloped or unoccupied on or after the 25th anniversary of the date the plat for the subdivision was recorded with the county; and through which the county, to the extent practicable, may apply to the subdivision more current street, road, drainage, and other infrastructure requirements. It was reported favorably as substituted from the House County Affairs Committee. Passed the Senate: HB 1221 by Eddie Lucio, III (D-Brownsville) and Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls) would require a seller's disclosure required to be given to the purchaser of residential real property to include a statement of whether or not the seller is aware of any portion of the property that is located in a groundwater conservation district, a subsidence district, or other special purpose district with the authority to regulate the withdrawal of groundwater. The committee substitute and one floor amendment were adopted and it passed by a vote of 30-1. HB 1422 by J.M. Lozano (R-Kingsville) and Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) would authorize a rural rail transportation district whose authority to exercise the power of eminent domain expired on September 1, 2013 to exercise the power of eminent domain on or after September 1, 2015. It passed by a vote of 21-10. HB 1464 by Richard Raymond (D-Laredo) and Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) would require a chief appraiser to send notice to a property owner 65 years or older if the owner s land is appraised as agricultural or open-space land if the chief appraiser believes the land is no longer eligible for special appraisal. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 1665 by Dennis Bonnen (R-Angleton) and Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) would require a seller of residential or commercial real property adjoining an impoundment of water that has a

storage capacity of at least 5,000 acre-feet at the impoundment's normal operating level to give to the purchaser of the property written notice. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 2066 by Rene Oliveira (D-Brownsville) and Kirk Watson (D-Austin) would authorize a mortgagee, trustee, or substitute trustee, not later than the 60th day after the date of a foreclosure sale of real property under contract lien to rescind the sale under specified conditions, and would provide rescission notice requirements for each condition. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar. PUBLIC EDUCATION Reported From Committee: HB 1164 by Gary VanDeaver (R-New Boston) and Sylvia Garcia (D-Houston) would make several changes to the STAAR writing test schedule. It was reported favorably as substituted from the Senate Education Committee. HB 1170 by Marsha Farney (R-Georgetown) and Eddie Lucio, Jr. (D-Brownsville) would treat an open-enrollment charter school as a governmental unit and allow an open-enrollment charter school to elect to extend workers compensation benefits to employees of the school through any method available to a political subdivision under Chapter 504 of the Labor Code. It was reported favorably as substituted from the Senate Education Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 1551 by Donna Howard (D-Austin) and Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills) would require the State Board of Education to establish the procedure used to determine the date a transfer will be made and the amount that will be transferred to the available school fund available school fund from the real estate special fund. It was reported favorably from the Senate Finance Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 2205 by Myra Crownover (R-Denton) and Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) would require the State Board of Educator Certification to include one voting member with experience and knowledge regarding alternative educator preparation programs. It was reported favorably as substituted from the Senate Higher Education Committee. HB 2349 by Jimmie Don Aycock (R-Killeen) and Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) would allow a student to earn a performance acknowledgement on the student s diploma and transcript by

passing an established, valid, reliable, and nationally norm-referenced preliminary college preparation assessment. It was reported favorably as substituted from the Senate Education Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 2610 by Ken King (R-Canadian) and Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood) would require school districts to provide at least 75,600 minutes of instruction, including intermissions and recesses, for students in a school year (instead of 180 days of instruction). It was reported favorably from the Senate Education Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 2660 by Donna Howard (D-Austin) and Kirk Watson (D-Austin) would require Foundation School Program funding for students enrolled in an optional flexible school day program be based on the same instructional hour requirements of the regular program. It was reported favorably from the Senate Education Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 2811 by Ken King (R-Canadian) and Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) would provide that proclamations for instructional materials could be issued only during the second year of a biennium; and would only allow the State Board of Education to issue proclamations that do not exceed 75 percent of the total amount of the instructional materials allotment. It was reported favorably as substituted from the Senate Education Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 4046 by Carol Alvarado (D-Houston) and Rodney Ellis (D-Houston) would clarify that a student s education records as defined by the federal Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 are confidential and exempt from public disclosure. It was reported favorably from the Senate Higher Education Committee and recommended for the Local and Uncontested calendar. SB 471 by Jose Rodriguez (D-El Paso) and Dan Huberty (R-Humble) would require the Commissioner of Education to conduct a monitoring review rather than an on-site investigation of an education service center, school district, or open-enrollment charter school subject to corrective actions. It was reported favorably from the House Public Education Committee. SB 507 by Eddie Lucio, Jr. (D-Brownsville) and Senfronia Thomspon (D-Houston) would require a school district or open-enrollment charter school, in order to promote student safety on request of a parent, trustee, or staff member, to provide video equipment to each school in which a student receiving special education services in a self-contained classroom is enrolled. It was reported favorably from the House Public Education Committee and recommended for the Local Consent calendar.

SB 945 by Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood) and Jimmie Don Aycock (R-Killeen) would include pennies of a school district s current maintenance and operations (M&O) tax rate that are above the district s compressed tax rate in the definition of compressed tax rate for purposes of determining a district s basic allotment. It was reported favorably from the House Public Education Committee. SB 1200 by Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood) and Dan Huberty (R-Humble) would establish the Texas Commission on Next Generation Assessments and Accountability to develop and make recommendations for new systems of student assessment and public school accountability. It was reported favorably from the House Public Education Committee. SB 1241 by Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood) and Dwayne Bohac (R-Houston) would allow school districts to establish innovation zones to encourage local community-based initiatives to improve educational outcomes with minimum state and local requirements and encourage innovation through shared resources and facilities. It was reported favorably from the House Public Education Committee. SB 1259 by Jose Rodriguez (D-El Paso) and Alma Allen (D-Houston) would require the committee developing a special education student s individualized education plan to include a regular education teacher who is responsible for implementing a portion of the student s individualized education program. It was reported favorably from the House Public Education Committee and recommended for the Local and Consent calendar. SB 1309 by Jose Menendez (D-San Antonio) and Joe Deshotel (D-Beaumont) would authorize the Board of Educator Certification to issue a teaching certificate to a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps instructor teaching certification issued by the U.S. Department of Defense, Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps. It was reported favorably as substituted from the House Public Education Committee and recommended for the Local and Consent calendar. SB 1771 by Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood) and Gary VanDeaver (R-New Boston) would require the report on the Texas High Performance Schools Consortium to be every even-numbered year. It was reported favorably from the House Public Education Committee and recommended for the Local and Consent calendar. SB 1867 by Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) and Jimmie Don Aycock (R-Killeen) would exclude adult students receiving special education services from the computation of dropout and completion

rates. It was reported favorably as substituted and recommended for the Local and Consent calendar. SB 2062 by Kirk Watson (D-Austin) and Marsha Farney (R-Georgetown) would allow charter schools that operate both an adult education program and a dropout recovery school to place students in both programs in the same classroom. It was reported favorably from the House Public Education Committee and recommended for the Local and Consent calendar. Passed the House: SB 686 by Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) and Travis Clardy (R-Nacogdoches) would allow state appropriations to the Math and Science Scholars Loan Repayment Program. It passed by a vote of 79-57. SB 934 by Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) and Marsha Farney (R-Georgetown) would require the Commissioner of Education to develop and make available mathematics achievement academies for teachers who provide mathematics instruction to students at the kindergarten or first, second, or third grade level. SB 934 was substituted for HB 2609 on the House floor, one floor amendment was adopted and it passed by a vote of 130-11. SB 955 by Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) and Rick Miller (R-Sugar Land) would remove the requirement that an open-enrollment charter school operated by an institution of higher education or a public junior college to be in the same county in which the campus of the university or junior college is located. It passed by a vote of 122-14. SB 1776 by Jose Menendez (D-San Antonio) and Ryan Guillen (D-Rio Grande City) would exempt students from assessment requirements of the Texas Success Initiative for students who successfully complete a college preparatory course covering the same content. It passed on the Local and Consent calendar. Passed the Senate: HB 218 by Marisa Marquez (D-El Paso) and Jose Rodriguez (D-El Paso) would require teachers assigned to a bilingual classroom to be certified by the State Board of Educator certification. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 2025 by Larry Gonzales (R-Round Rock) and Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) would expand participation in the three-year high school diploma plan pilot program to include a

school district with an enrollment of between 5,000 and 7,000 students located in a county that contains the headwaters of the Gabriel River. There were no amendments. Next Week: House Calendar: SB 265 by Rodney Ellis (D-Houston) and Sarah Davis (R-Houston) would allow students to possess and use a topical sunscreen product while on school property or at a school-related event or activity. It is on the House calendar for May 25, 2015 (committee substitute). SB 313 by Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) and Jimmie Don Aycock (R-Killeen) would provide guidelines for use by the State Board of Education in revising and reducing the number of curriculum standards under Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). It is on the House calendar for May 25, 2015 (committee substitute). Sunday s Senate Intent: HB 731 by Eddie Lucio, III (D-Brownsville) and Eddie Lucio, Jr. (D-Brownsville) would add a school district in a county that borders the United Mexican States and the Gulf of Mexico to participation in the three-year high school diploma plan pilot program. HB 1474 by Gary VanDeaver (R-New Boston) and Kevin Eltife (R-Tyler) would require transfers from the Permanent School Fund to the Instructional Materials Fund to be made each biennium instead of each year and would allow the Texas Education Agency to make temporary early transfers to the fund. HB 1559 by Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound) and Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood) would require schools that maintain an Internet website to post information regarding local programs and services available to assist homeless students on the website. HB 2014 by Kenneth Sheets (R-Dallas) and Van Taylor (R-Plano) would provide that a person who is a current or former member of the United States armed services is considered to have satisfied the requirement of a person seeking career and technology education certification for a specific trade to hold a credential if the person possess experience related to the trade that obtained through military service.

HB 2593 by Four Price (R-Amarillo) and Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) would include in average daily attendance for a school district students attending school in Texas but residing in a state that borders Texas. TAX Reported From Committee: HB 1905 by Drew Springer (R-Muenster) and Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood) would repeal alcoholic beverage taxes on drinks served on airplanes and trains; repeal the tax on controlled substances; and remove safety deposit box contents from the assets that may be seized to pay delinquent taxes. It was reported favorably from the Senate Finance Committee. HB 3484 by Dennis Bonnen (R-Angleton) and Juan Chuy Hinojosa (D-McAllen) would make several changes to the sales tax. It was reported favorably as substituted from the Senate Finance Committee. HB 3623 by Larry Gonzales (R-Round Rock) and Eddie Lucio, Jr. (D-Brownsville) would exempt from ad valorem taxation property owned by the National Hispanic Institute. It was reported favorably from the Senate Finance Committee. SB 279/SJR 20 by Kirk Watson (D-Austin) and Eddie Rodriguez (D-Austin) would propose a constitutional amendment authorizing political subdivisions other than school districts to adopt a residential homestead exemption of at least $5,000. They were reported favorably as substituted from the House Ways and Means Committee. SB 545/SJR 30 by Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood) and Jim Murphy (R-Houston) would exempt from property taxes real property that is leased to a person for use as a school for educational purposes. They were reported favorably from the House Ways and Means Committee. SB 762 by Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) and Gary Elkins (R-Houston) would increase the exemption amount for tangible personal property held for the production of income from $500 to $2,500. It was reported favorably from the House Ways and Means Committee. SB 1003 by Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) and Matt Schaefer (R-Tyler) would allow school districts to issue school district teaching permits without authorization from the Commissioner of education. It was reported favorably as substituted from the House Public Education Committee and recommended for the Local and Consent calendar.

SB 1154 by Bob Hall (R-Canton) and Richard Raymond (D-Laredo) would require chief appraisers to give a one-year extension on the filing of an application for an exemption from ad valorem taxes on the residence homestead of a 100 percent or totally disabled veteran. It was reported favorably from the House Ways and Means Committee and recommended for the Local and Consent calendar. SB 1468 by Kirk Watson (D-Austin) and Donna Howard (D-Austin) would allow removal of an appraisal review board member for failing to conduct his/her duties. It was reported favorably from the House Ways and Means Committee and recommended for the Local and Consent calendar. Passed the House: SB 46 by Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) and Richard Raymond (D-Laredo) would require appraisal districts to maintain confidentiality of photographs depicting the interior of a property improvement. One floor amendment was adopted and it passed by a vote of 137-1. SB 455 by Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) and Mike Schofield (R-Katy) would dedicate annual motor vehicle sales tax revenue above $1.5 billion to the highway fund to be used for road construction, maintenance, acquisition of right-of-way, and repayment of road bonds. It passed by a vote of 95-50. SB 755 by Van Taylor (R-Plano) and Angie Chen Button (R-Richardson) would clarify that software used for web-hosting should be taxed once, specifically during the transaction where the end-user purchases software as part of the hosting package. It passed by a vote of 141-1. SB 849 by Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) and Gary Elkins (R-Houston) would set the rates for fees and deposits associated with binding arbitration in connection with an appeal of an appraisal review board order. It passed by a vote of 139-1. SB 853 by Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) and Angie Chen Button (R-Richardson) would provide that an electronically filed sales tax permit application does not have to be signed by the applicant. It passed on the House Local and Consent calendar. SB 904 by Juan Chuy Hinojosa (D-McAllen) and Drew Darby (R-San Angelo) would institute a sales tax holiday the last weekend in April for emergency preparation items. It passed by a vote of 126-17.

SB 918 by Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville) and John Otto (R-Dayton) would clarify the procedure for claiming an ad valorem tax exemption on the property of a veteran s organization. There were no amendments. SB 1394 by Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills) and Jim Murphy (R-Houston) would require the appraisal office to provide audio visual equipment at a protest hearing for use during the hearing by the property owner or the owner s agency. One floor amendment was adopted and it passed on the Local and Consent calendar. SB 1396 by Royce West (D-Dallas) and Chris Paddie (R-Marshall) would exempt aircraft taxed under Chapter 163 of the Tax Code from the sales taxes imposed under Section 151 of the Tax Code. It passed to Third Reading on a voice vote. It is up for final passage on May 24, 2015. SB 1420 by Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills) and Jim Murphy (R-Houston) would require the appraisal notice to include an exemption or partial exemption approved for the property in the preceding year that was canceled or reduced for the current year. It passed on the Local and Consent calendar. SB 1725 by Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) and Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound) would require the clerk of the court to notify the attorney general of excess proceeds from a foreclosure of a tax lien on a property. It passed on the Local and Consent calendar. SB 1760 by Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) and Dennis Bonnen (R-Angleton) would establish a uniform interest rate for property tax refunds and delinquent property rates. It passed on the Local and Consent calendar. Passed the Senate: HB 394 by Ruth Jones McClendon (D-San Antonio) and Royce West (D-Dallas) would prohibit appraisal districts from posting information in the appraisal district s records on the Internet that indicates the age of a property owner, including information indicating that a property owner is 65 years of age or older. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 994 by Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas) and Royce West (D-Dallas) would make permanent the property tax exemption for property used to collect, process, and deliver landfill-generated gas. The committee substitute and one floor amendment were adopted and it passed by a vote of 28-3.

HB 1261 by Susan King (R-Abilene) and Carlos Uresti (D-San Antonio) would direct the comptroller to issue a biennial exemptions and exclusions report and require the comptroller to use available statistical data to estimate the impact of an exemption, discount, exclusion, special valuation, special accounting treatment, special rate, or special method of reporting related to a tax if no actual data is available. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 1463 by Richard Raymond (D-Laredo) and Carlos Uresti (D-San Antonio) would prohibit a chief appraiser from cancelling a previously allowed homestead exemption for an individual who is 65 years or older but who failed to file a new application without first providing notice of the cancellation by certified mail. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 1953 by Dennis Bonnen (R-Angleton) and Juan Chuy Hinojosa (D-McAllen) would extend the current-law September 1 deadline for a city or county to publish notice of its proposed tax rate to the later of September 1, or the 30 th day after the date the certified appraisal roll is received by a taxing unit. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 2033 by Richard Raymond (D-Laredo) and Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) would allow counties to require a plat application submitted for approval to include a digital map that is compatible with other mapping systems used by the county. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed by a vote of 23-8. HB 2293 by Drew Darby (R-San Angelo) and Royce West (D-Dallas) would require the comptroller to certify the final taxable value for each school district adjusted for provisions of the Education Code related to school funding pursuant to a memorandum of understanding entered into between the comptroller and the commissioner of education. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 2507 by Kyle Kacal (R-College Station) and Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) would exempt equipment used for digital audio broadcasting from sales and use taxes. It passed by a vote of 26-3. Next Week: House Calendar: SB 593 by Kirk Watson (D-Austin) and Drew Darby (R-San Angelo) would provide that if the chief appraiser makes a written offer of settlement to the property owner at least 45 days before the date of trial and a record of the offer is made to the court, the amount by which the owner s tax liability is reduced as a result of the suit is computed by subtracting the amount of

the owner s tax liability resulting from the final determination of the court from the owner s tax liability that would have resulted if the owner had accepted the most recent settlement offer. It is on the House calendar for May 24, 2015 (committee substitute). SB 1049 by Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) would institute a franchise tax exemption for new veteran-owned businesses for the first five years of operation. It is on the House calendar for May 25, 2015. Sunday s Senate Intent Calendar: HB 32 by Dennis Bonnen (R-Angleton) and Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) would reduce the franchise tax rate by 25 percent. (committee substitute) When it was voted out of the Senate Finance Committee Senator Jane Nelson said, "For our economy to continue to thrive, for businesses to grow and for jobs to be created, we have to support our businesses. This is a smart investment, not just for our economy but also for young Texans to grow up in a state with jobs and opportunities." HB 992/HJR 75 by Dennis Bonnen (R-Angleton) and Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood) would extend the disabled veterans homestead exemption for a surviving spouse to a widow whose disabled veteran spouse had died before the exemption went into effect. HB 2282 by Ryan Guillen (D-Rio Grande City) and Carlos Uresti (D-San Antonio) would allow a property owner in Atascosa County to bring an appeal of an appraisal review board order in a justice court if the amount of taxes due on the disputed value is less than $10,000. HB 2712 by Charlie Geren (R-Fort Worth) and Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills) would exempt tangible personal property that is necessary and essential to the operation of a qualified large data center project (if the capital investment is at least $500 million) from sales taxes for the first 20 years of operation. HB 2826 by Jim Murphy (R-Houston) and Joan Huffman (R-Houston) would allow property located in more than one school district to qualify for a Chapter 313 Agreement under the Texas Economic Development Act. TELECOMMUNICATIONS Reported From Committee:

SB 1864 by Konni Burton (R-Colleyville) and Terry Canales (D-Edinburg) would prohibit a peace officer from searching a person s cellular telephone or other wireless communication device pursuant to a lawful arrest of the person without obtaining a search warrant. It was reported favorably from the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee and recommended for the Local and Consent calendar. Next Week: Monday s Senate Intent Calendar: HB 80 by Tom Craddick (R-Midland) and Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) would prohibit the use of a wireless communication device to read, write, or send a text-based communication while operating a motor vehicle unless the vehicle is stopped and is outside a lane of travel. (committee substitute) TORT Passed the House: SB 610 by Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) and Andrew Murr (R-Junction) would provide that an agritourism entity would not be liable for an agritourism participant injury or damages arising out of the agritourism participant injury if a warning was posted or the entity obtained a written agreement and warning statement from the participant. The committee substitute was adopted and it passed on the Local and Consent calendar. SB 735 by Troy Fraser (R-Marble Falls) and Ken King (R-Canadian) would remove the net worth factor in consideration of exemplary damages amount. One floor amendment was adopted and it passed by a vote of 93-44. SB 1457 by Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville) and Travis Clardy (R-Nacogdoches) would prohibit a person from sending ten or more written communications per calendar year in which the person makes a bad faith claim of patent infringement against a person located or doing business in Texas. It passed on the Local and Consent calendar. Passed the Senate: HB 1040 by Chris Paddie (R-Marshall) and Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills) would provide that sports officials who are engaged in an athletic competition would not be liable for civil

damages, including personal injury, wrongful death, property damage, or other loss related to an act, error, or omission that results from a risk inherent in the nature of the competitive activity unless the act, error, or omission constitutes gross negligence or wanton, willful, or intentional misconduct. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 1050 by James White (R-Hillister) and Van Taylor (R-Plano) would clarify that persons who donate apparently wholesome food to a church, a not-for-profit organization or a nonprofit organization for distribution to the needy would apply if the food is apparently wholesome at the time of donation. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar. HB 1492 by Doug Miller (R-New Braunfels) and Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) would require plaintiff lawyers for claimants for asbestos-related diseases to file claims with bankruptcy trusts in advance of trial against defendants in litigation. It passed by a vote of 29-1. HB 1692 by Kenneth Sheets (R-Dallas) and Joan Huffman (R-Houston) would amend the forum non conveniens statute to require a court to give substantial deference to a plaintiff s choice of a Texas court. It passed by a vote of 27-4. Next Week: House Calendar: SB 824 by Joan Huffman (R-Houston) and Travis Clardy (R-Nacogdoches) would provide that if a county court at law is hearing a civil case in which more than $200,000 is in dispute the court would be required to impanel a 12-person jury. It is on the House calendar for May 25, 2015. WORKERS COMPENSATION Passed the House: SB 978 by Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) and Kenneth Sheets (R-Dallas) would require the Texas Department of Insurance to annually produce to the public information concerning the department s general process and methodology for rate review, including factors that contribute to the disapproval of a workers compensation insurance rate. It passed on the House Local and Consent calendar. Passed the Senate:

HB 2771 by Armando Mando Martinez (D-Weslaco) and Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood) would clarify that activities of a firefighter or emergency medical personnel in response to an emergency call, including transportation to or from the location of the emergency, are considered to be in the course and scope of the firefighter s or emergency medical personnel s employment. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar. WORKFORCE Passed the House: SB 1351 by Juan Chuy Hinojosa (D-McAllen) and John Zerwas (R-Fulshear) would transfer administration of the Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) program and fund from the comptroller to the Texas Workforce Commission. It passed on the Local and Consent calendar. Passed the Senate: HB 426 by Donna Howard (D-Austin) and Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) would require the Texas Workforce Commission s online system for listing state agency employment openings to allow an applicant for employment to complete a single state application online, attach relevant documents, and send the application to multiple state agencies. It passed on the Local and Uncontested calendar. Next Week: House Calendar: SB 208 by Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) and Cindy Burkett (R-Sunnyvale) is the sunset bill for the Texas Workforce Commission. It is on the House calendar for May 25, 2015. Sunday s Senate Intent Calendar: HB 1155 by Carol Alvarado (D-Houston) and Juan Chuy Hinojosa (D-McAllen) would create the Recruit Texas program which would provide rapid response workforce development services to employers who are looking to expand or move to Texas with a focus on recruiting employers who will provide complex or high-skilled employment opportunities in Texas. End-Of Session Slow-Down Rules Rules that institute deadlines prior to the end of the legislative session begin to kick in Monday, May 11 2015:

May 11, 2015 Last day for House committees to report House Bills and House Joint Resolutions (119 th day). May 12, 2015 Last House Daily Calendar with House Bills and House Joint Resolutions must be distributed by 10:00 p.m. due to the 36-hour layout rule for calendars (120 th day). May 13, 2015 Last House Local and Consent Calendar with Consent House Bills must be distributed by 9:00 a.m. due to the 48-hour layout rule for Local and Consent calendars (121 st day). May 14, 2015 Last day (midnight deadline) for the House to consider Second Reading House Bills and House Joint Resolutions on the regular calendar (122 nd Day). May 15, 2015 Last day (midnight deadline) for House to consider consent House Bills on Second and Third Reading and all Third reading House Bills and House Joint Resolutions on the regular calendar (123 rd Day). May 20, 2015 Last House Local and Consent Calendar with local House Bills must be distributed by 9:00 a.m. due to the 48-hour layout for Local and Consent calendars (128 th day). May 22, 2015 Last day for the House to consider local House Bills on Second and Third Reading. First day the Senate can consider bills and resolutions the first day they are posted on the Intent Calendar (130 th Day). May 23, 2015 Last day for House Committees to report Senate Bills and Senate Joint Resolutions (131 st Day). May 24, 2015 Last House Daily Calendar with Senate Bills and Senate Joint Resolutions must be printed and distributed (10:00 p.m. deadline) due to the 36-hour layout rule for regular calendars (132 nd Day). May 25, 2015 Last House Local and Consent Calendar with Senate Bills must be distributed by 9:00 a.m. due to the 48-hour layout rule for Local and Consent calendars (133 rd Day). May 26, 2015 Last day for the House to consider Second Reading Senate Bills and Senate Joint Resolutions on the regular calendar (134 th Day).

May 27, 2015 Last day for the House to consider local and consent Senate bills on Second and Third Reading and to consider all Third Reading Senate bills and Senate Joint Resolutions on the regular calendars. Last day for the Senate to consider all bills and joint resolutions on Second or Third Reading (135 th Day). May 28 2015 All Senate amendments must be distributed in the House before midnight due to the 24-hour layout rule (136 th Day). May 29, 2015 Last day for the House to act on Senate amendments. Senate copies of conference committee reports on tax, general appropriations and reapportionment bills must be printed and distributed before midnight due to the 48-hour lay-out rule (137 th Day). May 30, 2015 In the House, all conference Committee reports must be printed and distributed by midnight due to the 24-hour layout rule. In the Senate, all conference committee reports must be printed and distributed (other than those required to be printed the 137 th day) before midnight due to the 24-hour lay-out rule (138 th Day). May 31, 2015 Last day for the House to adopt conference committee reports and to discharge conference committees and adopt Senate amendments. Last day for the Senate to adopt conference committee reports or concur in House amendments (139 th Day). June 2, 2015 Corrections only in the House and Senate. Last day of the session with midnight deadline to adjourn Sine Die (140 th Day).