The Texas Legislature enacted a lengthy list of laws affecting Texans’ daily lives. The bills listed below may be read online at http://www.capitol.state.tx.us (enter Bill Number, see Enrolled Version).
 BIENNIAL BUDGET BALANCED WITHOUT NEW TAXES
In today’s economic climate Texas has managed the impossible: We have crafted a budget that does not create new taxes. While numerous other states are suffering billion dollar deficits and asking the federal government to bail them out, Texas once again managed to balance its budget. Additionally, we avoided raiding our state’s “Rainy Day” Fund and can save it for future emergencies. That fund will have over $9 billion in revenue. It is an amazing accomplishment that the 81st Legislature managed not only to balance its budget but to do it with $9 billion in reserve. Senate Bill 1, the state’s two-year budget, amounts to a total of $182.3 billion. The bill spends fewer dollars in state money than the last budget. S.B. 1 contains a $7 billion boost to higher education and a $1.9 billion increase for public education. On healthcare, the budget reduces health related waiting lists, adds funding to improve state schools for the mentally disabled, and adds $450 million in bonds for cancer research. For more budget information you can go to www.lbb.state.tx.us SMALL BUSINESS TAX REFORM Small business is the backbone of our economy. House Bill 4765 recognizes this by giving companies with $1 million or less in annual revenue an exemption from the state’s franchise tax. Alleviating the burden of the state’s margin tax for the smallest of small businesses will allow them to invest in their companies, retain and create jobs, and provide the goods and services that will help revive the Texas economy. Small business helps fuel Texas’ economic engine. An estimated 40,000 small businesses are expected to benefit.
SALUTING OUR TROOPS &Senate Bill 93 establishes the Hazelwood Legacy Act, which exempts certain military personnel and their dependents from paying tuition and fees at our state’s colleges and universities. The bill revises the residency requirements so that specified military personnel or their children who entered the service in Texas can meet the residency requirements that ensure they receive the education benefit as honorably discharged Texas veterans. Also passed was House Bill 3613 which exempts disabled veterans from paying property taxes on their homesteads. TECHNOLOGY FOR SCHOOLS House Bill 4294 would give local school districts the flexibility to use their textbook allotment to buy a much wider range of approved instructional materials that best meet the needs of their students. Currently schools can only use their state textbook allotment to buy hard copy textbooks - while raising local taxes to buy other learning materials. This legislation allows purchase of more innovative and updated learning materials without increasing local taxes. It is a critical measure that will allow more Texas classrooms – and its children - to enter the 21st century with success. CONTINUING TEXAS’ PRO-BUSINESS AND PRO-JOB ECONOMY Legislator’s re-affirmed Texas’ emphasis on investing in job creation with continued funding for the Texas Enterprise Fund and the Texas Emerging Technology Fund. Also passed was a new proposal with an updated incentive package for the film and moving image industry. In addition, the 81st Legislature fought off attempts to raise taxes, loosen restrictions on frivolous lawsuits and increase the regulatory burden borne by Texas employers. Texas ends this legislative session poised to remain the national leader in job creation. PHYSICIAN LOAN RE-PAYMENT PROGRAM Currently, of the state’s 254 counties, 114 do not have enough physicians to adequately take care of our population, resulting in a critical shortage of physicians and primary care doctors. House Bill 2154 will repay the student loans of doctors who agree to practice medicine in these medically underserved areas of the state. This will help attract physicians to rural Texas and in inner cities where they are needed, while improving healthcare access for all Texans. ELIMINATING WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS More than 40 former Texas inmates have been proved innocent through DNA testing. The “Tim Cole Act” was named for a young Fort Worth man who was wrongly convicted and died in prison. HB 1736 increases the lump-sum payments to exonerees from $50,000 to $80,000 for every year of confinement and grants an annuity to provide income for the rest of their lives, as well as tuition at a public college or career center. The state can’t give Cole his life back, but we can try to correct the injustices and assist innocent people in reclaiming their lives. PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS AND EMINENT DOMAIN REFORM With the passage of HJR 14, an eminent domain constitutional amendment, Texans will have the chance to vote on a constitutional amendment to strengthen private property protections from government intrusion. Of particular interest, the bill ensures that government can’t take a person’s property for economic development or to enhance tax revenue. The Resolution will be submitted to the voters on November 3, 2009. HURRICANE INSURANCE REFORM- WINDSTORM On the first day of the official hurricane season for 2009, the Texas Legislature passed HB 4409. The plan provides funding for a 2.5 billion dollar storm. By reforming the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA), the bill is a collaboration that is fair to ratepayers across the state while providing much needed coverage for property owners on the coast. HIGHER EDUCATION REFORM The legislature finally passed legislation that addressed the state’s “top ten percent” rule, which has been a controversial subject for many who want their children to have access to the top tier schools in Texas. SB 175 scales back the number of students the University of Texas at Austin would have to admit under the top 10 percent of their high school class by changing the law so that 75% of those admitted will now have to be in the top 10%. This new law will allow more flexibility in the acceptance policy for the university and allow more access for those kids who have outstanding grades and leadership. We also passed legislation for top-tier universities which seeks to lift some of the state’s public universities to national stature. Senate Bill 175 also establishes the framework to create more flagship universities in Texas, including The University of Texas at El Paso. CARBON TAX CREDITS Carbon emissions have become a major issue in the environmental discussion, and a portfolio of solutions was proposed this session to ensure Texas is proactive on the issue. HB 1796 requires the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to provide grants for eligible projects at facilities and other stationary sources to offset the incremental costs of emissions reductions, including advanced clean energy projects, new technology projects, and electricity storage projects related to renewable energy. STATE EMPLOYEES GET A PAY RAISE State workers will see an $800 per person pay raise. In addition, teachers will be given an across-the-board raise of $800. As states around the nation struggle with huge budget deficits and have been cutting down on state employees and educators, the Texas Legislature managed to give additional dollars in hope that we will save money by reducing employee turn-over and allowing the State of Texas to remain competitive in attracting the best employees and teachers. Note: This newsletter is intended as a guide to some of the major legislation passed during the 81st Texas Legislature and is not intended to be a complete listing of all bills passed. For more specific information, please refer to http://www.capitol.state.tx.us or contact our office. |
