85th Texas Legislature Regular Session Update – April 11, 2017
The 85th Legislature has been assigning bills to house and senate committees, and some bills have made it out of committee. You can read more on the Texas Senate News page and on the Texas House of Representatives News page.
- May 29, 2017: Last day of legislative session.
- June 18, 2017: Last day the governor can sign or veto bills passed during the regular legislative session.
- More than half of pre-filed bills have been assigned to a committee. Most of the bills assigned to a committee are waiting for a public hearing, or have already had a public hearing and are left pending. No bills have been passed by the legislature (other than resolutions).
- Texas Campaign for the Environment has a page where you can take action on current bills in the 85th Legislature. From oil and gas rules, to batteries, and even recycling, their website will guide you on how to participate in the Texas legislation.
- Although not many bills have been voted on yet by The Senate and House of Representatives from the surrounding area of Houston, here are a few pertaining to the environment on this Google Spreadsheet.Â
Additional resources:
- The Texas Campaign for the Environment is currently proposing action on recycling used batteries (HB 1874). The Texas Campaign for the Environment has a post about recycling batteries and what steps should be taken in order for this to be resolved. Update 4/11/17: This bill is currently left pending in committee
- The Texas A&M Transportation Institute Policy Center is currently reviewing three bills relating to ridesharing: SB 113, SB 176, & SB 361. Off the Kuff provides a detailed insight explaining what the bills consist of as well as their current status in the legislation. Update 4/4/17: Both SB 113 and SB 176 are left pending, and SB 361 has made it out of committee.Â
- The Nature Conservancy organization promotes the development of solutions that conserve nature as well as those around it. They are currently engaging in the 85th Texas Legislature and have a Texas State Legislative Priorities list explaining their efforts to promote preserving the environment.
- January Advisors has a website that displays an interactive map providing detailed information in regards to district geography and politics. You can click on each district and see what the selected representative from that area has proposed.
- Download a list of current state and federal legislation pertinent to Gulf-Houston Regional Conservation Plan (PDF) issues.
- Alliance for a Clean Texas (ACT) is an organization that promotes protecting the land, air, and water throughout the state of Texas.  Their website, as well as their weekly newsletters, are a great tool to learn more about current environmental issues, organizations that partner with the ACT, and current legislation updates. If you would like to sign up for their newsletter, click here! CEC member organizations that are part of the Alliance include Air Alliance Houston, Environment Texas, Environmental Defense Fund, Sierra Club, Texas Campaign for the Environment, and the Texas League of Conservation Voters.
- SB 103: Relating to the provision of bags to customers of a business at the point of sale: The Senate Business & Commerce Committee held a hearing Tuesday, March 14, 2017, and a number of groups–including Texas Campaign for the Environment, Galveston Bay Foundation, and Surfriders–were present to make opposing arguments. Update 4/11/2017: Bill has been left pending in committee.Â
- Earthworks Texas chapter is closely watching House Bill 3403: Relating to the authority of a municipality to require that certain oil and gas operations be set back a certain distance from child-care facilities and schools. This bill challenges legislation passed two years ago that restricts the limits that cities can impose on urban oil/gas drilling. The bill has not been assigned to a committee.
- The current proposal for cuts to the EPA could have an impact on Texas’ environment. Air Alliance Houston wrote an article explaining this topic in more depth and what certain issues may arise.
- The League of Conservation Voters is closely watching HB 2395: relating to testing for lead contamination in both public and charter school drinking water. Update 4/4/2017: This bill has been scheduled for a public hearing on 4/11/2017.Â
- Texas Campaign for the Environment has created an interactive map that includes leaking landfills here in Texas. Per their website, they are supporting SB 551 which would prevent bad permit applications from being re-filed after having been denied by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Update 4/11/2017: SB 551 is still in Stage 1 (Filed).Â
- The Legislative Reference Library provides a detailed chart containing statistics of the 85th Legislature as well as previous sessions. Here is a chart of the 85th Legislature, and here is a chart of the 84th legislature along with all previous sessions.
- Air Alliance Houston encourages you to learn about the importance of HB 1927. Air Alliance Houston provides an informative Toxic Alert Fact Sheet that explains what the bill entails and what toxic emergencies Houston had in 2016. Update 4/11/17: This bill is pending in the committee.
- The Houston Chronicle wrote an informative article on public school drinking water, and how lead is becoming a prominent chemical in both fountains and faucets. SB 1587 & HB 3695 are currently proposed in legislation to promote the replacement of lead piping, testing of waters from fountains and faucets, and the installation of water filters.
- The Texas Tribune covers the legislature with enthusiasm!
If you have a favorite source of info, please share!
Updates on Committees & Bills in the 85th Legislative Session
- Agriculture & Livestock – Scheduled to meet April 12. Bills to note:
- Agriculture, Water, & Rural Affairs – Met on April 10. Bills to note:
- Bills pending/in committee:
- SB 189 – permit to drill injection wells
- SB 538 – planning for responses to drought
- SB 1454 – study/approval of lethal pesticides
- The Sierra Club, EDF, and other nonprofit organization have written letters in opposition to this bill. The Sierra Club has an article stating their opposition.
- Bills out of committee:
- SB 1459 – destroy/remove/treat citrus trees in pest management zones
- Bills voted on by Senate:
- SB 546 – quality of water by public drinking water supply
- Bills pending/in committee:
- Business & Commerce – Met April 11. Bills to note:
- Bills pending/in committee:
- Bills out of committee:
- SB 59 – energy and water management planning for state agencies and institutions of higher education
- Energy Resources - Met on April 10. Bills to note:
- Bills pending/in committee:
- Bills scheduled for a public hearing:
- Environmental Regulation – Met on April 11. Bills to note:
- Bills pending/in committee:
- HB 838, HB 1979, HB 2682 - emissions
- HB 1437 – litter reduction
- HB 1874 – recycling of certain household batteries
- HB 1927 - alert system for release of toxic chemicals by manufacturing facility. Fire at LyondellBasell Refinery is an example to help support this bill. Read Air Alliance’s article here.
- HB 2046 – funds to support recycling projects and infrastructure
- HB 2086 & HB 2088 – permits on concrete batch plants
- HB 2125 – recycling of architectural paint
- HB 2662 – Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact waste disposal facility.
- HB 3090 – laws prohibiting outdoor burning of waste & combustible material
- Bills scheduled for a hearing:
- Bills out of committee:
- HB 1515 – dry cleaner environmental response program
- Bills voted on by House:
- Bills pending/in committee:
- Intergovernmental Relations – Scheduled to meet April 12. Bills to note:
- Bills voted on by Senate:
- SB 744Â – tree planting credit
- Bills voted on by Senate:
- Land & Resource Management – Scheduled to meet April 12. Bills to note:
- Natural Resources – Scheduled to meet April 12. Bills to note:
- Natural Resources & Economic Development – Met on April 11. Bills to note:
- Bills pending/in committee:
- Bills out of committee:
- Bills voted on by Senate:
- State Affairs – Scheduled to meet April 12. Bills to note:
- Bills pending/in committee:
- HB 2204 – water projects, treatment works, flood control measures
- Bills pending/in committee:
- Urban Affairs – Met on April 11. Bills to note:
- Bills pending/in committee:
- HB 2052 – tree planting credit
- Bills pending/in committee: