83rd Texas Legislature Regular Session update, April 23, 2013
CEC is sharing information during the session about what bills our member groups and readers are tracking. More information is available at cechouston.org/category/texas-legislature/.
The last day to file most bills was March 8, 2013. Yesterday, April 15, 2013, was first day a Senator might place five bills or resolutions on the Intent Calendar. The last day of the regular session is Monday, May 27, 2013. Learn more at www.legis.state.tx.us.
Let us know what you think about the senate bills that have been filed! Take a quick survey to let us know which senate bills are important to you–and why! We’ll let you know what our readers think. Click here to take survey.
The last day to file most bills was March 8, 2013. April 15, 2013, was first day a Senator might place five bills or resolutions on the Intent Calendar. The last day of the regular session is Monday, May 27, 2013. Learn more at www.legis.state.tx.us.
Let us know what you think about the senate bills that have been filed! Take a quick survey to let us know which senate bills are important to you–and why! We’ll let you know what our readers think. Click here to take survey.
The following is information from our readers:
- The Sierra Club Lone Star Chapter, Houston Regional Group has identified HJR 135 and HJR 60 as important. These bills have to do with donations from the public through the purchase of specialty license plates. The donation support the work of many non-profit organizations, either directly or indirectly though grants. The funds are held in dedicated accounts, but are not necessarily spent or appropriated in a manner consistent with the dedicated revenue accounts. These bills would disallow the use of dedicated revenue sourced by voluntary contributions to be used to certify the state government.
- Keep Texas Parks Open is following six bills which would impact how much of the dedicated funds in the account from the sporting goods tax would actually be allocated or spent on state park programs. More information at http://www.keeptexasparksopen.com/.
- The Texas League of Environmental Voters has the following bills on its watch list. You can learn more at http://www.tlcv.org/news/.
- SB 1239 / HB 3701: Net metering
- SB 342 / HB 178: Water Conservation
- SB 645 / HB 1473: Beverage Container Recycling
- HB 2026: Renewable Portfolio Standard Repeal
- HB 2416: Bag Ban Ban
- HB 824: Spill Reporting
- HB 1496: Hydraulic Fracturing
- The Austin Heritage Tree Foundation has let us know about legislation that could impact, and possibly void all tree protection ordinances in Texas. More information at http://www.austinheritagetreefoundation.com/BILL_ALERTS.html.
Other websites with updates on environmental legislation:
- The Texas Bottle Bill reports that HB 1473 has made it out of committee, but has not been placed on the calendar. To learn more about progress of the bill, visit www.texasbottlebill.com.
- H-GAC’s Natural Resources Advisory Council: Justin Bower, senior environmental planner, is providing briefings on proposed legislation related to air, water, land use, governance of natural resources, parks and natural areas, and energy issues. The briefings are updated on a weekly basis. Please note, these documents are intended as a summary of legislation and potential impacts, and are not intended to imply a stance or position on any bill. For all questions, contact Justin Bower at 713-499-6653. Briefing Document for All Natural Resources Legislation. (By category: Air Pollution and Climate, Energy, Governance, Land Use, Miscellaneous, Parks and Natural Areas,  Solid Waste, Water and Sewer Utilities, Water Conservation, Water Quality, Water Supply, Wildlife Management.)
- Public Citizen Texas VOX: http://texasvox.org/82nd-legislative-session/