Texas' 81st Legislative Session
Thursday, September 02, 2010For a complete list of all activities on all Legislative Bills for the 81st Session, please go to the Texas Legislature Online - Bill Lookup Website. Just type in the bill number. Examples are HB 4, SJR 56, HR 143.
- Tuesday, December 29, 2009 • HB 8 • Press ReleaseNew Laws to Improve Appraisal Process Take Effect January 1
AUSTIN — Gov. Rick Perry today highlighted several new laws that take effect Jan. 1, 2010, which institute important reforms to the appraisal process to help property taxpayers.
- Tuesday, September 01, 2009 • SB 98 • Press ReleaseGov. Perry: Texas is Improving Access to Health Care in the Valley
HARLINGEN – Gov. Rick Perry today applauded the increase in access to health care for Texans in the Rio Grande Valley thanks to tort reform and the establishment of a medical education facility in the region. The governor ceremonially signed Senate Bill 98, which establishes a health science center and medical school in South Texas.
- Wednesday, August 26, 2009 • HB 4471 • Press ReleaseGov. Perry: Texas is Investing in the Future of Nursing
HOUSTON – Gov. Rick Perry today highlighted Texas’ efforts to combat the state nursing shortage by further investing in nursing education. The governor ceremonially signed House Bill 4471, which improves the Professional Nursing Shortage Reduction Program and provides incentives for nursing programs to enroll and graduate more nurses.
- Monday, August 24, 2009 • SB 596 • Press ReleaseGov. Perry Honors Legacy of Stephen F. Austin
NACOGDOCHES – Gov. Rick Perry today celebrated Stephen F. Austin’s legacy and contributions to the state by ceremonially signing Senate Bill 596, which prohibits the board of regents from changing the name of Stephen F. Austin State University (SFASU).
- Thursday, August 20, 2009 • HB 4009 • Press ReleaseGov. Perry: Texas is Working to Stop the Tragedy of Human Trafficking
AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today ceremonially signed House Bill (HB) 4009, which establishes a human trafficking taskforce in the Attorney General's Office that will develop policies and procedures for the prevention and prosecution of human trafficking crimes.
- Thursday, August 20, 2009 • hb 1801 • Press ReleaseGov. Perry Encourages Texans to Take Advantage of Sales Tax Holiday
AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today ceremonially signed House Bill 1801, which will save Texas families $9 million in state and local sales taxes by adding school supplies to the list of exempt items for the annual state sales tax holiday.
- Wednesday, August 19, 2009 • hb 469, hb 432 • Press ReleaseGov. Perry: Incentives will Create New Clean Energy Sources
DALLAS – Gov. Rick Perry today emphasized the importance of incentives, not burdensome mandates, to develop clean and renewable energy sources at a ceremonial bill signing for House bills 469 and 432. The governor also called on Washington to reject cap and trade legislation that would be the largest tax increase in the history of our country.
- Tuesday, August 18, 2009 • sb 482 • Press ReleaseGov. Perry Ceremonially Signs SB 482 Creating Texas Holocaust and Genocide Commission
AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today ceremonially signed Senate Bill (SB) 482, which creates the Texas Holocaust and Genocide Commission to help preserve information and experiences of the Holocaust and other genocide events. The commission will work with organizations, agencies, museums, survivors and liberators to provide information and experiences and to coordinate memorial events in the state.
- Thursday, August 06, 2009 • HB 1056 • Press ReleaseUniversity of Houston-Victoria Expansion to Strengthen Region, State
VICTORIA – Gov. Rick Perry today ceremonially signed House Bill 1056 which authorizes the University of Houston-Victoria (UHV) to expand its mission to include freshman and sophomore level courses. UHV was originally created as an upper-level institution that only offered junior, senior and graduate level courses.
- Thursday, August 06, 2009 • SB 297, 93 • Press ReleaseGov. Perry: Veterans Strengthen and Enrich Our State
CORPUS CHRISTI – Gov. Rick Perry today ceremonially signed Senate bills (SB) 297 and 93, which significantly strengthens Texas’ commitment to veterans and their families by enhancing their ability to apply their hard-earned educational benefits at Texas colleges and universities.
- Friday, July 31, 2009 • SB 297, SB 93 • Press ReleaseGov. Perry: Veterans Strengthen and Enrich Our State
SAN ANTONIO – Gov. Rick Perry today ceremonially signed Senate bills (SB) 297 and 93, which significantly strengthens Texas’ commitment to veterans and their families by enhancing their ability to apply their hard-earned educational benefits at Texas colleges and universities.
- Wednesday, July 29, 2009 • House Bill 3 • Press ReleaseGov. Perry: Texas is Preparing Young Texans to Compete in the Global Marketplace
CARROLLTON – Gov. Rick Perry today ceremonially signed House Bill (HB) 3, which will improve public education and strengthen the state’s public school accountability system by holding schools accountable for graduating students who are college and career-ready, ensuring that schools retain rigorous high school graduation plans, improving parent access to student academic information and increasing school district financial transparency.
- Friday, July 10, 2009 • HB 2086, SB 296, HB 872 • Press ReleaseTexas Provides Law Enforcement with Additional Resources to Protect Texans
AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today emphasized accomplishments made during the 81st Legislative session that provide resources and assist law enforcement officials in protecting Texans. The governor spoke at the Texas Municipal Police Association (TMPA) annual convention.
- Thursday, July 09, 2009 • HB 8, HB 3613 • Press ReleaseGov. Perry: Appraisal Reform Legislation Makes Progress Toward Slowing Pace of Increasing Property Appraisal Rates
HOUSTON – Gov. Rick Perry today ceremonially signed House bills (HB) 8 and 3613, which will help slow the pace of increasing property appraisals, provide additional oversight for the appraisal process, and grant a total exemption for the homes of veterans who are disabled due to their service for our country.
- Tuesday, June 23, 2009 • HB 4409 • Press ReleaseGov. Perry Signs Bill to Reform Texas Windstorm Insurance Association
CORPUS CHRISTI – Gov. Rick Perry today ceremonially signed House Bill (HB) 4409 which enacts necessary reforms to the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) that will ultimately reduce the burden of catastrophic storms on the state and eventually establish TWIA as an insurer of last resort. The governor declared provisions of the bill emergency items for the 81st Legislative Session.
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • All Bills • Press ReleaseGov. Perry Announces Final Decisions on Legislation
AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today announced his final decision on major legislation passed by the 81st Legislature. “I am proud of the accomplishments lawmakers made this session and thankful for their solid leadership,” said Gov. Perry. “However, there was some legislation that, in its final form, would have done more harm than good to our citizens. After thoroughly and thoughtfully reviewing all legislation, I am confident that the final outcome of all bills passed will move Texas in the right direction, equipping our state to answer future challenges and providing better opportunities for all Texans.”
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • SB2468 • Veto StatementGov. Perry Vetoes SB 2468
Relating to the post employment activities of certain local government officers in certain counties; providing a penalty. Author: Gallego | Sponsors: Coleman, John Davis, Cohen and Walle
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • SB 1343 • Veto StatementGov. Perry Vetoes SB 1343
Relating to the formula funding for public institutions of higher education for certain credit hours that do not count toward a degree. Author: Hinojosa | Sponsor: Gonzales
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • SB 1 • Press ReleaseGov. Perry Signs State Budget That Reduces GR by $1.6 Billion
AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today signed Senate Bill 1 into law, providing a balanced budget that spends $1.6 billion less in general revenue than the previous biennium. The budget funds key priorities from higher education and job creation to border security. The governor also used his line-item veto power to reduce the two-year budget by $97.2 million in general revenue and $288.9 million from all funding sources.
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • SB 575 • Signature StatementStatement About SB 575
Relating to the time for dissolution of crime control and prevention districts and to certain taxes imposed by such districts or by fire control, prevention, and emergency medical services districts. Author: Wendy Davis | Sponsor: Shelton
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • SB 978 • Veto StatementGov. Perry Vetoes SB 978
Relating to the creation and financing of public improvement districts. Author: West | Sponsor: Elkins, Coleman
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • SB 1206 • Veto StatementGov. Perry Vetoes SB 1206
Relating to the release from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice of certain inmates who complete a rehabilitation program. Author: Hinojosa | Sponsor: Edwards
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • SB 686 • Veto StatementGov. Perry Vetoes SB 686
Relating to the installation, maintenance, or operation of natural gas pipelines on state highways and highway and county road rights-of-way. Author: Davis, Wendy | Sponsor: Orr
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • HB 4294 • Signature StatementStatement About HB 4294
Relating to textbooks, electronic textbooks, instructional material, and technological equipment in public schools. Authors: Branch, Eissler, Strama, Oliveira and Aycock | Sponsor: Shapiro
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • SB 2558 • Veto StatementGov. Perry Vetoes SB 2558
Relating to the promotion and marketing of alcoholic beverages. Author: Gallegos | Sponsor: Thompson
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • SB 488 • Veto StatementGov. Perry Vetoes SB 488
Relating to the operation of a motor vehicle in the vicinity of a vulnerable road user; providing penalties. Author: Ellis | Sponsor: Harper-Brown
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • SB 2325 • Veto StatementGov. Perry Vetoes SB 2325
Relating to the confidentiality of certain information pertaining to the State Commission on Judicial Conduct. Author: Hinojosa | Sponsor: Madden
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • SB 2169 • Veto StatementGov. Perry Vetoes SB 2169
Relating to the establishment of a smart growth policy work group and the development of a smart growth policy for this state. Author: Ellis | Sponsor: Alvarado
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • SB 434 • Veto StatementGov. Perry Vetoes SB 434
Relating to the establishment and operation of a public transit motor-bus-only lane pilot program in certain counties. Author: Wentworth | Sponsor: Bolton
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • SB 2141 • Veto StatementGov. Perry Vetoes SB 2141
Relating to the statute of repose for engineers and architects. Author: Wentworth | Sponsor: Hughes
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • SB 1760 • Veto StatementGov. Perry Vetoes SB 1760
Relating to the administration of the Texas Save and Match Program to assist qualifying beneficiaries under the state's prepaid tuition plans and college savings plans and to the treatment of a beneficiary's assets under prepaid tuition plans and college savings plans in determining eligibility for student financial assistance and other assistance programs. Author: Watson | Sponsor: Branch
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • SB 223 • Veto StatementGov. Perry Vetoes SB 223
Relating to allowing a person who successfully completes a term of deferred adjudication community supervision to be eligible for a pardon. Author: West | Sponsor: Thompson
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • HB 770 • Signature StatementStatement About HB 770
Relating to ad valorem tax relief for an owner of certain property, including a residence homestead that is rendered uninhabitable or unusable by a casualty or by wind or water damage, and to a restriction on the authority to bring an action to remove a house that is partially located on a public beach as a result of a meteorological event. Authors: Donna Howard, Eiland, Ritter, Elkins and Taylor | Coauthors: Bohac, Legler and Leibowitz | Sponsor: Jackson | Cosponsor: West
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • SCR 59 • Veto StatementGov. Perry Vetoes SCR 59
Granting MBP Corporation permission to sue the Board of Trustees of the Galveston Wharves. Author: Jackson | Sponsor: Taylor
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • SB 1440 • Veto StatementGov. Perry Vetoes SB 1440
Relating to orders and judgments rendered by associate judges in child support and child protection cases and to the investigation of child abuse and neglect. Author: Watson | Sponsor: Madden
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • HB 497 • Signature StatementStatement About HB 497
Relating to a study to determine the effect on the health care infrastructure in this state if the state Medicaid program is abolished or a severe reduction in federal matching money under the program occurs. Authors: Zerwas and Corte | Coauthors: Ayrock and Shelton | Sponsor: Nelson
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • HB 2820 • Veto StatementGov. Perry Vetoes HB 2820
Relating to contracts by governmental entities for professional services relating to geoscience and landscape architecture. Author: Chisum | Sponsor: Wentworth
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • HB 2692 • Veto StatementGov. Perry Vetoes HB 2692
Relating to certain municipal requirements regarding sales of residential properties in certain areas. Author: Rodriguez | Sponsor: Watson
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • HB 4685 • Veto StatementGov. Perry Vetoes HB 4685
Relating to the County Court of Titus County. Author: Homer | Sponsor: Eltife
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • HB 4068 • Veto StatementGov. Perry Vetoes HB 4068
Relating to the conduct of judicial proceedings and transaction of other essential judicial functions in the event of a disaster. Author: Gonzales | Sponsor: Hinojosa
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • HB 406 • Signature StatementStatement About HB 406
Relating to the disposition of excess proceeds of a tax sale of real property or foreclosure of a tax lien on real property. Author: Rodriguez | Sponsor: Carona
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • HB 3983 • Veto StatementGov. Perry Vetoes HB 3983
Relating to the imposition of property taxes on the residential homesteads of low-income and moderate-income persons. Author: Rodriguez | Sponsor: Watson
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • HB 2656 • Veto StatementGov. Perry Vetoes HB 2656
Relating to the composition of the board of trustees of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas. Author: Miller, Doug | Sponsor: Duncan
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • HB 3515 • Veto StatementGov. Perry Vetoes HB 3515
Relating to the creation of the offense of failure to report barratry and solicitation of employment. Author: Dunnam | Sponsor: Carona
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • HB 2142 • Veto StatementGov. Perry Vetoes HB 2142
Relating to the promotion of toll projects by the Texas Department of Transportation. Author: McClendon | Sponsor: Carona
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • HB 3485 • Veto StatementGov. Perry Vetoes HB 3485
Relating to certain county, municipal, district, and other governmental functions, procedures, powers, duties, and services, including certain criminal procedures. Author: Coleman | Sponsor: West
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • HB 1457 • Veto StatementGov. Perry Vetoes HB 1457
Relating to procedures concerning verification of certain information submitted in a voter registration application. Author: Hochberg | Sponsor: Duncan
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • HB 3481 • Veto StatementGov. Perry Vetoes HB 3481
Relating to the expunction of records and files relating to a person's arrest. Author: Veasey | Sponsor: Harris
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • HB 3346 • Veto StatementGov. Perry Vetoes HB 3346
Relating to gas utilities and gas storage facilities. Author: Farabee | Sponsor: Averitt
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • HB 1293 • Veto StatementGov. Perry Vetoes HB 1293
Relating to the sale and marketing of life insurance and annuities. Author: Eiland | Sponsor: Ellis
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • HB 3202 • Veto StatementGov. Perry Vetoes HB 3202
Relating to authorizing the transfer of certain real property held by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Author: Bonnen | Sponsor: Jackson
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • HB 821 • Veto StatementGov. Perry Vetoes HB 821
Relating to the sale, recovery, and recycling of certain television equipment; providing administrative penalties. Author: Leibowitz | Sponsor: Watson
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • SB 1717 • Signature StatementStatement About SB 1717
Relating to regulation of owners of developments supported with low income housing tax credit allocations and of housing sponsors of certain multifamily housing developments. Author: West | Sponsor: Yvonne Davis
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • HB 518 • Veto StatementGov. Perry Vetoes HB 518
Relating to programs to provide student loan repayment assistance for certain correctional officers, for certain speech-language pathologists and audiologists, and for certain mathematics and science teachers. Author: Kolkhorst | Sponsor: Van de Putte
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • HB 3148 • Veto StatementGov. Perry Vetoes HB 3148
Relating to exempting certain young persons who are convicted of an offense involving consensual sex from the requirement of registering as a sex offender in this state. Author: Smith, Todd | Sponsor: West
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • HCR 252 • Veto StatementGov. Perry Vetoes HCR 252
Requesting the governor to appoint a Governor's Task Force on Horse and Greyhound Racing. Author: Thompson | Sponsor: Averitt
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • HB 130 • Veto StatementGov. Perry Vetoes HB 130
Relating to an enhanced quality full-day prekindergarten program provided by public school districts in conjunction with community providers. Author: Patrick | Sponsor: Zaffirini
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • HB 4586, HB 4409, HB 51 • Press ReleaseGov. Perry Announces Funding for UTMB Hurricane Ike Recovery
GALVESTON – Gov. Rick Perry today signed House Bill (HB) 4586, the supplemental appropriations bill that includes $150 million in funding to help the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston recover from Hurricane Ike. The governor also signed HB 4409, which reforms the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA).
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • HB 2888 • Veto StatementGov. Perry Vetoes HB 2888
Relating to financial assistance administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. Author: Martinez | Sponsor: West
- Friday, June 19, 2009 • HB 103 • Veto StatementGov. Perry Vetoes HB 103
Relating to health benefit plans for students at institutions of higher education and the operation of certain health benefit plans through student health centers at certain institutions of higher education. Author: Fred Brown | Sponsor: Dan Patrick
- Wednesday, June 17, 2009 • HB 51 • Press ReleaseGov. Perry Signs Legislation to Promote Tier One Universities in the State
AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today signed House Bill (HB) 51, which helps establish new and maintain existing Tier One universities in the state. The bill also allows the University of Texas and Texas A&M University systems to issue tuition revenue bonds (TRBs) to help the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) and Texas A&M University at Galveston (TAMUG) recover from Hurricane Ike.
- Tuesday, June 16, 2009 • HB 4765 • Press ReleaseGov. Perry Signs Legislation to Cut Taxes for Texas Small Business Owners
HOUSTON – Gov. Rick Perry today signed House Bill (HB) 4765 which lowers the tax burden for more than 40,000 small businesses across the state. The bill more than triples the small business franchise tax exemption from $300,000 to $1 million. Revisiting the business franchise tax was a priority the governor laid out before the 81st Legislature in his State of the State address.
- Monday, June 15, 2009 • HJR 14 • Press ReleaseGov. Perry Signs Legislation Protecting Texas Property Owners
SAN ANTONIO – Gov. Rick Perry today joined lawmakers in highlighting the importance of House Joint Resolution (HJR) 14 that allows Texans to vote on a constitutional amendment to strengthen land owners’ rights. The amendment, which will be voted on in November 2009, would achieve unprecedented protection of private property by placing protections against abuse of eminent domain directly into the Texas Constitution.
- Thursday, June 11, 2009 • SB 643 • Press ReleaseGov. Perry Signs Bill to Enact Emergency Reforms in State Schools
AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today signed Senate Bill (SB) 643, which enacts emergency reforms for Texas’ state supported living centers (SSLC), formerly known as state schools, and provides more oversight and protection for the residents of the centers and those in community-based services. The governor declared reforms to the state school system an emergency legislative item in February.
- Saturday, May 30, 2009 • SB 90 • Press ReleaseGov. Perry Signs Legislation to Help Children in Military Families
AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today signed Senate Bill (SB) 90, authorizing Texas to join the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, which helps make school transitions easier for the children of active duty military personnel who move to Texas. The governor also spoke at the Texas Legislative Memorial Ceremony honoring fallen Texas soldiers.
- Friday, May 29, 2009 • HB 4114 • Press ReleaseGov. Perry Signs Legislation to Place Tejano Monument on Capitol Grounds
AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today signed House Bill (HB) 4114, which allows for the placement of a Tejano monument on the south grounds of the Texas State Capitol.
- Wednesday, May 13, 2009 • HB 670 • Press ReleaseGov. Perry Signs House Bill 670
AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry has signed House Bill 670, which provides a qualified privilege to prevent journalists who receive a subpoena from having to testify or produce documents gathered while acting as a journalist. The bill also allows journalists to protect their sources in certain cases.
- Thursday, April 23, 2009 • HB 873 • Press ReleaseGov. Perry Signs HB 873 to Provide Incentives for Entertainment Industries
AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today signed House Bill (HB) 873 by Rep. Dawnna Dukes and Sen. Robert Deuell, which promotes the entertainment industry in Texas by providing incentives for the film, television, video and digital interactive media production industries.
