AUSTIN – With the backdrop of a Democrat walkout in the Texas House, Senator Lois W. Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) said she is proud of the work being done in the Texas Senate this week to craft policy solutions that Governor Abbott has requested for the ongoing special session of the Texas Legislature. Although their House counterparts have been unable to meet due to a lack of quorum, both Republican and Democrat lawmakers in the Texas Senate have convened daily this week to take action on nearly every item listed on the governor’s call for the special session.
“We are working swiftly because special session only lasts 30 days. I know my House colleagues are very frustrated that a large group of Democrats fled to Washington D.C. and have broken quorum,” said Kolkhorst. “There are very important issues we are here to tackle like bail reform that will protect innocent citizens, a 13th check for retired teachers, property tax reduction, voter integrity among others. All of this legislation being passed in the Texas Senate this week is important to every Texan and deserves to be debated in both chambers.”
Legislation passed this week by the Texas Senate and referred to the House include:
SB 1 ensures that every Texan trusts the outcome of every election in Texas by making it easier to vote and harder to cheat. The bill increases voting hours and makes it easier for employees to get time off to vote while enhancing penalties for illegal ballot harvesting.
SB 2 protects female sports by prohibiting a student from competing in University Interscholastic League athletic competitions designated for the sex opposite to the student’s sex at birth.
SB 5 prohibits social media platforms from censoring a person or banning the content that person posts based on the person’s viewpoint or on the political viewpoint expressed in the post.
SB 6 reforms the current release bail bond practices for habitual, violent, and felony offenders to ensure public safety.
SB 7 provides a “13th check” of up to $2,400 to all retired teachers and education employees in Texas.
SB 8 grants a faster homeowner benefit of the resident homestead exemption the first year of acquiring property instead of having to wait until January 1st of the following year for the exemption to take effect.
SB 12 and SJR 4 provides school Maintenance & Operation tax rate reduction for over 65 and disabled homeowners that are currently capped due to their tax ceiling adjustment.
SB 72 establishes family violence prevention programs for students in public schools.
Kolkhorst said that final passage of the senate bills into law will require House Democrats who have fled the state to return to the House of Representatives for a quorum. ###