The 88th Texas Legislative Session is over, and it was one for the books. This is customarily a time for our elected representatives to take a short break and reflect on their accomplishments of the session.
However, this year’s legislature reconvened immediately two special legislative session, under the direction of Governor Greg Abbott, to address unfinished business.During these special sessions the Texas Legislature passed $18 billion in property tax relief. That is the largest property tax cut in Texas history.
We also want to make sure that good legislation passed during the regular session isn’t overlooked, so we’ve put together a short summary of the great work championed by Republican representatives in the first 140 days.
Republicans focused on many priorities we can all agree are essential to the well-being and prosperity of Texans. Here are the important bills they already passed.
Balanced Budget:
One of the primary responsibilities of both chambers of the state legislature is to pass a biennial budget, and our legislature fulfilled their constitutional obligation by approving a balanced budget.
With the passage of House Bill 1 Texans will see unprecedented investments in key areas such as property tax relief, border security, election integrity, school safety, economic development, and critical infrastructure.
Texas Education:
This budget reaffirms the state of Texas’s determination to strengthen these vital sectors and promote the overall welfare and prosperity of its citizens
Education is of utmost importance in shaping the future of Texas, and Republican representatives have made significant strides in this area.
House Bill 1 represents the largest investment in public education in our state’s history, surpassing the 50% threshold for the state’s contribution to school funding for the first time.
Additionally, our legislators passed House Bill 3, which allocates $1.6 billion to enhance school safety measures, including armed officers, active shooter preparedness plans, emergency phones in classrooms, and security improvements.
Furthermore, House Bill 8 reserved $3.5 billion for performance-based funding at Texas community colleges. Additionally, the legislature passed legislation that focuses on improving mental healthcare access for students and implementing regular safety inspections of Texas school buildings, ensuring a secure and conducive learning environment.
Border Security and Public Safety:
Recognizing the significance of maintaining a secure border and protecting the well-being of Texans, Republican representatives have taken decisive measures this session.
They began by passing House Bill 1, which allocates over $5.1 billion to fortify border security efforts and fund the Texas National Guard and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Additionally, the passage of Senate Bill 1403 paves the way for an interstate compact for border security, allowing Texas and other participating states to work together in securing the southern border. These efforts aim to address the shortcomings of existing federal border policy and protect the safety and well-being of Texans.
House Bill 6 addresses the pressing issue of fentanyl poisoning by classifying fentanyl toxicity as “fentanyl poisoning” on death certificates. This change will improve and inform anti-drug efforts in the public and private sector. Additionally, House Bill 6 creates harsher criminal penalties for offenses involving fentanyl, further deterring its sale and production.
Economic Development and Prosperity:
In Texas, our Republican representatives have placed a strong emphasis on economic growth and prosperity. House Bill 5, also known as the Texas Jobs and Security Act, will keep the Texas job market thriving by creating and nurturing emerging industries, thereby generating new sources of revenue for school districts.
House Bill 14 focuses on streamlining the approval process for construction and development projects by reducing government red tape, eliminating unnecessary bureaucracy, and alleviating overregulation that impedes economic prosperity and industry growth.
Lastly, Senate Bill 379 repealed sales tax on essential family care products, effectively reducing the cost of living for Texans and ensuring greater affordability.
Technology and Infrastructure:
Acknowledging the critical role of technology and infrastructure in advancing Texas forward, Republican representatives have made it a point to champion relevant legislation this session.
By passing House Bill 4, the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act, Texans have been granted greater control over their personal data while holding technology companies accountable through civil penalties. Under this bill, online companies must honor user requests to opt out of data tracking and monitoring. This serves as a major step forward for more transparent and user-friendly data collection practices to protect Texans online.
House Bill 9 establishes the Texas Broadband Development Fund, aiming to improve access to high-speed internet across the state. This initiative ensures that all Texans have access to the resources necessary for excellence in education, communication, remote work, and entertainment, aligning the state with the demands of the 21st century.
Additionally, Republicans passed Senate Bill 28 to establish the Texas Water Fund, and allocate resources for improvements to wastewater management, flood mitigation, and water supply facilities. This will ensure the resilience and sustainability of Texas’s natural resources.
Election Integrity:
Ensuring the integrity of elections is the bedrock of a thriving democracy, and Republican representatives have taken steps to improve our elections. Measures have been put in place to empower the Secretary of State to intervene and suspend a county election administrator in the event of a continuous pattern of administrative problems.
Furthermore, criminal penalties for illegal voting have been increased, sending a clear message about the importance of upholding election laws and protecting the sanctity of the democratic process.
