Last month’s column was devoted to federal legislation. Meanwhile, the State Legislature has been hard at work this past month and this month’s article will highlight a laundry list of bills passed.
Motor Vehicles:
You can now take your gun to work and leave it locked in the car. No more texting or emailing on your cell phone while driving unless your car is stopped. Move over a lane for tow trucks or slow down to 20 m.p.h. or risk a $200 fine. HB 1355 allows transportation officials to increase the speed limit up to 75 m.p.h. and eliminates the different day and night speed limits on highways. If you fail to pay the toll then the fees are $25 per occurrence with a maximum of $200 in fees.
Fish and Wildlife:
Several interesting bills regarding fish and game were passed. If you prefer to hunt feral hogs and coyotes, you may now do so while riding in a helicopter with the land owner’s permission. And if noodling is your sport, then feel free to stick your hand in those muddy holes and pull out a catfish. However, if you are in a fishing contest with a prize of $10,000 or more then don’t put weights in that fish or you face a third degree felony. You can now take your gun on the boat but you cannot go in circles around skiers or swimmers unless you are trying to pick them up.
Businesses:
This business friendly Legislature largely protected businesses, large and small. Lawsuit reforms passed intend to deter frivolous lawsuits against businesses and also serve to expedite smaller claims. The insurance commissioner will now have only 30 days to approve company rate hikes. Payday lenders faced potential stiff regulation but came out faring better than they expected. Electric companies benefited from a bill dropping the pre-approval requirement for periodic rate hikes due to equipment upgrades.
School Finance:
A compromise agreement on unprecedented school funding cuts was filibustered by Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth. Republican legislators had agreed to a $4 billion cut to education spending. Governor Perry immediately called lawmakers back into special session to pass a balanced budget. However, the rules change in special session, thereby allowing the education spending cuts to pass largely as planned. The Governor also has the opportunity to call a special session on other hot-button issues that failed to pass such as the “sanctuary cities” ban and Windstorm Insurance overhaul.
Congressional Districts:
Lawmakers failed to come to an agreement on congressional redistricting. Governor Rick Perry indicated he would possibly call a 2-3 day special session for congressional redistricting, but only if lawmakers could agree to the redrawn boundaries in advance. It is doubtful such an agreement can be forged so a panel of three federal judges will draw the new congressional district boundaries instead.
Your elected officials have worked tirelessly to control spending and pass legislation this session. Be sure to thank them for their efforts when they come home.
Chrysti Bryant