(Austin 05-20-09)
Scientists working on adult stem cell research would be able to collaborate more easily under a bill approved by the Senate Wednesday. SB 73, by Flower Mound Senator Jane Nelson, would develop a framework to promote cooperation between organizations involved in finding medical cures through adult stem cell treatments.
"Adult stem cell research has already yielded treatments for about 70 diseases," said Nelson "Through this new structure, our universities can more easily pool resources, pool information and promote this life-saving research."
Also approved by the Senate Wednesday was a bill to help ex-convicts move back into society after their release. HB 1711, sponsored by Criminal Justice Committee Chair Senator John Whitmire, would direct the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to develop a comprehensive reentry and rehabilitation program for the more than 70,000 inmates released from Texas prisons each year. Under the bill, the goal of reintegration would begin as an inmate enters prison. Officials would assess each incoming offender to determine what skills the inmate would need to develop to have the opportunity to be successful upon release back into the community. TDCJ would be required to develop programs to teach inmates life-skills training, like money management, nutrition and exercise, as well as education programs, employment training, substance abuse and mental health treatment programs, and parenting classes.
The bill also emphasizes family unity as a vital component of successful reentry into society. TDCJ would have to look at visitation and phone policies to determine how they impact how inmates can maintain contact with their children. The agency would also have to house an inmate in a facility close to his or her family, if possible. The bill would also direct TDCJ to conduct studies every two years, to determine how well the reentry programs reduce recidivism and promote family unity.
The Senate will reconvene Thursday, May 21 at 8 a.m. to consider local and uncontested bills, and will convene in regular session at 11 a.m.
Mount Vernon Optic-Herald
Wednesday
Sep 08th
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Texas Legislature
Texas Senate: Concealed Carry on Campus Passes Senate
(Austin 05-19-09)
Students at Texas colleges with a concealed handgun license would be permitted to take their guns to class under a bill approved by the Senate Tuesday. Current law doesn't prohibit concealed carry licensees to be armed on campus, but it does ban guns from college buildings and classrooms. SB 1164 by San Antonio Senator Jeff Wentworth would change that, allowing guns in the classroom, public buildings and residence halls. Wentworth said recent school shootings at colleges in Virginia and Illinois inspired this bill.
"They were picked off like sitting ducks in the classroom in Virginia," he said. "I just think we ought to be able to defend ourselves from that kind of situation. It happens very rarely, but when it does happen, it's catastrophic."
To qualify for a concealed handgun permit, a person must be 21 years of age and pass classroom and gun range qualifications. SB 1164 would not allow colleges to prohibit concealed carry licensees from having guns in their dorm rooms, but officials could set rules on how those guns must be stored. The bill would also allow private institutions to opt out of the law, and doesn't change current law that prohibits guns at college sporting events. The bill now heads to the House for further consideration.
Some of the 31 bills passed by the Senate Tuesday include:
- HB 2283, sponsored by Deuell, would permit the state to offer Roth IRAs to employees,
-HB 1257, sponsored by Williams, would permit small businesses damaged by a natural disaster to pay property taxes in four installments,
-HB 2467, sponsored by Whitmire, would make playgrounds drug free zones.
The Senate will reconvene Wednesday, May 20 at 11 a.m.
Students at Texas colleges with a concealed handgun license would be permitted to take their guns to class under a bill approved by the Senate Tuesday. Current law doesn't prohibit concealed carry licensees to be armed on campus, but it does ban guns from college buildings and classrooms. SB 1164 by San Antonio Senator Jeff Wentworth would change that, allowing guns in the classroom, public buildings and residence halls. Wentworth said recent school shootings at colleges in Virginia and Illinois inspired this bill.
"They were picked off like sitting ducks in the classroom in Virginia," he said. "I just think we ought to be able to defend ourselves from that kind of situation. It happens very rarely, but when it does happen, it's catastrophic."
To qualify for a concealed handgun permit, a person must be 21 years of age and pass classroom and gun range qualifications. SB 1164 would not allow colleges to prohibit concealed carry licensees from having guns in their dorm rooms, but officials could set rules on how those guns must be stored. The bill would also allow private institutions to opt out of the law, and doesn't change current law that prohibits guns at college sporting events. The bill now heads to the House for further consideration.
Some of the 31 bills passed by the Senate Tuesday include:
- HB 2283, sponsored by Deuell, would permit the state to offer Roth IRAs to employees,
-HB 1257, sponsored by Williams, would permit small businesses damaged by a natural disaster to pay property taxes in four installments,
-HB 2467, sponsored by Whitmire, would make playgrounds drug free zones.
The Senate will reconvene Wednesday, May 20 at 11 a.m.
Texas Senate: Senate Approves Crack Down on Undocumented Felons
(Austin 05-18-09)
Undocumented aliens convicted of a felony in Texas would be reported to federal officials under a measure passed by the Senate on Monday. SB 2584, by Houston Senator Dan Patrick, seeks to improve cooperation between local, state, and federal authorities with respect to identifying criminals who are in the country illegally. "We've had a number of convicted felons, who have been let out and have committed crimes, including the loss of a police officer," said Patrick. He referred to the 2006 death of Houston police officer Rodney Johnson, who was killed by a man who had been deported in 1999 but illegally re-entered the country.
The bill would require that a sheriff or other officer in charge of a jail make an attempt to verify the citizenship status upon taking custody of a person convicted of a certain felony. Applicable felonies include violent crimes, drug offenses, property crimes and weapons charges. If the officer cannot determine the citizenship status, or determines a person is in the country illegally, he or she must contact the Department of Homeland Security. This bill heads over to the House for further consideration.
Other bills passed by the Senate Monday include:
- HB 3108, sponsored by Harris, would commission an interim study on recreational boating safety in Texas, in the wake of increasing fatalities and injuries,
- SJR 43, by Lucio, would put a constitutional amendment on the November ballot to permit emergency services districts to hold local option elections to levy a 5 cent ad valorem tax for equipment and capital improvements,
- HB 2640, sponsored by Watson, would allow the state to look at economic conditions and other financial conditions when considering new car dealership licenses.
The Senate will reconvene Tuesday, May 19 at 11 a.m.
Undocumented aliens convicted of a felony in Texas would be reported to federal officials under a measure passed by the Senate on Monday. SB 2584, by Houston Senator Dan Patrick, seeks to improve cooperation between local, state, and federal authorities with respect to identifying criminals who are in the country illegally. "We've had a number of convicted felons, who have been let out and have committed crimes, including the loss of a police officer," said Patrick. He referred to the 2006 death of Houston police officer Rodney Johnson, who was killed by a man who had been deported in 1999 but illegally re-entered the country.
The bill would require that a sheriff or other officer in charge of a jail make an attempt to verify the citizenship status upon taking custody of a person convicted of a certain felony. Applicable felonies include violent crimes, drug offenses, property crimes and weapons charges. If the officer cannot determine the citizenship status, or determines a person is in the country illegally, he or she must contact the Department of Homeland Security. This bill heads over to the House for further consideration.
Other bills passed by the Senate Monday include:
- HB 3108, sponsored by Harris, would commission an interim study on recreational boating safety in Texas, in the wake of increasing fatalities and injuries,
- SJR 43, by Lucio, would put a constitutional amendment on the November ballot to permit emergency services districts to hold local option elections to levy a 5 cent ad valorem tax for equipment and capital improvements,
- HB 2640, sponsored by Watson, would allow the state to look at economic conditions and other financial conditions when considering new car dealership licenses.
The Senate will reconvene Tuesday, May 19 at 11 a.m.
Texas Senate: Week in Review (May 11-15)
(Austin 05-15-09)
Texas would expand its renewable energy portfolio under a bill approved by the Senate Tuesday. SB 541 by Senator Kirk Watson of Austin seeks to add other renewable energy generation in addition to wind over the next decades. The measure would require 1500 additional megawatts of renewable capacity in solar, geothermal and biomass generation by 2020. "Texas has the sun, the wind, the people and the demand," said Watson. "This is where [the renewable energy industry] wants to be if there is a long term commitment."
Voters would get to choose whether or not to limit the ability of the government to exercise eminent domain if a measure passed by the Senate Monday becomes law. Under SJR 42, by Lubbock Senator Robert Duncan, a constitutional amendment would be put before the voters in the November election, one that would prohibit the taking of private land for economic development or tax revenue purposes. That bill now heads to the House.
Two measures that could affect many Texas drivers and their passengers passed the Senate this week. The first, SB 1317 by Senator Jeff Wentworth would require first time driver's license applicants aged 18-20 to take a driver's education course before they could be licensed. Current law requires a written and a driving test, but Wentworth says that people who haven't taken an education course are among the riskiest drivers. He added the course can be taken at one of 300 approved instructors, or online, and the course takes about 6 hours and costs less than $40.
The second measure would require everyone riding in a car to buckle up, not just the driver or front seat passengers. Current law requires that anyone aged under 15 that is in a seat with a seatbelt use it, but SB 1028 by Watson would extend that requirement to passengers of all ages. If the bill becomes law, Texas would join 35 other states in requiring all passengers to wear a seatbelt.
Other bills passed by the Senate this week include:
-SB 2573, by Ogden, would require all state entities currently engaged in biomedical research to report to the Legislature on any research involving stem cells or human cloning,
-HB 205, sponsored by Estes, would exempt farm guard dogs from leash laws,
- HB 1510, sponsored by Jackson, which seeks to educate new parents about the risks of sudden infant death syndrome.
The Senate will reconvene Monday, May 18 at 11 a.m.
Texas Senate: Seatbelts for Backseat Passengers?
(Austin 05-14-09)
Every passenger in a car on Texas roads would have to wear a seatbelt if the seat is equipped with one under a bill approved Thursday by the Senate. Current law mandates seatbelts in the front seat for adults and in the backseat for passengers under 15, but SB 1028 by Austin Senator Kirk Watson would require passengers of all ages to buckle up, wherever they sit. "This is about safety; it's about making sure that people don’t end up dying or in the hospital," said Watson.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, said Watson, in 2006 there were nearly 400 traffic fatalities that could have been prevented by wearing a seatbelt, and that passengers not wearing seatbelts are twice as likely to be hospitalized after a crash. If approved by the House and signed by the Governor, Texas would join 35 other states in requiring seatbelts for all passengers .
The Senate also approved a bill Thursday that would help lawmakers get a handle on the extent of stem cell research being performed by state agencies in Texas. SB 2573, by Bryan Senator Steve Ogden, would require all state agencies involved in biomedical research to submit a report detailing any research involving stem cells or human cloning.
"All of us, regardless of where you stand on the merits of this issue, I think, will benefit if we have more information," said Ogden. He added that his bill will not take action against any institutions that are conducting embryonic stem cell research.
The Senate will reconvene Friday, May 15 at 9:30 a.m.
Every passenger in a car on Texas roads would have to wear a seatbelt if the seat is equipped with one under a bill approved Thursday by the Senate. Current law mandates seatbelts in the front seat for adults and in the backseat for passengers under 15, but SB 1028 by Austin Senator Kirk Watson would require passengers of all ages to buckle up, wherever they sit. "This is about safety; it's about making sure that people don’t end up dying or in the hospital," said Watson.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, said Watson, in 2006 there were nearly 400 traffic fatalities that could have been prevented by wearing a seatbelt, and that passengers not wearing seatbelts are twice as likely to be hospitalized after a crash. If approved by the House and signed by the Governor, Texas would join 35 other states in requiring seatbelts for all passengers .
The Senate also approved a bill Thursday that would help lawmakers get a handle on the extent of stem cell research being performed by state agencies in Texas. SB 2573, by Bryan Senator Steve Ogden, would require all state agencies involved in biomedical research to submit a report detailing any research involving stem cells or human cloning.
"All of us, regardless of where you stand on the merits of this issue, I think, will benefit if we have more information," said Ogden. He added that his bill will not take action against any institutions that are conducting embryonic stem cell research.
The Senate will reconvene Friday, May 15 at 9:30 a.m.
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