SENATE FLOOR ACTION

Wednesday

April 15, 2009

The Senate suspended the necessary rules to consider and finally pass:

Relating to the imposition of background and criminal history check requirements for operators and employees of certain facilities and agencies serving children, the elderly, or persons who are disabled; providing criminal penalties.

1 Floor Amendment

Relating to the establishment of a disaster and emergency education program.

2 Floor Amendments

Relating to the designation of a segment of Interstate Highway 30 in Hunt County as the Martin Luther King, Jr., Freeway.

Relating to funding of the Communities In Schools program.

1 Floor Amendment

Relating to the state virtual school network.

1 Floor Amendment

Relating to the establishment of a law school in the city of Dallas by the University of North Texas System.

2 Floor Amendments

Relating to the lodging expenses of certain state emergency services personnel.

Relating to the distribution, possession, purchase, consumption, and receipt of tobacco products; providing penalties.

Relating to the prosecution of the offense of failure to identify.

1 Floor Amendment

Relating to the liability of a volunteer audiologist, assistant in audiology, speech-language pathologist, or assistant in speech-language pathology.

Relating to general law limits on the eminent domain power of certain water and other special purpose districts.

1 Floor Amendment

Relating to the creation of a mental health intervention program for military veterans.

Relating to a Texas Youth Commission comprehensive plan to improve student reading skills and behavior.

2 Floor Amendments

Relating to a major events trust fund and an events trust fund for sporting and non-sporting events.

Relating to a study with regard to, and the implementation of policies to promote, the adoption of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

1 Floor Amendment

The Senate suspended the regular order, read second time and passed to engrossment:

Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature by general law to permit counties to assess and collect a local motor fuels tax and an additional vehicle registration fee to be used for mobility improvement projects.

The Senate adopted the following resolutions:

Recognizing April 15, 2009, as Crockett Area Chamber of Commerce Legislative Day at the State Capitol.

Celebrating Winkler County Day at the State Capitol.

Recognizing April 15, 2009, as Reeves County Day at the State Capitol.

Recognizing April 15, 2009, as Ward County Day at the State Capitol.

Commending Colt McCoy for his many contributions to his team and community.

In memory of Damion Jon Hobbs of Houston.

In memory of Captain James Arthur Harlow, Sr.

Recognizing April 12 through 18, 2009, as Texas Fraternal Week.

The Senate refused to concur in House amendments and requested the appointment of a Conference Committee on the following:

Relating to resident tuition rates and fees at public institutions of higher education for certain veterans and their spouses and children.

Committee referral on the following:

Granting MBP Corp. permission to sue the Board of Trustees of the Galveston Wharves.

Jurisprudence

Relating to the board of directors of the Greater East End Management District.

Intergovernmental Relations

Relating to the possession and consumption of wine on the premise of a mixed beverage or private club permittee, providing for separate statement of the mixed beverage tax.

Administration

Relating to the creation of the Liberty County Municipal Utility District No. 6; providing authority to impose a tax and issue bonds; granting a limited power of eminent domain.

Intergovernmental Relations

Relating to the creation of the Kaufman County Parks Improvement District; providing authority to impose a tax and issue bonds; providing penalties.

Intergovernmental Relations

Relating to the creation of the Travis and Burnet Counties Improvement District No. 1; providing authority to impose an assessment, impose a tax, and issue bonds.

Intergovernmental Relations

Proposing a constitutional amendment to allow the legislature to override a veto of the governor following a legislative session.

State Affairs

Relating to abolishing the office of inspector of hides and animals.

Agriculture & Rural Affairs

Relating to the authority of certain political subdivisions to change the date of their general elections.

State Affairs

Relating to compensation of certain persons by a domestic insurance company.

Business & Commerce

Relating to licensing of escrow officers.

Business & Commerce

Relating to the promulgation by the commissioner of the General Land Office of rules authorizing the use on a public beach of a golf cart for the transportation of a person with a physical disability.

Natural Resources

Relating to establishing a local behavioral health intervention pilot project.

Health & Human Services

Relating to the penalty for theft of a driver's license, commercial driver's license, or personal identification certificate.

Criminal Justice

Relating to the creation of the Kennedale TownCenter Development District; providing authority to impose a tax and issue bonds.

Intergovernmental Relations

Relating to the diabetes mellitus registry pilot program.

Health & Human Services

Relating to assessment of certain charges by a commercial landlord that is a governmental entity.

Business & Commerce

Relating to practices and professions regulated by the Texas Real Estate Commission.

Business & Commerce

Relating to the use of certain professional titles by interior designers.

Business & Commerce

Relating to the continuation and functions of the board of directors of the official cotton growers' boll weevil eradication foundation.

Government Organization

Relating to a grant program to provide children at risk of hunger or obesity with increased access to nutritious foods.

Health & Human Services

Relating to newborn screening.

Health & Human Services

Relating to notice of proposed increases in fees charged by the Parks and Wildlife Department for certain permits.

Natural Resources

Relating to the safety of the fresh fruit and vegetables produced in this state.

Agriculture & Rural Affairs

Relating to distilled spirits samplings by the holder of a distiller's and rectifier's permit.

Business & Commerce

Relating to the Medicaid Drug Utilization Review Program and prescription drug use under the Medicaid program.

Health & Human Services

Relating to the standards for attorneys representing indigent defendants in capital cases.

Jurisprudence

Relating to premium discounts for certain participants in the Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool and to related tax credits for health benefit plan issuers.

State Affairs

Relating to plans by local governments in coastal areas for reducing public expenditures for erosion and storm damage losses to public and private property.

Natural Resources

Relating to the place for the convening of a county convention.

State Affairs

Relating to the statute of limitations for an action under the Beer Industry Fair Dealing Law.

Business & Commerce

Relating to the regulation of manufactured housing.

Business & Commerce

Relating to the powers and duties of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, including the power to issue emergency orders and temporary and emergency licenses.

Business & Commerce

Relating to the duty of the General Land Office to clean, maintain, and clear debris from a public beach affected by a declared disaster.

Natural Resources

Relating to the authority of the Lower Neches Valley Authority to acquire, own, operate, maintain, and improve the Devers Canal System, its water rights, and associated property.

Natural Resources

Relating to the regulation of industrialized housing and buildings.

Education