HB 160 Leo-Wilson, Terri — This bill eliminates the Texas DREAM Act which allows resident tuition for undocumented immigrants who completed high school in Texas. The TCCB opposes this bill which reduces access to education for immigrants.

HB 164 Bernal, Diego | SB 243 Flores, Pete — This bill introduces a new penalty structure, significantly lowering the civil penalty per person occupying a facility in violation (from $200 pp to $50pp). The bill allows migrant agricultural workers to file complaints independently, expanding the avenues for addressing grievances. The bill mandates that operators of these facilities remedy complaints within seven days for general issues and 30 days for violations deemed a direct health hazard. This includes a formalized process for the department to verify remediation efforts and inspect facilities when necessary. It also include a strong prohibition against retaliation, underscoring protections for individuals who report violations. Courts would have the capability to award reasonable attorneys fees to successful parties, enhancing access to justice. Furthermore, the bill emphasizes educational outreach to inform both workers and operators about their rights and responsibilities, improving compliance and fostering better living conditions. Lastly, the bill mandates interagency cooperation to help locate and regulate unlicensed facilities, ensuring more effective enforcement of housing standards.

HB 232 Vasut, Cody | HB 424 Hayes, Richard | HB 979 Cain, Briscoe | HB 1324 Olcott, Mike | HB 1815 Patterson, Jared | HB 2535 Leach, Jeff — This bill eliminates the Texas DREAM Act which allows resident tuition for undocumented immigrants who completed high school in Texas. The TCCB opposes this bill which reduces access to education for immigrants.

HB 246 Guillen, Ryan — This bill renames a reimbursement program for landowners along the border who have suffered property damage. In addition to money appropriated by the legislature, it allows for gifts, grants or donations to be received. It also allows for the proceeds of the sale of forfeited property to be transferred to the program. And finally, it removes the expiration date that was originally included in the creation of the program. The TCCB supports this bill to provide relief to communities along the border who have experienced property damage.

HB 246 Guillen, Ryan — This bill renames a reimbursement program for landowners along the border who have suffered property damage. In addition to money appropriated by the legislature, it allows for gifts, grants or donations to be received. It also allows for the proceeds of the sale of forfeited property to be transferred to the program and removes the expiration date included in the creation of the program. The TCCB supports this bill to provide relief to communities along the border who have experienced property damage.

HB 354 Cain, Briscoe — This bill amends the powers and duties of the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to add the defense and security of the state's air, maritime and land borders. It also adds a new division within DPS called The Border Protection Unit with a unit chief appointed by the governor whose responsibilities would include oversight and governance over civilian enforcement. Additionally, it authorizes the unit to construct a wall. In the event of a state of invasion the unit chief would be authorized to deter and repel persons attempting to enter the state illegally and return all aliens to Mexico, including by use of force. The TCCB opposes this bill because it does not recognize the responsibility of the government to morally ascertain the difference among traffickers, victims, and legitimate refugees

HB 371 Bumgarner, Ben — This bill would prohibit undocumented immigrants from enrolling in Texas public K-12 schools unless the school board has an agreement for the US government to pay the state for the cost of educating the students. The TCCB opposes this bill which would remove access to education from children in Texas.

HB 424 Hayes, Richard | HB 232 Vasut, Cody | HB 979 Cain, Briscoe | HB 1324 Olcott, Mike | HB 1815 Patterson, Jared | HB 2535 Leach, Jeff — This bill eliminates the Texas DREAM Act which allows resident tuition for undocumented immigrants who completed high school in Texas. The TCCB opposes this bill which reduces access to education for immigrants.

HB 566 Bucy, John — This bill allows as proof of lawful presence in the US for the issuance of a driver's license immigration documentation including any pending applications; an employment authorization document; a valid immigrant visa presented within one year of endorsement and an unexpired passport; and the applicant's unexpired passport with both a current border crossing card and an I-94 number. The TCCB supports this bill to increase access to driver’s licenses for greater public safety.

HB 979 Cain, Briscoe | HB 232 Vasut, Cody | HB 424 Hayes, Richard | HB 1324 Olcott, Mike | HB 1815 Patterson, Jared | HB 2535 Leach, Jeff — This bill eliminates the Texas DREAM Act which allows resident tuition for undocumented immigrants who completed high school in Texas. The TCCB opposes this bill which reduces access to education for immigrants

HB 1303 Hopper, Andy — This bill removes the protections for persons suspected of illegal entry while they are in a public or private school or in a place of worship. It also increases the penalties from a misdemeanor to a state jail felony (and a felony in the third degree for a repeat offense). It also removes the affirmative defenses for lawful presence in the United States, asylum, or DACA. The The TCCB opposes this bill because it could easily be applied to violate free speech or other constitutional protections. It also fails to recognize legal immigration status like asylum and DACA.

HB 1324 Olcott, Mike | HB 232 Vasut, Cody | HB 424 Hayes, Richard | HB 979 Cain, Briscoe | HB 1815 Patterson, Jared | HB 2535 Leach, Jeff — This bill eliminates the Texas DREAM Act which allows resident tuition for undocumented immigrants who completed high school in Texas. The TCCB opposes this bill which reduces access to education for immigrants

HB 1491 Schatzline, Nate — This bill requires commissioners courts of each county to enter into agreements with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement to allow local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration law and removes all state funding if they fail to do so. The TCCB opposes this bill because it reduces the effectiveness of community policing by shifting the focus away from public safety.

HB 1815 Patterson, Jared | HB 232 Vasut, Cody | HB 424 Hayes, Richard | HB 979 Cain, Briscoe | HB 1324 Olcott, Mike | HB 2535 Leach, Jeff — This bill eliminates the Texas DREAM Act which allows resident tuition for undocumented immigrants who completed high school in Texas. The TCCB opposes this bill which reduces access to education for immigrants.

HB 2331 Hopper, Andy — This bill amends the smuggling statute to remove the language that the accused must conceal harbor or shield the person from detection" to be convicted. The TCCB opposes this bill because it is vague in determining what would constitute encouraging or inducing and could easily be applied to violate free speech or other constitutional protections.

HB 2361 Spiller, David — The bill mandates that each local law enforcement agency in Texas must proactively seek and enter into a written agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This legislation requires agencies to dedicate a minimum number of officers to the enforcement of federal immigration laws if such agreements are executed. The bill stipulates that law enforcement agencies must document all attempts to formalize these agreements, including the need to provide completed applications. This documentation must be maintained indefinitely and submitted to the attorney general. The attorney general is empowered to issue written notices to agencies that fail to comply with the agreement requirement, outlining the consequences of continued noncompliance, including potential legal action and loss of state grant funds. If a law enforcement agency continues to disregard these obligations after receiving such notice, the attorney general may seek injunctive relief through district courts. Additionally, state grant funds will be denied for the fiscal year following a judicial ruling that confirms noncompliance with this new section. The TCCB opposes this bill because it reduces the effectiveness of community policing by shifting the focus away from public safety.

HB 2390 Kerwin, Helen | SB 134 Hall, Bob — This bill requires municipalities and commissioners courts to enter into written agreement with ICE to authorize officers and employees to enforce federal immigration law. It allows the OAG to bring suit against a municipality or county that fails to comply. The OAG may recover reasonable expenses incurred in obtaining relief. It also prohibits a city or county from receiving state grants for the fiscal year following the year the city or county failed to comply. The TCCB opposes this bill because it reduces the effectiveness of community policing by shifting the focus away from public safety.

HB 2535 Leach, Jeff | HB 232 Vasut, Cody | HB 424 Hayes, Richard | HB 979 Cain, Briscoe | HB 1324 Olcott, Mike | HB 1815 Patterson, Jared — This bill eliminates the Texas DREAM Act which allows resident tuition for undocumented immigrants who completed high school in Texas. The TCCB opposes this bill which reduces access to education for immigrants.

HB 2566 Spiller, David — This bill enforces significant civil penalties on local entities that refuse to comply with immigrant enforcement mandates, giving the OAG authority to seek compliance through legal actions. Furthermore, it outlines obligations for collaboration with federal authorities. The TCCB opposes this bill because it reduces the effectiveness of community policing by shifting the focus away from public safety.

HB 4816 Guillen, Ryan — This bill would increase the punishment of a human trafficking of a child or disabled person from a second-degree felony to a first-degree felony. It would also update the Government Code by adding that the Human Trafficking Council must include a focus on interdiction strategies in the Texas-Mexico Border region within their strategic plan. The TCCB supports this bill to improve targeted border enforcement.

HB 4832 Morales, Eddie — This bill amends the Government Code to stipulate that any federal funds received for border security since fiscal year 2008 will now be funneled directly into the general revenue fund and utilized exclusively for designated projects in counties within 45 miles of the Texas-Mexico border.

The bill introduces a formal grant program to support local governments with funding for essential infrastructure, law enforcement facilities, and public safety initiatives in the border region. The grant program defines the border region and local governments while placing the comptroller in charge of the administration, ensuring that adequate resources are allocated effectively through seeking additional federal funds and private donations. The TCCB supports this bill to provide relief to communities along the border who have experienced property damage.

HB 4886 Olcott, Mike — This bill requires that school districts collect data regarding the citizenship or immigration status of prospective students through a question on enrollment forms. It mandates that by September 1 of each year, school districts must report on the number of students not lawfully present who were admitted in the prior school year. The report must also detail the cost of educating these students and specify any additional services required, such as assistance for disabilities or limited English proficiency. The TCCB opposes this bill which raises concerns on forcing education personnel with no authority or expertise in immigration law to make status inquiries and reports.

HB 5580 Spiller, David | SB 8 Huffman, Joan — This bill mandates agreements between federal immigration law enforcement agencies and local sheriffs. The TCCB opposes this bill because it reduces the effectiveness of community policing by shifting the focus away from public safety and also because it relies on local law enforcement personnel with no expertise in immigration law to make status determinations.

HCR 14 Dorazio, Mark — This House Concurrent Resolution demands that the federal government immediately declare violent foreign drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The TCCB supports this bill which is a targeted immigration enforcement against drug cartels.

SB 134 Hall, Bob | HB 2390 Kerwin, Helen — This bill requires municipalities and commissioners courts to enter into written agreement with ICE to authorize officers and employees to enforce federal immigration law. It allows the OAG to bring suit against a municipality or county that fails to comply. The OAG may recover reasonable expenses incurred in obtaining relief. It also prohibits a city or county from receiving state grants for the fiscal year following the year the city or county failed to comply. The TCCB opposes this bill because it reduces the effectiveness of community policing by shifting the focus away from public safety.

SB 243 Flores, Pete | HB 164 Bernal, Diego — This bill makes several improvements to migrant labor housing facilities including educational outreach to inform both workers and operators about their rights and responsibilities, improving compliance and fostering better living conditions. The TCCB supports this bill to improve housing conditions for migrant workers.

SB 316 Creighton, Brandon — This bill gives the TX Facilities Commission the authority to build a wall at the southern border using the power of eminent domain to prevent human trafficking and illegal entry of aliens and contraband. The TCCB opposes this bill because it will close schools and churches along the border.

SB 416 Middleton, Mayes — This bill prohibits an insurer from delivering, issuing for delivery, and renewing a personal automobile insurance policy unless the insured can provide proof of US citizenship. The TCCB opposes this bill because it fails to account for those legally present in the United States who are not citizens and also puts the public at risk for damages if involved in an accident where the person at fault is not a US citizen.

SB 658 Schwertner, Charles — This bill establishes Subchapter D of the Government Code focusing on immigration law enforcement agreements between sheriffs and the federal government. It specifically mandates that sheriffs of counties with populations of 250,000 or more must enter into written agreements with ICE to enforce federal immigration laws under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Smaller counties can also enter into such agreements at their discretion. The bill outlines that any agreement must encompass the scope, duration, and limitations of the enforcement authority, along with an expectation for sheriffs to allocate essential personnel and funding for the effective implementatio n of these agreements. Additionally, it requires county sheriffs of larger populations to make continued annual requests if no agreement has been offered. Moreover, the bill establishes a competitive grant program, administered by the attorney general, to reimburse sheriffs of smaller counties for participation costs, ensuring their involvement in immigration enforcement is financially supported with specific usage guidelines for the grant funds. Sheriffs are required to report activities related to the agreements, with the attorney general tasked with monitoring compliance and enforcing adherence through potential legal action if necessary. The TCCB opposes this bill because it reduces the effectiveness of community policing by shifting the focus away from public safety.

SB 1205 Hall, Bob — This bill denies access to public education and benefits for individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States by charging them tuition to attend public schools. It amends several sections of the Education Code and introduces new provisions to ensure compliance with federal laws regarding residency and funding eligibility. Additionally, it repeals the DREAM Act denying access to higher education for immigrants. Furthermore, it explicitly prohibits any governmental entity from issuing public benefits to those not lawfully present, except for emergency medical conditions as dictated by federal law. The TCCB opposes this bill which denies immigrant children the basic right to education, higher education and public benefits.

SB 1798 Middleton, Mayes — This bill mandates that governing boards of institutions of higher education to avoid awarding any financial support to individuals who are not lawfully present using state funds. Institutions must certify compliance before accessing state appropriations and will face audits to ensure adherence. The bill redefines eligibility for resident classification, explicitly excluding individuals not authorized under federal law from being categorized as Texas residents, thereby impacting tuition rates significantly. Moreover, it removes the Texas DREAM Act allowing residency claims based on high school graduation in Texas. The TCCB opposes this bill which reduces access to education for immigrants.

SB 2601 Blanco, Cesar — This bill enhances the definition of border crime to include smuggling. It mandates the establishment of a program by the OAG to compensate both landowners and lessees of agricultural land for real property damage caused by trespassers involved in border crimes or in response to law enforcement actions against such trespassers. Finally, the bill establishes that insurers cannot consider claims related to events documented concerning border crimes when setting policy rates. The TCCB supports this bill to provide relief to communities along the border who have experienced property damage.

SB 2678 Creighton, Bran — This bill eliminates the Texas DREAM Act which allows resident tuition for undocumented immigrants who completed high school in Texas. The TCCB opposes this bill which reduces access to education for immigrants.

HB 31 Thompson, Senfronia — This bill proposes important reforms to the Texas juvenile justice system, including a definition of "mitigating evidence," which allows consideration of a child's growth, maturity, and potential for change during proceedings, a prohibition on the use of chemical dispensing devices in juvenile facilities, and setting stringent requirements for solitary confinement. The TCCB supports this bill to improve treatment of children in the juvenile justice system.

HB 115 Cook, David — This bill lowers procedural hurdles for habeas petitions. Currently the Court of Criminal Appeals does not have to issue a reason why they dismiss an 11.073 claims, but this bill makes them give a written reason why they did so. It lowers the standard for scientific evidence, easing the pathway for claims that challenge previous convictions based on newly available relevant scientific findings. The TCCB supports this bill to help petitioners in capital cases.

HB 200 Buckley, Brad — This bill requires inmates serving a sentence for a felony offense committed when they were younger than 18 become eligible for parole the earlier of the date the inmate's actual calendar time equals 20 years or the date the inmate would otherwise be eligible for parole. It also requires additional parole considerations for inmates who were younger than 18 years of age at the time of the offense including the diminished culpability of juveniles, the hallmark features of youth, and the greater capacity of juveniles for change. The TCCB supports this bill to allow inmates a second look at long sentences for offenses committed in their youth.

HB 372 Thompson, Senfronia — This bill adds to the affirmative defense of prosecution for a person acting under duress a definition of compulsion that means only if force or threat of force would render a "reasonable" person "in the situation" of "the defendant" incapable of resisting that pressure. The TCCB supports this bill which benefits victims of abuse and human trafficking.

HB 444 Moody, Joe — This bill makes improvements to Article 11.073, the "junk science" writ which will require the Court of Criminal Appeals to issue written decisions which address the substance of claims for relief and improves the access to new trials based on the impact of scientific evidence on the sentence. The TCCB supports this bill to improve the access to justice for those convicted based on out of date scientific understandings.

HB 454 Bucy, John | HB 651 Moody, Joe | HB 2237 Dutton, Harold | SB 343 Eckhardt, Sarah — This bill abolishes the death penalty. The TCCB supports this bill in recognition of the fact that all human life is sacred. Wherever society can protect itself through non-lethal means, the death penalty should be abolished.

HB 489 Rosenthal, Jon | SB 169 Menendez, Jose — This bill requires temperatures remain between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit in TDCJ facilities. TCCB supports this bill to provide humane conditions for the incarcerated.

HB 539 Thompson, Senfronia — This bill allows that if a person is convicted under the Controlled Substance Act or convicted of theft, organized retail theft, financial theft or prostitution, and placed under deferred adjudication community supervision, he/she may receive on order of nondisclosure of criminal history if he/she provided assistance in the investigation or prosecution of compelling prostitution or human trafficking or were a victim of such crimes. The TCCB supports this bill to combat human trafficking and care for victims.

HB 578 Moody, Joe | SB 1094 Zaffirini, Judith — This bill allows a judge to explain to a capital sentencing jury that unanimity is required and that every juror - acting alone - has the power to sentence a capital offender to life without parole rather than death. The TCCB supports this bill to improve transparency in capital sentencing proceedings.

HB 624 Thompson, Senfronia | SB 1462 Zaffirini, Judith — This bill allows a court placing a defendant on deferred adjudication community supervision to impose conditions (such as substance abuse counseling, domestic violence education and prevention) that emphasize parent-child unity and the defendant's rehabilitation in a community setting and that provide support to the parent-child relationship. The TCCB supports this bill to provide a balance between justice and family preservation.

HB 651 Moody, Joe | HB 454 Bucy, John | HB 2237 Dutton, Harold | SB 343 Eckhardt, Sarah — This bill abolishes the death penalty. The TCCB supports this bill in recognition of the fact that all human life is sacred. Wherever society can protect itself through non-lethal means, the death penalty should be abolished.

HB 688 Thompson, Senfronia — This bill prohibits a defendant with an intellectual disability from being sentenced to death. Intellectual disability is defined to mean significantly subaverage general intellectual functioning that is concurrent with deficits in adaptive behavior and originates during the developmental period. The TCCB supports this bill to limit the usage of the death penalty.

HB 748 Leach, Jeff | SB 1587 Hancock, Kelly — This bill would render nondisclosure or confidentiality agreements, employment agreements, settlement agreements or any other agreement, void for alleged victims of childhood sexual abuse. The TCCB supports this bill to provide greater transparency in sexual abuse cases.

HB 773 Moody, Joe — This bill allows for the motion to adjust an inmate's sentence on motion of the attorney representing the state. The bill would apply to inmates who are 50 years of age or older who have served at least 15 years of imprisonment for a felony or who are 35 years or younger than 50 but have served at least 20 years for a felony. A court must grant the motion unless they find by clear and convincing evidence that the inmate's release would result in an unreasonable risk to the physical safety of the community. The TCCB supports this bill to promote restorative justice.

HB 833 Moody, Joe — This bill allows for credit toward a defendant's sentence for time confined in jail or prison before sentencing. The TCCB supports this bill in the interest of restorative justice.

HB 864 Thompson, Senfronia — This bill allows a court to grant a convicted person relief on a an application for a writ of habeas corpus if they file an application based on certain new evidence that was previously unavailable. The TCCB supports this bill to ensure access to justice for potentially innocent persons.

HB 1222 Thompson, Senfronia — This bill strengthens the procedures around a postconviction motion for forensic DNA testing. It adds to the definition of exculpatory results DNA test results showing unidentified DNA and another individual's DNA profile in a DNA database. The TCCB supports this bill as a measure to ensure innocent persons have access to justice.

HB 1291 Thompson, Senfronia — This bill allows courts to reconsider the merits or grant relief on a motion for habeas corpus on subsequent application if certain conditions are met, including when the attorney representing the state consents in writing. The TCCB supports this bill to promote reentry of the incarcerated in our society by allowing review of sentences.

HB 1315 Martinez Fischer, Trey — This bill requires TDCJ to install and operate air conditioners in each cellblock, dormitory and common area in each facility and maintain the air temperature between 65-85 degrees Fahrenheit. The TCCB supports this bill to provide compassionate treatment of prisoners.

HB 1852 Collier, Nicole — This bill would authorize the legislature to provide for a district court to reduce or modify a sentence imposing a term of imprisonment for a person who has served not less than 10 years of the term. The TCCB supports this bill to address lengthy sentences and promote re-entry and rehabilitation.

HB 1902 Cook, David — This bill creates as a criminal offense a process called jugging, which is targeting a person withdrawing money from an ATM bank credit union or CSO and then follows that person with the intent to commit theft. The TCCB supports this bill to protect Texans from the often violent crime of jugging.

HB 1969 Collier, Nicole — This bill requires that upon release an inmate is provided with a copy of any license they earned while imprisoned. The TCCB supports this bill to improve re-entry into the community for ex-offenders who have earned occupational licenses to re-enter the workforce.

HB 2055 Moody, Joe — This bill raises the age from 18 to 21 (at the time the crime was committed) for prohibition on the death penalty. The TCCB supports this bill to limit death penalty cases in Texas and provide young offenders the opportunity for restorative justice.

HB 2234 Dutton, Harold | SB 1306 Cook, Molly — This bill changes the age of criminal responsibility, from 17 to 18. Specifically, it amends definitions in the Family Code and Penal Code, indicating that a child is now defined as being between 10 and 18 years of age. Additionally, individuals aged 18 or older but under 20, who committed offenses before turning 18, may still fall under juvenile court jurisdiction for specific purposes. The TCCB supports this bill to improve the likelihood of rehabilitating juvenile offenders.

HB 2237 Dutton, Harold | HB 454 Bucy, John | HB 651 Moody, Joe | SB 343 Eckhardt, Sarah — This bill repeals the use of the death penalty in Texas while still allowing life without parole. The TCCB supports this bill to end the use of the death penalty.

HB 2498 Leach, Jeff | SB 1053 Hinojosa, Chuy — This bill streamlines the licensing review process while allowing licensing boards to consider specific serious violent and sexual offenses regardless of elapsed time without reoffending. It also require a preponderance of the evidence standard to deny a license. The TCCB supports this bill to support successful reentry to the workforce for a person with a criminal record.

HB 2649 Dutton, Harold — This bill eliminates the law of parties for capital murder so that one individual in a group of offenders cannot be charged with murder committed by another member of the group. The TCCB supports this bill to ensure that individuals are held accountable and make restitution for their own actions.

HB 2772 Thompson, Senfronia | SB 1278 Parker, Tan — This bill creates an affirmative defense to prosecution that the actor engaged in conduct charged because the actor was coerced, acting under duress, or reasonably feared harm as a result of being a victim of human trafficking or forced prostitution. The TCCB supports this bill to prevent the prosecution of trafficking victims.

HB 2777 Rose, Toni — This bill prohibits imposition of the death penalty on individuals who meet the severe mental illness criteria at the time of their offenses. Findings that a defendant had severe mental illness results in a mandatory life sentence without parole, rather than a death sentence. The TCCB supports this bill which protects those with severe mental illness from death while protecting the public through the convicted person serving life without parole.

HB 2997 Bryant, John — This bill mandates that temperatures be maintained between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit in facilities operated by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The bill requires the TDCJ to maintain an hourly log of temperature data, which must be made publicly accessible at least quarterly. The TCCB supports this bill to provide humane conditions for inmates and personnel in Texas prisons.

HB 3166 Cook, David — This constitutional amendment allows the legislature to provide for a court to grant a commutation of punishment to certain individuals serving a term of imprisonment. The TCCB supports this bill to address lengthy sentences and promote re-entry and rehabilitation.

HB 3276 Noble, Candy | SB 1437 Bettencourt, Paul — This bill closes loopholes in the Do Not Hire Registry for juvenile justice to include non-certified employees. The TCCB supports this bill to improve protection for vulnerable children.

HB 3330 Cook, David | SB 1124 Huffman, Joan — This bill allows a court to limit a defendant's request for discovery if the court finds that it is unduly broad or burdensome or implicates the security and privacy interests of any victim or witness and the document, item, or information was not shown to be reasonably necessary to the defense. A party may request a discovery conference not later than the 20th day before the date that jury selection begins to resolve any issue with respect to discovery. If the court finds that a party has failed to comply with disclosure requirements, the court may suppress otherwise admissible evidence or testimony if the court finds the evidence was knowingly withheld or the prejudice caused to a party by the violation cannot be cured. The bill also limits discovery to evidence relevant to any fact of consequence in determining" the action replacing "material to any matter involved in" the action. It also requires that the request for discovery be a "specific written" request. The TCCB opposes this repeal of the Michael Morton Act which seeks to prevent wrongful convictions by ensuring defendants have access to all potentially exculpatory information.

HB 3360 Cook, David | SB 1727 Perry, Charles — This bill creates a stricter framework for handling youth involved in serious criminal conduct while under the supervision of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department. It prohibits community supervision for felony offenses committed by individuals over 17 while in juvenile custody. It lowers the standard for determining habitual felony conduct from two previous adjudications to one. It changes how dispositions and modifications are managed so that courts can now transfer older juvenile offenders (18+) to adult systems. The TCCB opposes this bill which seeks to bring harsher sentences to youth and prematurely transfer them to the adult system, putting them at risk.

HB 3443 Reynolds, Ron — This bill requires temperatures remain between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit in TDCJ facilities. TCCB supports this bill to provide humane conditions for the incarcerated.

HB 3653 LaHood, Marc — This bill would make the trafficking of a child or a disabled person a first-degree felony. It adds that the trafficking of a child would be a capital felony. If the offender is convicted and the state does not seek the death penalty the judge shall issue a life sentence. The TCCB opposes this bill because it expands the use of the death penalty.

HB 3882 Lalani, Suleman | SB 1728 Perry, Charles — This bill adds Texas Juvenile Justice Department, juvenile boards, and juvenile probation departments the list of eligible grant recipients in the Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) Grant Program. The TCCB supports this bill to provide job related resources to youth in the care of the TJJD.

HB 4620 Allen, Alma — This bill mandates the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to enhance access to programs for female inmates, prioritizing their rehabilitation and supportive needs. The bill specifies that the department must develop and implement policies to ensure that female inmates have access to important self-study programs within 45 days of their arrival focused on parenting, healing from trauma, and financial literacy. Notably, these programs will be accessible to female inmates in state jail felony facilities as well, thereby broadening the scope of support. The TCCB supports this bill to encourage rehabilitation of female inmates.

HB 4919 Moody, Joe | SB 2304 Johnson, Nathan — This bill raises the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 13 and creates a waiver of jurisdiction for a child under 13 where an attorney representing the state is required to request a hearing to determine whether the juvenile court should waive its exclusive original jurisdiction over a child under 13. The TCCB supports this bill to allow recourse to other interventions for young children and prevent them from entering the juvenile justice system.

HB 5072 Johnson, Ann | SB 2741 Hinojosa, Chuy — This bill would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure to add that if the death penalty cannot be sought in a capital felony case in a county due to a superior court ruling, counsel shall be appointed to indigent defendants or juveniles in a 1st degree felony case in the county. The bill also increases the local selection committee in each administrative judicial region by adding an extra district judge to each one. The TCCB supports this bill because it ensures legal counsel to indigent or juvenile defendants.

HB 5254 Raymond, Richard — This bill would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure to add a chapter on actual innocence. It would create a commission to consider the Texas Innocence Inquiry Commission which would open or dismiss a formal inquiry into a claim of actual innocence. The commission may submit to the Board of Pardons a recommendation to issue a pardon to the convicted person. Post-exoneration support for will be compensation, job training and reintegration services. The TCCB supports this bill because it provides those wrongfully convicted and facing the death penalty a pathway to exoneration.

HJR 60 Moody, Joe | HJR 148 Cook, David — This constitutional amendment allows the legislature to provide for a court to grant a commutation of punishment to certain individuals serving a term of imprisonment. The TCCB supports this bill to address lengthy sentences and promote re-entry and rehabilitation.

HJR 113 Collier, Nicole — This constitutional amendment would authorize the legislature to provide for a district court to reduce or modify a sentence imposing a term of imprisonment for a person who has served not less than 10 years of the term. The TCCB supports this bill to address lengthy sentences and promote re-entry and rehabilitation.

HJR 148 Cook, David | HJR 60 Moody, Joe — This constitutional amendment allows the legislature to provide for a court to grant a commutation of punishment to certain individuals serving a term of imprisonment. The TCCB supports this bill to address lengthy sentences and promote re-entry and rehabilitation.

SB 169 Menendez, Jose | HB 489 Rosenthal, Jon — This bill requires temperatures remain between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit in TDCJ facilities. TCCB supports this bill to provide humane conditions for the incarcerated.

SB 343 Eckhardt, Sarah | HB 454 Bucy, John | HB 651 Moody, Joe | HB 2237 Dutton, Harold — This bill abolishes the death penalty. The TCCB supports this bill in recognition of the fact that all human life is sacred. Wherever society can protect itself through non-lethal means, the death penalty should be abolished.

SB 430 Miles, Borris — This bill changes the age at which a juvenile court may exercise jurisdiction over a child from 10 to 12. A child younger than 12 years of age must be released from custody unless the child poses an immediate threat to public safety or to the child's own safety. It provides for a jurisdictional hearing for a child younger than 12 years of age on the request of a party to determine whether or not to retain jurisdiction. The TCCB supports this bill to ensure that young children are not automatically subject to the juvenile court system.

SB 430 Miles, Borris — This bill changes the age at which a juvenile court may exercise jurisdiction over a child from 10 to 12. A child younger than 12 years of age must be released from custody unless the child poses an immediate threat to public safety or to the child's own safety. It provides for a jurisdictional hearing for a child younger than 12 years of age on the request of a party to determine whether or not to retain jurisdiction. The TCCB supports this bill to ensure that minors are not punished under the adult justice system.

SB 432 Miles, Borris — This bill prohibits the execution of a person with an intellectual disability. It requires a hearing and determination of intellectual disability. The TCCB supports this bill which reduces the use of the death penalty in Texas.

SB 990 Bettencourt, Paul — This bill repeals the section of the Code of Criminal Procedure that states that a person who is found guilty murder of an individual between 10-15 years of age may not be sentenced to death and the state may not seek the death penalty in such cases. The TCCB opposes this bill as an expansion of the death penalty.

SB 1094 Zaffirini, Judi | HB 578 Moody, Joe — This bill would allow a judge to explain to a capital sentencing jury that unanimity is required and that every juror - acting alone - has the power to sentence a capital offender to life without parole rather than death. The TCCB supports this bill to improve transparency in capital sentencing proceedings.

SB 1120 Hinojosa, Chuy | HB 4918 Johnson, Ann — This bill would provide certain rights to victims (or to the surviving family member of the deceased victim) of family violence, stalking, sexual or assaultive offenses, or a violation of a protective order or bond. These additional rights include the right to a disclosure of information regarding collected evidence, the status of the analysis performed on evidence, the right to be informed of the case's disposition, if the state is not representing the victim, and the investigating agency's contact information. The TCCB supports this bill because it provides crime victims with rights to support their needs.

SB 1278 Parker, Tan | HB 2772 Thompson, Senfronia — This bill creates an affirmative defense to prosecution that the actor engaged in conduct charged because the actor was coerced, acting under duress, or reasonably feared harm as a result of being a victim of human trafficking or forced prostitution. The TCCB supports this bill to prevent the prosecution of trafficking victims.

SB 1306 Cook, Molly | HB 2234 Dutton, Harold — This bill changes the age of criminal responsibility, from 17 to 18. Specifically, it amends definitions in the Family Code and Penal Code, indicating that a child is now defined as being between 10 and 18 years of age. Additionally, individuals aged 18 or older but under 20, who committed offenses before turning 18, may still fall under juvenile court jurisdiction for specific purposes. The TCCB supports this bill to improve the likelihood of rehabilitating juvenile offenders.

SB 1437 Bettencourt, Paul | HB 3276 Noble, Candy — This bill closes loopholes in the Do Not Hire Registry for juvenile justice to include non-certified employees. The TCCB supports this bill to improve protection for vulnerable children.

SB 1462 Zaffirini, Judi | HB 624 Thompson, Senfronia — This bill allows a court placing a defendant on deferred adjudication community supervision to impose conditions (such as substance abuse counseling, domestic violence education and prevention) that emphasize parent-child unity and the defendant's rehabilitation in a community setting and that provide support to the parent-child relationship. The TCCB supports this bill to provide a balance between justice and family preservation.

SB 1728 Perry, Charles | HB 3882 Lalani, Suleman — This bill adds Texas Juvenile Justice Department, juvenile boards, and juvenile probation departments the list of eligible grant recipients in the Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) Grant Program. The TCCB supports this bill to provide job related resources to youth in the care of the TJJD.

SB 2304 Johnson, Nathan | HB 4919 Moody, Joe — This bill raises the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 13 and creates a waiver of jurisdiction for a child under 13 where an attorney representing the state is required to request a hearing to determine whether the juvenile court should waive its exclusive original jurisdiction over a child under 13. The TCCB supports this bill to allow recourse to other interventions for young children and prevent them from entering the juvenile justice system.

SB 2456 Hughes, Bryan — This bill amends the Government Code to require that all inmates are informed of all volunteer programs and activities, the inmate is eligible to participant in, that involve religious services. The inmates' treatment plans are to include the religious programs and activities that the inmate participates in too. The TCCB support this bill because it provides inmates with information on the opportunities to worship while incarcerated.

SB 2741 Hinojosa, Chuy | HB 5072 Johnson, Ann — Procedure to add that if the death penalty cannot be sought in a capital felony case in a county due to a superior court ruling, counsel shall be appointed to indigent defendants or juveniles in a 1st degree felony case in the county. The bill also increases the local selection committee in each administrative judicial region by adding an extra district judge to each one. The TCCB supports this bill because it ensures legal counsel to indigent or juvenile defendants.

HB 2 Buckley, Brad — This bill provides teacher pay raises, increases public school funding targeted toward teachers and students and incorporates the special education commission recommendations to greater serve special needs students. The TCCB supports this bill to increase funding and support for public school teachers and students.

HB 3 Buckley, Brad — This bill establishes a universal education savings account that prioritizes access for the poor and students with disabilities while protecting the religious liberty of participants. The TCCB supports this bill to provide a parental choice program which prioritizes the poor and vulnerable and has strong accountability through accreditation requirements for private schools

HB 4 Buckley, Brad — This bill requires TEA to implement an new instructionally supportive assessment program that includes reducing the length of tests and reducing the assessment burden on students and personnel. The TCCB supports this bill to improve public school assessments.

HB 7 Leach, Jeff — This bill requires TEA to create a document regarding a parent's rights including the right to choose the educational setting for the parent's child. It requires the instructional plan or course syllabus for each class be posted on the district website. It requires written consent from a parent to conduct a psychological or psychiatric exam or test including a method presented as a survey, check-in, or screening embedded in an academic lesson. It requires school boards to develop grievance policies providing for levels of review and timelines for filing and appeal. It requires employees under investigation for alleged misconduct be placed on the registry but must be immediately removed if determined the educator did not engage in misconduct. The TCCB supports this bill to improve parental rights and reporting requirements related to educator misconduct.

HB 123 Dutton, Harold | SB 2252 Creighton, Brandon — This bill requires an assessment be administered to Kindergarten students to diagnose foundational literacy skills. It requires the TEA commissioner to adopt a list of reading and math instruments for K-3. A parent may opt their child out of the assessments. It requires early interventions for at-risk students. The bill also requires TEA establish a list of programs that provide early childhood parental support. The TCCB supports this bill to improve literacy.

HB 163 Cortez, Philip — This bill allows any entity in this state to adopt a policy regarding the maintenance, administration, and disposal of epinephrine auto-injectors, unless another law requires the entity to do so. The TCCB supports this bill to ensure children have access to epinephrine medications in schools.

HB 183 Patterson, Jared — This bill requires the SBOE to develop and make available on the board's website a form that a public school parent may use to submit a request to the board to review library material that the parent believes is inappropriate or contains sexually explicit material. The board must review the material within three weeks and post a list on the website of accepted or rejected material for specific grade levels. If the board cannot make a determination, the request is referred to TEA and the same process is followed. Public schools may not allow students to reserve or check out materials either rejected or pending review for their grade level. The TCCB supports this bill to establish a timely process for removal of sexually explicit material from public schools.

HB 196 Vasut, Cody — This bill requires public schools to include in the health curriculum instruction that human life begins at conception and has inherent dignity from the moment of conception. The TCCB supports this bill as it acknowledges the dignity of the unborn.

HB 212 Cain, Briscoe — This bill creates a broad parental empowerment school choice program but it does not contain religious liberty protections, does not prioritize the poor, and does not require accreditation of private schools. The TCCB opposes this bill because it does not prioritize the poor, require accreditation, or have strong religious liberty protections.

HB 221 Landgraf, Brook — This bill eliminates social studies from the state test in grade eight and requires end-of-course assessments in reading, math, and science only as necessary to comply with federal law (Every Student Succeeds Act). Algebra I, English I and II, and US History are not mandated EOCs. If a provision of federal law changes to reduce the number and frequency of assessment instruments, the SBOE shall reduce the same. The TCCB supports this bill to reduce the number of assessments in public schools.

HB 232 Vasut, Cody | HB 424 Hayes, Richard | HB 979 Cain, Briscoe | HB 1324 Olcott, Mike | HB 1815 Patterson, Jared | HB 2535 Leach, Jeff — This bill eliminates the Texas DREAM Act which allows resident tuition for undocumented immigrants who completed high school in Texas. The TCCB opposes this bill which reduces access to education for immigrants.

HB 277 Talarico, James | SB 165 Menendez, Jose — This bill requires TEA and Texas Higher Ed Board outreach programs to ensure current and former foster youth in high school are aware of the tuition and fees exemption for higher education, include the provision of information materials to each residential child-care facility, foster parent or other designated caregiver of a student in grades 9-12, and every school district, charter school, and private school offering grade nine or above. It also requires the development of a streamlined application process to decrease the administrative burden on the department and students, including the availability of an electronic application on the DFPS website and automatic submission of a document to the institution of higher education verifying a student's eligibility.

HB 284 Patterson, Jared — This bill requires TEA to appoint an ombudsman to serve as a neutral party in assisting parents of children enrolled in a school district or open-enrollment charter school with complaints regarding issues involving the agency, the state Board of Education, or a school district or open-enrollment charter school. The TCCB supports this bill to assist parents within the public school system regarding complaints.

HB 297 Bucy, John — This bill eliminates the requirement to administer the English II and US History end-of-course assessments. Districts may still choose to administer them, but they may not be used for accountability purposes. The TCCB supports this bill to reduce the number of assessments in public schools.

HB 350 Talarico, James — This bill allows public and private schools to adopt a policy regarding the administration of glucagon medication. The policy must provide that a school nurse or unlicensed diabetes care assistant may administer glucagon to a hypoglycemic student who has a diabetes management and treatment plan and an individualized health plan. The glucagon medication may be prescribed in the name of the school and not the individual student. The TCCB supports this bill to allow schools to provide life-saving medication for students with extremely low blood sugar.

HB 353 Patterson, Jared | SB 1602 Hagenbuch, Brent — This bill creates an offense of criminal trespass for remaining on school or day care property after being asked to leave by administrators. The TCCB supports this bill to improve the safety of schools and day care centers.

HB 371 Bumgarner, Ben — This bill would prohibit undocumented immigrants from enrolling in Texas public K-12 schools unless the school board has an agreement for the US government to pay the state for the cost of educating the students. The TCCB opposes this bill which would remove access to education from children in Texas.

HB 424 Hayes, Richard | HB 232 Vasut, Cody | HB 979 Cain, Briscoe | HB 1324 Olcott, Mike | HB 1815 Patterson, Jared | HB 2535 Leach, Jeff — This bill eliminates the Texas DREAM Act which allows resident tuition for undocumented immigrants who completed high school in Texas. The TCCB opposes this bill which reduces access to education for immigrants.

HB 615 Gonzalez, Mary — This bill requires a public school principal to initiate an investigation if a student produces or distributes sexual videos or images of another student at the same campus and establishes the policies and procedures thereof. The TCCB supports this bill to protect students from sexual exploitation.

HB 619 Gervin-Hawkins, Barbara — This bill permits a high school student to transfer not more than once to another district for an athletic participation purpose and prohibits UIL from penalizing the transferring student or the receiving district. The TCCB supports this bill as it expands parental choice in education.

HB 775 Frank, James | SB 401 Paxton, Angela — This bill creates greater accessibility and inclusivity for non-enrolled students in University Interscholastic League activities by allowing students to play at other nearby districts if their local district declines their participation. The TCCB supports this bill to promotes equal opportunity for athletics for home school students.

HB 791 Cortez, Philip — This bill requires DPS to issue a specialty license plate for Central Catholic High School that includes"With Loyal Hearts" on the bottom of the plate and the school's logo on the left side. The TCCB supports this bill to issue Central Catholic HS specialty license plates.

HB 856 Lalani, Suleman — This bill requires schools, including private schools to maintain a supply of medication for respiratory distress. While most of our schools voluntarily adopt these policies, the TCCB opposes this bill which regulates private schools and interferes in the autonomy of private schools.

HB 890 Vasut, Cody — This bill eliminates the STAAR test and requires the TEA commissioner to identify a procedure for a school district to select the Iowa Assessments or other similar assessment instruments for assessment of essential knowledge and skills annually in grades 3-8 in each federally required subject including reading, mathematics and science. The TCCB supports this bill to eliminate the STAAR test for public schools and allow norm referenced tests.

HB 979 Cain, Briscoe | HB 232 Vasut, Cody | HB 424 Hayes, Richard | HB 1324 Olcott, Mike | HB 1815 Patterson, Jared | HB 2535 Leach, Jeff — This bill eliminates the Texas DREAM Act which allows resident tuition for undocumented immigrants who completed high school in Texas. The TCCB opposes this bill which reduces access to education for immigrants

HB 1047 Bhojani, Salman — This bill adds optional religious holidays for several interfaith holidays. The TCCB supports this bill to allow optional holidays for a variety of religious days.

HB 1073 Schatzline, Nate — This bill eliminates high school end-of-course assessment instruments and requires the TEA to provide for norm-referenced assessments for each federally required subject. It also requires TEA to adopt alternative adaptive assessments in lieu of the STAAR and eliminates social studies assessments. The TCCB supports this bill to adopt norm-referenced testing in public schools.

HB 1083 Curry, Pat | HB 2834 Plesa, Mihaela | SB 364 Eckhardt, Sarah — This bill eliminates the required date of adoption on or after Sept. 1, 2009, for a student formerly in the conservatorship of DFPS to be eligible to receive tuition and fee exemptions at public institutions of higher education.

HB 1137 Leo-Wilson, Terri | SB 204 Paxton, Angela — This bill requires TEA to develop a handbook on parental rights that explains all rights of a parent regarding the education of the parent's child including a student's rights that the parent may enforce on the student's behalf. It also requires the trustees of school districts to complete training on the rights of parents regarding their children's education.

HB 1158 Hull, Lacey | SB 87 Hall, Bob | SB 371 Campbell, Donna — This bill requires written consent from parents (opt-in) for human sexuality instruction in public schools. The TCCB supports this bill to respect the rights of parents as the primary educators of their children.

HB 1183 Cunningham, Charles — This bill allows a county order or municipal ordinance prohibiting an e-cigarette retailer from operating within 300 feet of a public or private school, or 1,000 feet of a public or private school at the request of the district board or governing body of the school. The prohibition does not apply to retailers whose gross receipts of e-cigarettes are less than 50% of total gross receipts. The TCCB supports this bill to reduce access to e-cigarettes for children.

HB 1224 Shaheen, Matt | SB 1742 Hughes, Bryan — This bill requires the SBOE to require that all students receive instruction in the Success Sequence at least twice prior to graduation in grades 6 and 10. The TCCB supports this bill to educate students on the evidence-based path to financial stability.

HB 1324 Olcott, Mike | HB 232 Vasut, Cody | HB 424 Hayes, Richard | HB 979 Cain, Briscoe | HB 1815 Patterson, Jared | HB 2535 Leach, Jeff — This bill eliminates the Texas DREAM Act which allows resident tuition for undocumented immigrants who completed high school in Texas. The TCCB opposes this bill which reduces access to education for immigrants

HB 1457 Tepper, Carl | SB 453 Middleton, Mayes — This bill requires the SBOE require a one-half credit course in modern conflicts and reduce the number of elective credits from five to four and one-half for high school. A course in modern conflicts must include the modern history of Russia, the collapse of the Soviet Union, the invasion of Afghanistan, history of the People's Republic of China, 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, history of North Korea, Cambodian genocide, Iraq and Afghan wars, etc.

HB 1512 Hickland, Hillary — This bill requires school districts to report the number of persons admitted to the district that the district knows or reasonably believes to not be citizens of the US. It requires the Ed Commissioner to submit a request to the US government reimbursement of educating these children across the state of Texas. The TCCB opposes this bill which raises concerns on forcing education personnel with no authority or expertise in immigration law to make status determinations.

HB 1551 Hickland, Hillary — This bill requires school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to inform parents that an employee of the district or school has been charged with a sex offense not later than the second day after the school or school district becomes aware of the offense. The notice shall include the employee's name, whether they continue to be employed, the length of employment, the offense with which the employee is charged and a statement that a person is innocent until presumed guilty. Victim identity may not be disclosed but additional information about the facts of the charged offense may be included in the notice.

HB 1628 Noble, Candy — This bill allows the transfer of a student at the request of parent who is a peace officer to another school district provided the campus is not at full capacity or has more requests for transfers than available positions. The TCCB supports this bill as it expands parental choice.

HB 1655 Schatzline, Nate — This bill prohibits school employees from assisting a student with social transitioning to an alternative gender identity. The TCCB supports this bill as it respects the rights of parents as the primary decision makers regarding their children.

HB 1815 Patterson, Jared | HB 232 Vasut, Cody | HB 424 Hayes, Richard | HB 979 Cain, Briscoe | HB 1324 Olcott, Mike | HB 2535 Leach, Jeff — This bill eliminates the Texas DREAM Act which allows resident tuition for undocumented immigrants who completed high school in Texas. The TCCB opposes this bill which reduces access to education for immigrants.

HB 1816 Lujan, John — This bill allows local governments to prohibit e-cigarette retailers within 1,000 feet of a public primary or secondary school. The TCCB supports this bill to limit students exposure to e-cigarettes.

HB 2206 Bumgarner, Ben | SB 1224 Sparks, Kevin — This bill requires superintendents or directors of school districts or charter schools to notify the municipal police department or the county sheriff not later than 48 hours after the superintendent or director becomes aware that an educator is alleged to have engaged in misconduct. The TCCB supports this bill to prioritize the protection of children.

HB 2378 Noble, Candy — This bill would prohibit registered sex offenders from being employed by public schools or to provide security or law enforcement services to school districts and charter schools. The registry must list the offender who may not provide security or law enforcement services to schools as well. Notice must be provided to parents if employees or security personnel are alleged to have engaged in sexual misconduct. Notice should include if the employee resigned before the investigation was completed. The TCCB supports this bill because it provides enhanced safety measures for students.

HB 2535 Leach, Jeff | HB 232 Vasut, Cody | HB 424 Hayes, Richard | HB 979 Cain, Briscoe | HB 1324 Olcott, Mike | HB 1815 Patterson, Jared — This bill eliminates the Texas DREAM Act which allows resident tuition for undocumented immigrants who completed high school in Texas. The TCCB opposes this bill which reduces access to education for immigrants.

HB 2674 Cook, David — This bill prohibits any state educational institution from making a rule that increases regulation of homeschool programs. The TCCB supports this bill to prevent regulation of homeschools as it respects parents as the primary educators of their children.

HB 2735 Cunningham, Charles | SB 1316 Cook, Molly — This bill prohibits advertisements for e-cigarettes within 1,000 feet of a church or school. The TCCB supports this bill to limit exposure to e-cigarette advertising.

HB 2801 Simmons, Lauren — This bill replaces "epinephrine auto-injectors" with epinephrine "delivery devices" in the Education Code to include auto-injectors and nasal sprays. The TCCB supports this bill to include in statutory definition the delivery of epinephrine through a nasal spray.

HB 2834 Plesa, Mihaela | HB 1083 Curry, Pat | SB 364 Eckhardt, Sarah — This bill eliminates the required date of adoption on or after Sept. 1, 2009, for a student formerly in the conservatorship of DFPS to be eligible to receive tuition and fee exemptions at public institutions of higher education.

HB 2846 Shaheen, Matt | SB 86 Hall, Bob — This bill requires public schools to adopt policies that require parents be notified of any changes in services or monitoring of a student's mental, emotional, or physical health and prohibits schools from providing instruction regarding sexual orientation or gender identity. The TCCB supports this bill as it respects the rights of parents as the primary educators of their children.

HB 2995 Guillen, Ryan | SB 1325 Johnson, Nathan — This bill allows the HHSC commissioner to issue a statewide standing order prescribing medication for respiratory distress to public and private schools and allows schools to contract with a vendor to provide the medication, related equipment, and training to school personnel. The TCCB supports this bill to ensure that schools can provide immediate care to students in respiratory distress.

HB 3020 Howard, Donna — This bill requires the HHSC director to issue a statewide standing order prescribing epinephrine auto-injectors, medication for respiratory distress, and opioid antagonists to a public or private school. The TCCB supports this bill to improve treatment of respiratory distress in schools.

HB 3029 Howard, Donna | SB 1174 Alvarado, Carol — This bill allows a public or private school to permit an employee, including a nurse, to administer nonprescription medication to a student without further authorization from the student's health care provider if the school has written permission from the parent. The TCCB supports this bill to allow students to have efficient access to over the counter medication in schools.

HB 3276 Noble, Candy | SB 1437 Bettencourt, Paul — This bill closes loopholes in the Do Not Hire Registry for juvenile justice to include non-certified employees. The TCCB supports this bill to improve protection for vulnerable children.

HB 3304 Lowe, David — This bill prohibits government entities, institutions of higher education, and public and private schools from requiring vaccinations. The TCCB opposes this bill as it interferes in the religious liberty of private schools.

HB 3347 Noble, Candy — This bill closes the loophole allowing for the exclusion of non-certified school employees from the Do Not Hire Registry. The TCCB supports this bill to include everyone found guilty of misconduct with a child on the Do Not Hire Registry.

HB 3397 Frank, James | SB 920 Sparks, Kevin — This bill grants immunity to employees of a charter school or private school from civil liability and administrative disciplinary action for damages resulting from the administration of medication to a student at the written request of a parent. The governing board of a charter or private school may allow a licensed physician or registered nurse who provides volunteer services to the school to administer nonprescription and prescription medication prescribed by the student's personal physician. The TCCB supports this bill to improve the effectiveness of school nurses.

HB 3450 Morales, Christopher | HB 4684 Leach, Jeff | HB 4684 Alvarado, Carol | SB 865 — This bill requires CPR training for coaches, nurses, athletic trainers, marching band directors, and any other school employee specified by the commissioner. It requires a private school to adopt a policy under which the school provides employees and volunteers instruction in CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) while repealing the condition that the requirement applies only if the private school receives an AED from the agency or funding from the agency to purchase or lease one. The TCCB opposes this bill as it imposes an unfunded mandate on private schools.

HB 3548 Harris Davila, Caroline | SB 983 Hughes, Bryan — This bill prohibits instruction, guidance, activities, or programming regarding sexual orientation or gender identity in public schools and it requires school districts to adopt a policy regarding appropriate communication between an employee and student regarding human sexuality that requires the employee to refer the student to a parent, school counselor, or the teacher responsible for human sexuality instruction. The TCCB supports this bill as it respects the rights of parents as the primary educators of their children.

HB 3629 Noble, Candy — This bill amends the Education Code to add that a person who is required to register as a sex offender is ineligible to serve as a trustee of an independent school district. The TCCB supports this bill because it enhances child protective measures in schools.

HB 3635 Noble, Candy | SB 1654 Parker, Tan — This bill includes the inappropriate relationship between an educator and a student in the "abuse" definition. It extends the current written notice of abuse requirement to include an option of sending notice by e-mail. The TCCB supports this bill because it furthers the protection of children from abuse.

HB 3683 Frank, James | SB 895 Hughes, Bryan — This bill expands eligibility for participation in the Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) program to private and homeschooled students. The TCCB supports this bill to broaden access to no-cost dual credit courses for educationally disadvantaged students.

HB 3795 Plesa, Mihaela — This bill requires private schools that accept students with a voucher, ESA, tax credit scholarship, or any other funding that would otherwise have been part of the foundation school fund subject to any reporting requirement that applies to public schools. The TCCB opposes this bill as it creates burden on private schools beyond the required reporting of the ESA program.

HB 3885 Flores, Lulu | SB 3008 Eckhardt, Sarah — This bill requires a school board to transfer a student to another district campus or another school district at the request of a parent who is a judge or justice of a state or federal court in this state. The TCCB supports this bill as it expands parental choice in education.

HB 3991 Davis, Yvonne — This bill expands the offenses which fall under the requirement to report educator misconduct, including neglect and distribution of alcohol and marijuana to a student. A person found to have engaged in the conduct must be added to the Do Not Hire Registry. The TCCB supports this bill to protect students. S

HB 4002 Money, Brent | HB 2846 Shaheen, Matt | SB 86 Hall, Bob — This bill requires public schools to adopt policies that require parents be notified of any changes in services or monitoring of a student's mental, emotional, or physical health and prohibits schools from providing instruction regarding sexual orientation or gender identity. The TCCB supports this bill as it respects the rights of parents as the primary educators of their children.

HB 4126 Plesa, Mihaela — This bill requires a school district to transfer a student who is the child of a firefighter, upon request of a parent, to another campus or district. The TCCB supports this bill as it expands parental choice for public servants.

HB 4198 Richardson, Keresa — This bill requires public school library standards prohibit material containing indecent or profane content. It requires schools to provide library catalog transparency and to communicate effectively with parents regarding collection development. The standards must recognize a district's responsibility to identify and remove prohibited materials and that a district resident has the right to challenge material. The TCCB supports this bill to prohibit profane content in library materials and promote cooperation between parents and schools.

HB 4209 Luther, Shelley — This bill would amend the Family Code and the Education Code by adding that employees of open-enrollment charter schools and school districts must report any sexual abuse or misconduct towards a student to both the Department of Family & Protective Services and to local or state law enforcement. The TCCB supports this bill because it promotes the prompt reporting of alleged abuse to law enforcement.

HB 4701 Leo-Wilson, Terri — This bill adds the Classic Learning Test to the list of college entrance exams that public schools may offer. The TCCB supports this bill to allow assessment alternatives.

HB 5056 Reynolds, Ron — This bill requires public school human sexuality curriculum be inclusive of same-sex couples when discussing or providing examples of relationships, and include affirming information regarding gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation. The TCCB opposes this bill as it advances gender ideology.

HB 5100 Leo-Wilson, Terri | SB 1207 King, Phil — This bill requires public schools to include in the parenting and paternity awareness program in the health curriculum information related to adoption including the difference between private adoption and foster care adoption and adoption as an alternative to becoming a parent. The TCCB supports this bill to increase education about parenting and adoption.

HB 5344 Villalobos, Den | SB 2244 Hancock, Kelly — This bill would require investigation of reportable conduct to be fulfilled regardless of whether the investigated agency employee, contractor or volunteer resigns or is terminated. This bill also amends the Education Code to include equivalent access to the registry to entities and sub-contractors in contract with school-districts. The TCCB supports this bill to improve child protection.t)

HJR 52 Vasut, Cody | HJR 136 Richardson, Keresa — This bill proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting an agency of the state government, including the legislature, or of a political subdivision of this state may not regulate the educational program of a private school, including a home school, in this state. The TCCB supports this bill to protect the autonomy of private schools.

HJR 91 Hopper, Andy — This constitutional amendment declares and unconditional right not to be vaccinated and prohibits schools or employers from requiring vaccinations. The TCCB opposes this bill as a violation of the religious liberty rights of Catholic schools to determine admission requirements for school or employment requirements.

HJR 136 Richardson, Keresa | HJR 52 Vasut, Cody — This bill proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting an agency of the state government, including the legislature, or of a political subdivision of this state may not regulate the educational program of a private school, including a home school, in this state. The TCCB supports this bill to protect the autonomy of private schools.

HJR 155 Vasut, Cody | SJR 12 Paxton, Angela — This bill establishes a parent's right to direct a child's education, including the right to make reasonable choices within the public school system, choose an alternative to public school, access and view public school teaching materials and library books, attend meetings of a governing body of a public school, and access their child's public school student records, including health records. The TCCB supports this bill as it respects the rights of parents as the primary educators of their children.

SB 2 Creighton, Brandon — This bill establishes an education savings account program. If the number of applications exceeds available positions, up to 80% of positions will be filled by lottery that prioritizes students who were previously enrolled in public school and and are members of a low income household - at or below 500% of the federal poverty guidelines or have a disability - eligible to participate in a school district's special education program. The remaining 20% of available positions are open to all students. The TCCB supports this bill as it expands parental choice in education.

SB 86 Hall, Bob | HB 2846 Shaheen, Matt — This bill requires public schools to adopt policies that require parents be notified of any changes in services or monitoring of a student's mental, emotional, or physical health and prohibits schools from providing instruction regarding sexual orientation or gender identity. The TCCB supports this bill as it respects the rights of parents as the primary educators of their children.

SB 87 Hall, Bob | HB 1158 Hull, Lacey | SB 371 Campbell, Donna — This bill requires written consent from parents (opt-in) for human sexuality instruction in public schools. The TCCB supports this bill to respect the rights of parents as the primary educators of their children.

SB 112 Hall, Bob — This bill allows a parent access to electronic records in addition to written records of a school district concerning the parent's child. It also requires written consent from a child's parent before administering a student well-being questionnaire, health care screening form, or survey. The TCCB supports this bill as it reaffirms parental rights.

SB 165 Menendez, Jose | HB 277 Talarico, James — This bill creates outreach program to ensure that students in the care of DFPS in grades 9-12 are aware of benefits available to them at public institutions of higher education. TCCB supports this initiative to provide resources to foster care youth who are aging out of foster care.

SB 204 Paxton, Angela | HB 1137 Leo-Wilson, Terri — This bill requires TEA to develop a handbook on parental rights that explains all rights of a parent regarding the education of the parent's child including a student's rights that the parent may enforce on the student's behalf. It also requires the trustees of school districts to complete training on the rights of parents regarding their children's education. The TCCB supports this bill to acknowledge parents as their children's primary educators.

SB 205 Paxton, Angela — This bill requires the SBOE to adopt rules requiring students in grades 7 and 8 to receive instruction on fetal development as part of the TEKS for the health curriculum. It also adds to the duties of the local school health advisory council (SHAC), recommending appropriate curriculum for fetal development instruction, provided they do not conflict with the TEKS developed by the SBOE. The TCCB supports this bill to increase education on the development of the human person.

SB 207 Paxton, Angela — This bill includes appointments with mental health professionals in the list of reasons for an excused absence from school. The TCCB supports this bill as it recognizes the importance of mental health and its inclusion in health care.

SB 364 Eckhardt, Sarah | HB 1083 Curry, Pat | HB 2834 Plesa, Mihaela — This bill allows all students formerly in the conservatorship of DFPS to be eligible to receive tuition and fee exemptions at public institutions of higher education. The TCCB supports this bill to allow foster care youth to receive higher education assistance.

SB 371 Campbell, Donna | HB 1158 Hull, Lacey | SB 87 Hall, Bob — This bill requires written consent from parents (opt-in) for human sexuality instruction in public schools. The TCCB supports this bill to respect the rights of parents as the primary educators of their children.

SB 400 Kolkhorst, Lois — This bill requires a signed written consent by parents for students to participate in psychological or psychiatric examination or tests in a public school. The TCCB supports this bill to protect parental rights to consent to student testing.

SB 401 Paxton, Angela | HB 775 Frank, James — This bill creates greater accessibility and inclusivity for non-enrolled students in University Interscholastic League activities by allowing students to play at other nearby districts if their local district declines their participation. The TCCB supports this bill to promotes equal opportunity for athletics for home school students.

SB 453 Middleton, Mayes | HB 1457 Tepper, Carl — This bill requires the SBOE require a one-half credit course in modern conflicts and reduce the number of elective credits from five to four and one-half for high school. A course in modern conflicts must include the modern history of Russia, the collapse of the Soviet Union, the invasion of Afghanistan, history of the People's Republic of China, 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, history of North Korea, Cambodian genocide, Iraq and Afghan wars, etc.

SB 464 Campbell, Donna — This bill allows local governments to prohibit e-cigarette retailers within 1,000 feet of a public primary or secondary school. The TCCB supports this bill to limit students exposure to e-cigarettes.

SB 571 Bettencourt, Paul — This bill closes the loophole in the Do-Not-Hire Registry that allows contracts to evade placement on the registry. The TCCB supports this bill to expand child protection in schools.

SB 611 Hinojosa, Chuy — This bill allows the commissioner of state health services to issue a statewide standing order prescribing epi-pens to public and private schools. The TCCB supports this bill to increase access to epi-pens for students experiencing severe allergic reactions.

SB 633 Eckhardt, Sarah — This bill extends the distance from a public or private school in which possession of a firearm is prohibited, from "in or on school property" to within 1,000 feet of a school property. The TCCB supports this bill to keep students and faculty safe at public and private schools.

SB 686 Paxton, Angela — This bill allows any child to apply for a transfer to any public school in the state that has capacity. The TCCB supports this bill as it expands parental choice.

SB 784 King, Phil — This bill requires a school district to transfer the student of a peace officer to another district at the parent's request and prohibits a school district from charging tuition to the transfer student. The TCCB supports this bill as it expands parental choice.

SB 895 Hughes, Bryan | HB 3683 Frank, James — This bill expands eligibility for participation in the Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) program to private and homeschooled students. The TCCB supports this bill to broaden access to no-cost dual credit courses for educationally disadvantaged students.

SB 920 Sparks, Kevin | HB 3397 Frank, James — This bill grants immunity to employees of a charter school or private school from civil liability and administrative disciplinary action for damages resulting from the administration of medication to a student at the written request of a parent. The governing board of a charter or private school may allow a licensed physician or registered nurse who provides volunteer services to the school to administer nonprescription and prescription medication prescribed by the student's personal physician. The TCCB supports this bill to improve the effectiveness of school nurses.

SB 983 Hughes, Bryan | HB 3548 Harris Davila, Caroline — This bill prohibits instruction, guidance, activities, or programming regarding sexual orientation or gender identity in public schools and it requires school districts to adopt a policy regarding appropriate communication between an employee and student regarding human sexuality that requires the employee to refer the student to a parent, school counselor, or the teacher responsible for human sexuality instruction. The TCCB supports this bill as it respects the rights of parents as the primary educators of their children.

SB 1174 Alvarado, Carol | HB 3029 Howard, Donna — This bill allows a public or private school to permit an employee, including a nurse, to administer nonprescription medication to a student without further authorization from the student's health care provider if the school has written permission from the parent. The TCCB supports this bill to allow students to have efficient access to over the counter medication in schools.

SB 1207 King, Phil | HB 5100 Leo-Wilson, Terri — This bill requires public schools to include in the parenting and paternity awareness program in the health curriculum information related to adoption including the difference between private adoption and foster care adoption and adoption as an alternative to becoming a parent. The TCCB supports this bill to increase education about parenting and adoption.

SB 1224 Sparks, Kevin | HB 2206 Bumgarner, Ben — This bill requires superintendents or directors of school districts or charter schools to notify the municipal police department or the county sheriff not later than 48 hours after the superintendent or director becomes aware that an educator is alleged to have engaged in misconduct. The TCCB supports this bill to prioritize the protection of children.

SB 1315 Cook, Molly — This bill allows counties and municipalities to adopt an ordinance prohibiting the sale of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and tobacco products within 300 feet of a church, public hospital, or public or private school, or 1,000 feet of a public or private school on request of the school district board or the governing body of the school. The TCCB supports this bill to improve public health around schools.

SB 1316 Cook, Molly | HB 2735 Cunningham, Charles — This bill prohibits advertisements for e-cigarettes within 1,000 feet of a church or school. The TCCB supports this bill to limit exposure to e-cigarette advertising.

SB 1325 Johnson, Nathan | HB 2995 Guillen, Ryan — This bill allows the HHSC commissioner to issue a statewide standing order prescribing medication for respiratory distress to public and private schools and allows schools to contract with a vendor to provide the medication, related equipment, and training to school personnel. The TCCB supports this bill to ensure that schools can provide immediate care to students in respiratory distress.

SB 1374 Hinojosa, Chuy — This bill replaces "epinephrine auto-injectors" with epinephrine "medication" in the education code to include nasal sprays or other medication for treatment of anaphylaxis. It also allows the HHSC commissioner to issue a statewide standing order or a public health regional director to issue a regional standing order prescribing epinephrine medication to a public or private school. The TCCB supports this bill to improve treatment of anaphylaxis in schools.

SB 1428 Campbell, Donna — This bill expands criminal background checks and prohibitions on hiring persons based on criminal history or certification sanctions for crimes or inappropriate interactions with students. The TCCB supports this bill to better protect school children by closing loopholes that could allow predators into schools.

SB 1437 Bettencourt, Paul | HB 3276 Noble, Candy — This bill closes loopholes in the Do Not Hire Registry for juvenile justice to include non-certified employees. The TCCB supports this bill to improve protection for vulnerable children.

SB 1602 Hagenbuch, Bren | HB 353 Patterson, Jared — This bill creates an offense of criminal trespass for remaining on school or day care property after being asked to leave by administrators. The TCCB supports this bill to improve the safety of schools and day care centers.

SB 1654 Parker, Tan — This bill includes the inappropriate relationship between an educator and a student in the definition of abuse. It would extend the current written notice of abuse requirement to include an option of sending notice by e-mail. The TCCB supports this bill because it furthers the protection of children from abuse.

SB 1742 Hughes, Bryan | HB 1224 Shaheen, Matt — This bill requires the SBOE to require all students receive instruction in the Success Sequence at least twice prior to graduation in grades 6 and 10. The TCCB supports this bill to educate students on the evidence-based path to financial stability.

SB 1889 Schwertner, Charles — This bill establishes a grant program to cover the costs of providing visual devices for educationally disadvantaged students. The TCCB supports this bill to provide vision care to vulnerable students.

SB 1999 Hughes, Bryan — This bill states that a school district or other school employee may not discipline, retaliate against or otherwise discriminate against a district or school employee or student who addresses a student or employee in terms consistent with the biological sex of the student or employee. The same is true for institutions of higher education.

SB 2187 Hinojosa, Adam — This bill requires TEA to adopt norm-reference assessment instruments and administer only federally required subjects and reduce the number and frequency in accordance with federal law. The TCCB supports this bill to eliminate the STAAR test in public schools.

SB 2244 Hancock, Kelly | HB 5344 Villalobos, Denise — This bill would require investigation of reportable conduct to be fulfilled regardless of whether the investigated agency employee, contractor or volunteer resigns or is terminated. This bill also amends the Education Code to include equivalent access to the registry to entities and sub-contractors in contract with school-districts. The TCCB supports this bill to improve child protection.

SB 2252 Creighton, Brandon | HB 123 Dutton, Harold — This bill requires an assessment be administered to Kindergarten students to diagnose foundational literacy skills and requires early interventions for at-risk students. The TCCB supports this bill to improve literacy.

SB 2392 King, Phil — This bill would amend the Education Code to include investigations by school security officers for criminal sexual misconduct on the list of activities to be reported to law enforcement. Notice should be given as soon as practicable but not later than 72 hours.

SB 2414 Hagenbuch, Bren | HB 2674 Cook, David — This bill prohibits any state educational institution from making a rule that increases regulation of homeschool programs. The TCCB supports this bill to prevent regulation of homeschools as it respects parents as the primary educators of their children.

SB 2574 Middleton, Mayes — This bill would prohibit the enforcement of Blaine Amendments by government actors. The TCCB supports this bill because prohibiting Blaine Amendment enforcement it supports religious liberty.

SB 2618 Creighton, Brandon — This bill requires the comptroller to establish an state fund for education savings accounts. The TCCB supports this bill to assist the implementation of school choice.

SB 3008 Eckhardt, Sarah | HB 3885 Flores, Lulu — This bill requires a school board to transfer a student to another district campus or another school district at the request of a parent who is a judge or justice of a state or federal court in this state. The TCCB supports this bill as it expands parental choice in education.

SJR 12 Paxton, Angela | HJR 155 Vasut, Cody — This bill establishes a parent's right to direct a child's education, including the right to make reasonable choices within the public school system, choose an alternative to public school, access and view public school teaching materials and library books, attend meetings of a governing body of a public school, and access their child's public school student records, including health records. The TCCB supports this bill as it respects the rights of parents as the primary educators of their children.

HB 37 Plesa, Mihaela | HB 2058 Plesa, Mihaela — This bill creates a grant program for perinatal palliative care services after a perinatal death or stillbirth. The TCCB supports this bill to provide families with greater support after a loss.

HB 44 Geren, Charlie — This bill clarifies the civil liability statues to ensure that medical professionals are not hesitant to provide appropriate care for mothers with pregnancy complications. The TCCB supports this bill to ensure that women receive the necessary care when facing life-threatening pregnancy compilations.

HB 197 Bucy, John | HB 726 Reynolds, Ron | HB 807 Bernal, Diego | HB 1423 Goodwin, Vikki | SB 45 Zaffirini, Judith | SB 637 Johnson, Nathan — This bill expands Medicaid to all individuals for whom federal matching funds are available under the Affordable Care Act. (Includes anyone with income under 138% of the federal poverty level (FPL). It also requires an annual report from HHSC on the effects of expanding eligibility including state health care costs, local health care costs, charity care and uncompensated care costs for hospitals. The TCCB supports this bill to support the expansion of healthcare.

HB 262 Bucy, John | HB 814 Bernal, Diego | HB 2939 Jones, Venton | SB 45 Zaffirini, Judith | SB 638 Johnson, Nathan — This bill expands Medicaid to individuals who apply and for whom federal matching funds are available under the Affordable Care Act. It also requires the HHSC commissioner tp submit an annual report to the governor, lt. gov., speaker of the house, and the standing committees having primary jurisdiction over Medicaid on the effects of Medicaid expansion on the number of uninsured, state and local healthcare costs, and charity and uncompensated care costs for hospitals. The TCCB supports this bill to increase access to healthcare services and reduce the number of uninsured Texans.

HB 321 Bucy, John | SB 238 Johnson, Nathan — This bill requires HHSC to implement an express lane option to determine a child's eligibility for CHIP based on data received from SNAP and enrolling the child upon obtaining consent from the child's parent. The TCCB supports this bill to expedite children's access to healthcare.

HB 488 Johnson, Ann — This bill requires HHSC to allow Medicaid reimbursement for function family therapy defined as short-term, intensive family-based therapeutic treatment for at-risk risk youth. The TCCB supports this bill to increase access to mental health services for at-risk youth.

HB 514 Lalani, Suleman — This bill requires HHSC to develop and implement a public outreach campaign to increase the number of maternal health care professionals to improve access to maternal health care in rural areas and other areas with shortages of maternal health care professionals. The TCCB supports this bill to improve access to maternal health care in underserved areas.

HB 618 Walle, Armando — This bill requires health insurance for state, public school, and UT system employees provide coverage for ivf to the same extent the plan provides benefits for other pregnancy-related procedures. The TCCB opposes this bill to provide health benefit coverage for in vitro fertilization to state employees.

HB 726 Reynolds, Ron | HB 197 Bucy, John | HB 807 Bernal, Diego | HB 1423 Goodwin, Vikki | HJR 61 Reynolds, Ron | SB 45 Zaffirini, Judith | SB 637 Johnson, Nathan — This bill expands Medicaid to all individuals for whom federal matching funds are available under the Affordable Care Act, including anyone with income under 138% of the federal poverty level (FPL). It also requires an annual report from HHSC on the effects of expanding eligibility including state health care costs, local health care costs, charity care and uncompensated care costs for hospitals. The TCCB supports this bill to support the expansion of healthcare.

HB 778 Leach, Jeff — This bill requires a health benefit plan that provides coverage for gender transition procedures or treatment to also provide coverage for the treatment of any resulting adverse affects, including treatment for the reversal of any gender transition procedure. The TCCB supports this bill to provide health care coverage for gender transition reversal.

HB 780 Cortez, Philip — This bill requires HHSC to provide a one year period of continuous eligibility without review for children enrolled in Medicaid.

HB 807 Bernal, Diego | HB 197 Bucy, John | HB 726 Reynolds, Ron | HB 1423 Goodwin, Vikki | SB 45 Zaffirini, Judith | SB 637 Johnson, Nathan — This bill expands Medicaid to all individuals for whom federal matching funds are available under the Affordable Care Act., including anyone with income under 138% of the federal poverty level (FPL). It also requires an annual report from HHSC on the effects of expanding eligibility including state health care costs, local health care costs, charity care and uncompensated care costs for hospitals. The TCCB supports this bill to support the expansion of healthcare.

HB 814 Bernal, Diego | HB 262 Bucy, John | HB 2939 Jones, Venton | SB 638 Johnson, Nathan — This bill expands Medicaid to individuals who apply and for whom federal matching funds are available under the Affordable Care Act. It also requires the HHSC commissioner tp submit an annual report to the governor, lt. gov., speaker of the house, and the standing committees having primary jurisdiction over Medicaid on the effects of Medicaid expansion on the number of uninsured, state and local healthcare costs, and charity and uncompensated care costs for hospitals. The TCCB supports this bill to increase access to healthcare services and reduce the number of uninsured Texans.

HB 847 Harrison, Brian — This bill prohibits any funds authorized or appropriated by state law to be expended for any gender reassignment. However, there would be an exception for reassignments performed on an intersex person. The TCCB supports this bill to prohibit taxpayer funded medical interventions to alter a person's sex.

HB 895 Lalani, Suleman | HB 2627 Garcia Hernandez, Cassandra — This bill expands Medicaid to those individuals for whom matching federal funds are available and establishes the "Live Well Texas" program whereby those individuals cease receiving Medicaid benefits and enroll in a program health benefit plan which includes basic and plus plans. A participant enrolled in the plus plan is required to make contributions to a POWER (personal wellness and responsibility) account based on a sliding scale to share the cost of the annual deductible which is capped at no more than 5% of the participant's annual household income. A participant may also earn money for their Power account as a reward for healthy behaviors. The Live Well program must also include a gateway to work program and health care financial assistance for one year for participants who transition to private insurance. If the share of the federal funding percentage drops below 90%, the program terminates and participants resume receiving Medicaid benefits. The TCCB supports this bill to increase access to healthcare and promote personal responsibility.

HB 1098 Cole, Sheryl | SB 359 Eckhardt, Sarah — This bill requires Medicaid reimbursement for abortion, contraception, and sterilization. The TCCB opposes this bill which uses taxpayer funding to end human life.

HB 1161 Hinojosa, Gina | SB 360 Eckhardt, Sarah — This bill allows a pregnant person" to specify the effect the "person's" pregnancy has on the advance directive. It also adds health care facility DNR as a third type of directive in addition to MPOA and out-of-hospital DNR. The TCCB opposes this bill which reduces the protections for unborn children in end of life healthcare decisions.

HB 1219 Plesa, Mihaela | SB 350 Eckhardt, Sarah — This bill requires physicians to prioritize the health of a pregnant individual's" health over the health of the fetus when recommending treatment for the individual regardless of whether the treatment poses a risk of injury or death to the fetus. The TCCB opposes this bill as the life of the mother and the life of the unborn child are of equal worth and are entitled to equal care and treatment.

HB 1254 Martinez Fischer, Trey — This bill permits abortion in instances where ivf or fertility treatments of any type are used and if a woman is 35 or older or has a high risk condition. The TCCB opposes this bill as it expands abortion and denies the dignity of the human person.

HB 1355 Bryant, John | SB 638 Johnson, Nathan — This bill expands Medicaid to individuals who apply and for whom federal matching funds are available under the Affordable Care Act. It also requires the HHSC commissioner to submit an annual report to the governor, lt. gov., speaker of the house, and the standing committees having primary jurisdiction over Medicaid on the effects of Medicaid expansion on the number of uninsured, state and local healthcare costs, and charity and uncompensated care costs for hospitals. The TCCB supports this bill as it increases access to healthcare services and reduces the number of uninsured Texans.

HB 1365 Hernandez, Ana | SB 168 Menendez, Jose — This bill would deem it unprofessional conduct for a mental health provider attempts to change the child's sexual orientation or gender identity, including gender-related behaviors or gender expression; or eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attraction or feelings towards persons of the same sex. The TCCB opposes this bill because it infringes upon the rights of patients and medical professionals to determine appropriate care based on objective scientific fact and sincerely held religious beliefs.

HB 1423 Goodwin, Vikki | HB 197 Bucy, John | HB 726 Reynolds, Ron | HB 807 Bernal, Diego | SB 45 Zaffirini, Judith | SB 637 Johnson, Nathan — This bill expands Medicaid to all individuals for whom federal matching funds are available under the Affordable Care Act, including anyone with income under 138% of the federal poverty level (FPL). It also requires an annual report from HHSC on the effects of expanding eligibility including state health care costs, local health care costs, charity care and uncompensated care costs for hospitals. The TCCB supports this bill to support the expansion of healthcare.

HB 1578 Morales Shaw, Penny — This bill creates exceptions to the abortion ban including the pregnancy resulted from sexual assault or the pregnancy poses a serious risk to a patient's well being. It requires the Texas Medical Board to identify a list of medical conditions that pose a serious risk to a pregnant patient's health or well-being. The TCCB opposes this bill to expand abortion as it denies the health and well-being of the life of the unborn child.

HB 1700 Fairly, Caroline — This bill requires standardized formats for and retention of records related to patient consent in a telehealth setting and requires an in-person exam before any irreversible medical procedure is initiated. The TCCB supports this bill to strengthen informed consent for telehealth services

HB 2283 Cortez, Philip | SB 1619 Zaffirini, Judith — This bill replaces "epinephrine auto-injectors" with epinephrine "delivery devices" in the Education Code and other areas of statute to include both auto-injectors and nasal sprays. The TCCB supports this bill to include in statutory definition the delivery of epinephrine through a nasal spray.

HB 2604 Simmons, Lauren — This bill proposes a constitutional amendment requiring the state to adopt Medicaid expansion. The TCCB supports this bill to increase access to healthcare.

HB 2627 Garcia Hernandez, Cassandra | HB 895 Lalani, Suleman — This bill expands Medicaid to those individuals for whom matching federal funds are available and establishes the Live Well Texas program whereby those individuals cease receiving Medicaid benefits and enroll in a program health benefit plan which includes basic and plus plans. The TCCB supports this bill to increase access to healthcare and promote personal responsibility.

HB 2735 Cunningham, Charles | SB 1316 Cook, Molly — This bill prohibits advertisements for e-cigarettes within 1,000 feet of a church or school. The TCCB supports this bill to limit exposure to e-cigarette advertising.

HB 2816 Oliverson, Tom | SB 619 Sparks, Kevin — This bill allows medical professionals to decline to participate in a healthcare service for reasons of conscience. The TCCB supports this bill for the protection of health care professionals' conscience.

HB 2939 Jones, Venton | HB 262 Bucy, John | HB 814 Bernal, Diego | SB 638 Johnson, Nathan — This bill expands Medicaid to individuals who apply and for whom federal matching funds are available under the Affordable Care Act. It also requires the HHSC commissioner tp submit an annual report to the governor, lt. gov., speaker of the house, and the standing committees having primary jurisdiction over Medicaid on the effects of Medicaid expansion on the number of uninsured, state and local healthcare costs, and charity and uncompensated care costs for hospitals. The TCCB supports this bill to increase access to healthcare services and reduce the number of uninsured Texans.

HB 3216 Dutton, Harold — This bill expands Medicaid eligibility to all persons who are the working parent of a dependent child who apply for the assistance and for whom federal matching money is available. The TCCB supports this bill as it increases access to healthcare services, supports the health of families, and reduces the number of uninsured Texans.

HB 4122 Guerra, Bobby — This bill requires HHSC to provide written notice annually to providers that Medicaid eligibility for postpartum women is 12 months and encourage providers to educate Medicaid recipients who are mothers or prospective mothers about the eligibility. The TCCB supports this bill to broaden awareness of expanded medical assistance for postpartum women.

HB 4435 Orr, Angelia | SB 2357 Perry, Charles — This bill requires HHSC establish the training program TexasAIM to assist health care providers with implementing maternal safety projects and decreasing incidents of preventable maternal death and severe maternal morbidity by applying best practices for maternal safety. The TCCB supports this bill to improve maternal safety.

HB 4721 Romero, Ramon | SB 51 Zaffirini, Judith — This bill waives certain licensure requirements for marriage and family therapists and associates, professional counselors and associates, and social workers who are licensed in good standing in another state. The TCCB supports this bill to increase access to mental health services for low income families.

HB 4910 Rodriguez Ramos — This bill expands Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. The TCCB supports this bill to increase access to healthcare.

HB 5583 Shofner, Joanne — This bill requires Medicaid reimbursement for doula services. The TCCB supports this bill to improve outcomes for pregnant women and their newborns.

HB 5622 Vasut, Cody — 1This bill prohibits a private employer from requiring a person to be vaccinated, including as a condition of employment or a contract position, or admission and prohibits an employer from taking an adverse action against a person who refuses to be vaccinated. The TCCB prohibits this bill which infringes on the religious liberty of private schools or employers to require vaccines.

HJR 21 Bucy, John | HJR 61 Reynolds, Ron | HJR 69 Bernal, Diego | HJR 100 Goodwin, Vikki | HJR 131 Simmons, Lauren Ashley | SJR 6 Zaffirini, Judith | SJR 32 Johnson, Nathan — This bill proposes a constitutional amendment requiring the state to adopt Medicaid expansion. The TCCB supports this bill as it increases access to healthcare.

HJR 61 Reynolds, Ron | HJR 21 Bucy, John | HJR 69 Bernal, Diego | HJR 100 Goodwin, Vikki | HJR 131 Simmons, Lauren Ashley | SJR 6 Zaffirini, Judith | SJR 32 Johnson, Nathan — This constitutional amendment requires the state to adopt Medicaid expansion.

HJR 69 Bernal, Diego | HJR 21 Bucy, John | HJR 61 Reynolds, Ron | HJR 100 Goodwin, Vikki | HJR 131 Simmons, Lauren Ashley | SJR 6 Zaffirini, Judith | SJR 32 Johnson, Nathan — This constitutional amendment requires the state to adopt Medicaid expansion.

HJR 100 Goodwin, Vikki | HJR 21 Bucy, John | HJR 61 Reynolds, Ron | HJR 69 Bernal, Diego | HJR 131 Simmons, Lauren Ashley | SJR 6 Zaffirini, Judith | SJR 32 Johnson, Nathan — This bill expands Medicaid to all individuals for whom federal matching funds are available under the Affordable Care Act, including anyone with income under 138% of the federal poverty level (FPL). It also requires an annual report from HHSC on the effects of expanding eligibility including state health care costs, local health care costs, charity care and uncompensated care costs for hospitals. The TCCB supports this bill to support the expansion of healthcare.

HJR 131 Simmons, Lauren | HJR 21 Bucy, John | HJR 61 Reynolds, Ron | HJR 69 Bernal, Diego | HJR 100 Goodwin, Vikki | SJR 6 Zaffirini, Judith | SJR 32 Johnson, Nathan — This bill proposes a constitutional amendment requiring the state to adopt Medicaid expansion. The TCCB supports this bill as it increases access to healthcare.

SB 31 Hughes, Bryan — This bill clarifies the civil liability statues to ensure that medical professionals are not hesitant to provide appropriate care for mothers with pregnancy complications. The TCCB supports this bill to ensure that women receive the necessary care when facing life-threatening pregnancy compilations.

SB 45 Zaffirini, Judi | HB 197 Bucy, John | HB 262 Bucy, John | HB 726 Reynolds, Ron | HB 807 Bernal, Diego | HB 1423 Goodwin, Vikki | SB 637 Johnson, Nathan — This bill expands Medicaid to all individuals for whom federal matching funds are available under the Affordable Care Ac, including anyone with income under 138% of the federal poverty level (FPL). It also requires an annual report from HHSC on the effects of expanding eligibility including state health care costs, local health care costs, charity care and uncompensated care costs for hospitals. The TCCB supports this bill to support the expansion of healthcare.

SB 168 Menendez, Jose | HB 1365 Hernandez, Ana — This bill would deem it unprofessional conduct for a mental health provider attempts to change the child's sexual orientation or gender identity, including gender-related behaviors or gender expression; or eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attraction or feelings towards persons of the same sex. The TCCB opposes this bill because it infringes upon the rights of patients and medical professionals to determine appropriate care based on objective scientific fact and sincerely held religious beliefs.

SB 207 Paxton, Angela — This bill includes appointments with mental health professionals in the list of reasons for an excused absence from school. The TCCB supports this bill as it recognizes the importance of mental health and its inclusion in health care.

SB 232 Johnson, Nathan — This bill expands Medicaid for whom federal matching dollars are available under the Affordable Care Act and establishes the Live Well Texas Program which creates incentives to transition from public assistance to achieving stable employment and promote personal responsibility and engage participants in making health care decisions. The program has two plans, Basic and Plus. An eligible individual whose household income is equal to or less than 100% of the federal poverty level is automatically enrolled in the Basic plan. Individuals whose household income exceeds 100% of the federal poverty level are automatically enrolled in the Plus plan. Plus plan participants must make contributions to a Health Savings Account. Each account will be funded with the amount of the annual deductible for a Basic plan and the difference between the deductible and the participant's required contribution for a Plus plan. The bill also requires HHSC to integrate existing job training and job search programs into the Live Well Texas program. For enrollees who become ineligible due to income requirements, HHSC must provide health care financial assistance for a period of one year while the participant actively seeks private health benefit coverage. The TCCB supports this bill to increase access to healthcare and promoting personal responsibility.

SB 238 Johnson, Nathan | HB 321 Bucy, John — This bill requires HHSC to implement an express lane option to determine a child's eligibility for CHIP based on data received from SNAP and enrolling the child upon obtaining consent from the child's parent. The TCCB supports this bill to expedite children's access to healthcare.

SB 255 Alvarado, Carol — This bill expands eligibility for Medicaid by requiring the provision of medical assistance to all individuals who apply for that assistance and for whom federal matching money is available under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). The TCCB supports this bill as it increases access to healthcare and reduces the number of uninsured Texans.

SB 350 Eckhardt, Sarah | HB 1219 Plesa, Mihaela — This bill requires physicians to prioritize the health of a pregnant individual's" health over the health of the fetus when recommending treatment for the individual regardless of whether the treatment poses a risk of injury or death to the fetus. The TCCB opposes this bill as the life of the mother and the life of the unborn child are of equal worth and are entitled to equal care and treatment.

SB 359 Eckhardt, Sarah | HB 1098 Cole, Sheryl — This bill requires Medicaid reimbursement for abortion, contraception, and sterilization. The TCCB opposes this bill which uses taxpayer funding to end human life.

SB 360 Eckhardt, Sarah | HB 1161 Hinojosa, Gina — This bill allows a pregnant person" to specify the effect the "person's" pregnancy has on the advance directive. It also adds health care facility DNR as a third type of directive in addition to MPOA and out-of-hospital DNR. The TCCB opposes this bill which reduces the protections for unborn children in end of life healthcare decisions.

SB 397 Sparks, Kevin — This bill requires standardized formats for and retention of records related to patient consent in a telehealth setting and requires an in-person exam before any irreversible medical procedure is initiated. The TCCB supports this bill to strengthen informed consent for telehealth services.

SB 611 Hinojosa, Chuy — This bill allows the commissioner of state health services to issue a statewide standing order prescribing epi-pens to public and private schools. The TCCB supports this bill to increase access to epi-pens for students experiencing severe allergic reactions.

SB 619 Sparks, Kevin | HB 2816 Oliverson, Tom — This bill allows medical professionals to decline to participate in a healthcare service for reasons of conscience. The TCCB supports this bill for the protection of health care professionals' conscience.

SB 637 Johnson, Nathan | HB 197 Bucy, John | HB 726 Reynolds, Ron | HB 807 Bernal, Diego | HB 1423 Goodwin, Vikki | SB 45 Zaffirini, Judith — This bill expands Medicaid to all individuals for whom federal matching funds are available under the Affordable Care Act, including anyone with income under 138% of the federal poverty level (FPL). It also requires an annual report from HHSC on the effects of expanding eligibility including state health care costs, local health care costs, charity care and uncompensated care costs for hospitals. The TCCB supports this bill to support the expansion of healthcare.

SB 638 Johnson, Nathan | HB 262 Bucy, John | HB 814 Bernal, Diego | HB 1355 Bryant, John | HB 2939 Jones, Venton — This bill expands Medicaid to individuals who apply and for whom federal matching funds are available under the Affordable Care Act. It also requires the HHSC commissioner to submit an annual report to the governor, lt. gov., speaker of the house, and the standing committees having primary jurisdiction over Medicaid on the effects of Medicaid expansion on the number of uninsured, state and local healthcare costs, and charity and uncompensated care costs for hospitals. The TCCB supports this bill to increase access to healthcare services and reduce the number of uninsured Texans.

SB 657 Johnson, Nathan — This bill expands eligibility for Medicaid to the maximum extent permitted by federal law to include all individuals for whom federal matching funds are available in order to maximize the reduction in uninsured Texas residents, promote personal responsibility, increase efficiency of healthcare delivery, increase accessibility, and reduce health care costs. The TCCB supports this bill as it increases access to healthcare and reduces the number of insured Texans.

SB 753 Middleton, Mayes — This bill prohibits a health care practitioner from referring a child to an out of state health care practitioner for gender transitioning surgeries and prescription drugs. An offense is a third degree felony. The TCCB supports this bill to protect children from harmful gender transition procedures and interventions.

SB 1257 Hughes, Bryan — This bill requires a health benefit plan that provides coverage for gender transition procedures or treatment also to provide coverage for all possible adverse consequences including any procedure or treatment to manage, reverse, reconstruct from, or recover from a gender transition procedure or treatment. The TCCB supports this bill to require coverage for the reversal of gender transition treatments and procedures.

SB 1316 Cook, Molly | HB 2735 Cunningham, Charles — This bill prohibits advertisements for e-cigarettes within 1,000 feet of a church or school. The TCCB supports this bill to limit exposure to e-cigarette advertising.

SB 1619 Zaffirini, Judi | HB 2283 Cortez, Philip — This bill replaces "epinephrine auto-injectors" with epinephrine "delivery devices" in the Education Code and other areas of statute to include both auto-injectors and nasal sprays. The TCCB supports this bill to include in statutory definition the delivery of epinephrine through a nasal spray.

SB 1889 Schwertner, Charles — This bill establishes a grant program to cover the costs of providing visual devices for educationally disadvantaged students. The TCCB supports this bill to provide vision care to vulnerable students.

SB 2357 Perry, Charles | HB 4435 Orr, Angelia — This bill requires HHSC establish the training program TexasAIM to assist health care providers with implementing maternal safety projects and decreasing incidents of preventable maternal death and severe maternal morbidity by applying best practices for maternal safety. The TCCB supports this bill to improve maternal safety.

SJR 6 Zaffirini, Judi | HJR 21 Bucy, John | HJR 61 Reynolds, Ron | HJR 69 Bernal, Diego | HJR 100 Goodwin, VikkiHJR 131 Simmons, Lauren Ashley | SJR 32 Johnson, Nathan — This bill proposes a constitutional amendment requiring the state to adopt Medicaid expansion. The TCCB supports this bill as it increases access to healthcare.

SJR 32 Johnson, Nathan | HJR 21 Bucy, John | HJR 61 Reynolds, Ron | HJR 69 Bernal, Diego | HJR 100 Goodwin, VikkiHJR 131 Simmons, Lauren Ashley | SJR 6 Zaffirini, Judith — This bill proposes a constitutional amendment requiring the state to adopt Medicaid expansion. The TCCB supports this bill as it increases access to healthcare.

HB 21 Gates, Gary | SB 867 Bettencourt, Paul — This bill redefines eligible residential developments to encompass those occupied or intended for occupancy by low and moderate-income individuals by removing the previous threshold of 90% occupancy. The TCCB supports this bill to improve housing affordability.

HB 24 Orr, Angelia | SB 844 Hughes, Bryan — This bill establishes new protest procedures for zoning regulation changes, removing barriers to the production of “Missing Middle” housing units, including charitable initiatives such as Habitat for Humanity homes. Current law allows a small minority of property owners to halt these efforts. The TCCB supports this bill to remove such barriers and increase access to affordable homes.

HB 38 Bucy, John | HB 555 Bucy, John — This bill requires improvements to the TX Information and Referral Network such as improving customer service, responding in a timely manner and updates to the website. It also requires a report be sent to the Governor, Lt. Governor & Speaker of the House every two years. The TCCB supports this bill to improve referrals for vulnerable families.

HB 158 Raymond, Richard — This bill creates a study on using surplus government property to provide housing to low income veterans. The TCCB supports this bill to increase housing options for low income veterans.

HB 211 Bernal, Diego | SB 1836 Hughes, Bryan — This bill ensures that owners seeking applicants for affordable housing tax credits have provided air conditioning to units. The TCCB supports this bill to improve affordable housing conditions.

HB 314 Walle, Armando — This bill extends SNAP benefits from three to 12 months for most adults ages 18-49 with no children living in the home. The TCCB supports this bill to alleviate food insecurity.

HB 322 Guillen, Ryan | SB 59 Zaffirini, Judith — This bill expands the allowable use of grant funds under the Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) program to pay for the acquisition, implementation, and ongoing maintenance of technology solutions necessary to support CTE programs. The TCCB supports this bill to increase support for job training.

HB 421 Gonzalez, Mary — This bill requires deep fake generators to verify the age of the person apparently depicted by explicit deep fake material and prohibits the creation of material depicting a person younger than 18, and if over 18, without the person's consent. A private cause of action may be brought against a deep fake generator for violations. The TCCB supports this bill to protect children from digital victimization.

HB 451 Thompson, Senfronia | SB 941 Paxton, Angela — This bill requires a screening for risk of commercial sexual exploitation for children who come into state custody. The TCCB supports this bill to protect children from sex trafficking.

HB 476 Bucy, John — This bill sets maximum interest rates for deferred presentment transactions. The TCCB supports this bill which reduces high interest predatory loans.

HB 589 Thompson, Senfronia | SB 610 Paxton, Angela — This bill requires the Dept of Licensing and Regulation to establish an anti-trafficking unit that will identify businesses operating within industries affected by human trafficking and coordinate with the OAG to combat trafficking. It also requires that any information identifying someone as a victim be kept confidential. The TCCB supports this bill to combat human trafficking.

HB 742 Thompson, Senfronia — This bill requires human trafficking training for first responders to identify, assist and report victims of human trafficking. It also requires signs for healthcare employees at emergency rooms and hospitals, as well as free-standing ERs stating that employees should be provided training on human trafficking and that they may not be disciplined for reporting suspected trafficking. The signs must also contain a list of human trafficking indicators, a phone number for the OAG, and contact information for DPS. Signs must be 11" x 17" in 16pt font in English and Spanish and any other language spoken by at least 10% of the facility's employees. The TCCB supports this bill to combat human trafficking.

HB 754 Thompson, Senfronia — This bill requires human trafficking training for medical assistants to identify, assist and report victims of human trafficking. It also requires signs for healthcare employees at healthcare facilities stating that employees should be provided training on human trafficking and that they may not be disciplined for reporting suspected trafficking. The signs must also contain a list of human trafficking indicators, a phone number for the OAG, and contact information for DPS. Signs must be 11" x 17" in 16pt font in English and Spanish and any other language spoken by at least 10% of the facility's employees. The TCCB supports this bill to combat human trafficking.

HB 768 Bernal, Diego — This bill regulates the terms of payday and auto-title loans and requires disclosures to consumers that include references to non-profits that provide financial education and/or cash assistance. The TCCB supports this bill to protect consumers from the cycle of debt.

HB 1083 Curry, Pat | HB 2834 Plesa, Mihaela | SB 364 Eckhardt, Sarah — This bill eliminates the required date of adoption on or after Sept. 1, 2009, for a student formerly in the conservatorship of DFPS to be eligible to receive tuition and fee exemptions at public institutions of higher education.

HB 1092 Shaheen, Matt — This bill makes it a state jail felony if a person produces or distributes a deep fake image or video that depicts a real child who was younger than 14 when the material was created. The TCCB supports this bill to increase the criminal penalty for deep fake child exploitation.

HB 1350 Turner, Chris — This bill would limit the annual percentage rate of an extension of consumer credit that a credit services organization obtains for a consumer or assists them in obtaining to not exceed 36%. The rate would be calculated inclusive of the total charges in connection with the extension of credit (e.g., interest, lender charges, any fees). The TCCB supports this bill to limit usurious practices of payday and auto-title lenders.

HB 1686 Hull, Lacey | HB 1975 Cook, David | SB 836 Paxton, Angela — This bill prohibits public dissemination of property related to evidence (including visual images) from victim forensic medical examinations. If a copy of the examination is received, a pseudonym for the victim shall be used. This property or material would be placed under seal by the court, but an order may be granted lifting the seal on a finding that is in the best interest of the public. The TCCB supports this bill because the privacy of victims of sex trafficking.

HB 1975 Cook, David | HB 1686 Hull, Lacey | SB 836 Paxton, Angela — This bill prohibits public dissemination of property related to evidence (including visual images) from victim forensic medical examinations. If a copy of the examination is received a pseudonym for the victim shall be used. This property or material would be placed under seal by the court, but an order may be granted lifting the seal on a finding that is in the best interest of the public. The TCCB supports this bill because the privacy of victims of sex trafficking.

HB 2067 Paul, Dennis | SB 1006 Middleton, Mayes — This bill would allow the insurance commissioner to make rules regarding the declination of insurance policies. It would have the commissioner require property liability insurance and commercial property insurance insurers that decline, cancels or refuses to renew an insurance policy to provider the policy holder a written notice statement of the reasons why the declination, cancellation or nonrenewal occurred. The TCCB supports this bill as it may protect religious institutions from unfair declination of coverage.

HB 2202 Guillen, Ryan | SB 1031 Blanco, Cesar — This bill streamlines the six-month eligibility check of households using SNAP benefits using technology and verified data sources. The TCCB supports this bill to reduce workload and improve timeliness in approval of necessary food assistance for those in need.

HB 2206 Bumgarner, Ben | SB 1224 Sparks, Kevin — This bill requires superintendents or directors of school districts or charter schools to notify the municipal police department or the county sheriff not later than 48 hours after the superintendent or director becomes aware that an educator is alleged to have engaged in misconduct. The TCCB supports this bill to prioritize the protection of children.

HB 2318 Thompson, Senfronia — This establishes a statewide human trafficking data repository with enhanced reporting under the office of the attorney general. The TCCB supports this bill to improve coordination among law enforcement and social services for human trafficking victims.

HB 2525 Darby, Drew | SB 1237 Paxton, Angela — This bill would provide certain rights to victims (or to the surviving family member of the deceased victim) of family violence, stalking, sexual or assaultive offenses, or a violation of a protective order or bond. These additional rights include the right to a disclosure of information regarding collected evidence, the status of the analysis performed on evidence, the right to be informed of the case's disposition, if the state is not representing the victim, and the investigating agency's contact information. The TCCB supports this bill because it provides crime victims with rights to support their needs.

HB 2581 Hull, Lacey — This bill requires a Thriving Texas Families network contractor or service provider to submit requests for payment for services on a form that includes an itemized list of services and materials and an anonymized client signature. The TCCB supports this bill to ensure transparency and accountability in the Thriving Texas Families Program.

HB 2761 Johnson, Ann | SB 2435 Parker, Tan — This bill specifically addresses situations where a trafficked child or disabled individual is coerced into prostitution. The TCCB supports this bill to improve prosecution of traffickers.

HB 2772 Thompson, Senfronia | SB 1278 Parker, Tan — This bill creates an affirmative defense to prosecution that the actor engaged in conduct charged because the actor was coerced, acting under duress, or reasonably feared harm as a result of being a victim of human trafficking or forced prostitution. The TCCB supports this bill to prevent the prosecution of trafficking victims.

HB 2776 McLaughlin, Don | SB 703 Zaffirini, Judith — This bill increases the offenses that make an entity ineligible for a massage license by adding sexual offenses, sexual performance of a child, possession of child phonography, and possession of lewd material depicting a child. The TCCB supports this bill to protect children from harm and to prevent the trafficking of persons.

HB 2834 Plesa, Mihaela | HB 1083 Curry, Pat | SB 364 Eckhardt, Sarah — This bill eliminates the required date of adoption on or after Sept. 1, 2009, for a student formerly in the conservatorship of DFPS to be eligible to receive tuition and fee exemptions at public institutions of higher education.

HB 3172 Gates, Gary | SB 854 Middleton, Mayes — This bill improves permitting processes for affordable housing for religious entities who build affordable housing on their property. The TCCB supports this bill to more efficiently convert property owned by churches and other faith-based entities to affordable housing.

HB 3191 Button, Angie C — This bill establishes an employer child-care contribution partnership program to support families in accessing high-quality child care by incentivizing eligible employers to contribute to employee child-care costs and providing a state match for those funds. Contributions are eligible for a tax credit. The TCCB supports this bill to increase access to affordable childcare.

HB 3232 Harris, Cody — This bill establishes a strong families tax credit for contributions to eligible organizations that provide comprehensive case management services for at-risk families, services and resources to assist fathers in learning and improving parenting skills, and does not directly or indirectly provide abortion services. The TCCB supports this bill to encourage charitable giving for life-affirming case management.

HB 3404 Hefner, Cole | SB 840 Hughes, Bryan — This bill expands residential options in commercial zones. The TCCB supports this bill to allow housing to be built in areas zoned for commercial use or office space, creating much-needed housing options, especially in areas with high demand.

HB 3792 Talarico, James — This bill requires a survey of surplus state property to identify properties feasible for affordable housing developments and allows property tax incentives for developments with at least 30% of the units set at affordable prices. The TCCB supports this bill to increase access to affordable prices.

HB 3858 LaHood, Marc — This bill mandates the governor's approval for temporary housing or emergency shelters intended for disaster victims. It sets forth a structured process that counties or municipalities must follow to ensure safety and compliance. The TCCB supports this bill to ensure that the safety of disaster victims is prioritized.

HB 3919 Gates, Gary | SB 15 Bettencourt, Paul — This bill sets forth specific size and density regulations for residential lots in Texas municipalities with populations exceeding 90,000 situated in counties above 300,000 residents. Municipalities are restricted from enforcing ordinances that require residential lots to exceed 1,400 square feet, have setbacks larger than five feet, or maintain a density lower than 31.1 units per acre. The TCCB supports this bill to increase homeownership opportunities, lower housing costs and reduce homelessness.

HB 4189 Schatzline, Nate — This bill would amend the Business & Commerce Code by having Internet providers offer each customer an optional content filter. This filter would prevent the customer from accessing, downloading or displaying explicit material when using the provider's Internet service and it would notify the customer is the filter prevented access to explicit content. This filter must be at no additional cost to the customer. The TCCB supports this bill because it helps protect children from explicit content.

HB 4226 Morales Shaw, Penny — This bill would amend the Tax Code by stating that motor vehicles purchased by nonprofit food banks or that are primarily used by nonprofit food banks are exempted from taxes imposed on the sale, use or rental of motor vehicles. The TCCB supports this bill because it provides nonprofit food banks with tax relief helpful to carrying out their charitable mission.

HB 4238 Meyer, Morgan — This bill establishes protection mechanisms for victims of identity theft. If consumers provide specific types of documentation including a criminal complaint, a court declaration of identity theft victim status, or a properly filed FTC identity theft report creditors and debt collectors are forbidden from attempting to collect the disputed debts. The TCCB supports this bill to provide protections for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking who have debt incurred in their name by an abuser (coerced debt) and other victims of identity theft.

HB 4298 Shaheen, Matt — This bill would add a chapter to the Business & Commerce Code that makes electronic device manufacturer automatically enable filters on their Texas devices that can prevent minor from accessing and downloading explicit material when enabled. The manufacturers shall provide parental controls on devices. If a manufacturer violates this chapter a civil penalty of up to $30,000 may be brought by the attorney general. The TCCB supports this bill because it helps protect children from explicit content.

HB 4655 Hull, Lacey | SB 602 West, Royce — This bill adds to the life skills education requirements for children aging out of the foster care system to include education on different credit reporting agencies, the risks of payday loans, unsecured loans, and motor vehicle title loans, including an explanation of interest rates and usurious loans, identifying and avoiding financial scams, opening and using a bank account, creating a balanced budget, financing a motor vehicle, and a common rental contract for housing. It requires the department to review the government assistance that youth may qualify for including social security benefits, veteran or service member benefits, supplemental nutrition assistance, TANF, and housing assistance. The TCCB supports this bill to provide financial literacy education as well as information on programs and services that may benefit children aging out of foster care.

HB 4761 Davis, Aicha — This bill establishes a comprehensive framework for the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children Program in Texas, creating a structured approach to ensure that eligible children have access to food during the summer months when public schools are not in session. The TCCB supports this bill to increase access to healthy food for hungry children.

HB 5187 Patterson, Jared | SB 2477 Bettencourt, Paul — This bill will streamline the conversion of empty or underutilized commercial properties into residential or mixed-use development including allowing residential in office zones without zoning changes. The TCCB supports this bill to increase housing affordabity.

HB 5285 Frank, James | SB 1388 Kolkhorst, Lois — This bill amends the Thriving Texas Families Program by requiring HHSC ensure that service providers are not associated with abortion service providers and do not provide, refer, advocate for, or promote abortion services. It excludes from TTF funding government entities, hospitals, and providers who primarily function as medical, behavioral health, or mental health providers. The TCCB supports this bill to reinforce the Thriving Texas Families Program as a pro-life, pro-woman, pro-family initiative.

HB 5462 Oliverson, Tom — This bill establishes a license for Earned Wage Access providers. It mandates that providers give clear disclosures about fees and service costs. It includes a percentage of transaction cap set by the commissioner and guarantees FDIC insurance for wages held by the company. The TCCB supports this bill to enhance consumer protections for individuals engaging with earned income access services, and hold providers accountable through rigorous licensing and operational standards.

SB 15 Bettencourt, Paul — This bill sets forth specific size and density regulations for residential lots in Texas municipalities with populations exceeding 90,000 situated in counties above 300,000 residents. Municipalities are restricted from enforcing ordinances that require residential lots to exceed 1,400 square feet, have setbacks larger than five feet, or maintain a density lower than 31.1 units per acre. The TCCB supports this bill to increase homeownership opportunities, lower housing costs and reduce homelessness.

SB 59 Zaffirini, Judi | HB 322 Guillen, Ryan — This bill expands the allowable use of grant funds under the Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) program to pay for costs for the acquisition, implementation, and ongoing maintenance of technology solutions necessary to support CTE programs. The TCCB supports this bill to increase support for job training.

SB 364 Eckhardt, Sarah | HB 1083 Curry, Pat | HB 2834 Plesa, Mihaela — This bill allows all students formerly in the conservatorship of DFPS to be eligible to receive tuition and fee exemptions at public institutions of higher education. The TCCB supports this bill to allow foster care youth to receive higher education assistance.

SB 583 West, Royce — This bill applies to municipalities with a population of more than 25,000 residents and a county with a population of more than 50,000 residents. It requires that each qualifying municipality and county prepare an inventory of all real property located within its jurisdiction that the county or municipality owns that is suitable for use or to be developed for use as affordable housing. The list should be published on the county & municipality website or in a conspicuous place if they do not maintain a website. The TCCB supports this bill to increase affordable housing options.

SB 599 West, Royce — This bill prohibits local cities/counties from adopting health ordinances for child care providers that are stronger than the state HHSC regulations.

SB 602 West, Royce — This bill adds to the life skills education requirements for children aging out of the foster care system to include education on different credit reporting agencies, the risks of payday loans, unsecured loans, and motor vehicle title loans, including an explanation of interest rates and usurious loans, identifying and avoiding financial scams, opening and using a bank account, creating a balanced budget, financing a motor vehicle, and a common rental contract for housing. It requires the department to review the government assistance that youth may qualify for including social security benefits, veteran or service member benefits, supplemental nutrition assistance, TANF, and housing assistance. The TCCB supports this bill to provide financial literacy education as well as information on programs and services that may benefit children aging out of foster care.

SB 610 Paxton, Angela | HB 589 Thompson, Senfronia — This bill requires the Dept of Licensing and Regulation to establish an anti-trafficking unit that will identify businesses operating within industries affected by human trafficking and coordinate with the OAG to combat trafficking. It also requires that any information identifying someone as a victim be kept confidential. The TCCB supports this bill to combat human trafficking.

SB 639 Johnson, Nathan — This bill requires that a person who is eligible for SNAP benefits remain eligible for 12 months, with some exceptions. The TCCB supports this legislation to alleviate food insecurity and hunger.

SB 673 Hughes, Bryan — This bill improves the permit process for property owners to construct accessory dwelling units by prohibiting excessive restrictions. The TCCB supports this bill to address the problem of housing affordability.

SB 703 Zaffirini, Judi | HB 2776 McLaughlin, Don — This bill increases the offenses that make an entity ineligible for a massage license by adding sexual offenses, sexual performance of a child, possession of child phonography, and possession of lewd material depicting a child. The TCCB supports this bill to protect children from harm and to prevent the trafficking of persons

SB 836 Paxton, Angela | HB 1686 Hull, Lacey | HB 1975 Cook, David — This bill prohibits public dissemination of property related to evidence (including visual images) from victim forensic medical examinations. This property or material would be placed under seal by the court, but an order may be granted lifting the seal on a finding that is in the best interest of the public. The TCCB supports this bill to maintain the privacy of victims of sex trafficking.

SB 837 Kolkhorst, Lois — This bill omits the pilot designation, and solidifies the Family Preservation Services Program's permanence and scope. The bill mandates a systematic evaluation of the program to ensure efficacy and compliance, and sets a clear expiration date of September 1, 2033. The TCCB supports this bill to prevent the need for foster care placements through structured family support.

SB 840 Hughes, Bryan | HB 3404 Hefner, Cole — This bill expands residential options in commercial zones. The TCCB supports this bill to allow housing to be built in areas zoned for commercial use or office space, creating much-needed housing options, especially in areas with high demand.

SB 844 Hughes, Bryan — This bill establishes new protest procedures for zoning regulation changes, removing barriers to the production of “Missing Middle” housing units, including charitable initiatives such as Habitat for Humanity homes. Current law allows a small minority of property owners to halt these efforts. The TCCB supports this bill to remove such barriers and increase access to affordable homes.

SB 854 Middleton, Mayes | HB 3172 Gates, Gary — This bill improves permitting processes for affordable housing for religious entities who build affordable housing on their property. The TCCB supports this bill to more efficiently convert property owned by churches and other faith-based entities to affordable housing.

SB 867 Bettencourt, Paul | HB 21 Gates, Gary — This bill redefines eligible residential developments to encompass those occupied or intended for occupancy by low and moderate-income individuals by removing the previous threshold of 90% occupancy. The TCCB supports this bill to improve housing affordability.

SB 941 Paxton, Angela | HB 451 Thompson, Senfronia — This bill requires a screening for risk of commercial sexual exploitation for children who come into state custody. The TCCB supports this bill to protect children from sex trafficking.

SB 941 Paxton, Angela | HB 451 Thompson, Senfronia — This bill requires a screening for risk of commercial sexual exploitation for children who come into state custody. The TCCB supports this bill to protect children from sex trafficking.

SB 1031 Blanco, Cesar | HB 2202 Guillen, Ryan — This bill streamlines the 6-month eligibility check of households using SNAP benefits using technology and verified data sources. The TCCB supports this bill to reduce workload and improve timeliness in approval of necessary food assistance for those in need.

SB 1237 Paxton, Angela | HB 2525 Darby, Drew — This bill establishes enhanced guidelines for the exemption from ad valorem taxation for certain properties owned by charitable organizations that cater to elderly individuals, specifically those 62 years of age or older. The revisions to Section 11.18(d) of the Tax Code impose stricter conditions on the nature and amount of charitable housing and services that must be provided by organizations to qualify for the tax exemption. Organizations must either provide housing without regard for the residents' ability to pay or ensure that they deliver charitable services equal to at least 4% of their net resident revenue. Furthermore, a new definition for charitable housing and services" is introduced emphasizing the need for services tailored to meet the unique requirements of the elderly which includes various forms of support like health and educational services. The bill specifies how charity care and net resident revenue are to be calculated for retirement communities ensuring consistency with practices established for hospitals.

SB 1278 Parker, Tan | HB 2772 Thompson, Senfronia — This bill creates an affirmative defense to prosecution that the actor engaged in conduct charged because the actor was coerced, acting under duress, or reasonably feared harm as a result of being a victim of human trafficking or forced prostitution. The TCCB supports this bill to prevent the prosecution of trafficking victims.

SB 1621 Huffman, Joan | HB 4911 Fairly, Caroline — This bill adds depictions of children including computer generated depictions to the penal codes related to child pornography. It also increases penalties for staff of childcare or residential facilities or facilities who receive state funds for childcare. This is a first-degree felony, punishable by 25 to 99 years of imprisonment, if the actor was employed at the childcare facility or the actor displayed the material in a school library. It is an affirmative defense if the actor was not more than 2 years older than the depicted child. The TCCB supports this bill because it protects children from exploitation.

SB 2018 Paxton, Angela | HB 3232 Harris, Cody — This bill establishes a strong families tax credit for contributions to eligible organizations that provide comprehensive case management services for at-risk families, services and resources to assist fathers in learning and improving parenting skills, and does not directly or indirectly provide abortion services. The TCCB supports this bill to encourage charitable giving for life-affirming case management.

SB 2477 Bettencourt, Paul | HB 5187 Patterson, Jared — This bill will streamline the conversion of empty or underutilized commercial properties into residential or mixed-use development including allowing residential in office zones without zoning changes. The TCCB supports this bill to increase housing affordabity.

SB 2973 Bettencourt, Paul — This bill would exempt nonprofits in counties of 3.3 million or more, that exclusively work for educational, scientific and charitable purposes that support youth, promotes agriculture and provides community educational support, would be exempt from ad valorem taxes. The TCCB supports this bill because its community and youth education programs.

SB 3000 Menendez, Jose — This bill establishes regulations and consumer protections for Earned Wage Access providers. Providers must perform a consumer assessment to evaluate the borrower's ability to repay prior to issuing an advance. They must also refund any overdraft fees incurred due to premature collection attempts, mandating reimbursement within 48 hours. It establishes limits on fees within a 30-day period, restrictions against issuing multiple advances on the same day, and bans on aggressive collection tactics. Providers are also barred from charging late fees and reporting non-payment to credit agencies. The TCCB supports this bill to enhance consumer protections for individuals engaging with earne d income access services, and hold providers accountable through rigorous licensing and operational standards.

HB 927 Cain, Briscoe — This bill clarifies that the religious freedom protections in the Civil Practices code do not affect the new religious service protections in the constitution. The TCCB supports this bill to clarify religious liberty protections.

HB 1044 Bhojani, Salman — This bill extends the list of those authorized to conduct marriage ceremonies to include a wider spectrum of interfaith representatives. The TCCB supports this bill to respect the religious liberty of persons of other faiths seeking marriage.

HB 1047 Bhojani, Salman — This bill adds optional religious holidays for several interfaith holidays. The TCCB supports this bill to allow optional holidays for a variety of religious days.

HB 1805 Oliverson, Tom — This bill creates a religious liberty commission with members appointed by the governor to advance religious freedom rights and create a religious library. The TCCB supports this bill to promote and preserve religious freedom.

HB 2067 Paul, Dennis | SB 1006 Middleton, Mayes — This bill would allow the insurance commissioner to make rules regarding the declination of insurance policies. It would have the commissioner require property liability insurance and commercial property insurance insurers that decline, cancels or refuses to renew an insurance policy to provider the policy holder a written notice statement of the reasons why the declination, cancellation or nonrenewal occurred. The TCCB supports this bill as it may protect religious institutions from unfair declination of coverage.

HB 2138 Simmons, Lauren | SB 2265 Cook, Molly — This bill prohibits the commission, the department, a single source continuum contractor, and any other person from discriminating or taking any adverse action against a person on the basis of the person's sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression relating to child welfare services, including the licensure or verification of a foster home or the placement of a child. The TCCB opposes this bill because it fails to account for sincerely held religious beliefs.

HB 3043 Walle, Armando — This bill adds a representative of a school, place of worship, licensed day-care center, hospital, or medical facility to the list of persons who may request a public hearing from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality related to the construction of a concrete plant. The TCCB supports this bill to improve transparency and community engagement in environmental planning and regulation.

HB 4452 Garcia, Josey — This bill repeals conscience protections for child welfare providers. The TCCB opposes this bill which violates religious liberty and will reduce access to foster care in Texas.

HB 4547 Oliverson, Tom — This bill would amend the Occupations Code to prevent state agencies form adopting rules or regulations that burden an applicant or a license holder's free exercise of religion or speech. The applicant or license holder whose rights were allegedly burdened by the state agency has a year to bring legal action. The state agency's immunity to suit is waived in this regard. The TCCB supports this bill because it protects the freedom of religion.

HB 4969 Schatzline, Nate — This bill amends the Human Resources Code to allow child welfare services providers a remedy for successfully asserting or defending a claim for the violation of their right of conscience. The remedy would be the recovery of reasonable attorney's fees and court costs. The TCCB supports this bill because it protects providers' conscience rights.

HB 5541 Toth, Steve — This bill amends the Occupations Code by adding that a state regulatory agency may not adopt a rule, regulation or policy that limits an applicant's ability to obtain or renew a license based upon the applicant's sincerely held religious belief. No rule or regulation can be adopted that burdens the applicant's free exercise of religion or freedom of speech either but this does not apply to certain regulations in regulating a law enforcement officer. The TCCB supports this bill because it promotes the freedom of religion.

HB 5622 Vasut, Cody — 1This bill prohibits a private employer from requiring a person to be vaccinated, including as a condition of employment or a contract position, or admission and prohibits an employer from taking an adverse action against a person who refuses to be vaccinated. The TCCB prohibits this bill which infringes on the religious liberty of private schools or employers to require vaccines.

HJR 52 Vasut, Cody | HJR 136 Richardson, Keresa — This bill proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting an agency of the state government, including the legislature, or of a political subdivision of this state may not regulate the educational program of a private school, including a home school, in this state. The TCCB supports this bill to protect the autonomy of private schools.

HJR 136 Richardson, Keresa | HJR 52 Vasut, Cody — This bill proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting an agency of the state government, including the legislature, or of a political subdivision of this state may not regulate the educational program of a private school, including a home school, in this state. The TCCB supports this bill to protect the autonomy of private schools.

SB 1006 Middleton, Mayes | HB 2067 Paul, Dennis — This bill would allow the insurance commissioner to make rules regarding the declination of insurance policies. It would have the commissioner require property liability insurance and commercial property insurance insurers that decline, cancels or refuses to renew an insurance policy to provider the policy holder a written notice statement of the reasons why the declination, cancellation or nonrenewal occurred. The TCCB supports this bill as it may protect religious institutions from unfair declination of coverage.

SB 1073 Hughes, Bryan — This bill prohibits the state bar from discriminating against an applicant's ability to obtain or renew a law license based on a sincerely held religious belief or burden an applicant's free exercise of religion or freedom of expression by a rule or policy unless there is a compelling government purpose, narrowly tailored to accomplish that purpose or restricts expressions of bias or prejudice in connection to an a judicatory proceeding. The TCCB supports this bill to protect religious freedom of attorneys.

SB 2265 Cook, Molly | HB 2138 Simmons, Lauren Ashley — This bill prohibits the commission, the department, a single source continuum contractor, and any other person from discriminating or taking any adverse action against a person on the basis of the person's sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression relating to child welfare services, including the licensure or verification of a foster home or the placement of a child. The TCCB opposes this bill because it fails to account for sincerely held religious beliefs.

SB 2456 Hughes, Bryan — This bill amends the Government Code to require that all inmates are informed of all volunteer programs and activities, the inmate is eligible to participant in, that involve religious services. The inmates' treatment plans are to include the religious programs and activities that the inmate participates in too. The TCCB support this bill because it provides inmates with information on the opportunities to worship while incarcerated.

SB 2574 Middleton, Mayes — This bill would prohibit the enforcement of Blaine Amendments by government actors. The TCCB supports this bill because prohibiting Blaine Amendment enforcement it supports religious liberty.

SB 2943 Hagenbuch, Bren — This bill would not allow state agencies that issue licenses or regulates businesses to adopt any rules that limits an applicant's ability to obtain or renew a license based upon their own sincerely held religious belief, freedom of speech regarding that belief or their free exercise of religion. The TCCB supports this bill because it promotes the freedom of religion.

HB 1230 Turner, Chris — This bill requires an applicant for a permit to drill a new oil or gas well to indicate on the application whether the proposed site is located within 1500 feet of a child-care facility, private school or primary or secondary school, or a facility that is owned by a school district or used by students enrolled in that district. If it is within 1500 feet of such entities, a permit cannot be granted without a public hearing. The TCCB supports this bill to promote community engagement in environmental planning and regulation.

HB 1256 Zwiener, Erin | HB 3637 Troxclair, Ellen | SB 1633 Campbell, Donna — This bill allows for exemption from taxation of the portion of the appraised value of a person's property that is attributable to the installation in or on the property of a rainwater harvesting or graywater system. The TCCB supports this bill to alleviate the tax burden on property owners who invest in sustainable water systems.

HB 1400 Harris, Cody | SB 718 Kolkhorst, Lois — This bill will create a new funding mechanisms for groundwater districts to better analyze their quality and quantity. The TCCB supports this bill to improve water quality in Texas.

HB 1726 Collier, Nicole — This bill allows a representative of a school, place of worship, licensed day-care center, hospital, or medical facility to the list of persons who may request a public hearing from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality related to the construction of a concrete plant. The TCCB supports this bill to improve transparency and community engagement in environmental planning and regulation.

HB 1823 Thompson, Senfronia | SB 2082 Miles, Borris — This bill prohibits the operation of concrete crushing facilities within 440 yards of a hospital. The TCCB supports this bill to improve air quality around hospitals for the protection of vulnerable patients.

HB 3043 Walle, Armando — This bill adds a representative of a school, place of worship, licensed day-care center, hospital, or medical facility to the list of persons who may request a public hearing from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality related to the construction of a concrete plant. The TCCB supports this bill to improve transparency and community engagement in environmental planning and regulation.

HB 3217 Dutton, Harold — This bill requires the TCEQ commission to consider all public comments submitted during the public comment period when deciding on an action related to an application. The TCCB supports this bill to increase public involvement in environmental matters.

HB 3338 Ward Johnson, Cassandra — This bill restricts the issuance of permits related to concrete plants that engage in wet batching, dry batching, or central mixing located within a five-mile radius of sensitive facilities such as schools, licensed daycare centers, or hospitals. The TCCB supports this bill to protect vulnerable populations from concrete dust pollution.

HB 3637 Troxclair, Elle | HB 1256 Zwiener, Erin | SB 1633 Campbell, Donna — This bill allows for exemption from taxation of the portion of the appraised value of a person's property that is attributable to the installation in or on the property of a rainwater harvesting or graywater system. The TCCB supports this bill to alleviate the tax burden on property owners who invest in sustainable water systems.

HB 4212 Curry, Pat — This bill creates a comprehensive framework for the establishment, administration, and utilization of the Texas Land, Water, and Wildlife Conservation Account. The legislation emphasizes a strategic approach to project selection, requiring the conservation board to set application priorities based on the projects sustainability and ecological benefits. The TCCB supports this bill to encourage conservation efforts.

HJR 88 Zwiener, Erin | SJR 60 Campbell, Donna — This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to allow for exemption from taxation of the portion of the appraised value of a person's property that is attributable to the installation in or on the property of a rainwater harvesting or graywater system. The TCCB supports this bill to alleviate the tax burden on property owners who invest in sustainable water systems.

SB 212 West, Royce — This bill requires an open public meeting regarding the issuance, amendment or renewal of a permit be held in the county in which the facility or proposed facility that is the subject of the meeting is located or proposed to be located. The TCCB supports this bill to increase transparency and community engagement in environmental planning and regulation.

SB 718 Kolkhorst, Lois | HB 1400 Harris, Cody — This bill will create a new funding mechanisms for groundwater districts to better analyze their quality and quantity. The TCCB supports this bill to improve water quality in Texas.

SB 763 Alvarado, Carol — This bill states that the TCEQ shall conduct a protectiveness review every six years, specifically for permanent concrete plants that perform various mixing techniques. This review will include an evaluation of air pollution levels and stipulates that if any amendments are made to the permits following a review, existing operations can continue temporarily, ensuring minimal disruption to facility operators while requiring compliance within a reasonable timeframe. The TCCB supports this bill to improve the regulatory framework for concrete batch plant permits and improve air quality.

SB 885 Eckhardt, Sarah — This bill allows a representative of a school, place of worship, licensed day-care center, hospital, nursing facility, or medical facility or a person residing within 880 yards of the proposed plant to request a hearing. Previously, the limits were 440 yards. The TCCB supports this bill to promote the health of vulnerable communities.

SB 1302 Kolkhorst, Lois | HB 4485 Bell, Cecil — This bill prohibits a discharger of waste that has been denied a permit or had a permit suspended to discharge waste into water or adjacent to waters from receiving a permit for five years after the denial or suspension. The TCCB supports this bill to prevent contamination of Texas water sources.

SB 1633 Campbell, Donna | HB 1256 Zwiener, Erin | HB 3637 Troxclair, Ellen — This bill allows for exemption from taxation of the portion of the appraised value of a person's property that is attributable to the installation in or on the property of a rainwater harvesting or graywater system. The TCCB supports this bill to alleviate the tax burden on property owners who invest in sustainable water systems.

SB 1663 Zaffirini, Judith | HB 5207 Guillen, Ryan — This bill requires that the Commission must issue notice as soon as practicable, but not later than 30 days after becoming aware of contamination. The methods of notification have been expanded to include not just traditional means like first-class mail but also e-mail and physical notices at residences, ensuring a broader outreach and timely information dissemination. It additionally requires notification of residents living within one mile of the contamination site. The TCCB supports this bill to improve notice of water safety.

SB 2082 Miles, Borris | HB 1823 Thompson, Senfronia — This bill prohibits the operation of concrete crushing facilities within 440 yards of a hospital. The TCCB supports this bill to improve air quality around hospitals for the protection of vulnerable patients.

SB 2275 Miles, Borris — This bill mandates that TCEQ create a process for allowing persons to submit comments by email during a public comment period required by law regarding permit application. The TCCB supports this bill to promote community engagement in environmental planning and regulation.

SB 2913 Middleton, Mayes — This bill would prohibit the construction of a cement kiln facility within 440 yards of a school or place of worship. The commission may also not issue a federal operating permit to a federal source for a cement kiln within 440 yards of a school or place of worship wither. The TCCB supports this bill because it protects the air quality around schools and places of worship.

SJR 60 Campbell, Donna | HJR 88 Zwiener, Erin — This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to allow for exemption from taxation of the portion of the appraised value of a person's property that is attributable to the installation in or on the property of a rainwater harvesting or graywater system. The TCCB supports this bill to alleviate the tax burden on property owners who invest in sustainable water systems.