LEGISLATION/AMENDMENTS PASSED BY REP. DUKES IN 80th SESSION: |
- HB 121 TEEN DATING VIOLENCE: Relating to public school policies designed to prevent dating violence. HB 121 would require school districts to address teen dating violence as part of the district improvement plans they are already required to develop in order to reduce incidences of teen dating violence
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- HB 122 as amendment to HB 2237 EDUCATION GO GET IT: Relating to promoting the importance of higher education in public schools. House Bill 122 establishes "Education. Go Get It" Week, in which public middle/junior high and high school as well as charter schools offering those grades shall designate one week out of a calendar school year to promoting the importance of higher education.
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- HB 321 electronic eligibility pilot program: Relating to the establishment of a pilot program by the Health and Human Services Commission to accept importation of electronic eligibility information from a regional indigent care provider. The ability to accept locally-generated eligibility data will leverage local intake worker time, easing the burden on state workers; allow electronic importation of supporting documentation to eliminate human error; eliminate duplication and enhance efficiency of TIERS, brining long-term savings; and move TIERS towards a true statewide eligibility system integrated with local regional systems.
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- HB 550 unemployment compensation for victims of family violence: Relating to the eligibility of certain victims of family violence for unemployment compensation. The goal is to allow employees the option of using a police record, physician's statement, or other medical documentation as evidence for family violence against the employee.
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- HB 662 INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COUNCIL FOR BUILDING HEALTHY FAMILIES; STRATEGIC LONG TERM PLAN FOR PREVENTION SERVICES Relating to the coordination, improvement, and funding of certain programs and services for the prevention of and early intervention in child abuse and neglect. HB 662 requires the Department of Family & Protective Services to consult with the Interagency Coordinating Council for Building Healthy Families to develop a statewide, long-range strategic plan for child abuse and neglect prevention services. The plan must include:
- details for child abuse and neglect public awareness efforts and outreach;
- a strategy for the state & political subdivisions of the state to:
- reduce their need for services addressing child maltreatment; and
- transition to a system that promotes child abuse & neglect prevention services in order to use cost savings to increase prevention services funding in the future.
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- HB 1318 police officers retirement systems: Relating to retirement systems for police officers in certain municipalities. APPLIES TO CITY OF AUSTIN HB 1318 allows interest to be credited only to vested members. This change reduces the amortization period of the system's unfunded liabilities to somewhat strengthen the system. The bill authorizes the police retirement board to either reimburse or insure against liability and legal expenses incurred by a trustee or employee as a result of an action taken in the person's official capacity.
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- HB 1396 Office for the Elimination of Health Disparities: Relating to the Office for the Elimination of Health Disparities and the health disparities task force. The Health Disparities Task Force, created at the same time as the OEHD, recommended in their 2006 report to the Legislature that OEHD and the Task force be moved from DSHS to the Office of the Commissioner, HHSC to better accomplish their mission. This recommendation has the support of the HHSC Commissioner.
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- HB 1634 Film Incentives: Relating to incentives for the film, television, and multimedia production industries. H.B. 1634 creates financial incentives for film, television, and multimedia production industries in order to bring more projects to Texas.
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- HB 2042 Provider Electronic Database: Relating to an electronic database of physicians, hospitals, and other health care providers participating in the state Medicaid program. HB 2042 requires HHSC to establish and administer an electronic, searchable, web-based database of all participating Medicaid providers. The database would include contact information, whether the provider accepts new Medicaid patients, limitations on the practice, languages spoken, and a list of the medical assistance programs in which they participate. Participating providers would be able to update their information through the Internet; HHSC would post updates once a month; and access to the database would be free for Medicaid recipients, physicians, and providers.
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- HB 3015 as amendment to HB 662 primary child abuse prevention programs: Relating to the child abuse and neglect prevention trust fund account. ENSURES Money in the trust fund is dedicated to child abuse prevention programs. All marriage license fees and other fees collected for and deposited in the trust fund and interest earned on the trust fund balance shall be appropriated each biennium only to the operating fund for primary child abuse prevention programs.
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- ·SB 814 BY JANEK/ SP: DUKES (COMPANION TO HB 370 by Dukes) ENVIRONMENTAL LEAD INVESTIGATIONS: Relating to environmental lead investigations by the Department of State Health Services. HB 370 grants DSHS legal authority to conduct environmental investigations for a child with a confirmed elevated blood lead level. Furthermore, the bill will provide the department with legal authority to comply with requests from CPS to inspect a child care facility for allegations about the facility being the source of a child's lead exposure. The bill gives DSHS rule making authority to adopt rules to govern environmental investigations, coordinated follow-up care for children, and guidance to parents and others on the elimination and control of lead exposures.
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- SB 811 BY JANEK/ SP: DUKES (COMPANION TO HB 532 BY DUKES) VACCINE FOR CHILDREN PROGRAM: Relating to requiring the Department of State Health Services to allow health care providers to use certain vaccines in the vaccines for children program and to the procurement of those vaccines. Requires the Department of State Health Services, in the administration of the Texas Vaccines for Children Program, to allow physician choice in using any US Food and Drug Administration-approved influenza virus vaccine that is recommended by the Federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and is available under the federal VFC contract.
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- SB 1470 BY SELIGER/ SP: DUKES (COMPANION TO HB 3021 BY DUKES) Violence Against Women Act funds: Relating to certain notifications required for persons convicted of a misdemeanor involving family violence. In order to receive federal Violence Against Women Act funds, Texas has to certify to the feds that it has judicial administrative policies that include notification to an offender that he might not be able to possess a firearm if convicted. Legislation is a legislative fix to the criminal code of procedure that relates to the notice given to certain offenders of prohibitions under federal and state law. It insures that Texas is certified and meets the necessary Judicial notification requirements pursuant to the Violence Against Women Act, 42 U.S.C. 3796gg-4(e). This insurance will bring Texas into compliance with the Violence Against Women Act and will preclude any possibility of the state losing this valuable federal funding source.
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- SB 1523 BY WENTWORTH/ SP: DUKES: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SPORTING EVENT TRUST FUND: Relating to facilitating and supporting efforts of certain municipalities and counties to promote economic development by hosting certain major sporting or athletic events. There are many site selection organizations that operate to promote and bring major sporting and athletic events to Texas. The Sporting Events trust fund provides a structure for financing the costs of bidding for, preparing for, and conducting those events. These events generate valuable tax dollars which are used to replenish the fund.
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- HUB AMENDMENT to HB 3560 continues current rule adoption process in the Texas Register with public input and hearings; requires a HUB searchable database with participating members of the Texas Unified Certification Program to enhance the ability of primes to locate HUB businesses to participate on contracts locally and statewide. This amendment also makes HUB performance a “key” performance measure in the Appropriations consideration process for state agencies.
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- HB 1 APPROPRIATIONS BILL, Dukes worked to secure funding for:
- Across the board pay raise for state employees - $240 million
- Law enforcement parity and raises 5%-10% salary increase for law enforcement (troopers and wardens)
- Anthropos Arts Specialty License Plates dedicated fund establishment
- CHIP $89.5 for an additional 100,00-133,000 Texas children; (House version of HB 109 is in the budget; HB 109 is in conference)
- Medicaid Provider rates (rate restoration to 2003 levels plus additional $ for provider rates)
- Cenotaph in State Cemetery to honor 19th Century African American Members of the Texas Legislature
- System Benefit Fund: $200 million for a 10% discount on electricity rates for low income Texans
- Parks $109 million increase for State parks
- Film incentives of at least $20 million for film grants. This rider actually makes the state more money than it costs (as certified by the Comptroller); grants are determined on how much tax revenue they generate to the treasury; there is strong legislative control AND discretion on amounts above $20 million; the program is data-driven; The rider gives the LBB and the Comptroller strong oversight to determine if the program is working; The funds are used to help bring jobs to Texas so our Texas film crews are able get more work and stay in Texas;
- Frew Lawsuit funding $706.7 million
- Mental health crisis centers $82 mill.
- Medicaid reform
- CPS reform package
- Primary Care Prevention services
- Health and Human Service/CPS staffing increases
- Elimination of the Accenture contract outsourcing provisions
- Prevention of privatization of CPS foster home oversight
- Strategic prevention plan to expand women’s health care through the prevention fund diversion to other programs
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