March has come and gone, paving the way for an action-packed couple months before the end of the 88th Legislative Session in May. As April begins, we’re recapping the key bills that made headway in March.
Property Tax Relief Act
House Bill 2 will deliver the largest property tax cut in state history. Combined with tax rate compression in House Bill 1, the tax relief package proposed by the House totals $17.3 billion. The Property Tax Relief Act will ultimately reduce school district property taxes and put a cap on annual appraisal increases, saving homeowners hundreds of dollars each year.
Stopping the One Pill that Kills
The fentanyl crisis has hit a critical level and we must do everything we can to stop the spread of this deadly drug in our state. House Bill 6 will crack down on those peddling fentanyl by imposing harsher penalties on manufacturers and distributors.
Reining in Rogue District Attorneys
Tired of District Attorneys halting the wheels of justice? Texas House Republicans are too. That’s why House Bills 17 and 200 will reinstate oversight of unruly attorneys through the Prosecuting Attorneys Coordinating Council and ensure equal enforcement of the law statewide.
Ensuring Online Safety
We must protect the data of Texans young and old on digital platforms. House Bill 4, the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act expands the rights of Texans to control how their personal data is collected and used online, while House Bill 18, the SCOPE Act, empowers parents to opt out of data-collecting algorithms.
Protecting Texas Children, Schools
Students should feel safe in the classroom. House Bills 3 and 13 improve school safety by increasing funding for security measures, requiring schools to develop preparedness plans, and offering more mental health resources.
House Bill 900, known as the READER Act, protects the innocence of Texas children, prohibiting the distribution of inappropriate and explicit materials inside our schools and empowering parents.
Expanding Access to Community College Education
Texas community colleges play a vital role in educating the rapidly changing workforce of tomorrow. House Bill 8 establishes a new funding model for community colleges in the state — one that is focused on recognizing and rewarding such institutions for the important role they play with associate degrees, non-credit workforce education programs and other credentials of value that will be required in more than 60% of jobs in the state over the next decade.
Developing Texas Infrastructure
From broadband to water, Texas infrastructure proves to be a big priority this session. House Bill 9 would establish the Texas Broadband Infrastructure Fund to advance our goal of universal access to high-speed internet.
On the water front, House Bill 10 would create the Texas Water Fund to improve water access and security for decades to come.
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