Here is an overview of activity from your area elected officials on various legislation so far this session.

Sen. Paul Bettencourt

R-Houston • Elected: 2014 [email protected]

Bill update:

• Bettencourt's Senate Bill 151 requires voters to give approval to municipalities before one issues a pension bond. The bill was voted out of the Senate 21-10.

Rep. Kevin Roberts

R-Houston • Elected 2016 [email protected]

Recent bills filed:

• Roberts heard testimony for  House Bill 2, which seeks to settle shortfalls in the existing budget. The bill passed out of the House Appropriations Committee unanimously.

Rep. Tom Oliverson

R-Cypress • Elected 2016 [email protected]

Recent bills filed:

• Oliverson's HB 14 would create a civil penalty for licensed handgun carriers who carry on state hospital property. It was reported favorably out of committee with a unanimous vote.

Rep. Mike Schofield

R-Houston • Elected 2014 [email protected]

Bill update:

• Schofield co-authored HB 1574, which requires county registrars to cancel a person's voter registration upon learning he or she is not a citizen. It was voted out of committee 5-2.

Rep. Dwayne Bohac

R-Houston • Elected 2002 [email protected]

Recent bills filed:

• Bohac voted for HB 22, a bill that proposes fixes to the school finance system. The bill was approved by the committee and sent to the House.

Things to know about Senate-approved ‘bathroom bill’

1. The bill regulates bathroom usage based on the gender printed on an individual’s birth certificate. The bill’s sponsor, state Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, said individuals can change their birth certificate if they want to use a different bathroom.
2. The bill, which was approved March 15 by the state Senate but awaits action by a state House committee, imposes penalties on entities where bathroom violations occur and not on individuals who violate the law. Penalties total as much as $10,500 for each violation.
3. Per the law, exceptions can be made for custodial staff, children age 10 and younger and for medical assistance. Those testifying against the bill questioned whether someone could dress up as a custodian to illegally enter the bathroom of a different gender.

News and notes from the capitol

Community Impact Newspaper and The Texas Tribune have established a partnership to share essential updates during the 85th legislative session. The Texas Tribune is the only member-supported, digitally focused, nonpartisan news organization that informs and engages with Texans about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.

Compiled by Ayan Mittra

• Budget update The Texas House passed its version of the state budget early April 7. The House vote included using $2.5 billion from the state’s savings account, commonly known as the Rainy Day Fund. On March 28, the state Senate approved its own budget plan. Representatives from both chambers will meet to work out the differences in the plans.
• Public education During the House budget debate, members voted 103-44 for an amendment that prevents state money from being spent to subsidize private school tuition about a week after the Texas Senate passed Senate Bill 3, which would create two public programs subsidizing private school tuition and homeschooling expenses. The House Public Education Committee on April 4 backed an overhaul of the planned accountability system that gives public schools and districts A-F grades. The committee voted March 28 to adopt its bill that would inject an extra $1.6 billion into the state public education system. On April 11, the Texas Senate Education Committee heard testimony on a bill that would make permanent a 2015 law that allows students to graduate even if they haven’t passed their required exams by going before a graduation committee.
• The Texas Lottery On April 3, the House Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee considered House Bill 59, which would allow lottery winners of $1 million or more to remain anonymous.
• ‘Sanctuary cities’ legislation On April 12, the Texas House passed its own version of a bill outlawing “sanctuary cities” in Texas. The legislation is a scaled-down measure in comparison with what the state Senate passed in February. Both versions would punish certain local law enforcement officials for failing to cooperate with federal authorities and honor requests from immigration agents to hold non-citizen inmates subject to removal.
• Fantasy sports During an April 11 hearing, the House Committee on Licensing and Administrative Procedures approved a bill that would affirm the legality of online fantasy sports.