During the 83rd Legislative Session, Austin-area lawmakers focused on both local and statewide issues, ranging from the reopening of a city-operated pool and the declaration of the state's official pie (pecan) to increased penalties for motorists who leave the scene of a hit-and-run accident.

Legislators passed more than 1,400 new laws during the 140-day regular session. Below is a roundup of some of what area lawmakers pushed for, passed or had rejected by their peers.

Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels

Campbell passed legislation that reduces the number of class hours from 10 to six that applicants for concealed handgun licenses must take before getting a permit to carry. The bill also strikes from the law a requirement that gun proficiency be included in the class instruction.

Rep. Tony Dale, R-Cedar Park

One of Dale's signature pieces of legislation would have forced the city of Austin to reopen a popular North Austin swimming locale and children's swim team training ground in the Forest North neighborhood.

The Springwood Pool is at the center of a lawsuit after residents accused the city of backing off its agreement to maintain the pool after it was annexed by the city in 2011. The bill was passed unanimously by a House committee but stalled as it was waiting to be scheduled for a floor vote after the city opposed it.

Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin

Dukes passed legislation requiring a school district to excuse a temporary absence for a student taking his or her child to an appointment with a health care professional, as long as the student comes to school on the day of the appointment.

She also passed a bill requiring homeowners associations to create policies supporting native xeriscaping. The bill allows HOAs to restrict the types of xeriscaping, but not to ban it entirely.

Rep. Marsha Farney, R-Georgetown

Farney passed a bill establishing that boards of open-enrollment charter schools must require students to recite the pledges of allegiance to the United States and Texas flags and must require a moment of silence after reciting the pledges.

Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay

Fraser passed legislation creating a statewide water plan, a priority among state leaders for the session. Senate Bill 4 sets up the structure to provide financing to water providers throughout the state.

The State Water Implementation Fund for Texas is a revolving water infrastructure bank that would finance all the strategies included in the 2012 plan; its funding through the state's rainy day fund is subject to approval by voters in November.

Rep. Larry Gonzales, R-Round Rock

Gonzales was a big player on legislation passed to protect some dedicated revenue funds from being siphoned off their original purpose and used to balance the budget. The bipartisan bill was meant to protect taxpayers from paying fees for one purpose only to have those measures underfunded because the money went to something else.

Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin

Howard pushed to strengthen personal financial disclosure requirements for legislators, candidates and other officials subject to the state's disclosure laws.

Her legislation would have required lawmakers to disclose all sources of earned and unearned income, including pensions and retirement plans. The bill also would have required disclosure of finances by spouses and children. It did not pass.

Rep. Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs

Isaac helped sponsor legislation creating an ad valorem tax exemption for the spouse of an armed services member killed in action. The bill passed with overwhelming support.

He also devised a plan that would have reduced the 1,100-page Texas Education Code to 62 pages—an idea that puts almost all education programs and decisions in the hands of local authorities. Isaac said his bill, which did not pass, was aimed at restoring local control in the education system.

Rep. Tim Kleinschmidt, R-Lexington

Kleinschmidt co-sponsored legislation that allows students with concealed handgun licenses to store their weapons in their cars while on campus. The bill, which passed, was part of a package Republicans pushed to protect gun rights in Texas.

Rep. John Kuempel, R-Seguin

As vice chairman of the House Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee, Kuempel helped shepherd legislation expanding the craft brew industry in Texas. Under the new laws, craft breweries can operate tap rooms, and brewpubs can sell their products in stores through distributors.

Rep. Elliott Naishtat, D-Austin

Naishtat passed legislation that supporters say allows access by more children with visual impairment issues to special education services designed for them.

Services and instruction include long cane skills; use of distance optical devices; navigating the home, playground and neighborhood; using other senses effectively; and developing motor skills and concepts needed for purposeful movement.

Rep. Eddie Rodriguez, D-Austin

As chairman of the first Farm to Table Caucus in the nation, Rodriguez authored or helped pass a package of legislation designed to help farmers, farmers markets and the cottage food industry.

The bill expanded the list of foods allowed to be sold by such producers and created a framework that supporters said encourages the cottage food industry.

Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown

Schwertner co-sponsored legislation making sweeping changes to public school testing and accountability. The bill reduced the number of high-stakes end-of-course exams from 15 to five, changed high school graduation requirements and adjusted school accountability rating systems.

Rep. Mark Strama, D-Austin

Strama passed legislation creating a grant program for school districts to provide summer school classes for students who are educationally disadvantaged and for programs providing summer teaching opportunities for high-performing, new and student teachers.

He also proposed a resolution expressing disagreement with the federal Citizens United decision allowing corporations to be treated as people under campaign finance law. The amendment went nowhere but was supported by proponents of election reform.

Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin

Watson passed a bill creating a "habitual violator" label for drivers of vehicles registered in Texas who consistently fail to pay their tolls. The new law allows tolling project operators, including the Texas Department of Transportation, to create rules regarding habitual violators and give those motorists' information to the county tax assessor-collector. Under the new law, if motorists do not pay their fees, they cannot renew their vehicle registration.

Rep. Paul Workman, R-Austin

Workman passed a bill creating more transparency for residents of neighborhoods with community propane systems, establishing a pricing structure that relies on free-market data from the U.S. Energy Information Agency. He said the bill will build certainty in pricing for ratepayers and providers without increasing regulation. More than half of the state's 78 community propane systems are in his western Travis County district.

He also co-authored several pieces of legislation pertaining to franchise taxes and pushed for legislation banning the state from enforcing federal gun bans.

Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo

The first Hispanic female elected to the Texas Senate, along with numerous other glass ceiling–breaking firsts, Zaffirini was celebrated this session for casting her 50,000th vote in office. She has had a 100 percent attendance rate since 1987, when she was elected, save for a quorum-breaking tactic she and other Senate Democrats used in 2003 to stop mid-decade redistricting.

With her district being home to the majority of the rigs and oil and gas production in the Eagle Ford Shale, and as a member of the Senate Finance Committee, she helped secure $450 million in the state budget to repair roads in the areas affected by production efforts.