Sen. Kirk Watson

D-Austin • Elected: 2006 [email protected]

Recent Activity Watson stands against HB 100: Gov. Greg Abbott signed House Bill 100, which creates blanket regulations for ride hailing companies and overrides local ordinances.

Sen. Judith Zaffirini

D-Laredo • Elected: 1987 [email protected]

Recent Activity HB 62 moves to governor: Zaffirni, who co-sponsored HB 62 in the Senate, worked to pass a statewide ban on texting and driving. The bill is now waiting for action.

Sen. Donna Campbell

R-New Braunfels • Elected: 2012 [email protected]

Recent Activity Campbell’s annexation bill dies: The bill would have allowed areas being annexed to vote on annexation prior to the process taking place. The bill died following a filibuster.

Rep. Jason Isaac

R-Dripping Springs • Elected: 2010 [email protected]

Recent Activity Marijuana penalty bill dies: Isaac’s HB 81, which would lessen the penalty for possessing small amounts of marijuana, was not considered in the House on time and is now dead.

Rep. Paul Workman

R-Austin • Elected: 2010 [email protected]

Recent Activity Construction fee bill becomes law: Workman’s bill will prohibit localities from adopting or enforcing fees on new construction to offset the cost of rent for residential housing.

Rep. Donna Howard

D-Austin • Elected: 2006 [email protected]

Recent Activity Botanical garden recognized: The bill designates the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at UT Austin as the official state botanical garden and arboretum.

Rep. Gina Hinojosa

D-Austin • Elected: 2016 [email protected]

Recent Activity Freshman legislator recognized: Hinojosa was named the Mexican American Legislative Caucus Freshman of the Year. Several of her bills were signed by the governor.

Rep. Eddie Rodriguez

D-Austin • Elected: 2002 [email protected]

Recent Activity Preservation bill awaits signature: HB 3281 allows the city of Austin to create homestead preservation districts and reinvestment zones. The bill was passed in both chambers.

3 steps to follow when state special-called session begins July 18

1. Abbott said the special session will be limited until the Senate passes a sunset bill to extend the life of state agencies, including the Texas Medical Board, which licenses doctors. He said the Senate should be able to pass this bill in three or four days.

2. After the sunset bill's passage, Abbott enabled legislators to address 19 additional bills. One proposal addresses property tax growth, which Abbott said can be fixed via reform bill SB 2, which some considered to also be the solution to school finance reform.

3. Abbott also called to limit the local government powers by prohibiting tree regulations, capping new construction fees during projects and preventing slow permitting processes. Additionally, he asked legislators to consider enacting local spending caps.