At the Capitol: Updates from the 85th Texas Legislature

Here is an overview of activity from elected officials in The Woodlands area on various legislation so far this session. [caption id="attachment_232179" align="alignleft" width="97"] Paul Bettencourt[/caption] Paul Bettencourt R-Houston • Elected: 2014 [email protected] Latest news Bettencourt's Senate Bill 2, which seeks to freeze the rate of growth of property taxes, was voted out of the Senate on March 21.     [caption id="attachment_232194" align="alignleft" width="97"] Brandon Creighton[/caption] Brandon Creighton R-Conroe • Elected: 2014 [email protected] Latest news Creighton's Senate Bill 627 places additional rights in the landowner's bill of rights concerning eminent domain. The bill was unanimously approved in the Senate April 12.     [caption id="attachment_232202" align="alignleft" width="97"] Cecil Bell[/caption] Cecil Bell R-Magnolia • Elected: 2013 [email protected] Latest news Bell joined 130 fellow representatives in giving the stamp of approval to the House draft of the budget, which will continue on in a conference committee between both chambers.   [caption id="attachment_220250" align="alignleft" width="131"] Rep. Mark Keough[/caption] Mark Keough R-The Woodlands • Elected: 2012 [email protected] Latest news Keough serves on the Committee on International Trade and Intergovernmental Affairs, which unanimously passed HCR 99 to declare Israel a strategic ally of Texas.   Valoree Swanson R-Tomball • Elected: 2016 valoree.swanson@house.texas.gov Latest news Swanson proposed then withdrew a budget amendment to prevent state funds from going to the construction of bathrooms that would allow a man to enter a woman's restroom.