The Regular Session of the Texas Legislature came to an end, Monday, May 29th. While we accomplished a great deal for Texas over the last 5 months, some of which is detailed below in this newsletter, there were a couple critical issues left on the table and Governor Greg Abbott called us back to finish the job. The House kicked off the first “special session,” which was called to pass a bill to bring property […]
Texas Legislature
Texas Legislature Puts the Bite on Fake Service Dogs
During the 88th Regular Session, the Texas Legislature passed HB 4164, authored by Representative Phillip Cortez (D-San Antonio) and sponsored by Senator John Whitmire (D-Houston). HB 4164 increases the fines for individuals attempting to masquerade their dogs as Service Dogs and adds 30 hours of community service to nonprofits or government agencies serving people with disabilities as a penalty. The bill received support from Service Dogs, Inc., a Texas nonprofit that has trained Service Dogs for 35 […]
New Online Portal Available for Oyster Mariculture Permit Application
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) began accepting applications by mail for oyster mariculture permits to grow and harvest oysters commercially in public waters. Now, these applications can be submitted and tracked electronically through the online TPWD permitting portal. New functionality within the permitting portal allows applicants to submit all documents and answer application questions online. Applicants will have the option to make payments online or by mail. Once their application is submitted, permittees […]
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar Petitions Federal Government on Timing of its Broadband Map Development, Release of Federal Broadband Funding
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar has asked the federal government to extend the deadline by 60 days for states and stakeholders to provide input on the accuracy of the proposed National Broadband Map (national map). The national map will be used to allocate federal funding to states to expand broadband in unserved and underserved communities. On Nov. 18, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released its initial version of the national map, which displays location-by-location views of high-speed […]
Time Ran Out on Virtual School Funding Bill in Texas Legislature, Schofield Says
By George Slaughter Time ran out on the Texas Legislature passing a virtual school funding bill, state Rep. Mike Schofield said Friday. Schofield, R-Houston, has a district that includes much of the Katy area. He said a virtual school funding bill passed the Senate, but had not reached the House as time ran out on the legislative session. The Texas Legislature meets in regular session for 140 days every two years. Schofield said this year’s […]
Citing Lack of State Funds, Katy ISD Will Not Offer a Virtual High School
By George Slaughter The Texas Legislature did not pass legislation to provide funding for virtual schools, and as a result the Katy Independent School District said it is unable to provide a virtual high school option to its students this fall. The legislature’s regular session ended May 31. Gov. Greg Abbott has not called a special session, nor is it immediately clear whether virtual school funding would be on that agenda. In a special session, […]
City Working to Authorize CMV-Certified Officer
By George Slaughter Given Katy’s growth, it’s to be expected that commercial motor vehicles (CMVs)—concrete trucks, construction trucks, dump trucks, and 18-wheelers—are on the streets. But not all roads and bridges are graded for some CMVs. In other cases, trucks can be overloaded and spill debris. Roads get damaged and other safety issues might arise. “Trucks are not made to carry 100,000 pounds,” Mayor Chuck Brawner said. “Drivers and the owners of trucks get paid […]
Schofield Holds Town Meetings, Reports on Legislative Activities
By George Slaughter State Rep. Mike Schofield, R-Houston, said he voted for a controversial Houston city pension reform bill because he didn’t want to see two of the city’s three pensions go broke. Schofield shared his views in a town hall meeting Thursday night at Katy City Hall, 901 Avenue C. Schofield’s district includes the portion of the City of Katy that falls within Harris County. Schofield said Houston has pension plans for firefighters, police, […]