(Austin, TX) – This past week, I voted in favor of legislation that prohibits “sanctuary city” policies in Texas and strengthens community safety in Texas. Senate Bill (SB) 4 ensures that local law enforcement agencies hold arrested violent criminal offenders when the Department of Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) issues a detainer. This legislation comes after some governmental entities in Texas have adopted “sanctuary city” policies that purposefully hinder or prohibit local law enforcement cooperation with ICE and prohibit officers from inquiring about a person’s legal immigration status.
I am extremely proud of our Southeast Texas local law enforcement agencies. Southeast Texas cities and counties understand the importance of public safety and do not practice “sanctuary
city” policies. Additionally, the House passed House Bill (HB) 28 which puts the franchise tax on a track toward complete repeal. This is a burdensome tax that has impacted many small businesses in our district. I hope that with this tax relief legislation will help many of our small businesses continue to prosper and improve our economy in the future.
I also had the opportunity to present a few pieces of my legislative agenda on the House floor for consideration by the full legislative chamber. Public safety, as well as legislation relating to
Texas youths under the foster care conservatorship of the state, has been a principal focus of mine during this legislative session.
One of the primary purposes of the criminal justice system improving the rights of crime victims. HB 104 relates to notification provided to certain victims of criminal offenses. As it currently
stands, victims and families of victims of heinous offenses are unaware when a grand jury indicts their assailants of subsequent violent offenses. For our victims, this creates a major source of
anxiety when they receive notification in the newspaper or through the word of mouth that the same heartless criminal has committed the same crime again. This bill simply seeks to provide
victims with notification of indictment so that they may have peace of mind. I filed this legislation on behalf of a great couple in House District 19 and plan to continue working with them on victims’ rights issues.
Another role of the criminal justice system is the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders. HB 91 asks that licensing agencies to review their occupational licensing requirements that look
at an applicant’s criminal history. Those with a criminal record frequently are barred for years after successfully finishing their sentence from obtaining an occupational license that will allow
them to practice their trade. Achieving consistent and stable employment has been well documented to be one of the principal factors to combatting recidivism, and getting those who have paid their debt to society as contributing and respected members of their community.
When it comes to juveniles, HB 1204 allows for adjudication for certain children who engage in criminal conduct. Sometimes young people are misguided in their ideas and it can land them in
trouble. We must appropriately discipline our youth when they fail to follow the law. In most situations, our juvenile justice system promotes rehabilitation and works to keep our youth from
entering the adult criminal justice system. This bill seeks to provide alternative options and resources for our judges, law enforcement, juvenile justice chiefs, and child protective system to try and get our youth back on track.
Throughout Southeast Texas we are blessed with so many Child Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteers. Because they work directly with youth in challenged situations, they know
first-hand the needs and resources these young people require. One of those needs is personal identification. I have authored and passed HB 3338 off the House floor to ensure that DPS issues
foster care youth an identification card or driver’s license before they reach the age of 18. Our kids in state care already face a slew of issues that many of us will never encounter. Children who “age out” of the foster system many times do not have government issued ID cards or driver’s licenses. Not having this documentation makes it nearly impossible for these kids to gain employment, housing, or pursue higher education. My bill seeks to make sure that these kids receive proper documentation before aging out of the system, so that we can provide the youth of our state with the best chance for success.
During the week, I was able to have Cody and Katie Camden from Silsbee serve as Honorary Pages in the Texas House. They were accompanied by their mother, Angela Camden. These two
outstanding students were able to assist the House Sergeants Office and get an inside look at the inner working of the State Legislature. I am always proud to host young minds from the district
as part of this program and invite those wishing to take advantage of this opportunity to contact my office.
The Capitol of Texas belongs to you and visiting the Capitol during the biennial legislative session is a great experience. To assist in arranging your visit please call Saul Mendoza, my Chief of Staff, at (512) 463-0490 or at saul.mendoza@house.texas.gov.
