With the holidays officially behind us, I’d like to wish you all a Happy New Year! As we turn the page on one year and begin another, we’re afforded a unique opportunity for new beginnings. The 89th Legislative Session starts on Tuesday, January 14th, and we have a unique opportunity to seize new opportunities and chart the course for the future of Texas.
With the 140-day legislative session just around the corner, I want to remind you of the many resources our office can provide to ensure that you, our constituents, remain at the forefront of the legislative process. If you have any questions about a piece of legislation or wish to share your thoughts on a proposal, our capitol office can be reached at (512) 463-0508.
Additionally, if you plan on making your way to Austin, which I highly encourage during a legislative session, our Capitol office can help facilitate capitol tours, reserve meeting rooms, and provide recommendations for nearby places of interest. If you do find your way to Austin, I’d like to invite you to our Capitol office located at E2.806, and you’re more than welcome to drop in, as our doors are always open.
With that, we’ll dive back into our final examination of House interim charges. . .
House Interim Charge: Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
The House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence has jurisdiction over many matters related to civil law, including civil penalties and fines, civil court procedure, and creating, changing, or otherwise affecting judicial districts. The Committee also has jurisdiction over a number of state agencies and courts, including the Texas Supreme Court, the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, and the Office of the Attorney General.
During the interim, the Committee will monitor the implementation of House Bills 17, 841, and 2384 from the 2023 Legislative Session. HB 17 allows for the removal of District or County Attorneys should they not enforce penalties for criminal offenses in Texas. I was proud to support HB 17 to reinforce Texas’s commitment to law and order in this state and signal to all criminals, and their enablers, that the State of Texas will not stand for lawlessness in our communities.
HB 841 requires the Texas Judicial Council to gather case-level data that measures how efficiently courts are serving the public. These performance measures provide the legislature, the judiciary, and county commissioners courts with valuable information to identify inefficiencies.
HB 2384 implements knowledge, efficiency, training, and transparency requirements for candidates for, or holders, of judicial offices. The bill was passed so that voters have access to all pertinent information regarding judicial candidates and be assured that elected judges are the most qualified individuals for the job.
House Interim Charge: Insurance
The House Committee on Insurance has jurisdiction over any matters relating to insurance and the insurance industry, as well as all insurance companies or other organizations of any type issuing insurance policies in Texas. The Committee also has jurisdiction over the Texas Department of Insurance, the Texas Health Benefits Purchasing Cooperatives, and the Office of Public Insurance Counsel.
Over the interim, the Committee will monitor the implementation of House Bills 1553 and 2259. HB 1553 carves out vinyl waterslides that are less than 200 feet long and non-mechanically inflated so that they are not subject to the same inspection and insurance obligations as an attraction at large amusement parks.
These waterslides, which are primarily located at summer camps, were subject to the same regulations as large rollercoasters at amusement parks. As the author of HB 1553, I was proud to carry this piece of legislation to ensure fairness and proportionality for our great Texas summer camps.
HB 2259 requires that all retail fireworks permits are to be sold online. Previously, the State Fire Marshall’s Office was required to accept physical permits that were overly cumbersome to accept, register, and administer. HB 2259 streamlines the fireworks permitting process to ensure an efficient permitting process for fireworks retailers.
The mobile office is on the road again in January and our District Director will look forward to seeing you on the following dates in the following locations: January 8 at the Polk County Commissioner’s Courtroom in Livingston from 9:30-11:30 am and the Tyler County Commissioner’s Courtroom in Woodville from 1:30-3:30 pm; January 15 at the Houston County Courthouse Annex in Crockett from 9:30 -11:30 am and the Trinity County Courthouse in Groveton from 1:30-3:30 pm.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office if we can help you in any way. My district office may be reached at (936) 634-2762 and our Capitol office at (512) 463-0508. Additionally, I welcome you to follow along on my Official Facebook Page, where I will post regular updates on what’s happening in your State Capitol and share information that could be useful to you and your family: https://www.facebook.com/RepTrentAshby/
