Dateline Austin Legislative Update: Jan. 25, 2017

By TLTA Staff Jan. 25, 2017

Things are just getting underway in the 85th session of the Legislature. TLTA will keep you informed on developments as they occur. We also encourage you to follow along through the Online; you can find instructions, helpful links and more in our Overview of the Texas Legislature from Jan. 10.

Upcoming Deadlines for the Session

Now is a good time to review the deadlines for this session. Bill pre-filing began on Nov. 14 of last year, and the first day of session was Jan. 10. Upcoming important deadlines include:

• 60-day bill filing deadline: Friday, March 10 • Adjournment sine die (session’s conclusion): Monday, May 29 • Post-session 20-day deadline for Governor Abbott to sign or veto: Sunday, June 18 • Effective date (the 91st day after adjournment): Monday, Aug. 28

You can view all these deadlines through the Legislative Reference Library.

Senate Committee Appointments

Lieutenant Governor has announced committee assignments for the . They are listed below. The Senate Business and Commerce committee appointments are particularly important, as that is the committee that hears title insurance bills.

Business and Commerce

• Chair: • Vice-Chair: • Members: , Craig Estes, Robert Nichols, , Larry Taylor, ,

Additional committee appointments are below. Administration

• Chair: • Vice-Chair: Konni Burton • Members: Don Huffines, Bryan Hughes, Robert Nichols, , Judith Zaffirini

Agriculture, Water and Rural Affairs

• Chair: Charles Perry • Vice-Chair: José Rodríguez • Members: Brandon Creighton, , Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, Lois Kolkhorst, Borris L. Miles

Criminal Justice

• Chair: John Whitmire • Vice-Chair: • Members: , Konni Burton, Brandon Creighton, Sylvia R. Garcia, Bryan Hughes, José Menéndez, Charles Perry

Education

• Chair: Larry Taylor • Vice-Chair: Eddie Lucio, Jr. • Members: , Donna Campbell, Bob Hall, Don Huffines, Bryan Hughes, , Van Taylor, Carlos Uresti, Royce West

Finance

• Chair: • Vice-Chair: Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa • Members: Paul Bettencourt, Brian Birdwell, Kelly Hancock, Joan Huffman, Lois Kolkhorst, Robert Nichols, Charles Schwertner, Kel Seliger, Larry Taylor, Carlos Uresti, Kirk Watson, Royce West, John Whitmire

Health and Human Services

• Chair: Charles Schwertner • Vice-Chair: Carlos Uresti • Members: , Konni Burton, Lois Kolkhorst, Borris L. Miles, Charles Perry, Van Taylor, Kirk Watson

Higher Education

• Chair: Kel Seliger • Vice-Chair: Royce West • Members: Paul Bettencourt, Dawn Buckingham, José Menéndez, Larry Taylor, Kirk Watson

Intergovernmental Relations

• Chair: Eddie Lucio, Jr. • Vice-Chair: Paul Bettencourt • Members: Donna Campbell, Sylvia R. Garcia, Don Huffines, José Menéndez, Van Taylor

Natural Resources and Economic Development

• Chair: Craig Estes • Vice-Chair: Judith Zaffirini • Members: Konni Burton, Sylvia R. Garcia, Kelly Hancock, Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, Don Huffines, Borris L. Miles, José Rodríguez, Kel Seliger, Van Taylor

Nominations

• Chair: Brian Birdwell • Vice-Chair: Kirk Watson • Members: Dawn Buckingham, Craig Estes, José Menéndez, Borris L. Miles, Van Taylor

State Affairs

• Chair: Joan Huffman • Vice-Chair: Bryan Hughes • Members: Brian Birdwell, Brandon Creighton, Craig Estes, Eddie Lucio, Jr., Jane Nelson, Charles Schwertner, Judith Zaffirini

Transportation

• Chair: Robert Nichols • Vice-Chair: Bob Hall • Members: Brandon Creighton, Sylvia R. Garcia, Kelly Hancock, Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, Lois Kolkhorst, Charles Perry, José Rodríguez

Veteran Affairs and Border Security

• Chair: Donna Campbell • Vice-Chair: Don Huffines • Members: Dawn Buckingham, Bob Hall, Eddie Lucio, Jr., José Rodríguez, Carlos Uresti