Dateline Austin Legislative Update: Jan. 25, 2017 By TLTA Staff Jan. 25, 2017 Things are just getting underway in the 85th session of the Texas Legislature. TLTA will keep you informed on developments as they occur. We also encourage you to follow along through the Texas Legislature 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 Dan Patrick has announced committee assignments for the Texas Senate. 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: Kelly Hancock • Vice-Chair: Brandon Creighton • Members: Donna Campbell, Craig Estes, Robert Nichols, Charles Schwertner, Larry Taylor, John Whitmire, Judith Zaffirini Additional committee appointments are below. Administration • Chair: Lois Kolkhorst • Vice-Chair: Konni Burton • Members: Don Huffines, Bryan Hughes, Robert Nichols, Royce West, Judith Zaffirini Agriculture, Water and Rural Affairs • Chair: Charles Perry • Vice-Chair: José Rodríguez • Members: Brandon Creighton, Bob Hall, Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, Lois Kolkhorst, Borris L. Miles Criminal Justice • Chair: John Whitmire • Vice-Chair: Joan Huffman • Members: Brian Birdwell, Konni Burton, Brandon Creighton, Sylvia R. Garcia, Bryan Hughes, José Menéndez, Charles Perry Education • Chair: Larry Taylor • Vice-Chair: Eddie Lucio, Jr. • Members: Paul Bettencourt, Donna Campbell, Bob Hall, Don Huffines, Bryan Hughes, Kel Seliger, Van Taylor, Carlos Uresti, Royce West Finance • Chair: Jane Nelson • 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: Dawn Buckingham, 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 .