Legislative Update: Countdown to Session Deadlines, Pre-K Legislation, Tax Relief, and Secret Tapings of Legislators

With just three weeks left in the 84th regular session, we are now headed into the final week for House bills to be passed out of committee. Monday, May 11th marks the final day for House Bills to be reported out of committee. Tuesday is the last day for a calendar with House bills to be distributed. Wednesday is the last local calendar with House Bills. Thursday is the last day for consideration of House Bills on second reading. These deadlines make clear which legislative priorities will have a chance of becoming laws. Bills either not yet heard in committee or buried in the calendars committee at this time of session have very little chance of making it through the process. While these deadlines are specific to House Bills, they have an impact on Senate Bills in that they encourage both chambers to focus on legislation that has cleared its chamber of origin.

Pre-K legislation passes the Senate, heads to the Governor

HB 4, which provides for a $130 million grant to improve existing pre-K programs for low-income, English-language learning, military and foster families, passed the Senate this week. With a few amendments attached, the legislation will go back to the House to either concur or be sent to conference committee. It is expected that the House will concur with the Senate amendments and will be the first emergency item sent to the Governor to sign.

HB4 offers up to $1,500 per child to school districts that agree to implement certain teacher quality and curriculum measures over the next two years.

Senate/House tax relief update

Session is quickly coming to an end (only 24 days left), and the potential for the House and Senate to reconcile their differences on tax relief proposals is still unresolved. Capitol observers have put the odds of a tax relief détente at 20-40%, increasing the prospects of a special session.

The Senate is holding strong on their desire for property tax relief and the House remains steadfast in their desire to provide sales tax relief. Both chambers continue to try to find some common ground in the ongoing tax relief debate. Conference committee members have been working to find a resolution in their budget negotiations.

Secret Footage of Legislators

This week, it was revealed that several political operatives have been secretly recording conversations with officeholders in an attempt to embarrass them or reveal corrupt, unscrupulous or illegal activity. The secret cameras hidden in lapels or suitcases were aimed at capturing footage of lawmakers behaving poorly, confessing to a variety of indiscretions, engaging in inappropriate relationships and possibly admitting to criminal behavior.

These actions have been tied to The American Phoenix Foundation, an organization with ties to political consultants who have done work for some currently elected officials. Questions about who is actually coordinating and funding this project have been raised by several media outlets. The American Phoenix Foundation is a nonprofit organization, thus is not required to reveal the names of its donors or how much they gave. The organizer and his team have been revealed, but the funding behind it still remains a question. It is expected that the tapings will be revealed sometime this summer.

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