This week we passed the first set of end of session legislative deadlines. Thursday marked the 122nd day of the 84th Regular Legislative Session, which is the deadline for House Bills to be considered on second reading on the House floor. Along with the deadline, we witnessed the biannual exhibition of legislative chubbing. Legislative chubbing is the long practiced art of extending floor debate on bills in the attempt to slow progress on the calendars with looming deadlines. Typically there is a specific bill on the calendar that members hope not to get to. This session, HB 4105 by Cecil Bell, relating to the issuance, enforcement, and recognition of marriage licenses and declarations of informal marriage, was the bill that attracted the attention of the Democrats and some Republicans.
While not having the same firm deadline rules as the House, the Senate too, enters the stage of session where bills over from their house of origin begin to take priority. As the sprint down the homestretch begins, several of the top priority issues of the session must begin to take their final form.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
House/ Senate Property Tax Relief Proposal
With only two full weeks left in the 84th Legislative session, House and Senate negotiators continue to try and hammer out a compromise on their competing tax relief proposals. While we still do not have a report of white smoke from the compromise meetings, several media outlets have reported that there is a growing consensus on a compromise proposal. The rumored compromise calls for a $10,000 increase in the homestead exemption, a 25% across the board cut to the franchise tax burden, and an increase from $1 million to $4 million for the margins tax exemption.
The plan, which has been tied to the budget process, has created a scenario in which, if left unresolved would necessitate a special session. It appears, however, that the House and Senate will indeed come up with a compromise in time to fulfill their most important (and only) constitutional requirement, passing a state budget.
Emergency and Priority Legislative Proposals
With the budget and tax relief proposals headed toward a final resolution, the House and Senate have now freed up enough good will to focus on the emergency and priority issues identified by the governor and legislature. Legislation to move the functions of the Office of Public Integrity Unit from the Travis County DA to the Texas Rangers and other ethics priorities have cleared their houses of origin and are moving through the process. Border security and early childhood education legislation is also headed toward final passage.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR NEXT
Next week is, for all intents and purposes, the last full week for legislation to move through its second round of consideration (House bills in Senate and Senate bills in House). The next key calendar deadline is Saturday, May 23rd, (the 131st day of session) which marks the deadline for House Committees to report all Senate Bills and Resolutions. So expect a full week of committee and floor action in both the House and Senate chambers.
- The House adjourned until 1:00 p.m., Monday, May 18, 2015.
- The Senate adjourned until 11:00 a.m., Monday, May 18, 2015.
