More Dead Bills After Yesterday's Deadline

Yesterday was the last day for the House to consider senate bills or joint resolutions on third reading and the last day for the Senate to consider any bills or joint resolutions on third reading. Here is a list of bills and resolutions that have died:

TLC Supported

• Eminent Domain Reform: HJR 31 by Anderson, HJR 65 by Davis, SB 18 by Estes, SB 533 by Duncan, and SB 622 by Hegar
  
• Agricultural Valuation Property Tax Rollback: HB 2230 by Parker
• Voluntary NAIS: SB 682 by Eltife
  

TLC Opposed

• Land Use Mitigation Authority: SB 688 by Wentworth
  
• County Regulatory Land Use Authority: SB 578, SB 2202, SB 2451, and SB 2452 by Wentworth; SB 1226 and SB 1227 by Fraser; SB 1370 by Lucio; SB 2222 and SB 2223 by Van de Putte (amended into HB 2919 by S. King); SB 2439 by Uresti (amended into HB 2919 by S. King); and SB 2555 by Hegar
  
• Groundwater District Authority: SB 2530 by Wentworth
  
• Agricultural Valuation Property Tax Rollback: SB 678 by Shapleigh
  

House Passes Bill to Create Endangered Species Task Force

Last night, the House passed SB 2534 by Wentworth (House Sponsor Corte). This bill would create an interagency task force on economic growth and endangered species to "assist" landowners in mitigation for endangered species and "facilitate" the state and local governments' implementation of endangered species regulations. The task force's first assignment would be to create an advisory committee for the Camp Bullis area in Bexar County.

The only Representatives voting against SB 2534 were D. Miller and S. Miller.  Absent were Kuempel, Pitts, Callegari, and Creighton.

Senate Passes Dyess Military Land Use Regulation

Tonight the Senate passed HB 2919 by S. King (Senate Sponsor Fraser). This bill would require the "defense community" around Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene to consult with base authorities before adopting an ordinance or approving a permit for a proposed structure within 8 miles of the base.

Unfortunately, HB 2919 was amended on 2nd reading with language from 2223 by Van de Putte (bracketed for Camp Bullis in San Antonio) and SB 2439 by Uresti (bracketed for Laughlin Air Force Base).

Sen. Fraser moved that rules requiring bills to be read on three separate days be suspended to allow HB 2919 to be placed on its third reading and final passage.  On its third reading, the only senators voting against the bill were Harris and Hegar.

Busy Weekend at Texas Legislature

Last Thursday, the House Defense and Veterans' Affairs Committee reported SB 2439 by Uresti favorably.  This bill would create a regional military sustainability commission for Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio.  Fortunately SB 2439 has no House Sponsor, has not yet been sent to the House Calendars Committee, and is running out of time to pass in the House.

On Sunday, the House passed SB 2534 by Wentworth (House Sponsor Corte) on second reading. This bill would create an interagency task force on economic growth and endangered species to "assist" landowners in mitigation for endangered species and "facilitate" the state and local governments' implementation of endangered species regulations. The task force's first assignment would be to create an advisory committee for the Camp Bullis area in Bexar County. Tomorrow is the last day for the House to consider Senate bills on third reading.

Yesterday the Senate passed HJR 14 by Corte (Senate Sponsor Duncan). This resolution proposes a constitutional amendment stating: "public use" does not include the taking of property by the State or a political subdivision of the State for transfer to a private entity for the primary purpose of economic development or enhancement of tax revenues.

HB 2919 by S. King (Senate Sponsor Fraser) has been on the Senate Intent Calendar since yesterday. Tomorrow is the last day for the Senate to consider any bills on the third reading. HB 2919 would require the "defense community" around Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene to consult with base authorities before adopting an ordinance or approving a permit for a proposed structure within 8 miles of the base.

SB 2222 by Van de Putte (House Sponsor Corte) is on the House Supplemental Calendar for today, which is the deadline for the House to consider Senate bills on the second reading. This bill would allow a county with unincorporated area and a city with extraterritorial jurisdiction located within 5 miles of a military installation to create a “regional military sustainability commission.” The commission would establish "compatible development standards" and review new projects within 2 miles of a military installation (3 miles if created during flight training).