Legislative Update

The 82nd Texas Legislative Session is getting underway, and you can find all the news on what TPS is doing right here!

As a partner in the Primary Care Coalition, TPS will share the briefs below to help guide members, policy makers, and the general public on issues that are important to pediatrics.

82nd Legislative Session Summaries

(Please click on the dates below to see complete summary details for all topics listed)

June 1, 2011
Budget Conference, a Filibuster and a Special Session
Budget Eliminates Funding to Primary Care Pipeline Programs
Health Care Worker Vaccination Bill Dies
Obesity and Nutrition Efforts
Smoke-free Language In then Out
Bills at a Glance…

May 20, 2011
More Deadlines
Budget Nearing Completion
More Money Identified
ImmTrac Amendment Fails in House
Bills on the Move…

May 13, 2011
House Hits Deadline
Senate Names Budget Conferees
House Delays Bills Addressing Fiscal Matters
HB 400 Attracts Bad Amendments for Student Health
Campus Carry Provision Amendment Lives
 Bills on the Move…
Corporate Practice Update

May 6, 2011
Senate Approves State Budget
Campus Carry Amendment Causes Stir in the Senate
Impact of the Proposed Budget on Children’s Hospitals
   Texas Tribune Article
Bills on the Move

April 29, 2011
Bills on the Move
Senate in Budget Meltdown
Amendment Gives New Life to Guns on Campus Legislation

April 22, 2011
Senate Finance Reviews Soda Tax Bill
Senate Health Discusses ImmTrac
Public Health Committee Discusses Raw Milk and Scope
Senate Finance Approves Budget 

April 8, 2011
House Passes HB 1
Senate Health Approves Health Care Worker Vaccination Policy
   Dr. Charles Lerner's Testimony
House Approves Bill Banning Texting While Driving
Fiscal Matter Subcommittee's List of Fiscal Options Leaked  

April 1, 2011
Vaccine Bill Discussed in Senate Education
   Dr. Carol Baker's Testimony
Concussion Management
   Dr. T.J. Spinks' Testimony
Fitnessgram Reporting
   Dr. Stephen Pont's Testimony
Senate Finance Adopts Parts of Article II Recommendations
Budget Debate Hits House Floor

March 25, 2011
House Budget Approved by Appropriations Committee
Senate Finance Medicaid/Article II Subcommittee Makes Recommendations
New Senate Finance Subcommittee on Fiscal Matters
Ways and Means Considers Tobacco Tax Legislation
   Dr. Philip Huang's Testimony
Tobacco Control Advocacy
   Op-ed, “Tobacco Control Programs Pay Off”
Hearing Screening Discussed in Senate Health
   Dr. Charleta Guillory's Testimony
School Paddles Too Dangerous for Capitol

March 18, 2011
Budget Talks Continue -- House
Budget Talks Continue -- Senate
Busy Week for Committees
   Testimony opposing HB 400
Bill Filing Facts 

March 11, 2011
Bill Filing Deadline for 82nd Legislature
HAC Reviews Article II
Committee Hearings in Full Swing
   Comments on HB 677
   Comments on HB 127
HB 2666 Widens Pharmacists Vaccination Scope
Smoke-free Legislation Moves Out of Committee
In the News This Week...

March 4, 2011
In the News this Week
Smoke-free Texas Receives Committee Hearing
   Dr. Sue Bailey's Tesimony
PHC Supports Tobacco and Obesity Prevention
   Dr. John Carlo's Testimony
Comptroller Called Before House Appropriations
Soda Tax Bill Filed
February 25, 2011
Medicaid Cost Containment Discussion
House Appropriations Makes Progress
APN Independent Practice
Raw Milk
Coming Next Week…

February 18, 2011
House Appropriations Begins Examining the Budget
  Dr. Richard Adams' Testimony
  Dr. Michael Foulds' Testimony
  Dr. Philip Huang's Testimony
  Written Testimony on Mental Health Cuts
Speaker Releases House Committee Appointments
Senate Takes Closer Look at Medicaid
Medicaid Payment for Vaccine Administration
   Dr. Scott Schams' Testimony
Comptroller Updates Cost of Obesity
“Texas Seeks Medicaid Waiver, but Prognosis is Poor”

January 28, 2011
    Senate Budget Released
    Governor Expands Emergency Items to Include Mandatory Sonograms
    Senate Committees Named
    Senate Finance to Begin Public Hearings Next Week

January 21, 2011
    Pomp and Circumstance
    House Budget Draft Takes Center Stage
    APN Prescriptive Authority 
    Governor Perry Expands List of Emergency Items
    Dr. Huston to Address the Texas Infant Health Summit

January 14, 2011
    Comptroller Releases Revenue Estimate
    Rep. Joe Straus Elected Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives
    Governor Rick Perry Identifies Emergency Items
    Senate’s Chief Budget Writer Provides a Realistic Look at the Texas Budget
    Draft Budget Expected Tuesday

Additional Resources