Capitol News: May 1
We're about a month out from the close of the 83rd Legislature. Where does the time go?
In the House, this is the last week to get bills voted out of committee and onto the House floor. Here's where we are on our priority HBs:
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Last week, CTD's William Greer testified to the House Insurance Committee in support of HB 2929, which would increase insurance coverage of traumatic brain injuries (TBI). HB 2929 was left pending in committee, but you can take action! Call the House Insurance Committee clerk at (512) 463-0788 to encourage the committee members to vote it onto the House floor! - Also last week, HB 590, which would extend orientation and mobility evaluation and training to all children in special education, was voted out of committee. Young advocates from the Alliance of and for Visually Impaired Texans (AVIT) helped the bill on its way (above)!
- HB 1545, which would streamline paratransit portability among cities in Texas, easily passed the House and will now move on the Senate.
- HB 63/ SB 28, which addresses texting while driving, also passed out of the House and to the Senate earlier this month. This bill is especially important for pedestrians with disabilities because, for example, some may not be able to see or react quickly to a distracted driver when crossing the street.
And in the Senate,
- The controversial SB 7 has moved to the House. The House Human Services Committee met yesterday to hear, among other things, the latest version of the massive bill on managed care and long-term services and supports. CTD is focused on the bill's establishment of the Community First Choice program that would extend services to over 12,000 individuals. Some four hours of public testimony later, it's clear there will be more advocacy needed.
- SB 303, a.k.a. "Don't Pull the Plug," has passed out of the Senate and is headed to the House. CTD is working hard to support this advanced directives bill.
View the full list of CTD's priority bills.
Both the House and Senate have presented their versions of the biennial budget and last week, the conferees were appointed to reconcile those documents. CTD has met with the staff of all the conferees and key leaders to maximize funding for increased community attendant wages. Secondary issues include community services, comprehensive rehab services and the DARS autism program. It's important to note that where the House and Senate are in agreement, for example on vocational rehab, funding is considered settled.
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