February 22, 2012

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Study Charges Released for the 2012 Interim – Part III

February 1, 2012 By

Speaker of the House Joe Straus has released a list of interim study charges for the standing committees of the Texas House of Representatives. These study charges and the resulting recommendations that will be developed during the interim could form the basis for legislation to be considered during the next legislative session. House committees were each given several issues to study. Committee hearings will be held over the course of the interim period (2012) giving the public an opportunity to testify on a variety of issues. At the end of the interim, each committee will submit a formal report to the Speaker of the Texas House with recommendations on possible legislation.

The following is a sampling of charges given to different House committees. If you would like a complete list of the study charges or if you would like more information about issues being studied by any particular committee, please don’t hesitate to call my Capitol office at 512-463-0672 or visit the Texas House of Representatives at www.house.state.tx.us.

Here are some examples of charges given to the standing House committees:

House Committee on Government Efficiency & Reform – Examine and make recommendations on purchasing cooperatives created under Chapter 791 of the Texas Government Code, including the bid process and the role of inter-local contracts. Clarify for consistency the following terms: purchasing cooperatives, inter-local contracts, and inter-local agreements.

Examine areas of potential privatization of state services in an effort to achieve a higher level of service and greater efficiency for Texas taxpayers. (Joint with the House Committee on State Affairs)
Examine state agency rulemaking and consider ways to improve procedural efficiencies and public transparency, and to better inform policymakers as to their use, purpose, and cost-effectiveness, including an examination of the financial and other impacts such regulations have on both the license holder and the public. (Joint with the House Committee on State Affairs)

House Committee on Higher Education – Review the various research funding programs available to institutions of higher education. Analyze the effectiveness of each program and recommend whether state funding should be continued. Consider whether the investments made in these programs are attracting research projects to Texas and whether more emphasis should be placed on policies that attract outside research funding to Texas. Consider whether maintaining multiple programs dilutes the state’s efforts to attract groundbreaking research to Texas.

Evaluate proposals for the state’s next master plan for higher education beyond 2015, including a review of various metrics to measure successful outcomes in higher education.

Examine the impact of research at state universities on the state economy. Identify ways to increase the partnership opportunities between private business and research institutions to enhance the commercialization of newly discovered technology. (Joint with the House Committee on Economic & Small Business Development)

House Committee on Homeland Security & Public Safety – Examine the extent of interstate coordination concerning border security and intelligence sharing and determine whether any changes to state law are needed to enhance that coordination and cooperation. (Joint with the House Committee on Border & Intergovernmental Affairs)
Monitor the Texas Department of Public Safety’s implementation of the driver’s license improvement plan and the use of the funds appropriated to the department for such purposes by the 82nd Legislature. Evaluate the feasibility of privatization with the intent to minimize wait times for Texans. (Joint with the House Committee on Appropriations.)

Examine state and federal law to determine whether existing provisions adequately address security and efficiency concerns for steamship agencies and land ports of entry along the Texas-Mexico border. Evaluate whether the state and the federal government have provided sufficient manpower, infrastructure, and technology to personnel in the border region. (Joint with the House Committee on Border & Intergovernmental Affairs)

If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. As always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).

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Study Charges Released for the 2012 Interim – Part II

January 25, 2012 By

Speaker of the House Joe Straus has released a list of interim study charges for the standing committees of the Texas House of Representatives. These study charges and the resulting recommendations that will be developed during the interim could form the basis for legislation to be considered during the next legislative session. House committees were each given several issues to study. Committee hearings will be held over the course of the interim period (2012) giving the public an opportunity to testify on a variety of issues. At the end of the interim, each committee will submit a formal report to the Speaker of the Texas House with recommendations on possible legislation.

The following is a sampling of charges given to different House committees. If you would like a complete list of the study charges or if you would like more information about issues being studied by any particular committee, please don’t hesitate to call my Capitol office at 512-463-0672 or visit the Texas House of Representatives at www.house.state.tx.us.

Here are some examples of charges given to the standing House committees:

House Committee on Economic & Small Business Development – Examine previous Emerging Technology Fund (ETF) grants awarded for cancer-related research. Determine whether future awards for similar projects are appropriate for the ETF program or whether they should be considered by the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas.
Examine the impact of research at state universities on the state economy. Identify ways to increase the partnership opportunities between private business and research institutions to enhance the commercialization of newly discovered technology. (Joint with the House Committee on Higher Education)
Examine the economic impact of the automobile industry in Texas and the state’s ability to compete with other states for future automotive manufacturing facilities. Identify policies, regulations, and current statutes that either hinder or facilitate job growth and investment by the automotive industry. Review opportunities available to partner manufacturers’ research and development with Texas colleges and universities, including technology enhancements in safety or alternative fuel systems.

House Committee on Elections – Examine the benefits and risks of using mobile voting stations in Texas.
Examine ways to more clearly define a residence address for voter registration purposes, giving special consideration to college-age students.

House Committee on Energy Resources – Review current state and federal laws and regulations and make recommendations to encourage additional energy production in Texas. Focus on the impact energy production has on our state’s economy.

House Committee on Environmental Regulation – Examine the federal eight-hour ozone standard under the National Ambient Air Quality Standards program and its impact on the State Implementation Plan. Identify counties expected to be in nonattainment, the state’s proposed designations of those counties, the timelines for meeting the applicable standard, and the status of the state’s ability to attain the standard.
Examine new and proposed Environmental Protection Agency rules that may impact permits for Texas facilities. Make recommendations, if needed, for changes in state regulatory programs or potential incentives to comply with federal mandates.

House Committee on General Investigating & Ethics –
Review the Texas Ethics Commission’s sworn complaint process and civil and criminal penalty provisions. Determine whether changes should be made aligned with the mission and purpose of the commission.

Study and determine whether all appointees to state entities should be required to sign additional governance documents prior to serving in an official state capacity.

If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. As always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).

- State Representative Todd Hunter, District 32

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Study Charges Released for the 2012 Interim

January 18, 2012 By

Speaker of the House Joe Straus has released a list of interim study charges for the standing committees of the Texas House of Representatives. These study charges and the resulting recommendations that will be developed during the interim could form the basis for legislation to be considered during the next legislative session. House committees were each given several issues to study. Committee hearings will be held over the course of the interim period (2012) giving the public an opportunity to testify on a variety of issues. At the end of the interim, each committee will submit a formal report to the Speaker of the Texas House with recommendations on possible legislation.

The following is a sampling of charges given to different House committees. If you would like a complete list of the study charges or if you would like more information about issues being studied by any particular committee, please don’t hesitate to call my Capitol office at 512-463-0672 or visit the Texas House of Representatives at www.house.state.tx.us.

Here are some examples of charges given to the standing House committees:

House Committee on Agriculture & Livestock – Evaluate the role of community gardens and urban farming efforts that increase access to healthy foods and examine the possible impact that state and local policies have on the success of programs of this type. Determine the feasibility of policies to support these efforts, especially in high-population areas.

House Committee on Corrections – Study ways to reduce the number of youth referred to the juvenile justice system. Consider the availability of mental health services, diversion and early intervention programs, and other prevention methods.

House Committee on County Affairs – Study county-related issues arising from population growth in unincorporated areas with regard to existing and new developments and the provision of services, including garbage disposal, fire protection, road maintenance, electricity, and water and wastewater service. Make necessary legislative recommendations for improving problems in these areas of the state.

House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence – Study and make recommendations for criminal penalties for the failure of a parent or guardian to report a missing child or the death of a child.
Review the current sentencing practices for defendants with mental illnesses and make recommendations. Study practices in other states. Compare recent incarceration trends between those who have mental illnesses and those who do not.

House Committee on Culture, Recreation & Tourism – Evaluate strategies to control known existing invasive aquatic species, including species commonly referred to as giant salvinia (Salvinia molesta), water hyacinths (family Pontederiaceae), and zebra mussels (family Dreissenidae).
Recommend approaches to improve long-term funding for state park acquisition, development, and maintenance.
Study the effects the drought and wildfires have had on tourism and recreation in Texas. Make recommendations for ways to prevent future losses.

House Committee on Defense & Veterans’ Affairs – Study the current role of all Texas state military forces. Identify changes that would enhance the accountability and effectiveness of the state guard, air guard, and national guard and all other components of our state military forces.
Determine any challenges to the training and operations of Texas’ 15 military installations in light of recent reductions in federal defense spending. Additionally, review the current structure and mission of the Texas Military Preparedness Commission as a result of HB 2546 (81R). Recommend any legislative actions needed to sustain and improve the state’s military preparedness.
Study and make recommendations on how the state and local governments can work together to protect our federal military installations from unnecessary encroachment while still allowing appropriate use of land near bases to be used for nonmilitary purposes.

If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. As always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).

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New Year Brings New Laws – Part III

January 10, 2012 By

On January 1, 2012, new laws passed during the 82nd Regular Legislative Session went in to effect for the first time.  These new laws range from bills addressing property tax exemptions to regulation of metal recycling entities.   Each of the bills that took effect on January 1 went through a 140 day legislative session.  During that 140 day period, these bills went before House and Senate Committees before going before the Texas House and Senate as a whole.

The laws mentioned below represent some of those pieces of legislation that were passed in conjunction with House and Senate Joint Resolutions which allow for changes to the Texas Constitution.  These pieces of legislation passed and went into effect on January 1, 2012  after receiving voter approval on November 8, 2011:

  • Senate Bill (SB) 516 amends the Tax Code to entitle the surviving spouse of a 100 percent or totally disabled veteran who qualified for a residence homestead exemption from property taxes on the basis of a service-related disability when the disabled veteran died to a residence homestead exemption for the same property to which the disabled veteran’s exemption applied.  This exemption is dependent on the basis that the surviving spouse has not remarried since the death of the disabled veteran and that the property was the residence homestead of the surviving spouse when the disabled veteran died and that it remains as such. The bill entitles a surviving spouse who qualifies for such an exemption, if the surviving spouse subsequently qualifies a different property as the surviving spouse’s residence homestead, to a tax exemption for the subsequently qualified homestead in an amount equal to the dollar amount of the tax exemption for the former homestead in the last year in which the surviving spouse received the exemption for that homestead. This again is dependent on the basis that the surviving spouse has not remarried since the death of the disabled veteran. The surviving spouse is also entitled to receive from the chief appraiser of the appraisal district in which the former residence homestead was located a written certificate providing the information necessary to determine the amount of the exemption to which the surviving spouse is entitled on the subsequently qualified homestead.  Senate Joint Resolution 14  was listed as Proposition 1 on the November ballot and passed with 686,479 Texans casting their vote. Of those 686,479, 82.88% voted in favor.
  • Senate Bill 144 amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to authorize the governor, in all criminal cases except treason and impeachment, and on the written signed recommendation and advice of the Board of Pardons and Paroles or a majority thereof, to grant a pardon to a person who successfully completes a term of deferred adjudication community supervision. Senate Joint Resolution 9 was placed on the November ballot as Proposition 9.  The amendment passed 57.31% to 42.68% after 669,639 people casted their vote.

Each of these laws went in to effect on January 1, 2012.  It is important to learn and know about the new laws that were passed by the 82nd Texas Legislature.  If you would like to view any of the other legislation that was passed during the 82nd Regular Session and the first called special session on your own, these websites are great resources:

If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office.  As always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).

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NRA Endorses a Hunter – Chairman Hunter

January 9, 2012 By

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, January 9, 2012

NRA Endorses A Hunter – Chairman Hunter

Corpus Christi, TX –The National Rifle Association of America gave Representative Todd Hunter, Chairman of the House Calendars Committee, an A+ rating and endorsed him for State Representative for Texas House District 32. The endorsement was based on Chairman Hunter’s strong record of leadership on Second Amendment issues.

“The Right to Bear Arms is one that I – along with a majority of Texans – hold near and dear,” Chairman Hunter said. “This is a significant endorsement, and I am grateful. I will continue to do everything I can to continue being a leader in the area, to protect our rights and to earn this honor.”

Chairman Hunter is a long time supporter of the second amendment and hunting, and has been endorsed by the NRA in prior years. He is running for re-election in District 32. He has already won six terms as the state representative for the district.

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NEW YEAR BRINGS NEW LAWS

December 29, 2011 By

On January 1, 2012, new laws passed during the 82nd Regular Legislative Session will go in to effect for the first time.  These new laws range from bills addressing property tax exemptions to regulation of metal recycling entities.   Each of the bills that will take effect on January 1 went through a 140 day legislative session.  During that 140 day period, these bills went before House and Senate Committees before going before the Texas House and Senate as a whole.

The laws mentioned below represent some of those pieces of legislation that passed and will go into effect on January 1:

  • House Bill (HB) 252 Section 2 allows an applicant to qualify a manufactured home as a residence homestead when claiming a property tax exemption by submitting, as an alternative form of documentation, a sworn affidavit stating that the applicant is the owner of the home, the seller did not provide the applicant with a purchase contract, and the applicant tried but could not locate the seller. The bill bases the qualification of the land on which a manufactured home is located for a property tax exemption on the applicant’s ownership of the land and occupation of the manufactured home as the applicant’s principal residence and the applicant’s demonstration or the appraisal district’s determination of such ownership and requires a chief appraiser to apportion an exemption for land and a manufactured home listed separately on the tax roll on a pro rata basis based on their respective appraised values.
  • (HB) 1228 takes effect on January 1 except for Section 209.0092 which took effect on September 1.  HB 1228 amends the Property Code to require a property owners’ association composed of more than 14 lots to adopt reasonable guidelines to establish an alternative payment schedule by which an owner may make partial payments to the association for delinquent regular or special assessments or any other amount owed to the association without accruing additional monetary penalties. The association is required to file the guidelines in the real property records of each county in which the subdivision is located, and certain associations are exempted from those requirements.  In addition, HB 1228 requires a payment received by an association from the owner to be applied to the owner’s debt in a specified order of priority unless the owner is in default under a payment plan entered into with the association, in which case a fine assessed by the association may not be given priority over any other amount owed to the association. The bill restricts an association’s authority with regard to third-party collections and specifies that an owner is not liable for fees of a collection agent retained by the association under certain circumstances.
  • Senate Bill 1330 Section 1 authorizes a judge to require a defendant younger than 25 years of age receiving deferred disposition for certain traffic offenses to complete an additional driving safety course designed for drivers younger than 25 years of age.

Each of these laws goes in to effect, or has sections which go in to effect on January 1, 2012.  It is important to learn and know about the new laws that were passed by the 82nd Texas Legislature.  If you would like to view any of the other legislation that was passed during the 82nd Regular Session and the first called special session on your own, these websites are great resources:

If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office.  As always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).

                                                            – State Representative Todd Hunter, District 32

Rep. Hunter represents Aransas, Calhoun, Nueces (Part) and San Patricio Counties.  He can be contacted at todd.hunter@house.state.tx.us or at 512-463-0672. 

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Hunter appointed to Joint Interim Committee to Study Seacoast Territory Insurance

December 21, 2011 By

AUSTIN, TEXAS –Speaker Joe Straus (R – San Antonio) appointed Rep. Todd Hunter (Republican – Corpus Christi) to the Joint Interim Committee to Study Seacoast Territory Insurance. The committee will assess alternate ways of providing windstorm insurance to businesses and homeowners along the coastline.

“As a representative to one of the most populated areas along the Texas coast, windstorm insurance has been a focus of much of my work in the legislature,” Rep. Hunter said. “I am confident that this committee will help us find a number of ways of providing insurance to folks along the Gulf Coast.”

Rep. Hunter is one of five House members appointed to the Joint Interim Committee, which was established through House Bill 3 during the 1st Called Special Session of the 82nd Legislature.

“We appreciate Chairman Hunter’s leadership in the coastal insurance arena. He’s been a leader on this issue since he’s been in the legislature and has been beneficial to the Texas Gulf Coast,” said Foster Edwards, President and CEO of the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce. “The fact that windstorm insurance is critical to the Gulf Coast, not only to the people but also to the economy, makes this interim committee even more important. We are excited that Chairman Hunter is on this interim study committee.

“I know no other person in the state that has more experience or knows this subject any better than Chairman Hunter,” said Randy Vivian, President and CEO of the Victoria Chamber of Commerce. “I think it is an outstanding appointment, not only for the state of Texas but especially for our region, with this issue being so important to the Gulf Coast area.”

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Hunter receives Friends of Medicine award from Texas Medical Association

December 14, 2011 By

AUSTIN, TEXAS – Rep. Todd Hunter (Republican – Corpus Christi) received the Friends of Medicine award this week from the Texas Medical Association. The award seeks to recognize Texas legislators for their consistent dedication on behalf of patients and physicians at the legislature.

“Rep. Hunter has gone above and beyond to champion important legislation for patients in Texas,” said (DARREN WHITEHURST, Director of Public Affairs for TMA. “Because of his dedication to improving healthcare in the state, doctors and patients alike can enjoy a better business environment and a quality experience overall.

Rep. Hunter, who is chairman of the House Calendars Committee and sits on Corrections, General Investigating, Human Services and Redistricting Committees, has defended the tort reform laws that passed in Texas in 2003. Those laws, which have been a model for other states in the years since they took effect, have made a tremendous improvement in the healthcare climate throughout Texas.

“It is an honor to receive this award again this year,” Rep. Hunter said. “Healthcare is one of the single most important issues we face at the legislature, and I am proud to continue working to ensure that Texans have the highest quality medical attention possible.”

This is the third time Rep. Hunter has received the Friends of Medicine award. He also won the award in 1995 and 2009.

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Hunter Appointed Co-Chair to Joint Interim Committee to Study Cruise Ship Industry

December 14, 2011 By

AUSTIN, TEXAS – Speaker Joe Straus (R – San Antonio) appointed Chairman of the House Calendars Committee, State Representative Todd Hunter (R – Corpus Christi), to serve as co-chair on a Joint Interim Committee that will analyze the development of a cruise industry on the Texas coast, and review its potential economic impact.

“We represent one of the fastest growing areas in the country, a robust tourism industry, and a wealth of natural resources,” Rep. Hunter said. “By providing an interim study, we can begin to outline the benefits of the economic impact that can be generated in South Texas by the development of the cruise industry, and the benefits that South Texas offers the industry.”

Last session, Rep. Hunter helped pass Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 5 to bring the cruise ship industry one step closer to recognizing that Texas is an excellent place to be. He did this following numerous Town Hall meetings, which he hosted throughout District 32, where the common theme among constituents was that they didn’t understand why the industry hadn’t made it to Texas’ coastline yet.

“With the Port of Corpus Christi, Ingleside and the beaches of Aransas Pass, this region is certainly going to see an increase in economic activity,” said Charlie Hicks, Chairman of the Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation. “We’re very excited about the possibilities and believe this interim study is the first step toward getting the industry jump-started.”

The cruise ship industry has the potential to bring a significant economic boost to the state. In 2010 alone, 15 million passengers took cruises, and the cruise industry generated 313,998 jobs paying out $14.23 billion in wages and salaries.

Dennis Patillo, chairman-elect of the Victoria Economic Development Council, said “The entire Coastal Bend Region will benefit from the development from the cruise industry in South Texas. The whole industry up and down the coast could benefit from a revitalization, and this interim study is the first step in making it happen.”

 

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Hunter Appointed to Joint Interim Committee to Study Human Trafficking

December 7, 2011 By

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, December 7, 2010

Rep. Todd Hunter Appointed to Joint Interim Committee to
Study Human Trafficking

AUSTIN, TEXAS – This week, Speaker Joe Straus (R – San Antonio) appointed Rep. Todd Hunter (R – Corpus Christi) to serve on an interim committee that will study ways in which the State of Texas can fight human trafficking. Rep. Hunter raised the issue earlier this year, during the 82nd Legislature, by filing and passing House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) 68 to create the interim committee following the legislative session.

“I learned about Human Trafficking when I served as Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and was shocked to find out that such a problem exists in Texas,” Rep. Hunter said. “As a father, I want to do whatever I can to ensure that human trafficking in all its forms is shut down in this state.”
According to the U.S. State Department, 800,000 men, women and children are trafficked across international borders every year, and about twenty percent of those people go through the State of Texas.
“It is important for the State of Texas to take a lead role in combating human trafficking due to the state’s large geographical size and busy ports,” Rep. Hunter explained. “I am pleased that Speaker Straus appointed me to this important committee. I am committed to making sure Texas takes a strong stand against the criminals involved in these horrific offenses.”

Human Trafficking is considered to be the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of labor or a commercial sex act through use of force, fraud or coercion. Any commercial sex act, if the person is under 18 years of age, regardless of whether any form of coercion was involved, is considered human trafficking.

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House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) 68 was authored by Rep. Todd Hunter (R – Corpus Christi), Rep. Senfronia Thompson (D – Houston), Rep. Trey Martinez-Fischer (D – San Antonio), Rep. Byron Cook (R – Corsicana) and Rep. Jim Jackson (R – Carrollton) , and co-authored by Rep. Allen Fletcher (R – Houston), Rep. Randy Weber (R – Pearland) and Rep. Bill Zedler (R – Arlington in the Texas House of Representatives. It was sponsored by Senator Leticia Van de Putte (D – San Antonio) and co-sponsored by Senator Dan Patrick (R – Houston) in the Texas Senate.

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