Thread: TX:Legislators file 423 bills on first day

eb Posted: 11/11/2008 12:00 CST
Quick-draw legislators file 423 bills on first day
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Monitoring upcoming bills

* Want to learn more about legislation filed for the 2009 session? Go to www.capitol.state.tx.us/Reports/General.aspx. Then click on Today's Filed Bills.
* On the Legislature's Web site, www.capitol.state.tx.us, there are many 'how to' features such as signing up to receive e-mail alerts on specific measures to find out when a bill is being considered in committee and voted on by the full House and Senate.
* The site also links to lawmakers' home pages and serves as a portal for video broadcasts of committee hearings and House and Senate sessions.


By Janet Elliott - Houston Chronicle

AUSTIN — A bipartisan coalition of Texas senators signed on to a bill filed Monday that would freeze tuition rates at public universities for two years.

The legislation was among 423 bills and proposed constitutional amendments filed on the opening day to propose legislation for the 81st legislative session, which begins Jan. 13.

Lawmakers introduced bills on a variety of topics, tackling perennially tough issues such as uninsured Texans and high property taxes. Hot-button issues such as abortion and illegal immigration were on some legislators’ agendas.

Thousands of bills are likely to be filed. In 2007, when lawmakers last met, 6,374 bills and proposed constitutional amendments were filed; 1,742 won approval.

In addition to the two-year moratorium, the tuition bill would limit future increases to the inflation rate, measured by the Consumer Price Index. Additionally, it would allow fees not specifically allowed by law to be imposed only if approved by a majority of students.

It was filed by Sen. Juan “Chuyâ€

It was filed by Sen. Juan “Chuyâ€