Texas Legislative Process

April 8, 2014 Galveston

Texas APCO/NENA Annual Conference

Get Engaged! Education & Advocacy

Begins with You

What goes on in there?

Know the Process

Texas GovernmentExecutive Branch

Statewide Elected Officials

• Governor Rick Perry-R• Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst-R• Comptroller of Public Accounts Susan Combs-R• Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson-R• Attorney General Greg Abbott-R• Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples-R• Railroad Commissioners Barry Smitherman-R;

Chair, David Porter-R, Christi Craddick-R

Texas State LegislatureThe Legislature of Texas, like the legislature of every other state except Nebraska, is bicameral (that is, it has two chambers).

• The House of Representatives has 150 members one of which is elected by the House membership to serve as Speaker of the House, currently Joe Straus (R-San Antonio) leads the House.

• Texas Senate has 31 members and statewide elected Lieutenant Governor, currently David Dewhurst, a Republican leads the State Senate.

• The Legislature meets in regular session only once every two years for 140 days.

• The Legislature cannot call itself into special session; only the governor may call a special session, and may call as many sessions as often as wanted.

                                                                                    

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Floor and Gallery of the Texas House of Representatives

                                                                                    

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• Who represents me?• How do I contact my legislators?• Follow the status of a bill? • Find how a legislator voted? • Find when hearings are

scheduled? • View the text of a bill?

Legislative Reference Library of Texas

www.lrl.state.tx.us• Citizen Handbook, Secretary of the Senate

– Includes information on the legislative process in Texas, advocacy etiquette and guidelines. • How A Bill Becomes Law: 83rd Legislature, House Research Organization

– Summarizes key constitutional provisions and rules governing a bill's movement through the Legislature, with emphasis on House Rules.

• House Committee Procedures: 83rdst Legislature, House Research Organization – Reviews the rules and procedures used in the committees of the Texas House of

Representatives. • The Legislative Process, Texas Legislature Online

– Features details on the legislative process in Texas and includes a useful diagram. • Reading a Bill, Texas Legislative Council

– Provides an overview of each part of a bill and its function. • Legislative Glossary, Texas Legislature Online

– Defines many words and phrases used to describe legislative activity. • How to Follow a Bill, Texas Legislature Online

– Offers links and descriptions of resources that can be used to follow a bill through each stage of the legislative process.

• Secretary of State, Elections Division: Voter Information – Gathers information on voter registration, candidates, past election returns, and upcoming

elections. • Texas Online: Government

– Provides general information about Texas government, including legislative, executive, and judicial branches, as well as links to city and county governments in Texas.

Dates of Interest• Tuesday, November 4, 2014

General election for statewide & legislators

• Monday, November 10, 2014 Prefiling of legislation for the 84nd Legislature begins

• Tuesday, January 13, 2015 (1st day) 84th Legislature convenes at noon

• Monday, June 1, 2015 (140th day) Last day of 84thd Regular Session; corrections onlyin house and senate

• Sunday, June 21, 2015 (20th day following final adjournment) Last day governor can sign or veto bills passed during theregular legislative session

What can I do between now and January?

• Make an effort to meet your legislator?– Contact district office to make an appointment– Attend a town hall meeting or a civic club event

where he/she may be speaking– Interim Committee Charge Hearings

• Get to know the legislator’s staff. – You can be their go-to person on issues involving

emergency communications• Get involved in a campaign as a volunteer

Upcoming Elections

May 10, 2014Senate District 4 Special Election

May 27, 2014Primary Run Off Election

November 4, 2014 General Election

Texas 9-1-1 Program

Working with the Texas Legislature

Information and Advocacy

Statutory LimitationsGovernment Code

Sec. 556.006. LEGISLATIVE LOBBYING. (a) A state agency may not use appropriated money to attempt to influence the passage or defeat of a legislative measure.

(b) This section does not prohibit a state officer or employee from using state resources to provide public information or to provide information responsive to a request.

What is your objective?

If it is to get a bill passed or defeated – out of scope

However, if your objective is to develop legislative

support for 9-1-1 and your program,

Wouldn’t it be nice to have legislative advocates in

the Capitol

You provide the information to develop advocates

Tips

Focus on the staff, both in Austin and the District

Invite them for a PSAP tour

Notify them of award presentations that may be

of interest

Newsletter distribution list

Participate in 9-1-1 Goes to Austin

Leave them info on what your organization does,

who you are and how to reach you - 1 pager

State Program OverviewAGENCY OVERVIEW The mission of the Commission on State Emergency Communications (CSEC) is to

preserve and enhance public safety and health in Texas through reliable access to emergency telecommunications services.

State 9-1-1 Program

– Serves a little over 1/3 of the state’s population in 224 Counties– Service that connects a caller with a Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP– 350 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs)– Answering, dispatch and response are local responsibilities– Contract with 24 Regional Planning Commissions For 9-1-1 Operations– GR – Dedicated Funding Appropriated by Legislature– Fund 5050 – 9-1-1 Service Fee– Fund 5007 – Equalization Surcharge– 51 Other Texas 9-1-1 Entities – Emergency Communications Districts/Municipalities

12 Commission members and 25 FTE staff

Poison State Program Overview

• Texas Poison Control Program

• Serves the entire State• Provides information via telephone to the public or health care professionals

dealing with a suspected toxic exposure• Saves money by treating the poisoning at home & avoiding a trip to the ER • Was Co-Administered with Department of State Health Services• Since May 1, 2010 under CSEC’s purview• 6 Poison Centers • GR – Dedicated Funding Appropriated by Legislature• Fund 5007 – Equalization Surcharge

2014 Grassroots Plan

•Work with your TX NENA Region Coordinator to…•Obtain Education Packets for your House & Senate Members

•Make appointments with your district offices•Share 9-1-1 information•Invite to open house or visit your PSAP•Invite legislator to participate in local award ceremonies•Send Thank-you cards for their time•Report your contacts to Region Coordinator• Plan to attend the 9-1-1 Goes to Austin

Sharing information about 9-1-1 is NOT Lobbying!

9-1-1 Goes to Austin2015

For more information:

Toni Dunne, ENPTX NENA

512.970.7066 TexasNena.dunne@gmail.com

You can access this presentation at:TexasNena.org → Resources

WE NEED YOU!