Hours Left To Go in Legislative Session

So far 455 of 7,609 pieces of legislation had passed both chambers of the Legislature and reached the governor's desk. Seventy-nine of Senator Nelson's bills have passed the Senate, and 16 of those bills have also passed the House, including measures to protect victims of domestic violence, prepare the state for disasters, and improve access to health care. Here are some of the important issues Senator Nelson is addressing this session: State School Reform - Senator Nelson yesterday filed SCR 77, providing legislative approval of a settlement reached this week with the federal Department of Justice (DOJ) in its investigation of Texas' state schools for people with developmental disabilities. SB 643 by Senator Nelson, an emergency reform plan to better protect state school residents, also passed the House this week and will soon be on its way to the governor. "The abuse that has taken place in our state schools is inexcusable," Senator Nelson said. "It does not reflect the good will and compassion of the people of Texas. We are all deeply saddened by these events, and the DOJ settlement represents a new beginning in our effort to care for and protect state school residents."

Click here to Watch Senator Nelson on CNN discussing the DOJ settlement.

Children's Health Insurance - SB 66 by Senator Nelson establishes a health insurance pool for children in the child support system, funded by re-directing cash medical support paid by the non-custodial parent. It passed the Senate and is eligible for action on the House floor today. "This is an important bill because it is revenue neutral and has the potential to connect approximately 200,000 Texas children without health insurance to the health coverage they need," she said. Medicaid Reform - For the first time, the state will have the authority to deny or reduce taxpayer-supported payments for catastrophic, preventable medical errors in government-run health care programs under SB 7 by Senator Nelson. The bill also requires the reporting of preventable re-admissions to hospitals, the reporting of adverse medical events, and expanded use of technology to reduce bureaucracy and administrative burdens, and emphasize quality of care over quantity of services. "We are facing a tight budget, and it is vital that we are making the best possible use of our tax dollars that support health care services," Senator Nelson said.

Domestic Violence - Two bills by Senator Nelson designed to reduce domestic violence have passed the Legislature and are on the governor's desk. SB 82 by Senator Nelson raises revenue for domestic violence shelters through probation fees of up to $100 levied on domestic abuse offenders. SB 83 allows early lease termination for survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault who need to re-locate to escape abuse. She is also the Senate sponsor of two bills near the finish line -- HB 2066, which elevates the penalty for the act of strangulation from a Class A misdemeanor to a third-degree felony, and HB 2240, which creates a new 3rd degree felony offense for continuous violence against the family. "In this tough economy, I am worried that we are going to see an escalation in domestic violence," she said. "We need strong laws to deter abuse, and we need to support our shelters that serve as a lifeline to individuals, especially those with children, trying to escape abusive situations," Senator Nelson said.

Healthy Students - With more than 40 percent of Texas' young people overweight or obese, Senator Nelson filed several bills this session to improve student health. "Our rate of child obesity is more than double the national average," Senator Nelson said. "We need to teach our young people lessons of fitness and nutrition." Both chambers have approved SB 891, defining physical education in state law to ensure that students receive an actual health benefit and that the instruction is "sequential," meaning there is a progression from year to year. As amended, it also requires 30 minutes of daily exercise for students in pre-kindergarten. The House also passed SB 283, clarifying the role of school health advisory councils. SB 282 by Senator Nelson, establishing nutrition and nutrition education grants for schools, pre-kindergarten and community or faith-based youth organizations, and SB 892 by Senator Nelson, directing schools to report on the progress of their coordinated school health programs to local school boards via Campus Improvement Plans, are pending before the House.

Access to Health Coverage - The House and Senate have approved SB 78 by Senator Nelson, establishing TexLink, an office at the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) devoted to connecting small businesses and individuals to private health insurance. "One of the barriers to health insurance in Texas is education," Senator Nelson said. "We need to help small businesses wade through the various types of health plans that are available on the private market." The House also approved SB 79 by Senator Nelson, creating an optional certification process for insurance agents, signifying that they have specialized training in connecting health insurance to small employers.

Transportation - The House voted to restructure the Texas Department of Transportation and replace the current 5-member commission whose members are appointed by the governor to a 15-member commission, including 1 statewide elected commissioner and 14 members elected from geographical districts. That issue is now before the Senate. Additionally, the Texas Senate voted to end diversions from Fund 6, the state highway budget, that are not constitutionally dedicated for other purposes. That bill has been amended with provisions relating to a local option to raise funds for transportation through a menu of taxes and fees. It could reach the Senate floor this weekend.

Education - Both the House and Senate have passed bills designed to provide greater local control over school curriculum and to reduce the state's reliance on standardized tests. A conference committee will work out differences between the Senate and House versions of the reform bill. SB 2033 by Senator Nelson, ending no-fail grade policies, passed the Senate unanimously and is currently pending before the House.