AUSTIN – Texas State Senator Charles Perry of Lubbock (SD-28) who represents San Angelo recently updated his constituents about legislation passed out of the Senate this session. Below is Senator Perry's latest news:
The Texas legislature meets in regular legislative session for 140 days every odd numbered year and we have less than two months to go in the 88th Legislative Session. Senate Bills 1-30 are priority bills in the Senate this session. This is a recap of our major Senate legislation thus far.
Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs
On Monday, April 3rd, two of my bills, Senate Bill 28 and Senate Joint Resolution 75passed the Senate. These two pieces of legislation are the culmination of the past eight years as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs. SB 28 and SJR 75 establish the Texas Water Fund and the New Water Supply Fund to be administered by the Texas Water Development Board. The funds will fund infrastructure and large water supply projects for a growing Texas. The Texas Water Fund infuses additional money into existing TWDB programs to fix our state’s old and failing infrastructure. The New Water Supply Fund will set a goal to meet the estimated shortfall of 7 Million acre feet of water by 2070.
Retired Teachers
Senate Bill 10 was voted out of the Senate on March 29th. I joint authored this legislation to provide a much needed COLA for our retired teachers. The increase would be 2.0 percent of the annuitant's benefit if the member retired on or between September 1, 2013 and January 1, 2022. If a member retired before September 1, 2013; a 4.0 percent increase in the annuitant's benefit if the member retired before September 1, 2013. The bill provides a $7,500 onetime payment to members that are age 75 or older.
Finance
I appreciate all of our law enforcement officers and joint authored Senate Bill 22 which recently passed out of the Senate on March 28th. The bill establishes a grant program that will provide financial assistance to rural sheriffs' departments, as well as district and county attorneys' offices. This ensures professional law enforcement and legal representation of the people's interests throughout the state of Texas.
Health & Human Services
As the Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Health & Human Services, I am proud to report that Senate Bill 24, regarding the Texas Pregnancy and Parenting Support Network, and Senate Bill 25 which addresses nursing workforce shortages has been voted out of committee and the Senate. These bills are now in the House Chamber. The committee will soon be voting on mental health legislation and to further improve Child Protective Services. One of my priorities has been and will continue to be to ensure rural access to healthcare.
The days are full and many things in process yet to be decided; grid, broadband, behavioral healthcare, and rural healthcare just to name a few. It will be long days and many meetings, but worth the effort to meet the growing needs of the greatest place on earth – our TEXAS
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