This week saw the Texas Senate pass the sanctuary cities bill as well as the ethics bill that Gov. Abbott designated as emergency items. Those important bills will now pass over to the House where we will give them consideration and send them on to the Governor for his signature.

 

The other important happening this week was the appointment of committees in the House.  I am honored to have been appointed to four committees: the State Affairs Committee, the Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee, the Calendars Committee and the Select Committee on State and Federal Power and Responsibility.

 

The State Affairs Committee has jurisdiction over everything from abortion bills to energy regulation and many areas in between, including the sanctuary cities and ethics bills that the Senate just sent over.  This committee has one of the broadest jurisdictions of any House committee and my appointment will give East Texans a voice on many of the most high profile issues that will be addressed this session.

 

Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee has jurisdiction over many of the industries and occupations that are regulated by the state of Texas.  This committee does important work to make sure that our regulations are sensible and workable.

 

The Select Committee on State and Federal Power and Responsibility serves as a watchdog for the federal government and works to hold the feds accountable for their actions and inactions and their costs and impacts on the State of Texas.  

 

Calendars committee is a procedural committee that determines the order and priority of bills as they are placed before the House for debate.  While this task may sound mundane, this committee is the gate keeper to the House floor and has a great deal of influence on which bills are debated or not debated by the House.

 

This week, I also had the pleasure of welcoming a delegation from Panola County to the Capitol to celebrate Panola County Day.  It is always great to see folks from back home at the Capitol and make sure they are aware of what is going on in Austin.  If you are planning on being in Austin, between now and Memorial Day, please let me know so we can have a chance to visit.  You can contact me at 512-463-0556 or district9.paddie@house.texas.gov.