Legislation

The Legislative Committee’s goal is to make more parents aware of the ideas, legislation and actions of state and federal government as it pertains to public schools. We hope to do this by providing periodic legislative updates at PTA general member meetings, PTA board meetings, and in the weekly newsletter. We also hope to encourage our members to be active in one letter writing campaign to your legislators. In turn, each of us can encourage our kids to do the same as adults. Lastly, we always invite parents to attend at least one NEISD school board meeting to better understand our district leadership and its impact on the daily lives of Encino Park families.

New Laws Passed Regarding Teen Drivers and Child Booster Seats

Effective September 1, 2009

HB 55 prohibits talking or texting on a cell phone in a school zone. Police are warning they will be watching out for violators. Under the law you can still use hands-free devices. However, if you're caught using a cell phone in a school zone, you risk getting a $200 ticket. Click Here to view the KSAT article.
HB 61 requires that all children younger than 8 years and less than four feet nine inches tall be in a child safety seat system
HB 537 requires that everyone in the car, regardless of age and regardless of where they are sitting, needs to wear a seatbelt.
HB 339 prohibits teens under 18 from texting or talking on a cell phone while driving. Click Here for Information

Legislative Update

Tax Free Days for School Supplies
The 81st Texas Legislature recently passed House Bill 1801 expanding the list of items qualifying for exemption from Texas state and local sales and use taxes during the annual sales tax holiday in August. Effective this year, in addition to clothes, footwear and some backpacks, Texas families also get a sales tax break on school supplies priced less than $100 purchased for use by a student in an elementary or secondary school.  Click here to see detailed information

Legislative Alerts and Links
If you’re interested in receiving more regular information on the Texas Legislature’s actions, visit this great up-to-date website regarding recent, current and future actions of the Texas Legislature.   http://www.tasb.org/issues/legislative/reports/2009-07-24/index.html

End of Session Update
TEXAS PTA  2009 END OF SESSION LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES UPDATE
June 21st signals the end of the veto period for Governor Rick Perry. Texas PTA is pleased to announce that Gov. Perry did not veto any of the major pieces of legislation that Texas PTA prioritized this session! The 81st session of the Texas Legislature ended Monday, June 1st. Texas PTA had a very successful legislative session thanks in LARGE part to PTA members around the state who participated in the process by visiting your legislators both in your home towns and in Austin, making phone calls to legislators, testifying before committees, participating in Texas PTA Day at the Capitol. This session Arnold Public Affairs reviewed every bill filed; over 7000 bills, 1200 more than were filed last session; and tracked over 605 bills for Texas PTA. Of the 605 bills tracked for Texas PTA, over 100 cards of support were submitted during House and Senate hearings on bills and PTA members represented PTA by giving oral testimony before legislative committees more than 20 times. Texas PTA staff and volunteers came to the capitol to distribute educational flyers and to speak to legislators about PTA priorities throughout the session.

This session Texas PTA secured the passage of:
BOOSTER SEAT BILL SB 61, by Rep. Allen Vaught and Sen. Judith Zaffirini, the booster seat law. Texas becomes the 46th state to enact legislation that updates Texas passenger safety statutes.
SALES TAX HOLIDAY EXPANSION HB 1801, by Rep. Dwayne Bohac and Sen. Florence Shapiro, the sales tax holiday expansion to include basic school supplies.
CELL PHONE PROHIBITION FOR DRIVING TEENS
HB 339, by Rep. Larry Phillips and Sen. John Carona, the driver education bill that contains PTA’s cell phone ban for driving teens.
VOUCHERS This session no voucher bill was voted favorably from any committee. Texas PTA hopes to work with staff of Senator Shapiro to identify solutions to the challenge of successfully meeting the needs of students who require institutional placement for autism. At issue is the method of funding for the program.

If you’re interested in more detailed information, click here to view the entire 2009 End Of Session Legislative Priorities Update.