SD 11 SREC: District 129 Session Newsletter

Week six of the 89th legislative session was filled with activity. On Monday, I was re-elected as Vice President of the Texas Conservative Coalition, the oldest and most successful conservative group in the Texas legislature.

I also participated in the Legislative Prayer Breakfast, where we reflected and sought God's guidance for the 89th legislature. Thank you to Representative Shaheen for hosting such a meaningful event.

On Wednesday, I addressed the Structural Engineers Association of Texas during their "Day at the Dome." Thursday evening, I attended the La Porte Chamber Banquet.

Finally, I filed five new bills: HB 2970, HB 3001, HB 3041, HB 3042, and HB 3150. Details are provided below.

It is an honor to serve you in the Texas House of Representatives.

Updates from the Capitol

I am honored to have been re-elected as Vice President of the Texas Conservative Coalition.

Founded in 1985, the Texas Conservative Coalition (TCC) is a group of over 70 lawmakers advocating for limited government, individual liberty, and traditional values, aiming to promote conservative solutions and ensure Texas remains a great place to live. TCC is the oldest and most successful conservative group in the Texas legislature.

While attending the Legislative Prayer Breakfast, we were addressed by Darryl Strawberry, who shared his powerful testimony of redemption, God's grace, and faithfulness. Darryl Strawberry is a former MLB right fielder, known for his numerous home runs and 17 seasons in the league.

The Associated General Contractors of Texas (AGC) visited my Capitol office, where they graciously presented me with a customized sign, seen above. AGC of Texas is a leader in advancing heavy highway and infrastructure projects across the state.

The Structural Engineers Association of Texas (SEAoT) held their "Day at the Dome", where I had the pleasure of addressing 30+ professional engineers. This event allowed my fellow professional engineers to engage with legislators and discuss important issues affecting the engineering community.

Bay Area Turning Point visited my office on Thursday. Their mission is to support survivors of sexual and domestic assault, providing solutions, guidance, and empathy throughout.

My chief of staff, Greg Bentch (back row, second from the left), met with the Texas Aggregates & Concrete Association (TACA). TACA is the key resource for the aggregate, concrete, and cement industries in Texas, representing its members and sharing industry information with the public.

Updates from the District

I was pleased to attend the La Porte Chamber Banquet, where I had the opportunity to address many constituents and hear inspiring stories of success within our community.

During the banquet, I was honored to present a resolution to award recipients on behalf of myself and State Representative Briscoe Cain.

Congratulations to The Bridge Over Troubled Waters (TBOTW), named Non-Profit of the Year. Pictured in the middle is my friend, Tammie Nielsen, TBOTW's communication director. TBOTW is a domestic abuse treatment center in Pasadena.

Congratulations to Amanda DeAlejandro, Volunteer of the Year, for her selfless service to our community.

Congratulations to OxyChem La Porte, named Business of the Year. The award was accepted by Scott Halbrook, VCM at OxyChem.

Bills I Filed This Week:

HB 2970: This bill relates to the implementation of projects by the Gulf Coast Protection District. HB 2970 ensures that new projects within the Protection District do not impede safety or disrupt two-way water traffic.
HB 3001: This bill relates to the right of an insured individual to enter into a contract with a public insurance adjuster.
HB 3041: HB 3041 ensures that nontraditional students are fairly ranked in college admissions based on their exam scores.
HB 3042: Relating to laboratory claim integrity programs for health benefit plans.
HB 3150: This bill sets rules for how much nonparticipating suppliers can charge Medicare enrollees for medical equipment, devices, and supplies. HB 3150 ensures that suppliers do not overcharge Medicare patients and sets penalties for those who violate the rules.

How to Track Legislation

Ever wonder how the laws that impact your everyday life originate? While this graphic provides you with a simplified overview, You can walk through the entire legislative process by reading this blog post from the Texas House Republican Caucus on how a bill becomes a law in Texas. From a bill being introduced to it becoming law or vetoed, there are many steps ahead for the many bills that have been filed.