The International Relations & Economic Development Committee met on Wednesday to consider a couple of bills. HB 21 was discussed first, and we heard from several people who were in support of this bill. HB 21 seeks to change the day length requirement for reporting sexual assault cases in the workplace. We heard from several witnesses, who were in support of this bill, during our public hearing. HB 7 was also considered during this meeting, and we heard testimony from the Chairman of the Texas Workforce Commission. HB 7 relates to unemployment compensation tax rates.
March 12, 2021 Newsletter
Representative Michelle Beckley
We've had a lot going on here at the Texas Capitol... our bills continue to progress, committee hearings are off to a great start, and COVID-19 relief is underway. The 87th Texas Legislative Session is truly unique in nature, and we will continue to make strides for improving the lives of Texans across the state.
Our Bills
Today marks the 60th day of the 87th Texas Legislative Session. As the session progresses, so do more of our bills. Below you may find more of our bill descriptions, which have received bill assignments since our last update.
HB 3086: Relating to the identification required for voting of a voter with a recent name change.
HB 3133: Relating to a study by the Public Utility Commission of Texas on the failures of electricity providers during the February 2021 winter storm.
HB 3136: Relating to allowing the governing bodies of certain political subdivisions to call for a local option election relating to the sale of alcoholic beverages.
HB 3154: Relating to the issuance of a wireless emergency alert after a statewide disaster declaration.
HB 3155: Relating to the signature of an official on certain applications for a place on the ballot.
HB 3657: Relating to measures designed to encourage and enable certain persons with disabilities and their families to maintain employment in this state.
Approximately 20 of my authored bills have been referred to committees. Throughout this process, Team Beckley would like to hear feedback from our constituents. We encourage our constituents to get involved with their government - and now it’s easier than ever! Testimony can now be made virtually, allowing Texans to speak out about issues they care about. Be on the lookout for more updates on how you can get involved.
Our Committees
The Elections Committee meeting that took place yesterday was exciting! We met to consider House Bills related to voter accommodations and polling place concerns. HB 463, which relates to poll watcher eligibility was debated amongst committee members. We also discussed HB 22 and HB 478, which are bills relating to voter accommodations. Members also discussed and were in support of HB 1128, which relates to people permitted in polling places or where votes are being counted.
COVID-19 Information
The passage of the American Rescue Plan means $1,400 stimulus checks are on the way! The American Rescue Plan is a boon for Texas. Our state will receive $16.8 billion for the state government and $10.4 billion for local governments to invest in programs that will end the pandemic and promote economic recovery. This funding will help Texans get back on their feet and give small businesses the support they need to thrive. We will build up our public health programs so that we can test, treat, and vaccinate efficiently.
Speaking of vaccines...
The Texas Department of State Health Services announced that Texas vaccine distribution has been expanded to Phase 1C. People 50+ will be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine beginning March 15. You may view their press release here.
As a reminder, those currently eligible include:
- Phase 1A: Front-line healthcare workers and residents at long-term care facilities
- Phase 1B: People 65+ or people 16+ with a health condition that increases the risk of severe COVID-19 illness
- Phase 1C: People aged 50-64
- School and Child Care Personnel
Feeling confused on how to register for a COVID-19 vaccine? Visit the COVID-19 Registration Information Blog - here you can find out pertinent information about North Texas Vaccination Centers.
Addressing Winter Storm Uri
The Texas House of Representatives has not forgotten about the statewide electrical blackouts and the loss of water supply across the state that occurred during Winter Storm Uri. I filed several bills in relation to what happened in Texas last month and I'm happy to see many other members of the Texas House of Representatives do the same! I look forward to supporting other bills filed that will protect consumers and strengthen our state's electrical grid.
Thanks for reading my weekly update! I am honored to be able to keep my constituents informed with the latest news.
Sincerely,
State Representative Michelle Beckley (HD-65)
Uncover the impact voucher programs have had on public schools in Texas and how defunding these institutions would be detrimental to student success.
The city council of Carrollton, Texas provided comments regarding House Bill 4072 , which was proposed during the 87th Texas Legislative Session. The city council of Carrollton, Texas expressed their opposition for HB 4072 . HB 4072 sought to simplify and clarify local sales and use tax administration by establishing as the state’s default sourcing method a destination-based method under which sales are sourced to the location where the item is shipped or delivered or where the purchaser takes possession. HB 4072 requires that local sales taxes be collected and reported based on an item’s final destination as opposed to the transaction location. The city council of Carrollton voiced that the proposed changes would have disproportionally impacted cities with large commercial bases, placed undue burden on businesses, and caused unintended consequences. Our office also reviewed the potential impact of HB 4072 on the City of Lewisville. If HB 4072 had been passed, the changes would have resulted in an annual loss of more than $10 million in sales tax for Lewisville. Lewisville would have likely faced reduced services and employee layoffs across all city departments, including police and fire departments. The Office of State Representative Beckley proudly represented the interests of Carrollton and Lewisville, by opposing this piece of legislation. HB 4072 intended to address a perceived inequity that results from the misuse of Chapter 380 agreements, but the Comptroller already has the authority to invalidate these types of agreements. Cities use Chapter 380 agreements to grow their economies and benefit their communities. HB 4072 was unsuccessful during the 87th Legislative Regular Session; it was voted out of the Ways & Means House Committee but did not make its way to the House Floor. HB 4072 was left pending in the Calendars Committee; the Calendars Committee has jurisdiction over the placement of bills and resolutions on appropriate calendars. The 87th Regular Session ended on May 31, 2021. Sincerely, State Representative Michelle Beckley
Are you or a loved one heading to college this Fall? Does he/she/they need financial help? The Office of Representative Michelle Beckley is asking for submissions for the Texas Armed Services Scholarship. The Texas Armed Services Scholarship (TASSP) has been created to assist promising students from the State of Texas who are committed to education and service. It encourages young leaders to participate in the Texas Army National Guard, the Texas Air National Guard, the Texas State Guard, the United States Coast Guard, the United States Merchant Marine, or to become commissioned officers in any branch of the armed services of the United States. Each year the governor and the lieutenant governor may each appoint two students, and each state senator and each state representative may appoint one student to receive an initial conditional scholarship award. The amount of the award will be up to $10,000 and cannot exceed the student’s cost of attendance. Eligibility for Nomination: Students selected must meet two of these four academic criteria: Be on track to graduate or have graduated high school with the Distinguished Achievement Program (DAP), the distinguished level of achievement under the Foundation High School program, or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program Have a high school grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale Achieved a college readiness score on the SAT (1020) or ACT (23) Be ranked in the top one-third of the prospective high school graduating class Eligibility for Award: To receive a scholarship, an appointed student must: Be registered with Selective Service or be exempt Be enrolled an in good standing in a Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program or another undergraduate officer commissioning program as certified by the institution Maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) as indicated by the financial aid office at the recipient’s institution of higher education Enter into a written agreement with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) Complete school-initiated Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program application by October 15, 2021 Repay the scholarship if requirements are not met If you’re interested in the Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program, please send your resume and a short essay (300-500 words) explaining your interest in the program to Michelle.Beckley@house.texas.gov . You will receive an update to your nomination status by July 9, 2021. Feel free to reach out to our District Director , Ariana Johnson, if you have any questions about the Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program. Thanks and good luck! Please note: The scholarship applicant should be a House District 65 constituent. If you are unsure of who represents you in Texas, find out here . Best wishes, State Representative Michelle Beckley