The 84th legislative session ended on June 1, 2015. See the bills that have become law.

Sen. José Menéndez

District 26 (D-San Antonio)

New Laws

Bill Caption Date Effective
SB 1309 Relating to the establishment of a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps teaching certificate and eligibility of such certified teacher for other educator certification. Effective immediately
SB 1304 Relating to the creation of a women veterans mental health initiative within the mental health intervention program for veterans. Effective immediately
SB 1831 Relating to the designation of a portion of State Highway 151 as the Specialist Dane Balcon Memorial Bridge. Effective immediately
SB 1999 Relating to day activity and health services facilities. Effective immediately
SB 1307 Relating to occupational licenses for military service members, military veterans, and military spouses. Effective on 9/1/15
SB 1305 Relating to the creation of a rural veterans mental health initiative within the mental health intervention program for veterans. Effective immediately
SB 1317 Relating to the prosecution of the offense of invasive visual recording. Effective immediately
SB 1776 Relating to the exemption from the assessment requirements of the Texas Success Initiative for students who successfully complete certain college preparatory courses. Effective immediately
SB 1987 Relating to the issuance of specialty license plates for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing and to deaf or hard of hearing driver training for peace officers; authorizing a fee. Effective on 1/1/16
SB 1989 Relating to underwriting standards for evaluating applications for low income housing tax credits. Effective on 9/1/15
SB 1308 Relating to veterans services information provided to veterans who receive driver's licenses and personal identification certificates. Effective on 9/1/15
SB 1779 Relating to the order of candidate names on a runoff expedited election ballot. Effective on 9/1/15
SB 1326 Relating to the maximum cumulative period allowed for restoration of a defendant's competency to stand trial and to certain time credits awarded against that cumulative period. Effective on 9/1/15

Other Legislation

Bill Caption Date of Last Action
SR 676 In memory of the life of Dane R. Balcon. 05/04/2015
SR 1063 In memory of Edward Glenn Biggs. 05/31/2015
SR 1054 In memory of Renetha Helen Macklin. 05/30/2015
SR 1052 Recognizing Nathaniel Green on the occasion of his graduation from the United States Military Academy at West Point. 05/30/2015
SR 1051 Recognizing the John Jay High School Air Force Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps drill teams for their accomplishments at the Grand National Championship competition. 05/30/2015
SR 1053 In memory of Mel Waiters. 05/30/2015
SR 1056 Suspending limitations on conference committee jurisdiction, H.B. 2968. 05/30/2015
SR 1026 Recognizing St. Mary's University women's tennis team for winning the 2015 Heartland Conference championship. 05/28/2015
SR 1017 Recognizing the Trinity University men's and women's teams for winning the 2015 Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Track & Field Championships. 05/27/2015
SR 1015 Recognizing Robert G. Rodriguez of Southwestern Capital Markets. 05/27/2015
SR 1018 Recognizing Trinity University for receiving the 2015 Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Presidents' Trophy. 05/27/2015
SB 1781 Relating to the euthanasia of animals in animal shelters located in certain counties. 05/27/2015
SR 1000 Recognizing the Los Carnales/La Familia Motorcycle Club on the occasion of its 20th anniversary. 05/26/2015
SR 965 Recognizing Mount Sacred Heart Catholic School on the occasion of its 85th anniversary. 05/26/2015
SR 973 Recognizing The University of Texas at San Antonio mens track and field team for winning the 2015 Conference USA Outdoor Track & Field Championship. 05/25/2015
SB 1837 Relating to requiring certain metropolitan rapid transit authorities to hold a referendum before spending any money for a fixed rail transit system. 05/24/2015
SR 943 Recognizing John Reddinger on the occasion of his graduation from The University of Texas at Austin and on the completion of his legislative internship. 05/22/2015
SR 944 Recognizing St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church on the occasion of its 75th anniversary. 05/21/2015
SR 938 Observing World Refugee Day on June 20, 2015. 05/20/2015
SR 939 Recognizing David Michael and Claudette Anderson Copeland on the 30th anniversary of New Creation Christian Fellowship Church. 05/20/2015
SR 909 Recognizing The University of Texas at San Antonio softball team for winning the Conference USA West Division title. 05/19/2015
SR 830 Recognizing Bennie L. Cole on the occasion of his retirement. 05/18/2015
SB 1325 Relating to grants to local governmental entities from the Texas Military Preparedness Commission. 05/18/2015
SB 1998 Relating to consideration of location of an offeror's principal place of business in awarding certain municipal contracts. 05/18/2015
SR 816 Recognizing Cletus Behlmann for being honored at the Westside Honors Exitos en Nuestra Barrio Gala. 05/14/2015
SR 812 Recognizing Frank Herrera Jr. for being honored at the Westside Honors Exitos en Nuestra Barrio Gala. 05/14/2015
SR 813 Recognizing Joe Hernandez for being honored at the Westside Honors Exitos en Nuestra Barrio Gala. 05/14/2015
SR 815 Recognizing Norma Gutierrez for being posthumously honored at the Westside Honors Exitos en Nuestra Barrio Gala. 05/14/2015
SB 1835 Relating to an exemption from the motor vehicle use tax for motor vehicles brought into this state by certain current or former military personnel. 05/14/2015
SR 814 Recognizing Maria Berriozabal for being honored at the Westside Honors Exitos en Nuestra Barrio Gala. 05/14/2015
SB 1780 Relating to the administration of rabies vaccine under a local rabies control program. 05/08/2015
SR 731 Recognizing the San Antonio Central Library on the occasion of its 20th anniversary. 05/07/2015
SR 680 Recognizing the 2016 Texas Commission on the Arts honorees. 05/07/2015
SR 679 Recognizing the 2015 Texas Commission on the Arts honorees. 05/07/2015
SR 677 Recognizing The University of Texas at San Antonio men's tennis team for winning a national championship. 05/04/2015
SR 616 Recognizing West Avenue Elementary School in San Antonio on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. 05/04/2015
SB 1324 Relating to food and beverage consumption in certain public swimming pools. 05/04/2015
SB 1303 Relating to the salary paid to classroom teachers employed by public schools. 04/30/2015
SB 1836 Relating to a chronic respiratory disease state strategic plan developed by the Department of State Health Services. 04/22/2015
SJR 67 Proposing a constitutional amendment to increase the minimum amount that the state may contribute to the Employees Retirement System of Texas and the Teacher Retirement System of Texas. 03/30/2015
HB 146 Relating to requiring photo identification for certain credit card purchases. 02/09/2015
SR 1062 Recognizing the San Antonio Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, Incorporated, Guide Right Program. 05/31/2015
SB 1323 Relating to fees paid to certain credit services organizations in connection with certain extensions of consumer credit. 04/28/2015
SR 617 Recognizing H-E-B on the occasion of its 110th anniversary. 04/23/2015
SB 1832 Relating to the contents of a notice of appraised value sent to a property owner by the chief appraiser of an appraisal district. 04/22/2015
SB 2029 Relating to the expiration of the municipal sales and use tax for street maintenance in certain municipalities. 04/22/2015
SR 602 Welcoming delegations of the Coahuiltecan people and the Indigenous Cultures Institute to the Capitol. 04/21/2015
SB 1833 Relating to a supplemental payment for retirees of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas and the unfunded actuarial liabilities allowed under that system. 04/21/2015
SR 580 Recognizing Methodist Healthcare System for its organ donor education campaign. 04/20/2015
SB 1319 Relating to requirements for coaches of youth sports programs. 04/16/2015
SR 564 Recognizing the Texas Grand Lodge of the Order of the Sons of Hermann on the occasion of its 125th anniversary. 04/15/2015
SR 534 Recognizing CentroMed for its service to Bexar County. 04/14/2015
SR 558 Recognizing Joyce Maxine Whigham Dorrycott on the occasion of her 85th birthday. 04/14/2015
SB 1774 Relating to the definition of serious mental illness for purposes of certain group health benefit plans. 04/14/2015
SR 550 Recognizing the festival of Vaisakhi. 04/13/2015
SB 1996 Relating to installment payments of ad valorem taxes imposed on certain residence homesteads. 04/13/2015
SR 530 In memory of Lucy Coffey. 04/13/2015
SR 529 Recognizing J. Bruce Bugg Jr. for his service to this state. 04/09/2015
SR 435 In memory of Mike Higgins. 03/31/2015
SR 477 Recognizing the 19th Annual Cesar Chavez March for Justice. 03/31/2015
SB 2021 Relating to the state contribution to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas. 03/30/2015
SB 2005 Relating to eligibility for membership and funding of benefits for certain law enforcement, custodial, and other peace officers. 03/30/2015
SR 436 Recognizing March 31, 2015, as San Antonio Music Teachers Association Centennial Day. 03/25/2015
SR 437 Recognizing the naming of Jaime P. Martinez Place in San Antonio. 03/25/2015
SB 1995 Relating to the establishment of a health care pilot program for low-income individuals. 03/25/2015
SB 1990 Relating to the disclosure of information about water used in hydraulic fracturing. 03/25/2015
SB 1834 Relating to participation in the state group benefits program by a member of the Texas National Guard called to protect the border. 03/25/2015
SB 1991 Relating to a cost-of-living adjustment applicable to certain benefits paid by the Teacher Retirement System of Texas. 03/25/2015
SB 1997 Relating to the authority of a property owner to enter into a property tax loan if the property is already subject to a lien securing such a loan. 03/25/2015
SB 1839 Relating to authorizing the possession, use, cultivation, distribution, transportation, and delivery of cannabis for medical purposes; authorizing fees. 03/25/2015
SB 1988 Relating to a leasehold or other possessory interest in real property granted by a public facility corporation for a public facility. 03/25/2015
SB 1773 Relating to the retirement benefits for certain elected state officials. 03/24/2015
SB 1772 Relating to the retirement system in certain municipalities for firefighters and police officers. 03/24/2015
SR 427 Recognizing March 24, 2015, as CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System Advocacy Day. 03/24/2015
SB 1778 Relating to photo identification requirements for certain stored value card purchases. 03/24/2015
SB 1777 Relating to the continuation of certain public benefits, including medical assistance, for individuals after release from confinement in a county jail. 03/24/2015
SB 1775 Relating to the acquisition of certain professional services by a school district. 03/24/2015
SB 1321 Relating to asset exclusions in the determination of eligibility for financial assistance benefits for certain persons. 03/18/2015
SJR 46 Proposing a constitutional amendment increasing the amount of the residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation for public school purposes, providing for the increase of the exemption amount in subsequent years to reflect inflation in homestead values, and providing for a reduction of the limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes that may be imposed for those purposes on the homestead of a disabled or elderly person to reflect the increased exemption amounts. 03/18/2015
SB 1306 Relating to the coordination and provision of certain health services to veterans. 03/18/2015
SB 1320 Relating to the consumption of alcoholic beverages on certain premises; providing a penalty and authorizing a fee. 03/18/2015
SB 1328 Relating to an increase in the amount of the residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation by a school district and the increase of the exemption amount in subsequent years to reflect inflation in homestead values, a reduction of the limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes that may be imposed by a school district on the homestead of a disabled or elderly person to reflect the increased exemption amounts, and the protection of school districts against the resulting loss in local revenue. 03/18/2015
SJR 45 Proposing a constitutional amendment to establish the Alamo preservation fund and make a one-time transfer of money from the economic stabilization fund to the Alamo preservation fund. 03/18/2015
SB 1327 Relating to the Alamo preservation fund and the establishment of an Alamo preservation fund advisory committee. 03/18/2015
SB 1322 Relating to the ability of certain relative caretakers of dependent children to receive supplemental financial assistance and be assigned as a protective payee. 03/18/2015
SB 1310 Relating to the administration of and eligibility for participation in a veterans court program and the automatic expunction of arrest records and files for certain veterans who successfully complete that program; imposing a court cost on conviction to benefit veterans court programs; changing a fee. 03/18/2015
SB 1318 Relating to the local regulation of distance requirements for the possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages near public transportation stops. 03/18/2015
HB 959 Relating to limiting certain state-required assessment instruments administered to public school students in certain grades to assessments required by federal law. 03/02/2015
HB 754 Relating to the employment of individuals qualified for a veteran's employment preference. 02/26/2015
HB 757 Relating to the College Credit for Heroes program. 02/26/2015
HB 758 Relating to the coordination and provision of certain health services to veterans. 02/26/2015
HB 759 Relating to the maximum cumulative period allowed for restoration of a defendant's competency to stand trial and to certain time credits awarded against that cumulative period. 02/23/2015
HB 755 Relating to the creation of a women veterans mental health initiative within the mental health intervention program for veterans. 02/23/2015
HB 756 Relating to the creation of a rural veterans mental health initiative within the mental health intervention program for veterans. 02/23/2015
HB 144 Relating to the continuation of certain public benefits, including medical assistance, for individuals after release from confinement in a county jail. 02/12/2015
HB 141 Relating to the use of a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle; creating an offense and providing penalties. 02/09/2015
HB 149 Relating to photo identification requirements for certain stored value card purchases. 02/09/2015
HB 143 Relating to the local regulation of distance requirements for the possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages near public transportation stops. 02/09/2015
HB 147 Relating to the prosecution of the offense of improper photography or visual recording. 02/09/2015
HB 140 Relating to driver's licenses and personal identification certificates issued to veterans; reducing certain fees. 02/09/2015
HB 148 Relating to the consumption of alcoholic beverages on certain premises; providing a penalty and authorizing a fee. 02/09/2015
SB 1838 Relating to the definition of peace officer for purposes of intercepting or collecting information in relation to certain communications in an investigation conducted by an arson investigating unit. 05/27/2015
SR 957 In memory of Timothy Julio Dovel. 05/22/2015
SB 1302 Relating to limiting certain state-required assessment instruments administered to public school students in certain grades to assessments required by federal law. 04/28/2015
SR 644 Recognizing the City of San Antonio and Bexar County for their effort to gain World Heritage Site designation for San Antonio's five Spanish Colonial missions. 04/28/2015
SR 555 Recognizing the eighth class of the Senator Gregory Luna Legislative Scholars and Fellows Program. 04/16/2015
SCR 29 Urging Congress to update Voting Rights Act provisions to protect against voter discrimination. 03/23/2015
SR 398 Extending condolences to the families of the missing students from Ayotzinapa, Guerrero, Mexico. 03/19/2015

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The Texas Legislative Guide was designed and developed by Becca Aaronson, Emily Albracht, Daniel Craigmile, Annie Daniel, Ben Hasson and Ryan Murphy for The Texas Tribune. The Tribune is a nonpartisan, nonprofit media organization that promotes civic engagement and discourse on public policy, politics, government and other matters of statewide concern.