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

Sen. Judith Zaffirini

District 21 (D-Laredo)

Committees

New Laws

Bill Caption Date Effective
SB 306 Relating to the information included in the annual report of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct. Effective on 9/1/15
SB 44 Relating to matching private grants given to enhance additional research activities at institutions of higher education. Effective on 9/1/15
SB 42 Relating to the selection process for student members of the board of regents of a state university or state university system. Effective immediately
SB 24 Relating to training for members of the governing board of a public institution of higher education. Effective on 1/1/16
SB 37 Relating to requiring the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to collect and study data on the participation of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities at public institutions of higher education. Effective on 9/1/15
SB 31 Relating to the authority of certain volunteer firefighter and emergency services organizations to hold tax-free sales or auctions. Effective immediately
SB 45 Relating to the designation of a portion of Interstate Highway 37 as the Trooper Terry Wayne Miller Memorial Highway. Effective immediately
SB 46 Relating to the confidentiality of certain property tax appraisal photographs. Effective on 9/1/15
SB 27 Relating to the online broadcast of open meetings of institutions of higher education. Effective on 9/1/15
SB 34 Relating to a report concerning information security for this state's information resources. Effective on 9/1/15
SB 227 Relating to the designation of a segment of Farm-to-Market Road 624 in McMullen County as the Game Warden James E. Daughtrey Memorial Highway. Effective immediately
SB 1881 Relating to authorizing supported decision-making agreements for certain adults with disabilities. Effective immediately
SB 1844 Relating to the establishment and functions of the Interagency Data Transparency Commission. Effective on 9/1/15
SB 1436 Relating to the setback requirements for a junkyard or an automotive wrecking and salvage yard; amending provisions subject to a criminal penalty. Effective on 9/1/15
SB 1560 Relating to the regulation of chemical dependency treatment facilities and certain other facilities. Effective immediately
SB 478 Relating to the promulgation of certain forms for use in landlord-tenant matters. Effective on 9/1/15
SB 512 Relating to the promulgation of certain forms for use in probate matters. Effective on 9/1/15
SB 681 Relating to a bailiff administering the selection of names of persons for jury service in certain counties. Effective immediately
SB 854 Relating to the renewal or amendment of certain permits issued by groundwater conservation districts. Effective on 9/1/15
SB 855 Relating to the territory and board of the Canyon Regional Water Authority. Effective immediately
SB 1281 Relating to the authority of a local government to participate in a cooperative purchasing program with local governments of this state or another state. Effective immediately
SB 1128 Relating to certain diagnostic testing during pregnancy. Effective on 9/1/15
SB 1066 Relating to continuing eligibility requirements for institutions of higher education to participate in the Texas Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (T-STEM) Challenge Scholarship Program. Effective on 9/1/15
SB 1117 Relating to housing services provided through the transitional living services program to certain children in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services. Effective on 9/1/15
SB 947 Relating to a study and report by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board on the feasibility of providing off-campus employment positions through the Texas college work-study program. Effective immediately
SB 1073 Relating to the requirements for a candidate's application or nomination for a place on the ballot and related procedures. Effective on 9/1/15
SB 909 Relating to the county courts at law in Bexar County. Effective on 9/1/15
SB 1072 Relating to the removal of a precinct or county chair for abandonment of office. Effective on 9/1/15
SB 1455 Relating to certain required reports, plans, and other documents prepared by state agencies and institutions of higher education. Effective on 9/1/15
SB 1369 Relating to reports on attorney ad litem, guardian ad litem, guardian, mediator, and competency evaluator appointments made by courts in this state and an interim study on a billing system for attorneys ad litem. Effective on 9/1/15
SB 1589 Relating to requirements for reporting unclaimed mineral proceeds to the comptroller of public accounts. Effective on 1/1/16
SB 1828 Relating to the creation of the offense of cargo theft. Effective on 9/1/15
SB 1878 Relating to a study on the feasibility of implementing more secure access requirements for certain electronically stored information held by the state. Effective on 9/1/15
SB 1879 Relating to the allocation of certain grants from the fund for veterans' assistance. Effective on 9/1/15
SB 1882 Relating to a bill of rights for wards under guardianship. Effective immediately
SB 1714 Relating to the release of student academic information by a public institution of higher education for certain purposes and the manner in which the information is used. Effective immediately
SB 1880 Relating to the authority of the Department of Family and Protective Services to investigate abuse, neglect, or exploitation of individuals receiving services from certain providers. Effective on 9/1/15
SB 1867 Relating to excluding certain adult students receiving special education services from computation of completion rates for purposes of public school accountability. Effective immediately
SB 1889 Relating to the definition of neglect of a child, the exclusion of certain information from the Department of Family and Protective Services central registry of child abuse or neglect cases, and the report of certain information regarding those cases to the legislature. Effective on 9/1/15
SB 1876 Relating to the appointment of attorneys ad litem, guardians ad litem, mediators, and guardians in certain counties. Effective on 9/1/15
SB 1877 Relating to the development and maintenance by each state agency of a data use agreement for the state agency's employees and to training related to that agreement. Effective on 9/1/15
SB 317 Relating to The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Effective immediately
SB 1135 Relating to civil and criminal liability for the unlawful disclosure or promotion of certain intimate visual material; creating an offense. Effective on 9/1/15
SB 2031 Relating to the date for publication of the factors considered for admission to a new graduate and professional program. Effective immediately
SCR 13 Urging the U.S. Congress to end the ban on crude oil exports. Signed by the Governor

Pending Governor's Review

Bill Caption Last Action
SB 871 Relating to the compensation of county auditors for certain counties. Effective immediately
SB 1129 Relating to the transportation of a person with a mental illness. Effective immediately
SB 1453 Relating to the authority of certain municipalities to propose a fire control, prevention, and emergency medical services district. Effective immediately

Other Legislation

Bill Caption Date of Last Action
SR 592 Recognizing Robert Rodriguez for his contributions to the arts and film industry in Texas. 04/20/2015
SB 238 Relating to the use of a wireless communication device by a state officer or employee while operating a motor vehicle. 01/28/2015
SB 1891 Relating to the delivery of mental health services and supports under a system of care framework to minors who have or are at risk of developing a serious emotional disturbance or who are at risk of being removed from the minor's home. 03/25/2015
SB 234 Relating to the creation and operation of a park and recreation district in counties that share a border on the San Marcos River and to the authority of the district to collect fees and issue bonds; creating a criminal offense and providing penalties. 05/23/2015
SB 25 Relating to the use of a portable wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle; creating an offense; providing penalties. 04/20/2015
SB 35 Relating to the acknowledgment by management of risks identified in state agency information security plans. 05/26/2015
SB 30 Relating to financial eligibility for the Texas home living (TxHmL) waiver program. 01/26/2015
SB 21 Relating to authorizing the issuance of revenue bonds to fund capital projects at public institutions of higher education. 01/26/2015
SB 39 Relating to the preference given by state and local governmental entities, including public institutions of higher education, to agricultural products produced or grown in this state. 01/26/2015
SB 51 Relating to local option elections to legalize or prohibit the operation of eight-liners and the imposition of a fee on eight-liner owners; providing penalties. 01/26/2015
SB 47 Relating to a study concerning enforcement of following distance laws in this state. 01/26/2015
SB 49 Relating to the transfer of a student from the school district of the student's residence to another district. 01/26/2015
SB 28 Relating to immunity from liability for public and open-enrollment charter school campuses that maintain a supply of epinephrine auto-injectors for emergency use. 05/04/2015
SB 26 Relating to state government worksite breast-feeding policies. 01/26/2015
SB 157 Relating to exempting books purchased, used, or consumed by certain university and college students from the sales and use tax for limited periods. 01/27/2015
SB 36 Relating to requiring the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to maintain an inventory of postsecondary educational programs and services for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 01/26/2015
SB 23 Relating to providing free full-day prekindergarten for certain children. 03/24/2015
SJR 8 Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to require a court to provide notice to the attorney general of a challenge to the constitutionality of a state statute and authorizing the legislature to prescribe a waiting period before the court may enter a judgment holding the statute unconstitutional. 05/26/2015
SB 48 Relating to the events eligible for funding from the Major Events trust fund. 01/26/2015
SB 32 Relating to the services provided by a colonia self-help center. 04/30/2015
SR 1003 Recognizing the Boys and Girls Clubs of America on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of its Alumni Hall of Fame program. 05/26/2015
SR 734 Celebrating May 13, 2015, as Caldwell County Day. 05/07/2015
SB 1438 Relating to funding sources for the repayment of certain speech-language pathologist and audiologist education loans. 04/22/2015
SB 1590 Relating to the establishment of a Texas grocery access investment fund program. 04/16/2015
SB 1884 Relating to the provision of cognitive rehabilitation therapy under the Medicaid program. 03/25/2015
SB 1581 Relating to the eligibility of land for appraisal for ad valorem tax purposes as qualified open-space land. 03/23/2015
SB 910 Relating to the exemption from ad valorem taxation of the total appraised value of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a 100 percent or totally disabled veteran. 03/09/2015
SR 269 Congratulating the recipients of the 2015 Texas Medal of Arts Awards. 02/25/2015
SB 682 Relating to the use of hotel occupancy tax revenues in certain municipalities. 02/24/2015
SR 216 In memory of Roberto Jose Vidaurri. 02/23/2015
SB 29 Relating to the immunization data included in and excluded from the immunization registry. 01/26/2015
SB 22 Relating to outcomes-based funding for general academic teaching institutions. 01/26/2015
SB 43 Relating to the institutions of higher education eligible to participate in the Texas Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (T-STEM) Challenge Scholarship program. 01/26/2015
SB 41 Relating to exemptions for disabled peace officers from payment of tuition and fees at public institutions of higher education. 01/26/2015
SB 1926 Relating to permits to be issued for the storage and disposal of certain oil and gas waste. 03/25/2015
SB 38 Relating to creation of an employment-first task force advisory committee. 01/26/2015
SB 40 Relating to leave for junior college district or university system employees who are physically assaulted while on duty. 01/26/2015
SB 33 Relating to the offense of hazing. 05/21/2015
SB 50 Relating to ad valorem tax liens on personal property. 04/08/2015
SB 305 Relating to the creation of the Cotton Center Municipal Utility District No. 1; granting a limited power of eminent domain; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes. 05/08/2015
SB 320 Relating to the enforcement of certain motor vehicle weight and safety standards. 05/08/2015
SR 22 Recognizing the La Vernia Greenhand FFA Quiz team for winning first place in a state competition. 01/21/2015
SR 65 Recognizing January 28, 2015, as Laredo Legislative Day at the State Capitol. 01/28/2015
SR 7 Recognizing the members of the Washington's Birthday Celebration Association in Laredo. 01/28/2015
SR 99 In memory of Gene Simeon Walker Sr. 02/04/2015
SR 96 In memory of Rachel Littlejohn-Diebel. 02/04/2015
SR 98 Recognizing the Laredo Chamber of Commerce on the occasion of its 100th anniversary. 02/04/2015
SR 97 Recognizing February 4, 2015, as Orange and Maroon Legislative Day. 02/04/2015
SR 95 Recognizing Terry Simpson, who was named 2014 Newsmaker of the Year. 02/04/2015
SR 94 Recognizing Bee County Day on February 10, 2015. 02/04/2015
SB 543 Relating to oversight of and requirements applicable to state contracts and other state financial and accounting issues; authorizing fees. 05/13/2015
SB 636 Relating to the creation of a task force to evaluate recreational use of rivers. 02/24/2015
SB 801 Relating to a high quality prekindergarten program provided by public school districts. 03/03/2015
SR 267 Recognizing the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health on the occasion of its 75th anniversary. 02/25/2015
SR 268 Recognizing Communities In Schools of Laredo on the occasion of its 25 years of service to area students. 02/25/2015
SR 266 Recognizing March 3, 2015, as Texas Breastfeeding Coalition Lobby Day. 02/25/2015
SR 215 Recognizing the Lockhart Chamber of Commerce on the occasion of its 80th anniversary. 02/23/2015
SR 214 Recognizing the Starr County Youth Fair on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. 02/23/2015
SB 786 Relating to establishing an agriculture ombudsman office in the Department of Agriculture. 03/02/2015
SR 265 Recognizing the Cotulla High School Mariachi Cotuleno band for winning a state championship. 02/25/2015
SB 744 Relating to the form of a motion to adopt an ordinance, resolution, or order setting an ad valorem tax rate that exceeds the effective tax rate. 03/04/2015
SB 1292 Relating to parking privileges for people with disabilities; authorizing a fee; amending dismissal procedures for a criminal offense. 04/22/2015
SB 987 Relating to the regulation of dangerous wild animals. 05/21/2015
SB 1161 Relating to certain purchasing methods by state agencies and local governments. 05/15/2015
SB 1127 Relating to the period of continuous eligibility for the medical assistance program. 03/17/2015
SB 1121 Relating to the authority of a public utility agency to provide water and sewer service and enter into contracts. 03/17/2015
SB 974 Relating to the additional tax imposed if the use of land located in certain counties and appraised for ad valorem tax purposes as open-space land is changed. 04/13/2015
SR 347 In memory of Alissa Aileen Winch Bradford. 03/10/2015
SJR 40 Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of all or part of the market value of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a 100 percent or totally disabled veteran who died before the law authorizing a residence homestead exemption for such a veteran took effect. 03/09/2015
SB 973 Relating to financial assistance administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs in certain rural areas. 03/10/2015
SB 908 Relating to establishment and functions of the Animal Welfare Commission. 03/09/2015
SB 969 Relating to the applicability of the law governing the mineral use of subdivided land. 03/10/2015
SB 1052 Relating to the consideration of ownership interests of certain persons with disabilities in determining whether a business is a historically underutilized business for purposes of state contracting. 03/16/2015
SB 1113 Relating to the transfer of certain state real property to the City of San Marcos. 03/16/2015
SB 1054 Relating to the preference given by state agencies to goods offered by bidders in this state or manufactured, produced, or grown in this state or in the United States. 03/16/2015
SB 913 Relating to energy and water management planning and reporting requirements for state agencies and institutions of higher education. 05/26/2015
SB 1053 Relating to the management of state contracts, including the establishment of the contract management division of the Legislative Budget Board. 03/16/2015
SB 911 Relating to the eligibility for grants for natural gas fueling stations. 05/27/2015
SB 1192 Relating to the confidentiality of certain information stored as part of the preparation of reports and personal financial statements required to be filed with the Texas Ethics Commission. 05/11/2015
SB 1074 Relating to statements made by an election officer in a joint primary election. 03/16/2015
SR 401 In memory of David Silva. 03/19/2015
SB 1437 Relating to the electronic filing of reports of political contributions and expenditures and of personal financial statements by certain officeholders and candidates and the content of those statements; creating a criminal offense. 05/26/2015
SB 1405 Relating to idling the diesel engine of a school bus or commercial charter bus while the bus is parked at a public school, school event, or field trip destination. 03/18/2015
SB 1456 Relating to improving the accountability of local workforce development boards and consumer information regarding job training programs. 03/19/2015
SB 1454 Relating to authorizing counties to require the submission of digital maps in connection with the county plat approval process. 05/07/2015
SB 1380 Relating to the exemption of municipalities, certain metropolitan rapid transit authorities, and regional transit authorities from certain motor fuel taxes. 03/18/2015
SB 1393 Relating to the creation of the offense of theft of pipeline equipment, oil and gas equipment, oil, gas, or condensate and the unauthorized purchase or sale of oil, gas, or condensate. 03/18/2015
SB 1947 Relating to alternative road construction methods. 03/25/2015
SB 1890 Relating to the electronic monitoring of residents at state supported living centers. 03/25/2015
SB 1888 Relating to a requirement that a county report the number of certain persons with mental illness detained in that county's jail. 05/21/2015
SB 1866 Relating to an award program to recognize school nutrition program excellence. 03/25/2015
SB 1886 Relating to developing a program to provide telemedicine medical services to certain children. 03/25/2015
SB 1829 Relating to printing requirements for state agencies. 05/05/2015
SB 1667 Relating to the powers and duties of, and the application of the professional prosecutors law to, the county attorney of Guadalupe County and to abolishing the office of district attorney of the 25th Judicial District. 03/23/2015
SB 1818 Relating to a requirement that an employer provide an employee with an earnings statement at the end of each pay period. 03/25/2015
SB 1885 Relating to the reimbursement of providers for the provision of certain home telemonitoring services under the Medicaid program. 03/25/2015
SB 1648 Relating to requirements for the electronic filing of reports of political contributions and expenditures by certain officeholders and candidates. 03/23/2015
SB 1859 Relating to the restoration of expired eminent domain authority of certain rural rail transportation districts. 03/25/2015
SB 1817 Relating to a limitation on the location of solid waste facilities. 03/25/2015
SB 1975 Relating to a study of the economic cost of significant oil and gas activity in rural areas of the state. 03/25/2015
SB 1638 Relating to training for state employees, including procurement and contract management training; authorizing fees. 05/21/2015
SB 1860 Relating to the definition of "heavy equipment" for purposes of the ad valorem taxation of certain dealer's heavy equipment inventory. 03/25/2015
SB 1845 Relating to employment of a statewide data coordinator in the Department of Information Resources. 04/27/2015
SB 1887 Relating to the period for which a defendant with an intellectual disability who is found incompetent to stand trial may be civilly committed before the court holds a hearing to determine whether the defendant's release is appropriate. 03/25/2015
SB 1668 Relating to an online searchable central grant database. 03/23/2015
SB 1559 Relating to an interagency plan to promote competitive and integrated employment for persons with disabilities. 03/23/2015
SB 1561 Relating to contributions and registrations for an anatomical gift registry; authorizing a fee. 05/01/2015
SB 1865 Relating to the filing of a complaint with the Railroad Commission of Texas. 03/25/2015
SB 1868 Relating to public school accountability for bilingual education and English as a second language and other special language programs. 04/21/2015
SR 364 Recognizing the Connally Memorial Medical Center on the occasion of its 10th anniversary. 03/16/2015
SR 371 Recognizing the Cesar Chavez Memorial Alliance of South Texas on the occasion of the 12th Annual Cesar Chavez March. 03/16/2015
SR 412 In memory of Kent Finlay. 03/23/2015
SR 414 Recognizing March 23, 2015, as Donate Life Texas Day. 03/23/2015
SR 426 Commending BBVA Compass and the Mexican and Spanish students at The University of Texas at Austin. 03/25/2015
SR 450 Recognizing the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board on the occasion of its 75th anniversary. 03/30/2015
SR 485 In memory of Consuelo Raymond Kazen. 04/01/2015
SB 290 Relating to the recording of a proceeding in a municipal court in San Antonio. 01/28/2015
SR 557 Honoring Trevino family members for their service during World War II. 04/14/2015
SR 556 In memory of George E. Neel Jr. 04/14/2015
SR 533 Recognizing Rene Garcia Gonzalez for his service to his country during the Vietnam War. 04/13/2015
SR 532 In memory of Kennedy Clay Roland. 04/13/2015
SR 468 Recognizing April 8, 2015, as Live Oak County Historical Commission Day. 04/08/2015
SR 513 Recognizing Javier de Anda on his induction into the Junior Achievement of Laredo Business Hall of Fame. 04/07/2015
SR 516 Recognizing Rodolfo Bazan on his induction into the Junior Achievement of Laredo Business Hall of Fame. 04/07/2015
SR 517 Recognizing Ruben Bazan on his induction into the Junior Achievement of Laredo Business Hall of Fame. 04/07/2015
SR 514 Recognizing David T. Newman on his induction into the Junior Achievement of Laredo Business Hall of Fame. 04/07/2015
SR 515 Recognizing Anna Benavides Galo on her induction into the Junior Achievement of Laredo Business Hall of Fame. 04/07/2015
SR 512 Recognizing Nancy Newman de Anda on her induction into the Junior Achievement of Laredo Business Hall of Fame. 04/07/2015
SR 593 Recognizing George L. Gonzales on the occasion of his retirement. 04/20/2015
SB 1883 Relating to the administration of housing funds set aside for persons with disabilities through the homebuyer assistance program. 04/30/2015
SB 1974 Relating to the adoption of uniform rules for hours of work for certain county employees. 04/22/2015
SR 620 Celebrating April 28, 2015, as Karnes County Day. 04/23/2015
SR 619 Recognizing the Hispanic Alliance for its work on behalf of underserved citizens. 04/23/2015
SR 510 Recognizing the Muy Grande Deer Contest on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. 04/09/2015
SR 690 Recognizing May 5, 2015, as Live Oak County Day. 05/04/2015
SR 684 In memory of Jess T. Hay. 05/04/2015
SR 685 Recognizing Glenda and Jerry Kane for receiving the Texas Impact Award. 05/04/2015
SR 683 Recognizing Tom Luce for receiving the Mary Elizabeth Holdsworth Butt Award for Mental Health. 05/04/2015
SR 691 Recognizing Lillie Mae Wieding for her contributions to the Three Rivers community. 05/04/2015
SR 667 In memory of Jose Gerardo Garcia. 04/30/2015
SR 743 In memory of Fredna Wood. 05/07/2015
SR 742 Recognizing May 13, 2015, as Consuelo Mendez Middle School Youth Pathways Program Day. 05/07/2015
SR 978 In memory of Terry Bruce Burkett. 05/25/2015
SR 974 Recognizing Tinglin Wu for being named the 2014-2015 Youth of the Year by the United States Border Patrol Laredo Sector. 05/25/2015
SR 1058 Suspending limitations on conference committee jurisdiction, S.B. 1882. 05/31/2015
SR 612 Recognizing the Hispanic Women's Network of Texas on the occasion of its 29th anniversary. 05/22/2015
SB 151 Relating to employer retaliation against employees who seek recovery of unpaid wages and procedures in wage claim hearings conducted by the Texas Workforce Commission; providing administrative penalties. 01/27/2015
SB 270 Relating to toll rates for certain vehicles traveling on State Highway 130. 01/28/2015
SB 612 Relating to the prohibition of certain employment discrimination regarding an employee who is a volunteer emergency responder. 04/21/2015
SB 1293 Relating to the designation of certain river or stream segments as being of unique ecological value. 03/18/2015
SB 847 Relating to prohibiting a waiting period requirement for coverage under the child health plan program. 03/04/2015
SB 521 Relating to the period for which the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality may grant or renew an emergency authorization relating to the use of state water. 05/26/2015
SCR 47 Urging the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service to select the Rio Grande Valley region as the next expansion site for the Healthy Incentives Pilot program. 05/19/2015
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 271 Recognizing February 25, 2015, as Coastal Bend Day. 02/25/2015
SB 1953 Relating to the establishment of the Texas-Mexico Commission. 03/25/2015
SR 477 Recognizing the 19th Annual Cesar Chavez March for Justice. 03/31/2015
SB 538 Relating to the control of infectious diseases. 05/12/2015
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.