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

Sen. Kirk Watson

District 14 (D-Austin)

Committees

New Laws

Bill Caption Date Effective
SB 2062 Relating to authorizing certain charter holders to provide combined services for certain adult and high school dropout recovery programs. Effective immediately
SB 189 Relating to certain practices in the business of personal automobile insurance. Effective on 9/1/15
SB 415 Relating to the designation of a portion of Farm-to-Market Road 685 in Travis County as the Deputy Jessica Hollis Memorial Highway. Effective immediately
SB 495 Relating to the service areas of certain junior college districts. Effective immediately
SB 534 Relating to the oath of a person admitted to practice law in the State of Texas. Effective immediately
SB 494 Relating to the availability of certain property and casualty insurance forms on the Internet. Effective on 9/1/15
SB 574 Relating to the creation of the State Cemetery preservation trust fund. Effective immediately
SB 836 Relating to management services for the physical facilities of the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Texas School for the Deaf. Effective immediately
SB 754 Relating to the use of money in the motorcycle education fund account for certain motorcycle safety programs. Effective on 9/1/15
SB 1316 Relating to the system by which an application for a low income housing tax credit is scored. Effective on 9/1/15
SB 1149 Relating to the commitment of certain juveniles to local post-adjudication secure correctional facilities in certain counties and to the release under supervision of those juveniles. See remarks for effective date
SB 1148 Relating to the functions of the Public Utility Commission of Texas in relation to the economic regulation of water and sewer service. Effective on 9/1/15
SB 593 Relating to pretrial settlement discussions during ad valorem tax appeals. Effective immediately
SB 923 Relating to the prosecution of the offense of obstruction or retaliation; creating a criminal offense. Effective on 9/1/15
SB 188 Relating to certain insurers' insurance rating and underwriting practices based on certain consumer inquiries. Effective on 9/1/15
SB 1313 Relating to the names of certain businesses. Effective immediately
SB 1465 Relating to creating limited purpose disaster declaration authority for the governor and a search and rescue task force in each disaster field response region. Effective immediately
SB 1467 Relating to authorizing the collection of a service charge on certain electronic toll collection customer account payments. Effective on 9/1/15
SB 1468 Relating to certain communications regarding the appointment or conduct of certain appraisal review board members; amending provisions subject to a criminal penalty. Effective on 9/1/15
SB 1918 Relating to the use of certain lighting equipment on motorcycles. Effective on 9/1/15
SB 1657 Relating to approval of the issuance of tax and revenue anticipation notes. Effective immediately
SB 1470 Relating to the establishment of state authorization reciprocity agreements for postsecondary distance learning courses. Effective immediately
SB 1466 Relating to the definition of medical schools for medical residency programs. Effective immediately
SB 2031 Relating to the date for publication of the factors considered for admission to a new graduate and professional program. Effective immediately
SB 2055 Relating to the designation of Loop 223 in Bastrop County as the Captain Jesse Billingsley Memorial Loop. Effective immediately
SB 1267 Relating to contested cases conducted under the Administrative Procedure Act. 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 1 Relating to certain restrictions on the imposition of ad valorem taxes and to the duty of the state to reimburse certain political subdivisions for certain revenue loss; making conforming changes. See remarks for effective date

Vetoed Bills

Bill Caption Date Vetoed
SB 496 Relating to Foundation School Program funding for certain students. 06/20/2015
SB 1032 Relating to authority for certain state employees to work flexible hours and to work from home or other authorized alternative work sites. 06/20/2015

Pending Governor's Review

Bill Caption Last Action
SB 837 Relating to a common characteristic or use project in a public improvement district in certain municipalities. Effective on 9/1/15
SB 1315 Relating to low income housing tax credits awarded for at-risk developments. Effective on 9/1/15

Other Legislation

Bill Caption Date of Last Action
SR 828 In memory of Kristin Elizabeth McLain. 05/18/2015
SB 280 Relating to ad valorem tax protests and appeals on the ground of the unequal appraisal of property. 01/28/2015
SJR 21 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, 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. 03/04/2015
SB 281 Relating to the information required to be included in an affidavit submitted by a property owner who elects to offer evidence or argument by affidavit in an appraisal review board hearing on certain protests. 04/08/2015
SJR 20 Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the governing body of a political subdivision other than a school district to adopt an exemption from ad valorem taxation of a portion, expressed as a dollar amount, of the market value of an individual's residence homestead and authorizing the legislature to prohibit the governing body of any political subdivision that adopts an exemption from ad valorem taxation of a portion, expressed as a percentage or a dollar amount, of the market value of an individual's residence homestead from reducing the amount of or repealing the exemption. 05/26/2015
SB 278 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, 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. 03/04/2015
SB 282 Relating to the period for which certain property acquired by a charitable organization to provide low-income housing may be exempted from ad valorem taxation. 01/28/2015
SB 241 Relating to the transportation allotment provided under the Foundation School Program. 01/28/2015
SB 230 Relating to acceptable forms of identification for voting. 01/28/2015
SB 269 Relating to comprehensive development agreements of the Texas Department of Transportation. 01/28/2015
SB 247 Relating to the equalized wealth level and the guaranteed yield under the public school finance system. 01/28/2015
SB 270 Relating to toll rates for certain vehicles traveling on State Highway 130. 01/28/2015
SB 198 Relating to the use of statutorily dedicated revenues for budget certification. 01/27/2015
SB 297 Relating to health education curriculum and instruction in public schools. 03/02/2015
SB 299 Relating to the form of the Legislative Budget Board's report of equalized funding elements to the commissioner of education and the legislature. 01/28/2015
SB 298 Relating to the vaccination against bacterial meningitis of public school students. 01/28/2015
SB 300 Relating to notice to parents of public school students regarding human sexuality instruction. 03/02/2015
SB 334 Relating to the rules of the road regarding red signals at certain traffic control signals. 02/02/2015
SB 422 Relating to the establishment and operation of a motor-bus-only lane pilot program in certain counties. 02/04/2015
SR 387 In memory of Ralph Matthew Dawson. 03/17/2015
SR 81 In memory of Moses Steve Vasquez. 02/02/2015
SR 42 Recognizing Charlie Betts on the occasion of his retirement. 02/10/2015
SR 83 Recognizing Stefan Sinclair, who was named the 2014 Texas Big Brother of the Year. 02/02/2015
SB 443 Relating to a study and recommendations by the Texas Judicial Council on consolidating the court of criminal appeals and the supreme court or abolishing one of the courts and transferring that court's functions and jurisdiction to the other court. 02/09/2015
SR 82 In memory of Lester J. Reed. 02/02/2015
SR 101 Observing February of 2015 as Turner Syndrome Awareness Month. 02/04/2015
SR 104 In memory of Mark Daniel Johnson. 02/04/2015
SB 442 Relating to the operation and movement of motorcycles on certain highways during periods of traffic congestion. 02/09/2015
SR 122 Recognizing David Boyd on the occasion of his retirement. 02/09/2015
SR 113 Welcoming Korean exchange teachers to Texas. 02/09/2015
SB 497 Relating to the use of money in a tax increment fund to pay costs related to public improvements used for social services programs and permanent supportive housing that promotes the development or redevelopment of a reinvestment zone. 02/11/2015
SR 120 In memory of Eugene Paul Schoch Jr. 02/09/2015
SR 108 Recognizing February 11, 2015, as YMCA Advocacy Day. 02/09/2015
SB 535 Relating to the use of certain mobile devices at a polling place. 02/18/2015
SB 533 Relating to the parking and movement of vehicles in the Capitol Complex. 02/18/2015
SB 587 Relating to the availability on the Internet of certain registrations and reports filed by lobbyists. 02/24/2015
SB 585 Relating to the content of detailed reports filed by registered lobbyists. 05/11/2015
SB 579 Relating to optional fees on registration of vehicles in certain counties to fund transportation projects; authorizing a fee. 02/23/2015
SB 586 Relating to the content of detailed reports filed by lobbyists. 05/11/2015
SR 169 In memory of Jeanette Warfield. 02/17/2015
SB 594 Relating to the provision of certain information by a title insurance company to a buyer of residential real estate. 02/23/2015
SR 181 Recognizing Evelyn and Bill Beauchamp on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary. 02/17/2015
SB 595 Relating to the equalized wealth level, basic allotment, local share, and guaranteed yield under the public school finance system. 02/23/2015
SJR 33 Proposing a constitutional amendment to prohibit using revenues, other money, or account or fund balances dedicated by law for nondedicated general governmental purposes or for certification of appropriations for nondedicated purposes or entities. 02/24/2015
SB 840 Relating to certain trailer registration fees for veterans with disabilities. 04/22/2015
SR 389 Recognizing Melaney Goebel on the occasion of her retirement. 03/18/2015
SB 727 Relating to the right of an employee to time off from work to obtain an election identification certificate. 03/02/2015
SB 726 Relating to notice to parents of public school students regarding human sexuality instruction. 03/02/2015
SB 728 Relating to the offense of unlawfully prohibiting an employee from voting. 03/02/2015
SR 234 Recognizing the Pflugerville Chamber of Commerce on the occasion of its 30th anniversary. 02/23/2015
SR 233 In memory of Carlos Adrian Flores. 02/23/2015
SR 230 Recognizing Rick Lee Henson for his commemoration of Texas life and culture. 02/23/2015
SR 238 Recognizing the state champions from the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders Youth and Government program. 02/23/2015
SB 1143 Relating to the taxation, titling, and registration of certain motor vehicles. 03/17/2015
SB 1033 Relating to relating to the definition of a dependent for health benefit plans offered by certain university systems. 03/11/2015
SR 332 Recognizing Paul F. Davis on the occasion of his retirement. 03/09/2015
SR 306 In memory of Joel Mark Selber. 03/03/2015
SB 592 Relating to the deadlines for delivering or filing certain ad valorem tax-related documents. 02/23/2015
SR 170 In memory of Lawrence Dean Cobb. 02/17/2015
SB 243 Relating to the cost of education adjustment. 01/28/2015
SB 245 Relating to authorizing the issuance of revenue bonds to fund capital projects at public institutions of higher education. 01/28/2015
SB 244 Relating to the elimination of the cost of education adjustment under the Foundation School Program. 01/28/2015
SB 242 Relating to a transportation allotment credit for school districts required to take action to reduce wealth per student. 01/28/2015
SB 246 Relating to the basic allotment and the equalized wealth level under the Foundation School Program. 01/28/2015
SR 3 Recognizing John Hrncir on the occasion of his retirement. 01/13/2015
SR 4 In memory of Martha Jean Fleming Pinnelli. 01/13/2015
SR 913 In memory of the life of Job M. Reigoux. 05/20/2015
SB 1915 Relating to the provision of certain information by a seller of residential real property to a buyer of residential real estate. 03/25/2015
SR 293 Recognizing Sharon Lockhart on the occasion of her retirement. 03/02/2015
SR 279 Recognizing the Elizabeth Christian Public Relations firm on the occasion of its 20th anniversary. 03/02/2015
SB 1031 Relating to a provisional license to practice funeral directing or embalming. 04/16/2015
SB 1314 Relating to the award of points for affordable housing projects that are awarded low income housing tax credits. 04/22/2015
SB 1312 Relating to the establishment of the Texas Competency-Based Education Grant Program for certain students enrolled in competency-based online or other distance education baccalaureate degree programs at certain private institutions of higher education. 03/18/2015
SR 363 In memory of Brett Aaron Aycock. 03/11/2015
SB 1145 Relating to the possession and removal of a placenta from a hospital or birthing center. 03/17/2015
SB 1284 Relating to the development of electricity demand response programs. 03/18/2015
SB 1147 Relating to leases and other agreements relating to real property entered into by certain hospital districts. 04/22/2015
SB 1144 Relating to intermunicipal commuter rail districts. 03/17/2015
SB 1141 Relating to the establishment and administration of the qualified ABLE program; granting authority to impose a fee. 03/17/2015
SB 1140 Relating to the establishment of a technology allotment for public schools. 03/17/2015
SB 1146 Relating to the composition of the board of trustees of the Employees Retirement System of Texas. 03/17/2015
SB 921 Relating to the creation and administration of a disaster recovery fund. 03/09/2015
SR 334 In memory of Wayne Bert Sorensen. 03/09/2015
SR 336 In memory of Morris Chapman Taylor. 03/09/2015
SB 920 Relating to the director of the Music, Film, Television, and Multimedia Office. 03/09/2015
SB 922 Relating to authorizing the optional imposition of a county air quality fee at the time other emissions-related inspection fees are collected. 03/09/2015
SR 321 In memory of Corinne Roberts Ware. 03/04/2015
SB 924 Relating to the guaranteed level of state and local funds for the instructional facilities allotment and the existing debt allotment under the public school finance system. 03/09/2015
SR 317 Recognizing Gilbert Zamora Sr. on the occasion of his 90th birthday. 03/04/2015
SR 348 Welcoming Patrick Guinness to the State Capitol. 03/10/2015
SB 1471 Relating to the use of home telemonitoring services under the Medicaid program. 04/22/2015
SB 1619 Relating to the Texas emissions reduction plan. 03/23/2015
SB 1922 Relating to the funding of the designated trauma facility and emergency medical services account through the imposition of court costs on persons convicted of certain driving-related offenses. 03/25/2015
SB 1919 Relating to the establishment of a variable speed limit pilot program by the Texas Transportation Commission. 05/11/2015
SB 1920 Relating to an exemption from the veterinary licensing law for certain persons who provide services to an animal shelter. 04/15/2015
SB 1921 Relating to the prosecution of certain offenses involving controlled substances and other prohibited drugs, substances, or paraphernalia. 03/25/2015
SB 1923 Relating to the funding of the designated trauma facility and emergency medical services account through the imposition of court costs on persons convicted of certain driving-related offenses. 03/25/2015
SB 1659 Relating to the creation of a coverage summary for certain property and casualty insurance policies. 03/23/2015
SB 1658 Relating to a study and report on the establishment of a franchise tax credit for the development of low income housing. 05/19/2015
SB 1469 Relating to regular reapplication for certain pollution control exemptions from ad valorem taxation granted for certain property. 04/22/2015
SB 1914 Relating to creation of the Texas Health Improvement Network. 03/25/2015
SB 1916 Relating to the escheat of United States savings bonds. 05/23/2015
SB 1660 Relating to prohibited practices regarding unauthorized recordings. 03/23/2015
SR 405 In memory of E. V. "Vic" Niemeyer. 03/23/2015
SR 372 In memory of Robert Landis Armstrong. 03/16/2015
SR 365 Recognizing Tomas Sidney Spradlin on the occasion of his retirement. 03/16/2015
SR 408 Recognizing CASA of Travis County on the occasion of its 30th anniversary. 03/23/2015
SR 411 Recognizing the Central Texas Water Coalition for its work to protect the Highland Lakes. 03/23/2015
SB 240 Relating to the state's contribution to the financing of public education. 01/28/2015
SR 433 In memory of James Edwin Russell Jr. 03/25/2015
SR 425 Recognizing Jeff Pilchiek for his contributions to the field of education. 03/24/2015
SR 434 In memory of Johnnie B. Rogers. 03/25/2015
SR 483 Declaring the month of April as Testicular Cancer Month in Texas. 04/01/2015
SR 478 Recognizing Wynn Kwok on the occasion of his retirement. 04/01/2015
SR 569 In memory of Martha Ellen Bonner Miller. 04/15/2015
SR 573 In memory of Caroline Natalie Richards. 04/15/2015
SR 572 In memory of Don L. Rives. 04/15/2015
SR 561 Recognizing Ann S. Bishop on the occasion of her retirement. 04/14/2015
SR 545 Recognizing the Austin Downtown Founder Lions Club for 100 years of service to the community. 04/13/2015
SR 546 In memory of Richard F. Mackin. 04/13/2015
SR 505 Recognizing Anthony Mays for his role in the desegregation of Round Rock schools. 04/07/2015
SR 522 Welcoming members of the 11th grade class of East Austin College Prep. 04/08/2015
SR 523 In memory of Jefferson Jones Baskin. 04/08/2015
SR 594 Recognizing Don Haynes on the occasion of his retirement. 04/20/2015
SR 577 In memory of Whitney Cotton. 04/20/2015
SR 578 Recognizing the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance on the occasion of its 40th Gay Softball World Series. 04/20/2015
SR 595 Recognizing Robbie Williams on the occasion of her 90th birthday. 04/20/2015
SR 639 Recognizing Richard August Chiarello on the occasion of his retirement. 04/27/2015
SR 636 Recognizing the Special Operations Detachment-Africa (Airborne) of the Texas Army National Guard. 04/27/2015
SR 635 Recognizing Howie Richey for his service in the Office of Engrossing and Enrolling. 04/27/2015
SR 613 Recognizing Susan Gudell on the occasion of her retirement. 04/22/2015
SR 715 In memory of Andrew R. Ramirez Sr. 05/05/2015
SR 659 In memory of Billy Philip Arhos. 04/29/2015
SR 662 In memory of Lanny van Allen. 04/29/2015
SR 721 In memory of Joann Curran Zaleski. 05/06/2015
SR 745 In memory of Charlotte Koehler Flynn. 05/08/2015
SR 744 In memory of Florence Keyes Olsen. 05/08/2015
SR 753 Recognizing James G. Nolan for his 20 years of service with the Texas State Guard. 05/11/2015
SR 794 Recognizing Mark Lockerman on the occasion of his retirement. 05/12/2015
SR 746 Recognizing Terry G. McCoy on the occasion of his retirement. 05/11/2015
SR 795 Recognizing Martha Olvera on the occasion of her retirement. 05/12/2015
SR 823 In memory of Melvin Vernell Greene. 05/15/2015
SR 811 In memory of Donald Wood Patrick. 05/14/2015
SB 279 Relating to the authority of the governing body of a taxing unit other than a school district to adopt an exemption from ad valorem taxation of a portion, expressed as a dollar amount, of the appraised value of an individual's residence homestead and to the authority of the governing body of any taxing unit that has adopted an exemption from ad valorem taxation of a portion, expressed as a percentage, of the appraised value of an individual's residence homestead to reduce the amount of or repeal the exemption. 05/26/2015
SR 915 In memory of Howard Newton Richards. 05/20/2015
SR 966 In memory of William White. 05/26/2015
SR 964 In memory of William Gillette Gill Jr. 05/22/2015
SR 942 In memory of the life of Andrew Michael Pedersen-Keel. 05/21/2015
SR 998 Recognizing Cathy Stephens on the occasion of her retirement. 05/26/2015
SR 982 Recognizing Glenna Rhea Bowman on the occasion of her retirement. 05/26/2015
SR 1057 Suspending limitations on conference committee jurisdiction, S.B. 1465. 05/30/2015
SR 983 Recognizing Jorge and Monica Joy Partida on the birth of their daughter, Penelope Joy Partida. 05/26/2015
SR 981 In memory of Marguerite Marie Labasse Knisely. 05/26/2015
SR 984 Recognizing Jorge and Monica Joy Partida on the birth of their son, Patrick Gunnar Miles Partida. 05/26/2015
SR 1020 Recognizing Steve Atkinson on the occasion of his retirement. 05/27/2015
SR 1023 Recognizing Ramon Galindo on the occasion of his 94th birthday. 05/27/2015
SR 1031 In memory of Robert Wayne Strauser. 05/29/2015
SR 1041 Recognizing William Powers Jr. for his service as president of The University of Texas at Austin. 05/30/2015
SR 171 Observing February 22 through 28, 2015, as Toastmasters International Week. 02/17/2015
SR 1070 In memory of Maria Gonzalez Kennedy. 06/01/2015
SB 268 Relating to the duties of a magistrate to inform an arrested person of consequences of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere. 05/26/2015
SR 914 In memory of William B. Wilkerson. 05/20/2015
SB 1142 Relating to regulation of discount drug card program operators; authorizing administrative and civil penalties; authorizing fees; expanding a registration requirement. 05/05/2015
SR 682 In memory of Paul Howard Pryor. 05/04/2015
SR 634 In memory of Shelburne Jay Veselka. 04/27/2015
SR 448 Recognizing April 2, 2015, as Homelessness Awareness Day. 03/30/2015
SB 1917 Relating to contributions to the Employees Retirement System of Texas. 03/25/2015
SR 400 Recognizing Charles J. Barnett for his accomplishments in the field of health care. 03/19/2015
SR 295 Commemorating Texas Independence Day 2015. 03/02/2015
SB 1885 Relating to the reimbursement of providers for the provision of certain home telemonitoring services under the Medicaid program. 03/25/2015
SB 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
SR 485 In memory of Consuelo Raymond Kazen. 04/01/2015
SB 1473 Relating to liability of persons who lease dwellings to persons with criminal records. 03/19/2015
SR 722 Recognizing May 6, 2015, as Asian Real Estate Association of America Day. 05/06/2015
SR 430 Celebrating March 30, 2015, as Baylor Day. 03/30/2015
SB 856 Relating to the prohibition of certain discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity or expression; providing an administrative penalty; creating an offense. 03/04/2015
SR 297 Recognizing the Bob Bullock Scholars Program of Baylor University. 03/02/2015
SR 477 Recognizing the 19th Annual Cesar Chavez March for Justice. 03/31/2015
SCR 29 Urging Congress to update Voting Rights Act provisions to protect against voter discrimination. 03/23/2015
SR 555 Recognizing the eighth class of the Senator Gregory Luna Legislative Scholars and Fellows Program. 04/16/2015
SR 97 Recognizing February 4, 2015, as Orange and Maroon Legislative Day. 02/04/2015
SB 1864 Relating to requiring a peace officer to obtain a warrant to search a cellular telephone or other wireless communications device. 05/22/2015
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.