The 87th Legislative Session adjourned delivering major conservative victories despite the unprecedented challenges that were brought by the pandemic and winter storm Uri. Critical issues were addressed this session while passing meaningful legislation, including pro-life victories, expanding our 2nd Amendment rights, and fully funding public education.
The 87th passed the Texas Heartbeat Bill to abolish abortion after the detection of a fetal heartbeat and Constitutional Carry to ensure that Texans maintain their right to defend themselves and their families. Sent to the Governor, Rep. Bell passed House Bill 1264, an election integrity bill that expeditiously removes deceased individuals from the voter rolls to prevent fraudulent voting. The Texas Legislature passed legislation defending law enforcement, protecting religious freedom, disaster response reform, Public Utility Commission and ERCOT reform, and rural broadband expansion; in addition to countless other legislative solutions benefitting Texans.
“Over the last 140 days, I’m proud of the conservative victories we passed. I look forward to coming back for a special session and continuing the fight to ensure that our livelihoods, values, and liberties are always protected.”
Sent to the Governor to be signed into law, Rep. Bell passed HB 1476 and HB 1477 which ensures vendors and suppliers alike are protected and compensated promptly when working with state and governmental entities. HB 3938 establishes the industry-based certification advisory council to provide guidance to public education leaders on current and future workforce needs. HB 1321 designates Highway 198 in Henderson County as Deputy Sheriff Tony Ogburn and Deputy Sheriff Paul Habelt Memorial Highway.
Texas is tightening its belt in the upcoming budget cycle starting on Sept. 1, 2021. The budget passed this session decreases spending overall -- down about $13.5 BILLION -- while still upholding our commitment to increasing the state’s share on public education funding, infusing more money into health care, and increasing border security funding to more than $1 billion.
The 87th Texas Legislature passed the Texas Heartbeat Act, marking a significant step since the U.S. Supreme Court issued its controversial Roe v Wade decision in 1973. In addition, the legislature passed a “trigger” law that would enact a ban on abortion if the U.S. Supreme Court chooses to overturn Roe v Wade.
In the state budget, the legislature included $100 million for the state’s Alternatives to Abortion program.
The 87th Legislature took a strong stance this session after witnessing Texans overwhelmingly express a desire to protect themselves during the pandemic. In response, the Legislature delivered on Constitutional Carry and named Texas a 2nd Amendment Sanctuary State.
Texas will also ban local elected officials from closing gun stores during a disaster and tightened up language regarding holstered weapons.
Never in the history of our country have we seen elected officials toss aside our rights to religious freedom as we did during the pandemic. Texas lawmakers ensured this session that the right to worship will not be impeded by any elected official.
Taking it a step further, voters in Texas this fall will have the opportunity to amend the state’s Constitution by strengthening the religious freedom provision.
For two consecutive sessions, the Texas Legislature has made school finance reform a major priority. Following up on last session’s success in passing the monumental House Bill 3, lawmakers made sure to pass a new phase of reform with House Bill 1525, to provide more equity across all Texas school districts and increase the Foundation School Program formula funding.
Lawmakers also followed up last session’s promise to retired teachers by continuing to increase its commitment to the teacher pension fund.
Many small businesses are still recovering after the pandemic. Lawmakers took steps to pass laws that took effect immediately to protect business owners from excessive taxation and crushing tax bills to replenish the unemployment fund.
The legislature also passed protections for businesses and other organizations that continued to operate during the pandemic.
Upon returning after February’s winter storm, Texas leaders made strengthening our power grid an emergency item and tackled several reforms. The central focus was reforming the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and the Public Utilities Commission, which oversees ERCOT.
The result is a package of bills that address organizational leadership, winterization of the power grid, and panels created to oversee future efficiency implementations across the state’s system.
The pandemic made clear to lawmakers that we needed permanent solutions to provide Texans with easier access to health care. That’s why House Bill 4 --paired with House Bill 2056 -- is a major technological leap forward for Texas to engage telehealth, telemedicine, and teledentistry services.
In addition, policymakers created a prescription cost-saving program to serve 3 million Texans, expanded pricing transparency, and created avenues for new organizations to provide health care plans to their members.
Rep. Bell’s Bills Passed in the 87th Session
HB 1264: Expeditiously removes deceased individuals from the voter rolls to ensure that their identities cannot be used to vote fraudulently. It is essential that our voter rolls be accurate and certified to maintain confidence in the democratic process.
HB 1321: Designates a portion of Highway, to honor the lives of Henderson County Deputy Sheriffs Paul Habelt and Tony Ogburn who were shot and killed while responding to a domestic violence call. Our law enforcement officers risk their lives every day for our safety. The least we can do is honor their sacrifice.
HB 1476: Ensures vendors and suppliers alike are protected and compensated in a timely manner when working with state and governmental entities.
HB 1477: Extends payment bond protection to all projects constructed on publicly owned land. Subcontractors and suppliers should be protected and paid for their services.
HB 3938: Establishes the industry-based certification advisory council to provide guidance to public education leaders on current and future workforce needs.
HB 4617: Authorizes High Point’s Special Utility District Board of Kaufman and Rockwall counties to create and thereafter elect some or all board candidates from single-member districts.
Signing the Texas Heartbeat Bill
I was proud to join Governor Abbott in the signing of the Heartbeat Bill into state law, banning abortions after a heartbeat has been detected. There is no more precious gift than life and no greater obligation than for us to honor the sanctity of life!
Honoring Those Lost in the Line of Duty
The Henderson County Peace Officer’s Association held their annual memorial ceremony honoring those we’ve lost in the line of duty. Thank you, to the men and women who put their lives on the line every day to protect ours. We are grateful for your service and your sacrifice.
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