2009-10-13 callegari on 81st texas legislative session
DESCRIPTION
Texas State Representative Bill Callegari presentation mostly focused on water related topics.TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: 2009-10-13 Callegari On 81st Texas Legislative Session](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022052522/54c1d51d4a795994338b4570/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Highlights of the 81st SessionAWWA Conference
13 October 2009
Texas State Representative Bill Callegari
![Page 2: 2009-10-13 Callegari On 81st Texas Legislative Session](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022052522/54c1d51d4a795994338b4570/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
• Growing belief that everyproblem, no matter the merits,warrants legislation.
• Larger preoccupation withprocedure and process, ratherthan policy.
• Too much politics, too manybills, and too little time.
Troubling Trends
![Page 3: 2009-10-13 Callegari On 81st Texas Legislative Session](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022052522/54c1d51d4a795994338b4570/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
• The legislature created more agencies(10) than it abolished (6).
• Expanded occupational regulations toaffect more workplaces, including:
– Laser hair removal personnel andfacilities;
– Dyslexia practitioners and therapists;– Residential mortgage loan originators;– Food handlers in certain restaurants;– Pain management clinics;– Towing boot operators and facilities; and,
among others– Surgical technologists
• Big government programs that weredefeated will return next session.
Troubling Trends of the 81st
![Page 4: 2009-10-13 Callegari On 81st Texas Legislative Session](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022052522/54c1d51d4a795994338b4570/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
• Designating the Paluxysaurus asthe official Lone Star StateDinosaur, replacing theBrachiosaurus.
• Exempting falconers from thestructural pest control act.
• Debating whether City ofGrapevine would be recognized asthe Christmas Capitol of Texas(this did not pass).
Inconsequential Acts of the 81st
![Page 5: 2009-10-13 Callegari On 81st Texas Legislative Session](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022052522/54c1d51d4a795994338b4570/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
• 364 bills were referred toHouse Natural ResourcesCommittee.
• More than half the billsintroduced were specialdistrict creations.
• Few major water policy billspassed.
Water Issues of the 81st
![Page 6: 2009-10-13 Callegari On 81st Texas Legislative Session](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022052522/54c1d51d4a795994338b4570/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
• Groundwater districtenforcement authority.
• Exempt out-of-state water frominter-basin transfer requirements.
• Emergency preparedness plansfor utilities in Harris and FortBend counties.
• Texas Water Development Boardstimulus spending authorization.
Water Issues of the 81st
![Page 7: 2009-10-13 Callegari On 81st Texas Legislative Session](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022052522/54c1d51d4a795994338b4570/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
• Texas Department ofTransportation Sunset bill.
• Local option bills providing forlocal taxes and/or fees to payfor mobility improvementprojects.
• Creation of a new agency, theTexas Department of MotorVehicles.
Transportation Issues of the 81st
![Page 8: 2009-10-13 Callegari On 81st Texas Legislative Session](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022052522/54c1d51d4a795994338b4570/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
• Of the 105 franchise taxreform bills introduced, threepassed.
• Expanded the small businesstax exemption.
• Created franchise tax creditfor clean energy projects.
Franchise Tax Reforms
![Page 9: 2009-10-13 Callegari On 81st Texas Legislative Session](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022052522/54c1d51d4a795994338b4570/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
• Created pilot program forappraisal appeals.
• Provide totally disabledveterans with a 100 percentproperty tax exemption.
• Require that theComptroller study appraisalprocedures in each county.
Property Tax Reforms
![Page 10: 2009-10-13 Callegari On 81st Texas Legislative Session](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022052522/54c1d51d4a795994338b4570/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Require that water utilities inHarris and Fort Bend countieshave an emergency plan duringa disaster period.Creation of the TexasHurricane Center forInnovative Technology at theUniversity of Houston.
Callegari Legislation of the 81st
![Page 11: 2009-10-13 Callegari On 81st Texas Legislative Session](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022052522/54c1d51d4a795994338b4570/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
• Interim charges.• Sunset Advisory
Commission reviews of keystate agencies.
• Some legislators havealready begun draftinglegislation for 82 R startingin January 2011.
81st Session: What's Ahead
![Page 12: 2009-10-13 Callegari On 81st Texas Legislative Session](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022052522/54c1d51d4a795994338b4570/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Thank you!
Representative Bill Callegari281.578.8484 (District Office)512.463.0528 (Capitol Office)
e-mail:[email protected]
Facebook:www.facebook.com/billcallegari