Submitted by Ken Paxton, State Senator
March 8 marked the bill filing deadline and the end of the first phase of the legislative session. At this point in the 2011 legislative session, 1,984 bills were filed in the Senate and 4,019 bills were filed in the House for a total of 5,892 bills to be considered by the legislature. This year we filed 1,890 bills in the Senate, 4,002 in the House for a total of 5,892 bills; 111 less than the 2011 session.
This week marked the beginning of a full schedule of committee hearings, passing legislation out of committee, and voting on the legislation on the Senate floor. My legislation, SB 521, The Texas Parental Control and Accountability Act passed out of the Education committee. In addition, SB 677, which allows the Collin County Probate Court to operate more efficiently, passed out of the Jurisprudence committee.
I have several bills related to government transparency and efficiency that were heard before committees this week and we expect as many as four other transparency bills to come before committee next week.
Monday marks the official halfway point of the 83rd legislative session. With 10 weeks left to go, we have a lot of work ahead of us and I am committed to continue to work hard for the businesses, families, and individuals of Senate District 8.