by State Representative Cody Harris
Recent News
With only 56 days remaining in the Texas Legislative Session, the days and nights are becoming longer. Last week was the House Budget Week at the Capitol. For nearly fourteen hours the House of Representatives met to debate House Bill 1, our version of the biennial spending plan for the State of Texas. Before adjournment shortly after midnight on Thursday morning, the House considered over 300 amendments and eventually adopted a budget that addresses the needs and priorities of our flourishing state. I was pleased to see it pass unanimously. I am proud of the work we did and was pleased to vote for H.B. 1, which, among many other things, sends more than $9 billion to our schools of which, $2.7 billion goes directly towards property tax relief! Additionally, the state is investing 95 million more dollars into the Teacher Retirement System to improve the system and ensure that teachers can retire with security. Importantly, we are also funding border security and the Texas Department of Public Safety, with Washington D.C. not stepping up to the table and protecting our southern border, the state is allocating nearly $800 million this biennium to border security. Texas has to step up and do what is right to protect this state and our country.
Texans Against High-Speed Rail had their day at the Capitol on Tuesday, March 19th, where I had the opportunity to speak to dozens of landowners who will be affected by the rail. After updating them on the various bills that we have filed in opposition to the rail, I joined my colleagues, Representatives Ben Leman, and Cecil Bell, in a Q&A session to answer questions about the catastrophic project against landowners. I will continue to fight for these bills until the High-Speed Rail is just a bad idea that almost happened and I will always fight for your private property rights!
We also had police officers from Palestine and Corsicana stop by to discuss their legislative priorities along with the Tyler Homebuilders Association to talk about the issues facing the building industry in a fast-growth state like Texas. It was great to hear from both groups about their issues. I appreciate all the time it takes to come to the capitol and visit with me or my staff regarding issues that you face on a daily basis. I truly use this information when it comes to making decisions on legislation.
On March 26th we welcomed over 3,000 Realtors to the Texas Capitol. As a proud 3rd generation Texas Realtor, it was my honor to recognize them with House Resolution 382. The Texas REALTORS are the largest professional association in the state of Texas. In 1902 they were founded with 89 members and today they number more than 125,000 members. I was joined on the dais by Tray Bates (2019 Chairman), Cindi Bulla (2019 Chairman-Elect), Marvin Jolly (2019 Secretary/Treasurer), and Kaki Lybbert (Immediate Past Chairman). Also, Travis Kessler (CEO/President) and Russell Berry (2020 Secretary/Treasurer) joined us in the gallery. It was truly my honor to represent my profession in the Texas House of Representatives.
Several of my bills were heard in committee this week, including H.B. 2122 and HB 2123. These bills relate to Groundwater Conservation Districts (GCDs). HB 2122 calls on GCDs to protect private property rights by requiring GCDs to compensate, lease or get permission from property owners for the water pumped from under the owner’s land. Next, HB 2123 grants the landowner the right to petition the GCD. This is the same petition ability you, as a landowner, have in other situations involving governmental bodies such as the Railroad Commission, Texas Department of Transportation, or even the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. I want you to have the same right to petition elected political entities. Until late in the evening I was honored to lay out HB 2363. This bill relates to the storage of firearms in foster homes. The current rule for foster parents requires the separate lock and storage of firearms and ammunition. This bill specifically addresses this rule and would allow parents of foster children to store their firearms and ammunition in the same locked container. As a foster parent myself I understand the process parents go through when preparing their homes to raise a foster child. Every family has to make sacrifices to raise a foster child, but it is my belief that the protection of my family should never be compromised. I heard testimony about the detrimental effects this red tape regulation has on foster parents across Texas. I look forward to working with my House colleagues and seeing these bills become law.
Coming Up
Our final constituent day is Fairfield Day on April 4th. I look forward to hearing from our communities’ leaders regarding the important topics that impact both House District 8 and this great State of Texas.
Please contact our staff for more information on this event, and please let us know if you plan to visit Austin this session. We would love to meet you and share your Texas Capitol with you! Also, our District Director, Angelia Orr, is available to you at any time, email her at angelia.orr@house.texas.gov.
Resources
You can keep track of legislation, bill analyses, witness lists, and committee hearings from both the House and Senate sides here.
In addition to these online sources, you can also call the Legislative Reference Library’s Bill Status Hotline at (877) 824-7038.
Jeff Carlson – Chief of Staff Contact Phone Number
Christopher Lee – Legislative Director Capitol Number:
Angelia Orr – District Director (512)-463-0730
Brandon Barrows – Legislative Aide
Kyle Zuhlke – Legislative Aide
