Bill Filing Begins For Upcoming 86th Texas Legislative Session

The 86th Texas Legislature begins Jan. 8. Bill filing started Monday and more than 400 bills were submitted on the first day by Texas lawmakers…

The 86th Texas Legislature begins Jan. 8. Bill filing started Monday and more than 400 bills were submitted on the first day by Texas lawmakers. The 181 members of the Texas House and Senate have until March 8 to file bills. As the 2019 Texas Legislature approaches, many are keeping a close watch on the State Capitol for bills that could impact them.

Senate Bill 66 would reduce and eventually eliminate the state’s franchise tax and House Bill 49 would get rid of daylight-saving time in Texas. House Joint Resolution 24 would propose a constitutional amendment requiring the state to fund at least half of the cost of funding public schools.

If the amendment were approved by voters, local property tax collections would not apply to the state’s share. House Bill 222 would prevent cities from requiring employers to provide paid sick leave to employees and Senate Bill 95 proposes giving every Texas teacher a $4,000 pay raise.

House Bill 21 would exempt college textbooks from sales taxes during one week in August and one week in January.

Other bills would urge Congress to make Election Day a national holiday, end the death penalty, raise minimum wage to $10 and create a pilot program for digital driver’s licenses and identification.

To view an updated list of bills being filed for the 86th Legislature, go here.