Legislative Blog

J.B. Williams, J.D.

4 more bills that modify the Government Code

A Blog about 88th Legislature Laws

A Bit of Background

The following backgrounds help summarize the author's views on both the general topic: Texas and more specifically 88th Legislature Laws as it relates to that topic.

Brief Summary of Texas

Texas is truly a Republic. There are a multitude of items that to modify the state constitution must be modified. So there are times when Constitutional amendments are on the voting ballots. While I sometimes abhor the wording, the concept that all of those legally able to vote in Texas must vote on the change is a good one. And bills in Texas are generally short, making it easier for everyone to understand.

Summary of 88th Legislature Laws

The blogs here will discuss the laws passed by Congress and signed into law, as well as those, passed by Congress and approved by the voters to become law. There are a multitude of laws and each time I post blogs I will notate here the current effective date if it is different from prior blogs. I am currently posting bills that took effect immediately - those bills total 336. I am currently posting regarding larger bills, so each blog covers a single bill.

Blog Summary

HB 5174 - Setting a consortium to do something under the Government that does not need to be handled there.

HB 5202 - A database to list those convicted of sexual assault, assault, continuous family violence, aggravated assault, or aggravated sexual assault.

SB 63 - Placing these instructions on commissions Internet website because that should, or possibly was, already done.

SB 380 - Interpreter services for indigent parties are paid by the court.

4 more bills that modify the Government Code

Published: 2024-05-09

HB 5174

Establishment and administration of the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Consortium

If the Universities and colleges in Texas could not already figure out that semiconductor is a great area of focus, then the people in charge should not be running a university. If they cannot move forward in an area without the need for a consortium, then the government is hamstringing the public higher education in Texas. If our government leaders actually believe that without a government led consortium the industry won't be doing what they are already doing, then they should not be in office either. This is absolutely ridiculous. I foresee in the next 4-6 years, a ballot measure to move the funding out of the general revenue fund to 'free up' the consortium to do what they need to do. Which will really be code for overspending your tax dollars. They will waste them in areas that do not need this kind of government intervention. Seriously the state should always be looking to keep encouraging business and industry to be in Texas. The education system should always be looking to provide support through education for those industries. There is no need to develop a focused area for semiconductor unless it is to spend your tax money uselessly to enrich some group.

The purposes of the consortium are:

1. use the expertise and capacity of higher education, industry, and nonprofit stakeholders to develop a plan to ensure ongoing semiconductor innovation (Because yeah without it this so wouldn't happen. Really?? As long as there is demand for products that use semiconductors, there will be demand for improvement to them. The concept is ridiculous and just another way for the government to be involved in something they do not need to be involved in.);
2. sustain the leadership of Texas in advanced semiconductor research, design and manufacturing (just need to provide initiatives to companies to make and research them in your state);
3. attract public and private investment in Texas related to research, development, commercialization and manufacturing;
4. identify and expand opportunities for workforce training related to the industry;
5. establish a public and private stakeholder forum to focus on education, research and development, and commercial production (I cannot imagine that industry is not already focused on research and development, as well as commercial production. You just need to find out what type of education is most desired by the industry but do NOT over focus education.)

The consortium is composed of a designee of each of the following:

1. The University of Texas at Arlington;
2. The University of Texas at Austin;
3. The University of Texas at Dallas;
4. The University of Texas at El Paso;
5. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley;
6. The University of Texas at San Antonio;
7. Texas A&M University;
8. Prairie View A&M University;
9. The University of Houston;
10. The University of North Texas;
11. Texas Tech University;
12. Texas State University;
13. Texas State Technical College System;
14. Lamar University;
15. Lamar State College- Orange;
16. Lamar State College - Port Arthur;
17. Lamar Institute of Technology;
18. Austin Community College; and
19. Dallas Community College

The consortium is administratively attached to the office of the governor. The office shall provide the staff and facilities necessary. The consortium will be governed by an executive committee composed of:

1. 3 members appointed by the governor;
2. 2 members appointed by the lieutenant governor;
3. 2 members appointed b the speaker of the house;
4. the chancellor of Texas A&M University System or their designee;
5. the chancellor of The University of Texas System or their designee

The duties of the executive committee include developing a statewide strategic plan for the consortium; soliciting recommendations from consortium members on funding and research opportunities; appointing an executive director of the consortium and setting the executive director salary; preparing and submitting a report. By December 1 of each even-numbered year, a report shall be submitted to the governor and Legislative Budget Board that outlines:

1. activities undertaken;
2. summary of funding and research opportunities;
3. any legislative recommendations to further the purpose of the consortium;
4. any prospective grants or funding expected to apply for or receive;
5. any research accomplishments

They created a Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund within the general revenue fund. It consists of grants, gifts, or donations; and money from other any other source designated by the legislature. The money can be used to provide matching funds to state entities and award grants to business entities involved in semiconductor manufacturing and design projects. It may also be used for staff support services, but this must be approved by the Legislative Budget Board.

HB 5202

Central database containing information about offenders who have committed certain violent offenses

The department may not charge for processing an electronic inquiry made through the use of the Internet for public information for certain violent offenses covered by Government Code Section 411.1355 or Code of Criminal Procedure 62.005. The department shall maintain a computerized central database of information regarding persons convicted on 2 or more occasion of:

1. assault;
2. sexual assault;
3. aggravated assault;
4. aggravated sexual assault;
5. continuous violence against family;
6. stalking;
7. any combination of the above

The information in the database is public information with the exception of the person's social security number, driver's license number, telephone number, or information that would identify the victim of the offense. The database shall contain the following:

1. person's full name;
2. each alias used;
3. the person's date of birth;
4. a physical description and recent photo of the person;
5. list of offenses they were convicted of that are the reason for their inclusion, as well as, the date of each conviction and the punishment prescribed;
6. whether the person was discharged, placed on community supervision, or release on parole to to mandatory supervision following conviction

A person's ability to remove their information shall be notated on the website through which a search may be conducted. Anyone included may petition to have their information removed if:

1. an order of expunction is issued with respect to one of the offenses, unless they were convicted 3 or more times; or
2. in the immediately prior 7 years the person has not been convicted of an included offense

SB 63

Instruction guide for family members and caregivers of veterans who have mental health disorders

The instruction guide must include:

1. general information about different mental health disorders;
2. techniques for handling crisis situations and administering mental health first aid to persons suffering from mental health disorders;
3. techniques for coping with stress associated with living with a person with mental health disorder;
4. information about related services for family members and caregivers

The guide will be available on the Internet website of the commission and the Texas Veterans Commission.

This seems more like a let me pat myself on the back for writing and/or passing this legislation. I'm not saying it is not a good idea but I cannot imagine that this information is not and was not already available.

SB 380

Payment of certain court costs associated with interpreters

If a party has filed a statement of inability to afford to payment of court costs, and it has not been challenged and stricken, then the party is not required to provide or pay the cost of an interpreter. This does not apply to services for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have communication disabilities. Those are provided free of charge pursuant to federal and state laws.

Each county auditor, or person designated, must provide the Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System with information on the money spent for interpreters in the prior fiscal year. This shall be done by December 1 of each year and also published in the office's Internet website. It should include:

1. the number of interpreters appointed;
2. the number of interpreters appointed for parties or witnesses who are indigent;
3. the amount of money the county spent to provide the services;
4. for civil proceedings, where the statement of inability to afford to payment of court costs was filed and applicable

 

J.B. Williams, J.D.

4,312 federal laws were passed from 1995 through December 2016.
Along with 88,819 federal rules and regulations.