First Bills Filed for 2013 Legislature
The 2013 session officially begins Jan. 8. Photo by Lizzie Chen/KUT NewsToday is the first day Texas lawmakers can file bills for the 2013 Legislative Session. Some lawmakers use the day to make statements or highlight their priorities in the coming session.
The first one filed today, by Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, would create a central database of people who have committed crimes against children or involving family or dating violence. Three of the first five bills he filed are focused on sex crimes.
Several lawmakers filed a bill that would ban the use of cellphones and similar electronic devices while driving, including Tom Craddick, R-Midland. His bill banning texting while driving passed the legislature in 2011 but was vetoed by Gov. Rick Perry.
Other bills of note: one creating a constitutional proposition to allow casino gambling, one to create a penalty for distributing or prescribing abortion-inducing drugs, attempts to cap state spending, and several bills that would change or end the use of the state’s STAAR test used in the public school accountability system.
The 2013 legislative session starts Jan. 8.
