Texas Legislation Big and Small in Peril

A work slowdown by House Democrats was meant to stop a voter identification law. But other bills in the path of destruction deal with hurricane insurance, local road projects, solar energy incentives and even trans fats in restaurant foods.

Endangered legislation could find new life under shrewd parliamentary maneuvers before lawmakers adjourn next week or could move ahead if Democrats stop their bill blockade.

But on Monday, it appeared a number of bills were close to death.

“We’re mourning our bills,” declared black-clad Rep. Lois Kolkhorst, a Brenham Republican.

The legislative session ends June 1. Throughout the Memorial Day weekend Democrats stalled House debate to keep the Republican-pushed voter ID bill from coming up for consideration before a Tuesday night bill passage deadline. The GOP measure would require voters to show photo identification or two forms of non-photo alternative ID before casting a ballot. Republicans say they want to prevent voter fraud. Democrats deny that’s a problem and say it would keep people from voting and suppress turnout.

Behind that proposal lies a slew of other bills on the House agenda.

Democrats have said they’ll agree to suspend the rules to take up other later scheduled bills, besides voter ID, but most Republicans have said they want to stick with the planned order of business and won’t go along with a two-thirds majority required to go around the rules.

Gov. Rick Perry is warning that addressing legislation for the depleted Texas Windstorm Insurance Association — the only hurricane wind damage insurer for property owners in 14 coastal counties — is crucial this session. Some legislators say Perry has warned he may call a special session if a bill is not passed to establish a new funding system for the windstorm association.

Perry’s office said Monday there’s no need to panic, but said addressing the windstorm system is critical as a new hurricane season approaches.

“There’s still plenty of time in this session to get important issues, like the windstorm insurance, done,” said Perry spokesman Mark Miner. “The governor’s office is working with the Legislature to examine all available options.”

Republican Speaker Joe Straus said Monday that Perry has made it clear the windstorm issue must be addressed.

“And I think as you see the calendar move into June and hurricane season, I can understand the need to address it, but there are a lot of other issues, too, that are unresolved in this session,” Straus said. He said he wouldn’t be surprised if several unsettled subjects, including voter identification, are listed on the agenda if Perry calls a special session.

House members moved forward on their official agenda Monday, resuming lengthy debate where they left off last week on a plan to change the state’s top 10 percent college admissions law. They also are scheduled to return to a debate over unemployment federal stimulus money and other matters before the voter ID bill comes up.

During their weekend stalling, Democrats asked questions at length about mundane bills. Democratic caucus leader Rep. Jim Dunnam of Waco even explained in detail a proposed Texas flag folding procedure during discussion of his bill on the subject late Sunday night.

The state budget is the only bill lawmakers are constitutionally required to pass. A budget compromise is expected to come back up later this week for the House and Senate to give final approval, but the two-year spending plan legislation cleared the initial bill passage hurdle weeks ago.

Besides the windstorm insurance reform measure, among the legislation waiting for consideration in the House are bills that would:

— Allow voters in a number of counties decide to impose gasoline and other taxes on themselves to build road, bridge and rail projects.

— Develop a solar energy rebate program to provide financial incentives for homeowners and businesses who tap into the power of the sun.

— Crack down on the use of restraints in state schools for the mentally disabled. However, many state school reforms have already made it through the House and Senate and are part of a settlement with the federal government.

— Ban restaurants from packaging, storing or using trans fat to prepare or serve food. Exclusions would include bakery items or packaged food served in its original packaging with labeling indicating the food contains less than 0.5 grams per serving of trans fat.

— Require doctors to offer an ultrasound to women seeking abortions and let them see the results if they want to.

Associated Press writers Jackie Stone and April Castro contributed to this report.

Topics Catastrophe Texas Legislation Hurricane