Tommy Merritt Home

Highlights of the 79th Session of the Texas Legislature

Authored legislation requiring the UT Bureau of Economic Geology to conduct a study to stem production declines of the East Texas Oil Field. It's estimated that over 600 million barrels of oil that remain in the field. Studies by the Texas Comptroller show that increased production would generate an additional $43 billion (in $25 price case) or $87 billion ($50 price case) in economic value and bring thousands of new jobs to East Texas. At today's price of ~$65 bbl, the value can be estimated at $113 billion, far greater than the $2.2 million cost of the study. (HB 1512, passed unanimously out of House Energy Resources, died in House calendars)
SB 419 Co-authored bill requiring parental consent for abortions by a minor. (HB 1212, amended to SB 419, signed by Governor Perry 6/5/05)
HJR 6 Co-authored constitutional amendment providing that marriage in the State of Texas consist of the union of one man and one woman. (HJR 6, approved by voters 11/8/05)
SB 276 Authored legislation authorizing the UT Health & Service Center in Tyler to offer courses and degree programs in allied health and related health sciences fields. (HB 605, companion SB 276 effective 6/1/05)
HB 685 Co-authored bill allowing persons honorably discharged from the Armed Forces who were range-qualified in the use of handguns in the past 5 years to be exempt from the range instruction requirement for renewal of a license or for obtaining a new concealed handgun license. (HB 685, effective 9/1/05)
HB 1076 Co-authored legislation waiving all fees for hunting or fishing licenses for Texas residents currently on active duty in the military. (HB 1076, effective 9/1/05)
HB 1170 Co-authored bill requiring re-admission of students who withdraw from an institution of higher education to perform active military service without a reapplication or payment of a fee for admission. (HB 1170, effective 6/17/05)
HB 1645 Authored bill designating US Highway 80 as the World War II Veteran's Memorial Highway. (HB 1645, effective 9/1/05)
HCR 36 Co-authored resolution authorizing the creation of a Vietnam War Monument for the Capitol grounds. (HCR 36, signed by Governor Perry 5/20/05)
SB 1103 Authored legislation seeking amendment to relinquish state claim to ownership of land from the vacancy dispute in Smith and Upshur counties. Many landowners in District 7 were losing valuable time and money while their land titles were not clear. (HB 2203 & HJR 82, Senate companions SB 1103 effective 6/17/05 and SJR 40 approved by voters 11/8/05)
SB 7 Authored legislation addressing the limits on eminent domain brought forth by the recent Kelo vs. New London ruling by the US Supreme Court, to protect Texas home-owners and land-owners. (HB 16, companion bill SB 7 signed by Governor Perry 9/1/05)
Authored bill providing property tax relief, restoring the health-care stipend for public school employees and fully funding textbooks for the 2005-2006 school year. (HB 53, died in House Public Ed. Reform Select Comm.)
Authored bill authorizing the creation of a high-speed rail authority within the Texas/Mexico and Texas/Louisiana Border Regions, providing a safer, faster and more reliable means for people to travel. Such a system would reduce air pollution and create a transportation system to support economic growth. (HB 2114, voted unanimously out of House Transportation Comm., died in Local & Consent Calendars)
Authored legislation delaying retail electric deregulation in East Texas until the proper infrastructure is in place. Provides an orderly path to competition in the East Texas utility market. (HB 2644, died in Senate Business & Commerce)
Co-authored bill insuring there is accurate and complete reporting of abortion statistics in Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). (HB 2997,died in House Calendar Comm., despite having 73 co-authors)
Co-authored bill prohibiting human cloning without restricting areas of scientific research into the use of nuclear transfer or other cloning techniques on cells other than human embryos, tissues, organs, animals other than humans, or plants. (HB 864, died in House State Affairs Comm.)
Co-authored legislation strengthening parental notification laws for abortions. (HB 3305, died in House State Affairs Comm.)
Authored resolution requiring the Texas Legislative Council to create a link on the House website to view recorded votes cast by House members. (HCR 22, no Senate sponsor)
Co-authored resolution ensuring that any reduction in ad valorem taxes results in a proportional reduction for elderly or disabled homeowners. (HJR 24, no Senate sponsor)
Co-authored resolution lowering taxes by increasing the homestead exemption for public school taxes. (HJR 25, died in House Calendars Comm.)
HB 129 Co-authored bill permitting use of county inmate labor for maintenance of non-profit organizations and public cemeteries. (HB 129, effective 6/18/05)