2019 texas legislative scorecard - sierra club...goodwin, ramos, zwiener, and rosenthal received...

SierraClub’s

2019TexasLegislativeScorecard

SierraClub’s2019TexasLegislativeScorecard

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IntroductionWeareproudtointroducetheSierraClub’s2019TexasLegislativeScorecard.Inasessiondominatedbypubliceducationfunding,floodcontrolandbudgetbattles,therewasalsoalotofworktobedoneonSierraClub’spriorityissues.It’snosecretthatpollutingspecialinterestshaveoverwhelminginfluenceintheTexasCapitol,makingithardtopassgoodbillstoreducepollutionthatgoesintoourair,water,land,andbodies.We’vegottenusedtofightingtoothandnailforevencommonsensesolutionsthattheoverwhelmingmajorityofTexanssupport,suchasdevelopingstandardsforabovegroundpetrochemicalstoragetanks.Whiletherewerestilltoomanyinstanceswherethereweren’tenoughlawmakerstostopbadbills,orpassgoodbills,thereweremoreareasofbipartisanshipandslightlybettermarginsonlossesthaninsessionspast.Thereasonsforoptimismareasfollows:FirstTermersFirst-termlegislatorswhomtheSierraClubendorsedin2018wereexcellentonenvironmentalbills,forthemostpart.Reps.Goodwin,Ramos,Zwiener,andRosenthalreceivedperfectscoresof100%.Theaveragescoreforallfirst-termRepswas80.8%.Theaveragescorefornon-SierraClubendorsedlegislatorsfrom2018was30.5%.TheaveragescorefortheentireHousewasstillprettypatheticat47.3%.TheaveragescoreoftheSenatorsweendorsedin2018was85.6%,withfirst-termSen.NathanJohnsonreceivinga100%.Theaveragescorefortheentire31-memberSenatewas53.3%.StandoutsWecannotsayenoughgoodthingsaboutStateRep.ErinZwiener’sfirstterm.HerHillCountryconstituentsshouldrememberherincredibleeffortsgoingtobatforthemfightingagainstHB3557,and-thoughitfailedultimately-writingagreatamendmenttoHB3557intendedtoprotectresidentsprotestingpipelinesthatgothroughtheirownland.ShealsoiscreditedwithkillingHB3750,abillthatwouldhavelimitedcities’abilitytopreservewaterquality,onapointoforder.Whenitcomestoprotectingtheenvironmentanditspeople,Rep.Zwienergetsit.There’snofearfromusshewillsuccumbtofossilfuelspecialinterests.


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We’realsoincrediblyappreciativeoftheworkofnewmemberslikeSen.Johnson,whoattemptedtogetbetterstandardsonstoragetanksliketheonesthatfailedduringHurricaneHarvey.We’dalsoliketoacknowledgetheeffortsofRep.JohnTurner,andsomestalwartslikeSen.Rodriguez,whorecentlyannouncedhewillnotreturnin2021,Sen.Watson,aswellasReps.AnchiaandHoward,whocontinuedtofightforairqualityandprotectionofpublichealth.BipartisanshipStillExists…ALittlePerhapsitwasthediminishedpoweroftheradicalTexasFreedomCaucus,butthereweresignsofbipartisanshiponafewkeyenvironmentalissues,andwewanttocelebratethatwhenithappens.TheTexasEmissionsReductionProgram(TERP)hasconsistentlyhadtofighttosurviveprevioussessions,butthankfully,HB3745,ledbyRep.CecilBell,Jr.,passedbothchamberseasily,aftersomelast-minutenegotiationsbetweentheHouseandSenate.MembersoftheHouseandSenateonbothsidesoftheaislealsoworkedcooperativelytopassmajorlegislation—andfunding—onfloodcontrol.Inparticular,theSierraClubworkedwithouralliesandSens.PerryandCreighton,andRep.Phelan,toensurethatbothstructuralandnon-structuralfloodcontrolstrategieswouldbeeligibleforfunding.TheSierraClubappreciatedthebipartisaneffortstoensurethatnaturalsystemsarepartofthesolutiontofloodcontrol.Similarly,ensuringthatrevenuecollectedfromtheSportingGoodsSalesTaxactuallygetsappropriatedforitsintendeduses(TexasParks&WildlifeandtheTexasHistoricalCommission),wassomethingalmostalllawmakerscouldgetbehindthroughSJR24,whichwascarriedbyRep.JohnCyrierandSen.LoisKolkhorst.Thereasonstoholdyourcheers(andbeers)areasfollows:OilandGasStillSaturatesthe#txlegeWherewerethebigbillsonbetterregulationsonoilandgas?Newgoalsforenergyefficiencyandrenewableenergy?Aclimatebill?Standardsonmethanepollutionorevenastudyofsuchstandards?Theseissueswerestillnon-startersbecausethereisstilltoomuchinfluencefrompollutersatthelegislature.Thisinfluencecomesintwobigways:campaigncontributionsandoilandgasrevenue.Texanswhovote,orwhofollowpoliticsatleastcasually,shouldrecognizethefirstinfluence.Bigpolluterspecialinterestscontributetopoliticalcampaignsandgetspecialaccessto,andpreferentialtreatmentfrom,lawmakers.There’salsothepresenceof


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darkmoney,whichishardertotracebecauseofCitizensUnited,buthasanincrediblynegativeeffectondemocraticvaluesandrepresentativegovernment.Thesecondmajorareaofinfluenceisoilandgasrevenue.Theenvironmentalcommunitydoesnotpayenoughattentiontothisreality.Ifitdoes,it’susuallyinthecontextofastatementabouthowtheTexaseconomyistootiedtotheboom-and-bustcycleofthefrackedgasindustry,andhowTexasneedstoensuremoresustainablerevenuestreamssothatstate-fundedprogramscanstayhealthyevenwhendrillingrigcountsgodown.However,ifoneindustrypayssomuchintaxes($14billionin2018accordingtotheTexasOil&GasAssociation),thattranslatesintoamassivepoliticalinfluenceimbalance.An“IpaythebillssoyoudowhatIsay”dynamicbetweenpollutersandtheTexasLegislature.Whileitmayseemmarginalwhenyouconsiderhowbigthebudgetis($250billionovertwoyears),anditdoesn’tcomeclosetothetotalrevenuefromoursalestax,theinfluenceitgivesBigOil&GasdistortstheinfluencethatshouldcomefromthepeopleofTexas.Ifwewantourstate’sleaderstotaketheclimatecrisismoreseriously,ifwewantthemtoprotectcommunitiesthataremostaffectedbypollution,ifwewanttotrulytransformourelectricgridtoonebasedonrenewableenergy,energystorage,andenergyefficiency,weneedtoaddressthesetwoundemocraticareasofinfluence.Theplacetostartistoholdlawmakersaccountable,andensurethegoodoneswhoweknowactinthebestinterestoftheirconstituentsbecometheleaders.Ifyouthoughtittookalotofefforttoelectthefirst-termchampions,buckleupfor2020.

MethodologyThisyear,wedecidedtoweighteachvotebasedontwocriteria:1)howhighwerethestakesofthevote,and2)howdifficultwasittogetvotes?Forexample,inthecaseofHB3557(anti-protestorALECbill),thestakeswereveryhigh(9/10)becauseoftheimpactitwouldhaveonourFirstAmendmentrightsanditsdraconianpunishments.Itwasalsoverydifficult(9/10)togetvotesbecausespecialinterestsliketheTexasOil&GasAssociationwereexertingtheirconsiderableinfluencetogetthebillpassed.ForHB3745(TERPextension),thestakeswerehigh(9/10)becauseTERPisagreatprogramthatneededtobeextended,butbecausetherewasbi-partisansupportforit,gettingthevotesforitwasrelativelyeasier(2/10).


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Inaddition,wewantedtomakeadjustmentsofrawscorestoaccountforthespecialeffortmadebysomelawmakersinotherareas.Forexample,Rep.JohnTurnervotedagainsttheSierraClubpositiononHB2771.However,wewantedtorecognizethespecialefforthemadetoamendthebadbilltogetadelayinimplementation,sowecreditedhimbackthevalueofaNovoteonthatspecificbill.Wealsotriedtorecognizesome“partialcredit”efforts.Forexample,Rep.BillZedlermadeagoodefforttoamendHB2726.Forthat,wecreditedhimhalfthevalueofthecorrectvoteonthatbill.Wealsotriedtorecognizespecialcircumstances,suchasRep.DonnaHoward’sabsenceduringpartofthesessionbecauseofherhusband’shealth.Rep.Howardhasbeenanenvironmentalchampionforyearsandthere’snoreasontothinkshewouldhavevotedagainsttheSierraClubpositionifshewerepresentforthevotesshemissed.Otherwise,absencesweregenerallycountedagainstalawmaker’sfinalscore.Thismayseemharshforsomestalwartpro-environmentlawmakers,butattheendoftheday,theseweretheSierraClub’sprioritiesandweneedthemtoshowuptovote.Therearenodoubtsomescoresthatcouldbefurtheradjusted.Itisdifficulttotrackcircumstancesrelatedtoeachindividualvoteon28recordedvotesacrosstwochambers(181membersinall).We’reopentohearrequestsforcorrections!

AcknowledgementsWecouldnothaveproducedthisscorecardwithoutthehelpofthefollowingindividuals:MattJohnson,CyrusReed,EricKrueger,JenHensley,TaylorBecker,KenKramer,EvelynMerz,CourtneyNaquin,andBrittanyVanCuran.Wewouldn’thaveanythingtoreportwithoutthepassionandcommitmentofourvolunteerlobbyists,either.ThankyoutoalltheSierraClubmembersandsupporterswhosteppedupandcalled,emailed,wrote,andmetwiththeirlegislatorsfacetofacethisyear.WeappreciateyouandyourdrivetomakeTexasabetterplacetolive.


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KeyVotesHB2771HB2771,introducedbyRep.JMLozano,ChairoftheHouseCommitteeonEnvironmentalRegulation,wasabillheavilysupportedbytheoilandgasindustry.IntheSenate,Sen.BryanHughessponsoredthebill.ThebillasintroducedrequiredtheTexasCommissiononEnvironmentalQuality(TCEQ)toseek,bySeptember2020,authorityfromtheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencytodelegatewastewaterdischargepermitstothestateagencyforthreekindsofpermitsinvolvingwastewaterfromoilandgasproduction,including“produced”waterresultingfromthehydraulicfracturingprocess.OurpositionTheSierraClubopposedHB2771asintroduced,arguingthatthetimelineforseekingdelegationauthoritywastooquick,andthattherewasnorequiredcost-benefitanalysis.Inaddition,apublicprocesstohelpdetermineappropriatesafetyandwaterqualitystandardswasnotconsideredinthelegislation.Thus,webelieveditwasprematuretotalkaboutwastewaterdischargepermitsfromfrackedoilandgaswellsevenbeforetheEPAhadfinisheditsowninternalanalysisaboutwhethersuchdischargepermitswouldbeallowed.Undercurrentlaw,oilandgasoperatorsarerequiredtoseekpermitsfromboththestate,throughtheRailroadCommission,andtheEPA,andinmostcases,suchpermitsforproducedwaterhavenotbeengranted.AvoteforthebillwasavoteagainsttheSierraClubposition.SpecialinterestsOilandgas,AECT,TexasWaterRecyclingAssociationOutcomeTheHouse,withsignificantbackingfromtheoilandgasindustry,approvedthebillona94-47voteonApril17.ItpassedtheSenate24-7,andwassignedbyGovernorAbbott.OnemodestimprovementwasmadetothebillbyRep.JohnTurnerandSen.ChuyHinojosa,whogotlanguageinthebilltodelaythetimelineforrequestingdelegationauthorityto2021.WhileRep.TurnerandSen.ChuyHinojosaultimatelyvotedforthebill-andagainstourposition-werespectthattheydiditaspartofacompromisetoimprovethelegislation.


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HB3557HB3557,introducedbyRep.ChrisPaddie,ChairoftheHouseCommitteeonEnergyResources,washeavilybackedbythepipelineindustry,oilandgas,andtheAmericanChemicalCouncil.Itcreatesheavycriminalandcivilpenaltiesforthosewhowoulddamage,destroy,impede,orobstructso-called“criticalinfrastructure”suchaspipelinesorrefineries.Thebillwasbornfromtheright-wingAmericanLegislativeExchangeCouncil(ALEC),andhasbeenadoptedinseveralotheroilandgasproducingstatesasareactiontothefrequentprotestsagainstexistingandplannedpipelines.Dubbedthe“CriminalizePeacefulProtests”bill,thebillasintroducedhaddraconianmeasures,includingpotentialsecond-degreefeloniesfordamaging,defacing,ordestroyingcriticalinfrastructureandupto$1millionincivilfinesfororganizationsfoundtobehelpingtofacilitatesuchactivities.Whilethebillwasmadelessunreasonablethroughthelegislativeprocess,SierraClubstillopposedthebill.AvoteforthebillonthirdreadingwasavoteagainsttheSierraClubposition.AvotetotabletheZwieneramendmentwasavoteagainsttheSierraClubposition.AvotefortheConferenceCommitteeReportwasavoteagainsttheSierraClubposition.SpecialInterestsPipelineindustry,oilandgas,TAM,TML,TXChemicalCouncil,LCRA,BNSFRailway,TABOutcomeThebillpassedtheHouseonMay7ona90-51vote,thoughsomeslightimprovementsweremadetothebill.DuringthedebateontheHousefloor,Rep.ErinZwienerintroducedaproposedamendmentthatwouldhaveprovidedprotectionsforlandownersthatwereprotestingpipelinesontheirownland,butherproposedamendmentwastabledona77-65vote.AfterpassingtheHouse,thebillpassedtheSenate,whereitwascarriedbySen.BrianBirdwell,ChairoftheSenateCommitteeonNaturalResources.IntheSenate,anamendmentofferedbySen.ChuyHinojosaimprovedthebillslightly.AfterpassingtheSenate,theHouserefusedtoconcurwiththeSenateamendmentssotheSenateandHousehadtoworkoutthedifferences.Thatnewversionofthebill-theCommitteeConferenceReport(CCR)--wasthenplacedontheHousefloorandtheHousepasseditonMay26ona97-49vote.TheCCRalsopassedtheSenateona19-12voteandwassignedbytheGovernor.HB2545HB2545byRep.RyanGuillenwasabillheavilybackedbycertainoilandgascompaniesthatwantedtocreatecertaintaxincentivesforcompaniesthattreatedanddischargedheavilysalineoilandgaswastewater.Theproposedtaxbreaksforsuch“desalination”


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facilitiesweresubstantialeventhoughthestandardsthatwouldhavebeenappliedtothewastewaterhaveyettobedevelopedbytheTexasCommissiononEnvironmentalQuality,andthecostsandbenefitsofsendingsuchtreatedwastewaterdownstreamareunknown.Infact,theexactcostsinlosttaxrevenuetothestatecouldnotbedetermined.Despitetheseunknowns,manybelieveditwaspreferabletoprovidetaxincentivestoencouragesuchreuseofsaltywaterandwastewaterasopposedtosimplysendingthewastewaterdowninjectionwells.OurPositionAvoteforthebillwasavoteagainsttheSierraClubposition.SpecialinterestsTexasDesalinationAssociation,TexasAllianceofEnergyProducers,oilandgas,TexasFarmBureauOutcomeThebillpassedtheHouseofRepresentativesonMay3ona116-26vote,butafterbeingreferredtotheSenateCommitteeonFinance,itwasunabletogetoutofcommittee,inlargepartbecauseofthequestionsaroundthecosttothestateofprovidingtheincentivestodesalinationplants.HB2826HB2826byRep.GregBonnenrequiresthatbeforeanylocalpoliticalsubdivisionhiresoutsidecounsel,theymustcheckwiththeAttorneyGeneralofTexasandgettheirapprovaltodoso.Manycities,countygovernments,andnonprofitorganizationsthatrelyonthelegalactionsoflocalgovernmentforavarietyofprotectionsagainstbadcorporateactorsopposedthisbill.Whileitdidimprovesomewhatthroughthecourseofthelegislativeprocess,itstillrepresentedinterferencebystategovernmentintheactionsoflocaldemocraciestoprotectcitizens.OurpositionTheSierraClubmadeclearouroppositiontothebillandopposeditbothincommitteeandontheHousefloor.AvoteforthebillwasavoteagainsttheSierraClubposition.


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SpecialinterestsConstructionindustry,TexasSocietyofArchitects,TexansforLawsuitReform,TAB,TexasApartmentAssociation,InsuranceindustryOutcomeThebillpassedtheHouseonMay2ona103-39vote.IntheSenate,thebillwassponsoredbySen.JoanHuffman,passedona27-4vote,andwassignedbyGovernorAbbottonJune10.HB2726HB2726,authoredbyRep.JohnKuempel,allowsafacilitythatsubmitsanairpollutionpermitapplicationtoamendanexistingpermittogoaheadandconstructthemodificationorexpansionaftertheapplicationhasbeensubmittedbutbeforetheTexasCommissiononEnvironmentalQualityhasissuedthefinalpermit.Whilethefacilitythatbegansuchamodificationorexpansionwoulddosoattheirownriskifthepermitamendmentwereultimatelynotgranted,thebillputscommunitiesatriskandalsoputspoliticalpressureontheTCEQtoultimatelyapprovepermitamendmentssincethefacilitymodificationwouldalreadybecompleteorunderconstruction.Inaddition,ifthepermitamendmentwerethesubjectofacontestedcasehearing,allowingafacilitytogoaheadandconstructamodificationtotheirfacilitycouldimpactnegotiationsbetweenacommunityandthefacility.Oneprovisionwasaddedtothebilltopreventcertainconcretebatchplantsfromutilizingtheprovisionsofthebill.OurpositionSierraClubopposedthebillandspokeagainstitinbothcommittees.AvoteforthebillwasavoteagainsttheSierraClubposition.SpecialinterestsOilandgas,chemicalindustry,TAMOutcomeHB2726passedtheHouseonMay7ona102-46vote.IntheSenatethebillwassponsoredbySen.BrandonCreighton,anditpassedtheSenateona21-10voteonMay20withanamendmentontheconcretebatchplantissue.TheHouseandSenatethenpassedaConferenceCommitteeReportinthelastdaysofthesession,andthebillwassignedbyGovernorAbbott.


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HB3745HB3745byRep.CecilBell,Jr.continuestofundtheTexasEmissionsReductionPlan(TERP)byextendingtherevenues(fromtaxesandfees)thatsupporttheprogram,andfurthermorecreatesatrustfundoutsidethestatetreasurysothattheTexasCommissiononEnvironmentalQualitycouldspendthatrevenueasmoneycamein,withouthavingtoseekappropriationsfromthestatelegislatureeverytwoyears.Inpastyears,theTexasLegislaturehasnotactuallyappropriatedtherevenuesfortheirintendedpurpose--morethan$1.7billioninTERPfundshassatinastateaccountwithouteverbeingspent.OurpositionSierraClubsupportedHB3745becauseitwouldhelpthestatelowerairpollutionandozonepollutionlevelsthatimpactpublichealththroughincentivestogetcleanercars,trucks,andconstructionequipmentonourroads,includingrebatesforelectricvehicles.AvoteforthebillwasavotefortheSierraClubposition.SpecialinterestsNoneregisteredasagainst.OutcomeThebillwasapprovedbytheHousebutwaschangedsubstantiallyintheSenate,whereSen.BrianBirdwellsponsoredit.However,whentheHouserefusedtoconcurwiththeSenateversion,whichonlyextendedtherevenuesfortwoyearsanddidnotcreateaseparatetrustfund,theHouseandSenatereachedacompromise.TherevenueswouldcontinueuntilTexasmeetsfederalozonestandards,andthefundswillbeputinatrustfund,butnotuntil2021.TheCommitteeReportwasapprovedbytheHouseonMay26ona145-1vote,andpassedtheSenatethatsamedayona30-1vote.ThebillwassignedbyGovernorAbbott.SJR24Fordecades,stateparkadvocateshavecomplainedthatthestatehasfailedtoadequatelyinvestinourstateparks,wildlifereserves,andrelatedlandsandprograms.Thissession,Sen.LoisKolkhorstandRep.JohnCyrier,ChairoftheHouseCommitteeonCulture,Recreation,andTourism,tookupbothlegislationrelatedtofundingstateparksandhistoricalsites,aswellasaproposedconstitutionalamendmenttodedicaterevenuegeneratedbytheexistingsalestaxonsportinggoodstotheTexasParksandWildlifeDepartmentandtheTexasStateHistoricalCommission.SJR24createdanamendmenttotheconstitutionwhich,whenapprovedby


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votersinNovember,permanentlydedicatedthoserevenuestotheParksandWildlifeandtheTexasHistoricalCommission.RevenuefromthattaxwouldbeallocatedautomaticallytothetwoagenciesbeginningSeptember1,2021.OurpositionSierraClubsupportedSJR24.AvoteforthebillwasavotefortheSierraClubposition.SpecialinterestsNoneregisteredasagainst.OutcomeAfterinitiallypassingSJR24,theHouseaddedaclarifyingamendmentandpassedthebillona143-1voteonApril23.TheSenatethenconcurredwiththeHouseversionofSJR24onMay21ona30-1vote.GovernorAbbottsignedthebillandvotersapprovedtheConstitutionalAmendmentinNovember.SJR79Adequateaccesstofundingforpotablewater,wastewatertreatmentservice,anddrainageservicehasbeenacomplexanddifficultissueformanyTexansfordecades.For25years,theStateofTexashashelpedhundredsofthousandsofresidentsthroughthe“EconomicallyDistressedAreasProgram”(EDAP),whichprovideslow-interestloans,andinsomecasesaccesstograntfunds,forsuchpublicprojects.Unfortunately,thefundingfortheprogramhadrunoutofmoney,andthislegislativesession,Sen.EddieLucioandRep.MaryGonzalezsponsoredlegislationandaconstitutionalamendmenttobringfundingbackforfutureprojects.SJR79isaconstitutionalamendmentthatwouldallowtheTexasWaterDevelopmentBoard(TWDB)toissueadditionalgeneralobligationbondsfortheEDAPaccountoftheTexasWaterDevelopmentFundIIinamountssuchthattheaggregateprincipalamountofthebondsissuedthatareoutstandingatanytimedoesnotexceed$200million.EDAPhasbeenanimportantprogramthatallowsforTWDBtocombineloanandgrantprogramstohelpcertainareasofthestatethatareconsidered“economicallydistressed”togetaccesstowater,wastewatertreatment,drainage,andotherbasicwaterservices.ThefinalversionofSJR79seekstoallowforanadditional$200milliontobeauthorized,thoughtheexacttimingandamountsofissuingbondswouldbedeterminedbytheTWDBwithlegislativeinput.


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OurpositionTheSierraClubhasalonghistoryofsupportingtheEDAPprogramandadequatepotablewaterandwastewatertreatmentforallTexasresidents.Investingmorebondfundinginsuchaprogrammakessense.AvoteforSJR79wasavotefortheSierraClubposition.SpecialinterestsNoneregisteredasagainst.OutcomeTheconstitutionalamendmentpassedtheSenateona19-12voteonMay8onsecondreading,beforereceivingfinalapprovallaterthatdayona21-10vote.AfteraslightlydifferentversionofthebillpassedoutoftheHouseCommitteeonNaturalResourcesonMay17,itpassedtheHouseonMay21ona114-27vote.ThenewversionofthebillthenwentbacktotheSenate,eventuallypassingona22-8voteonMay25.TexasvotersapprovedtheconstitutionalamendmentinNovember.HB1059HB1059byRep.EddieLucioIIIwasa“study”billthatrequiredtheTCEQtoappointaGreenStormwaterInfrastructureandLowImpactDevelopmentReportGroupeachfiscalbienniumtoprepareareportontheuseofgreenstormwaterinfrastructureandlowimpactdevelopmentinthisstate.Theintentofthebillwastohighlighttheexistinguseof“greenstormwaterinfrastructure”andlowimpactdevelopmenttolowertherisksoffloods,butalsoassesshowstateandlocalgovernmentcouldlearnbestpracticesandimplementsuchprojectsasthestatedevelopsfloodinfrastructure.OurpositionTheSierraClubsupportedthisbill.AvoteforthebillwasavotefortheSierraClubposition.SpecialinterestsNoneregisteredasagainst.


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OutcomeThebilleasilypassedtheHouseonMay2ona120-19votebeforebeingsponsoredintheSenatebySen.JoseRodriguez.ThebillpassedthefullsenateonMay22ona28-3vote.Unfortunately,themeasurewasvetoedbyGovernorGregAbbott,whoarguedthatthebillandresultingworkinggroupandstudywerenotnecessary.HB798HB798byRep.ArmandoWallewasasimplebutimportantbillthatwouldamendtheHealthandSafetyCodetorequirestandardpermitapplicationsforaconcreteplantthatperformswetbatching,drybatching,orcentralmixingtoincludeaplotplan,includingadistancescale,northarrow,andallpropertylines,emissionspoints,buildings,tanksandprocessvessels.Byincludingthisinformation,theapplicationwouldallowthepublictoseewhereaproposedplantwouldbelocatedinrelationtonearbyhomesandbusinesses(includingwherethefacilitylocateditsequipment,anditsrelationtoroadsandtraffic).AccordingtoTCEQ,dutiesandresponsibilitiesassociatedwithimplementingtheprovisionsofthebillcouldbeaccomplishedbyutilizingexistingresources.OurpositionTheSierraClubsupportedthebillasaneededpublictransparencyrequirementtoimprovetransparencyandpublicparticipation.AvoteforthebillwasavotefortheSierraClubposition.SpecialinterestsConcrete/aggregate(registeredonandagainst).OutcomeThebillpassedtheHouseona92-47voteonMay10,butwasneversenttoacommitteeintheSenate,killingthebill.HB907HB907byRep.HubertywasoneofmanybillsdesignedtoimprovetheregulationandenforcementoftheaggregateandcementindustryinTexas.TexashasanissuewheremanyaggregateproducershaveoperatedwithoutseekingtheproperauthorizationfromTCEQ.ThebillasfiledwouldincreasefinesonaggregateproducersthatfailedtoregisterwiththeTCEQ,increasingfinesfrom$5,000uptoamaximumof$20,000foreachyearanaggregateproduceroperatedwithoutproperregistration.Amaximumfinewassetat$50,000.


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OurpositionTheSierraClubsupportedHB907andotherbillsrelatedtoimprovedinspectionsandenforcementofaggregateproductionoperators.AvoteforthebillwasavotefortheSierraClubposition.SpecialinterestsConcreteandaggregateindustries(mixedfor/against),TABOutcomeHB907passedtheHouseona124-13voteonMay10.IntheSenate,thebillwassponsoredbySen.BrandonCreightonandwassubstitutedincommitteetoincludelanguagefromotherfiledbills.ThenewbillincludednotonlylargerfinesbutalsorequiredtheTCEQtoconductmorefrequentinspectionsofaggregateproducers,includingunannouncedinspectionsforaggregateproducersthathadreceivednoticeofviolationsinpreviousyears.ThebillpassedtheSenateonMay20ona28-3vote.TheHouseconcurredwiththenewversionofthebillandGovernorAbbottsignedthebill.HB3750HB3750byRep.Kuempel,supportedbydevelopmentandagriculturespecialinterests,wasintendedtolimittheauthorityofamunicipalitytoimposewaterqualityregulationsinthemunicipality'sextraterritorialjurisdiction.Thebillasfiledwouldhavepreventedamunicipalityfromimposinganycut-and-filldepthrequirementsorotherwaterqualityregulationsinitsextraterritorialjurisdictionunlesstheprojectwaspartofacontributingorrechargezone.ThebillwasimprovedslightlyontheHousefloorbyaddinglanguagethatwouldallowsuchregulationsifitwasinthedrainagebasinofariverwithexceptionalorhighqualitywaterqualitystandards.Still,thebillwasclearlydesignedtolimitcitypowers.PositionTheSierraClubopposedthebillbecauseitundermineslocaldemocracyandtheabilityofcitiestoprotectwaterresources.AvoteforthebillwasavoteagainsttheSierraClubposition.SpecialinterestsDevelopers,cattleindustry,TAA,TAB


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OutcomeDueinparttotheauthoraddingfurtherprotectionsforcities,thebilldidpasstheHouse103-22onMay10.However,onceintheSenate,thebillwasweakenedbytheadditionofanamendmentbySen.DonnaCampbellthatwouldhavespecificallyimpactedSanAntonio’sordinancetoprotecttreeswithinitsextraterritorialdistrict.Still,thebillpassedtheSenateona28-3vote.Fortunately,whenitcamebacktotheHousewiththenewlanguage,Rep.ErinZwienerintroduceda“pointoforder”thatwassustainedsincetheSenateamendmentswerenotgermanetotheoriginalbill.BecauseRep.Zwiener’spointoforderoccurredonMay24,thebilldiedsinceitwassolateinthesession.SB185SB185bySen.BorrisMileswasanattempttoimprovethesafetyandregulationofoilandgaswellsbycreatingbeefedupreportingrequirementsforwellsinvolvedinanaccidentorrelease.Itwouldhavepreventedoilandgascompaniesthathadnotadequatelycleanedupsuchawellfromobtainingnewpermits,andcreatinganewalertsystemforresidentslivingnearanaccidentalreleaseorsimilarincident.TogetthebilloutofcommitteeandtotheSenatefloor,Sen.Mileschangedthebillsubstantiallytobemuchmoremodest,asitonlyrequiredcertainwellownerstodisclosewhentheywereapplyingforanewoilandgaswellpermitiftheyhadanearbywellthathadleakedorhadanaccidentthatreleasedproductintotheenvironment.PositionThisbillwassupportedbytheSierraClub.AvoteforthebillwasavotefortheSierraClubposition.SpecialInterestsMajoroilcompanieswereclearlyopposedtothelegislationandthebillthatpassedoutofcommitteewasamuch,muchweakerversion.OutcomeTheSenateapprovedSB185onMay15ona27-4vote.However,itwasreferredonMay16totheHouseCommitteeonEnergyResourcesandwasneverconsideredortakenupbythatcommittee.


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HB720HB720byRep.LyleLarsonsetsupaprocesswherebytheTCEQcanapproveapplicationstotakethestate’ssurfacewaterandgranttherighttoprivateorpublicentitiestouseitforaquiferstorageandrechargeprojects.Whilethebilldoeshavelanguagestatingthatwatershouldnotbegrantedifitwouldimpact“environmentalflows”neededtoprotectbaysandestuariesanddependentspecies,thebillassumesthattheseflowneedsarealreadywellestablished.Inadditionthebillsetsupthecriteriaforwhenstatewaterthatpercolatesintoaquiferstoragefacilitiesbecomesgroundwater,andthusaprivatewaterproperty.Thus,thereisthepotentialthatsurfacewatercouldultimatelychangefrom“watersofthestate”toaprivategroundwaterresource.Finally,thebillallowsthosewithapermittodevelopareservoirtobeabletoconvertthattoanaquiferstoragefacility.Whileitisunlikelythattherewillbemajorprojectsdevelopedunderthelawbecauseofbothfinancialandtechnicalissues,thelawcouldimpacttheavailabilityofwaterresourcesfordownstreamusersandtheenvironment.OurpositionSierraClubknewthatabillcarriedbytheChairsoftheNaturalResourceandWaterCommitteeswouldbedifficulttostop,butbecauseofourconcernsabouthowstatewatercouldbeconvertedtoprivatewaterandbecauseofourconcernsaboutthepotentialtoimpactenvironmentalflows,weopposedthelegislation.AvoteforthebillwasavoteagainsttheSierraClubposition.SpecialInterestsThebillhadthesupportofmajorwaterspecialinterests.OutcomeThebillpassedtheHouse135-3onMay1.AfterbeingpickedupbySen.CharlesPerry,ChairoftheSenateCommitteeonWaterAffairs,itpassedoutofcommitteeandpassedtheSenateona25-6voteonMay22,andwassignedbyGovernorAbbottonJune10.HB3143-Amendment4HB3143byRep.JimMurphywasabillthatextendedChapter312taxabatementagreementsfrom2019to2029.Thesepropertytaxabatementagreementsareagreementswithlocalgovernmentthatallowforpropertytaxbreaksforaperiodoftimeinreturnforagreementstoinvestinfacilitiesthatprovidejobsandlocaleconomicdevelopmentincommunities.Manyofthesetaxabatementshavegonetorenewableenergycompanies,whileothershavebeenforfossilfuelandmanufacturingindustries.Thebillnotonlyextendedtheprogramforanother10years,butitincludedsomeimportanttransparencyrequirementsintermsof


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providingthepublicwithinformationandrequirementsonholdingpublicmeetings.AfterbeingapprovedintheHouse,Senatesponsor,Sen.RoyceWest,gotthebillthroughcommitteeandontotheSenatefloor.DuringthefloordebateonMay20,Sen.BobHallintroducedanamendmentthatwouldhavespecificallystrippedtheabilityofmanyrenewableenergycompaniestobeabletoaccessthetaxabatementagreements,potentiallyslowingthedevelopmentofwindandsolarpower.OurpositionTheSierraClubneithersupportednoropposedtheextensionofthetaxabatementagreementsunderChapter312.However,wedidmakeitclearthatweopposedanyprovisionsthatwouldspecificallyexcluderenewableenergyfromhavingthesameaccesstothetaxbreaksasthefossilfuelindustry.Thus,weopposedtheamendmentofferedbySen.Hall.AvotefortheamendmentwasavoteagainsttheSierraClubposition.SpecialinterestsTheTexasPublicPolicyFoundation(TPPF)madethisoneoftheirtwomajoreffortsonrenewableenergythissessionandtheywerebackedbyoilandgasmoney.OutcomeTheattempttostripHB3143ofitspro-renewablepolicybySen.Hallfailedona21-10vote.ThebillthenpassedtheSenateandwassignedintolawbytheGovernor.SB2232SB2232bySen.KellyHancockwasa“study”billthatunfortunatelywasdesignedinsuchawaythatitcouldhaveledtochangesthatwouldhavedirectlyledtomeasuresthatwouldhaveincreasedthecostof,andthereforeloweredthepotentialdevelopmentof,renewableenergyandspecificallywindpower.Thebillwasreportedlytostudytheimpactofthefederalproductiontaxincentives,whichhelpspurwinddevelopmentinTexas,butthenitorderedthePublicUtilityCommissionandERCOT,thegridoperatorformostofTexas,totakeanystepstocounteracttheimpactofthoseincentives.Thatmeantthebillcouldhavebeenusedbyfossilfuelintereststoenactchangestoslowdownthegrowthofwindenergy.Importantly,thebillwouldonlyhavestudiedrenewableenergyincentivesandnotthevastarrayoffederalandstateincentivesthatfavorfossilfuels,meaningitwasabilldesignedtotargetrenewableenergy.


18

18

OurPositionWeactivelyopposedthebillinboththeSenateandHouseandwerepleasedthatitdidnotgetoutoftheHouseCommitteeonStateAffairs.AvoteforthebillwasavoteagainsttheSierraClubposition.SpecialInterestsWhilethiswasthebrainchildofTPPF,someotherspecialinterests,liketheTexasAssociationofManufacturers,weresupportingitasawaytoarguethatwindsubsidiescouldimpactelectricitypricing.Manychemicalandrefineryinterestsalsosupportedthebill,thoughtheirsupportwaslukewarm.OutcomeWhilethebilldidpasstheSenateona23-8voteonApril24,itdidnotpasstheHouseCommitteeonStateAffairsafterbeingsponsoredbyRep.PhilKing.


19

19

HouseRanking

TexasHouseDistrict FirstName LastName InitialRank AdjustedRank47 Vikki Goodwin 100.00% 100.00%137 Gene Wu 100.00% 100.00%104 Jessica Gonzales 100.00% 100.00%45 Erin Zwiener 94.67% 100.00%102 Ana-Maria Ramos 91.33% 100.00%135 John Rosenthal 90.00% 100.00%123 Diego Bernal 87.33% 100.00%48 Donna Howard 80.00% 100.00%49 Gina Hinojosa 92.67% 92.67%77 Evelina Ortega 92.67% 92.67%103 Rafael Anchia 92.67% 92.67%50 Celia Israel 87.33% 92.66%40 Terry Canales 90.00% 90.00%52 James Talarico 90.00% 90.00%109 Carl Sherman,Jr. 90.00% 90.00%27 Ron Reynolds 82.67% 90.00%107 Victoria Neave 82.67% 90.00%101 Chris Turner 89.33% 89.33%114 John Turner 73.33% 85.33%105 Terry Meza 84.67% 84.67%148 Jessica Farrar 84.67% 84.67%75 Mary Gonzalez 84.00% 84.00%146 Shawn Thierry 83.33% 83.33%


20

20

110 Toni Rose 82.67% 82.67%111 Yvonne Davis 82.67% 82.67%113 Rhetta AndrewsBowers 82.67% 82.67%115 JulieE. Johnson 82.67% 82.67%136 John BucyIII 82.67% 82.67%51 Eddie Rodriguez 77.33% 82.66%78 Joseph Moody 70.00% 82.00%145 Christina Morales 80.67% 80.67%46 Sheryl Cole 79.33% 79.33%116 Trey MartinezFischer 77.33% 77.33%139 JarvisD. Johnson 77.33% 77.33%143 Ana Hernandez 77.33% 77.33%65 Michelle Beckley 75.33% 75.33%79 Art Fierro 75.33% 75.33%131 Alma Allen 68.00% 75.33%76 Cesar Blanco 71.33% 73.50%141 Senfronia Thompson 73.33% 73.33%37 Alex Dominguez 73.33% 73.33%95 Nicole Collier 72.00% 72.00%120 Barbara Gervin-Hawkins 72.00% 72.00%124 Ina Minjarez 72.00% 72.00%22 Joe Deshotel 60.00% 72.00%140 Armando Walle 69.33% 71.33%30 Geanie Morrison 63.33% 70.33%30 Ramon Romero,Jr. 63.33% 70.33%74 Poncho Nevarez 65.33% 69.33%149 Hubert Vo 65.33% 65.33%144 MaryAnn Perez 49.33% 58.66%


21

21

38 Eddie LucioIII 54.00% 57.33%142 Harold Dutton,Jr. 56.00% 56.00%41 Robert Guerra 50.67% 56.00%125 Ray Lopez 53.33% 53.33%119 Roland Gutierrez 50.00% 50.00%73 Kyle Biedermann 37.33% 49.33%39 Armando Martinez 46.00% 46.00%36 Sergio Munoz,Jr. 44.00% 44.00%118 Leo Pacheco 43.33% 43.33%147 Garnet Coleman 41.33% 41.33%15 Steve Toth 41.33% 41.33%31 Ryan Guillen 38.67% 38.67%117 Philip Cortez 38.67% 38.67%42 Richard Raymond 38.67% 38.67%19 James White 38.67% 38.67%85 Phil Stephenson 38.67% 38.67%132 Gina Calanni 38.67% 38.67%96 Bill Zedler 34.67% 36.84%56 Charles Anderson 36.67% 36.67%3 Cecil Bell,Jr. 28.67% 36.67%34 Abel Herrero 35.33% 35.33%53 Andrew Murr 35.33% 35.33%2 Dan Flynn 32.00% 32.00%

122 Lyle Larson 28.67% 32.00%21 Dade Phelan 26.67% 31.67%35 Oscar Longoria 31.33% 31.33%80 Tracy King 31.33% 31.33%66 Matt Shaheen 31.33% 31.33%


22

22

43 J.M. Lozano 28.67% 30.67%29 Ed Thompson 22.67% 30.67%86 John Smithee 30.00% 30.00%67 Jeff Leach 30.00% 30.00%127 Dan Huberty 24.67% 30.00%150 Valoree Swanson 29.33% 29.33%1 Gary VanDeaver 28.67% 28.67%12 Kyle Kacal 28.67% 28.67%14 John Raney 28.67% 28.67%71 Stan Lambert 28.67% 28.67%83 Dustin Burrows 28.67% 28.67%88 Ken King 28.67% 28.67%108 Morgan Meyer 28.67% 28.67%112 Angie ChenButton 28.67% 28.67%130 Tom Oliverson 28.67% 28.67%84 John Frullo 23.33% 28.66%7 Jay Dean 26.67% 26.67%9 Chris Paddie 26.67% 26.67%16 Will Metcalf 26.67% 26.67%32 Todd Hunter 26.67% 26.67%44 John Kuempel 26.67% 26.67%54 Brad Buckley 26.67% 26.67%55 Hugh Shine 26.67% 26.67%58 DeWayne Burns 26.67% 26.67%69 James Frank 26.67% 26.67%72 Drew Darby 26.67% 26.67%82 Tom Craddick 26.67% 26.67%87 Four Price 26.67% 26.67%


23

23

99 Charlie Geren 26.67% 26.67%121 Steve Allison 26.67% 26.67%20 Terry Wilson 19.33% 26.66%17 John Cyrier 19.33% 25.33%4 Keith Bell 24.67% 24.67%98 Giovanni Capriglione 24.67% 24.67%133 Jim Murphy 24.67% 24.67%6 Matt Schaefer 24.00% 24.00%23 Mayes Middleton 24.00% 24.00%100 Eric Johnson 14.67% 24.00%8 Cody Harris 23.33% 23.33%13 Ben Leman 23.33% 23.33%24 Greg Bonnen 23.33% 23.33%26 Rick Miller 23.33% 23.33%57 Trent Ashby 23.33% 23.33%28 John Zerwas 22.67% 22.67%10 John Wray 22.67% 22.67%61 Phil King 22.67% 22.67%63 Tan Parker 22.67% 22.67%81 Brooks Landgraf 22.67% 22.67%91 Stephanie Klick 22.67% 22.67%129 Dennis Paul 22.67% 22.67%11 Travis Clardy 21.33% 21.33%33 Justin Holland 21.33% 21.33%59 J.D. Sheffield 21.33% 21.33%60 Mike Lang 21.33% 21.33%126 SamE. Harless 21.33% 21.33%138 Dwayne Bohac 20.67% 20.67%


24

24

68 Drew Springer 20.00% 20.00%62 Reggie Smith 19.33% 19.33%64 Lynn Stucky 19.33% 19.33%97 Craig Goldman 19.33% 19.33%94 Tony Tinderholt 18.00% 18.00%70 Scott Sanford 17.33% 17.33%89 Candy Noble 17.33% 17.33%18 Ernest Bailes 15.33% 15.33%5 Cole Hefner 14.00% 14.00%93 Matt Krause 14.00% 14.00%106 Jared Patterson 14.00% 14.00%128 Briscoe Cain 14.00% 14.00%134 Sarah Davis 13.33% 13.33%92 Jonathan Stickland 10.00% 10.00%


25

25

HouseAdjustments

HouseAdjustmentsDistrict First Last Adjust Bill Notes

3 Cecil Bell 8 HB3745 Billauthor.17 John Cyrier 6 SJR24 Deservescreditforworkingitallout.20 Terry Wilson 7 HB798,HB2726 ChangedvotestobeinlinewithSCposition.21 Dade Phelan 5 NA Forsupportofnon-structural,nature-basedfloodcontrol.22 Joe Deshotel 12 HB3557 ChangedvotetobeinlinewithSCposition.27 Ron Reynolds 7.33 HB3750 ChangedvotetobeinlinewithSCposition.29 Ed Thompson 8 HB3745 Supportforthebill.30 Ramon Romero,Jr. 7 HB3557 ChangedvotetobeinlinewithSCposition.38 Eddie LucioIII 3.33 HB1059 Billauthor.41 Robert Guerra 5.33 HB2826 ChangedvotetobeinlinewithSCposition.43 JM Lozano 2 HB798 Specialsupportforthisbill.45 Erin Zwiener 5.33 HB2826 ChangedvotetobeinlinewithSCposition.48 Donna Howard 20 HB2826 Missed3votesunderforgivablecircumstances.Changedvotetobeinline

withSCposition.50 Celia Israel 5.33 HB2826 ChangedvotetobeinlinewithSCposition.51 Eddie Rodriguez 5.33 HB2826 ChangedvotetobeinlinewithSCposition.73 Kyle Biedermann 12 HB3557 ChangedvotetobeinlinewithSCposition.74 Mary Gonzalez 4 SJR79 Billauthor.76 Cesar Blanco 2.17 HB2726 Partialcreditforoppositionincommittee.78 Joe Moody 12 HB3557 WorkedwithbillauthortomakeHB3557lessbad.Madespecialeffortto

fightHB3557CCR.84 John Frullo 5.33 HB907 ChangedvotetobeinlinewithSCposition.96 Bill Zedler 2.17 HB2726 Partialcreditforgoodefforttoamendbill.


26

26

100 Eric Johnson 9.33 HB2771 ChangedvotetobeinlinewithSCposition.102 AnaMaria Ramos 8.67 HB1059,HB907 ChangedvotestobeinlinewithSCposition.107 Victoria Neave 7.33 HB3750 ChangedvotetobeinlinewithSCposition.114 John Turner 12.00 HB2771,HB2726 VotedYonHB2771butworkedtoget1yrdelay.Partialcreditforopposing

HB2726incommittee.122 Lyle Larson 3.33 HB1059 Specialsupportforthisbill.123 Diego Bernal 12.67 HB2826,HB3750 ChangedvotestobeinlinewithSCposition.127 Dan Huberty 5.33 HB907 Billauthor.131 Alma Allen 7.33 HB3750 ChangedvotetobeinlinewithSCposition.135 Jon Rosenthal 10 HB2545 Workedhardtogetthisbillamended.140 Armando Walle 2 HB798 Billauthor.144 MaryAnn Perez 9.33 HB2771 ChangedvotetobeinlinewithSCposition.


27

27

HouseVotes*Weightswereassignedasapercentageof100.Ifalegislatorchangedtheirvoteintherecord,wecountedthecorrectionastheirofficialvote.ThesearemarkedaseitheraY(c)oranN(c).“A”indicatesalegislatorwasabsentforavote,andwithfewexceptions,thesewerecountedthesameasavoteagainsttheSierraClubposition.“NV”indicatesalegislatorwaspresentbutdidnotvote,andwasalsocountedasavoteagainsttheSierraClubposition.

HouseVotes

District

HB27

71

HB35

57

HB35

57

HB35

57

HB25

45

HB28

26

HB27

26

HB37

45

SJR24

SJR79

HB10

59

HB79

8

HB90

7

HB37

50

9.33* 12 12 10 10 5.33 5.33 8 6 4 3.33 2 5.33 7.331 Gary VanDeaver Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y2 Dan Flynn N Y(c) Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y N Y Y3 Cecil Bell,Jr. Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y4 Keith Bell Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N(c) Y Y Y Y5 Cole Hefner Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N N N N Y6 Matt Schaefer Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y N N N N Y7 Jay Dean Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y8 Cody Harris Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N N Y Y9 Chris Paddie Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y10 John Wray Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y N Y Y11 Travis Clardy Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N N Y Y Y12 Kyle Kacal A Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y13 Ben Leman Y Y Y Y(c) Y Y Y Y Y Y N(c) N Y Y14 John Raney Y A Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y15 Steve Toth N Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y N Y Y


28

28

HouseVotes

District

HB27

71

HB35

57

HB35

57

HB35

57

HB25

45

HB28

26

HB27

26

HB37

45

SJR24

SJR79

HB10

59

HB79

8

HB90

7

HB37

50

9.33* 12 12 10 10 5.33 5.33 8 6 4 3.33 2 5.33 7.3316 Will Metcalf Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y17 John Cyrier Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N N N Y Y18 Ernest Bailes Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y A Y Y N A Y19 James White Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y20 Terry Wilson Y Y Y Y Y A N(c) Y Y N A Y(c) Y Y21 Dade Phelan Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y22 Joe Deshotel N N(c) N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y23 Mayes Middleton Y Y Y Y N Y Y(c) Y Y N N N N Y24 Greg Bonnen Y Y Y Y A Y Y Y Y Y N N Y Y25 Dennis Bonnen NV NV NV NV NV NV NV NV NV NV NV NV NV NV26 Rick Miller Y Y Y Y Y A Y Y Y Y A N Y Y27 Ron Reynolds N N N N Y N N Y Y Y Y Y Y N(c)28 John Zerwas Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y A Y Y Y Y Y29 Ed Thompson Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y N Y Y30 Ramon Romero,Jr. N N(c) Y(c) N N Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y30 Geanie Morrison Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y31 Ryan Guillen Y A Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y32 Todd Hunter Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y33 Justin Holland Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N A Y Y Y34 Abel Herrero A Y Y N A A Y Y Y Y A Y Y Y35 Oscar Longoria Y Y Y N Y A Y Y Y A A Y Y Y36 Sergio Munoz,Jr. Y Y Y N Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y37 Alex Dominguez Y N N N Y N N Y Y Y Y Y Y A38 Eddie LucioIII Y Y N N Y Y Y Y Y A Y Y Y N39 Armando Martinez Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N


29

29

HouseVotes

District

HB27

71

HB35

57

HB35

57

HB35

57

HB25

45

HB28

26

HB27

26

HB37

45

SJR24

SJR79

HB10

59

HB79

8

HB90

7

HB37

50

9.33* 12 12 10 10 5.33 5.33 8 6 4 3.33 2 5.33 7.3340 Terry Canales N N N N Y N N Y Y Y Y Y Y N41 Robert Guerra Y Y N N Y N(c) Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y42 Richard Raymond A Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y43 J.M. Lozano Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y44 John Kuempel Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y45 Erin Zwiener N N N N N N(c) N Y Y Y Y Y Y N46 Sheryl Cole N N N N Y Y N Y Y Y A A Y N47 Vikki Goodwin N N N N N N N Y Y Y Y Y Y N48 Donna Howard N N N N N N(c) N Y Y Y Y A A A49 Gina Hinojosa N N N N N N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y50 Celia Israel N N N N N N(c) N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y51 Eddie Rodriguez N N N N Y N(c) N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y52 James Talarico N N N N Y N N Y Y Y Y Y Y N53 Andrew Murr Y Y Y N Y(c) Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y54 Brad Buckley Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y55 Hugh Shine Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y56 Charles Anderson Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y57 Trent Ashby Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N N Y Y58 DeWayne Burns Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y59 J.D. Sheffield Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y A A A60 Mike Lang Y Y Y Y Y Y(c) Y Y Y Y Y N N Y61 Phil King Y Y Y Y Y Y(c) Y Y Y N Y N Y Y62 Reggie Smith Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y A A N Y Y63 Tan Parker Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N(c) Y N(c) Y Y64 Lynn Stucky Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N(c) N N Y Y


30

30

HouseVotes

District

HB27

71

HB35

57

HB35

57

HB35

57

HB25

45

HB28

26

HB27

26

HB37

45

SJR24

SJR79

HB10

59

HB79

8

HB90

7

HB37

50

9.33* 12 12 10 10 5.33 5.33 8 6 4 3.33 2 5.33 7.3365 Michelle Beckley N N N N Y N N Y Y Y Y A A A66 Matt Shaheen Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y N N Y67 Jeff Leach Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y A Y Y Y A68 Drew Springer Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y N Y69 James Frank Y Y Y Y Y Y(c) Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y70 Scott Sanford Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y A A A71 Stan Lambert Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y72 Drew Darby Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y73 Kyle Biedermann Y N(c) Y Y Y Y(c) N Y Y N Y Y Y N74 Poncho Nevarez N N N Y Y N N Y Y Y Y A A A75 Mary Gonzalez N N N N Y N N Y A Y Y Y Y N76 Cesar Blanco Y N Y N N N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y77 Evelina Ortega N N N N N N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y78 Joseph Moody Y N N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N79 Art Fierro Y N N N Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N80 Tracy King Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y A A A81 Brooks Landgraf Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N(c) Y N Y Y82 Tom Craddick Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N(c) Y Y83 Dustin Burrows Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y84 John Frullo Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y(c) Y(c)85 Phil Stephenson Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y A86 John Smithee N Y Y A Y Y Y Y A Y Y N Y A87 Four Price Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y88 Ken King Y Y Y Y A Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y A89 Candy Noble Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N(c) Y N N Y


31

31

HouseVotes

District

HB27

71

HB35

57

HB35

57

HB35

57

HB25

45

HB28

26

HB27

26

HB37

45

SJR24

SJR79

HB10

59

HB79

8

HB90

7

HB37

50

9.33* 12 12 10 10 5.33 5.33 8 6 4 3.33 2 5.33 7.3391 Stephanie Klick Y A Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y N Y Y92 Jonathan Stickland Y Y Y Y N Y(c) Y N N N N N N Y93 Matt Krause Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N N N N Y94 Tony Tinderholt Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y A N N N N Y(c)95 Nicole Collier N N N N Y NV Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y96 Bill Zedler Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y97 Craig Goldman NV Y Y NV Y Y Y Y Y NV N N Y Y98 Giovanni Capriglione Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y99 Charlie Geren Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y100 Eric Johnson N(c) A A A A N A A Y A Y A A A101 Chris Turner N N N N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N102 Ana-Maria Ramos N N N N N N N Y Y Y Y(c) Y Y(c) N103 Rafael Anchia N N N N N N N Y Y Y Y Y Y A104 Jessica Gonzales N N N N N N N Y Y Y Y Y Y N105 Terry Meza N N N N Y N N Y Y Y Y Y A N106 Jared Patterson Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N N N N Y107 Victoria Neave N N N N Y N N Y Y Y Y Y Y N(c)108 Morgan Meyer Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y109 Carl Sherman,Jr. N N N N Y N N Y Y Y Y Y Y N110 Toni Rose N N N N Y N N Y Y Y Y Y Y A111 Yvonne Davis N N N N Y N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y112 Angie ChenButton Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y113 Rhetta Bowers N N N N Y N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y114 John Turner Y N N N Y N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y115 JulieE. Johnson N N N N Y N N Y Y Y Y Y Y A


32

32

HouseVotes

District

HB27

71

HB35

57

HB35

57

HB35

57

HB25

45

HB28

26

HB27

26

HB37

45

SJR24

SJR79

HB10

59

HB79

8

HB90

7

HB37

50

9.33* 12 12 10 10 5.33 5.33 8 6 4 3.33 2 5.33 7.33

116 TreyMartinezFischer N N N N Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

117 Philip Cortez Y(c) Y(c) Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y118 Leo Pacheco N Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y A119 Roland Gutierrez N N Y A Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

120 BarbaraGervin-Hawkins N N N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

121 Steve Allison Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y122 Lyle Larson Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y123 Diego Bernal N N N N N N(c) N Y Y Y Y Y Y N(c)124 Ina Minjarez N N N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y125 Ray Lopez N Y Y N Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y126 SamE. Harless Y Y Y Y(c) Y Y Y Y Y Y Y A A A127 Dan Huberty Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y128 Briscoe Cain Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N N N N Y129 Dennis Paul Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y N Y Y130 Tom Oliverson N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N N N Y Y131 Alma Allen Y N N N Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y N(c)132 Gina Calanni Y Y(c) Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y A133 Jim Murphy Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y134 Sarah Davis Y(c) Y A A A A Y A Y A A Y Y Y(c)135 John Rosenthal N N N N Y N N Y Y Y Y Y Y N136 John BucyIII N N N N Y N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y137 Gene Wu N N N N N N N Y Y Y Y Y Y N138 Dwayne Bohac Y Y A Y Y Y Y A Y Y Y Y Y A


33

33

HouseVotes

District

HB27

71

HB35

57

HB35

57

HB35

57

HB25

45

HB28

26

HB27

26

HB37

45

SJR24

SJR79

HB10

59

HB79

8

HB90

7

HB37

50

9.33* 12 12 10 10 5.33 5.33 8 6 4 3.33 2 5.33 7.33139 JarvisD. Johnson N N N N Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y140 Armando Walle N N Y N Y A N Y Y Y A Y Y N141 Senfronia Thompson Y N N N Y N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y142 Harold Dutton,Jr. Y A N N Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y143 Ana Hernandez N Y N N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N144 MaryAnn Perez N(c) Y(c) Y N Y N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y145 Christina Morales Y N N N Y N N Y Y Y Y Y Y N146 Shawn Thierry Y N N N N N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y147 Garnet Coleman A N Y N Y Y Y Y Y A Y Y A Y148 Jessica Farrar N N N N A N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N149 Hubert Vo N N Y N Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y150 Valoree Swanson Y Y(c) Y Y N Y Y Y Y N N N Y Y

SenateRankingTexasSenate

District FirstName LastName InitialRank AdjustedRank14 Kirk Watson 100.00% 100.00%29 Jose Rodriguez 94.52% 100.00%16 Nathan Johnson 92.47% 100.00%21 Judith Zaffirini 88.36% 88.36%13 Borris Miles 78.77% 85.62%26 Jose Menendez 78.77% 85.10%15 John Whitmire 78.77% 78.77%20 Juan Hinojosa 60.96% 75.00%6 Carol Alvarado 69.18% 69.18%23 Royce West 60.96% 69.18%27 Eddie Lucio 60.96% 67.12%10 Beverly Powell 63.70% 63.70%18 Lois Kolkhorst 43.15% 53.43%28 Charles Perry 43.15% 51.57%19 Peter Flores 43.15% 49.31%3 Robert Nichols 43.15% 49.31%12 Jane Nelson 28.77% 49.31%22 Brian Birdwell 36.99% 45.21%17 Joan Huffman 43.15% 43.15%11 Larry Taylor 43.15% 43.15%9 Kelly Hancock 42.47% 42.47%24 Dawn Buckingham 34.93% 34.93%4 Brandon Creighton 21.92% 31.03%31 Kel Seliger 30.14% 30.14%


2

2

25 Donna Campbell 28.77% 28.77%8 Angela Paxton 28.77% 28.77%5 Charles Schwertner 28.77% 28.77%7 Paul Bettencourt 21.92% 21.92%1 Bryan Hughes 21.23% 21.23%30 Pat Fallon 14.38% 14.38%2 Bob Hall 13.01% 13.01%

SenateAdjustments

SenateAdjustmentsDistrict First Last Adjust Bill(s) Notes

3 Robert Nichols 6.16 SJR79 Specialsupportforthebill.4 Brandon Creighton 4.11 HB907 Senatesponsorofthebill;Forsupportofnon-structural,nature-basedfloodcontrol.12 Jane Nelson 20.54 HB3745,SJR24,SJR79 AcknowledgingcriticalapprovalofHB3745;helpedSJRs24and79.13 Boris Miles 6.85 SB185 Billauthor.16 Nathan Johnson 7.53 HB2771,HB720,SB1446 Helpedmakebillslessbad,filedgoodbillonstoragetankstandards.18 Lois Kolkhorst 10.28 SJR24,HB720 HelpedmakeSJR24apriority;PushedbackonHB720incommittee.19 Pete Flores 6.16 SJR24 Helpedmakethebillapriority.20 Juan"Chuy" Hinojosa 14.04 HB2771,HB3557,SJR79 Helpedmakebillslessbad.SpecialsupportforSJR79.22 Brian Birdwell 8.22 HB3745 Acceptingofcompromiseonbill.23 Royce West 8.22 HB3143 Workedhardtokeepbillclean.26 Jose Menendez 6.33 HB3557 Triedtomakethebilllessbad.27 Eddie Lucio 6.16 SJR79 Specialefforttogetcompromisepassed.28 Charles Perry 3.42 HB1059 Specialsupportforthebill;Forsupportofnon-structural,nature-basedfloodcontrol.29 Jose Rodriguez 5.48 SJR79 SpecialsupportforSJR79;SponsorofHB1059


3

3

SenateVotes*Weightswereassignedasapercentageof100.Ifalegislatorchangedtheirvoteintherecord,wecountedthecorrectionastheirofficialvote.ThesearemarkedaseitheraY(c)oranN(c).“A”indicatesalegislatorwasabsentforavote,andwithfewexceptions,thesewerecountedthesameasavoteagainsttheSierraClubposition.“NV”indicatesalegislatorwaspresentbutdidnotvote,andwasalsocountedasavoteagainsttheSierraClubposition.

SenateVotes

District

HB2771

HB3557

SB185

HB2826

HB2726

HB3745

SJR24

SJR79

HB720

HB1059

HB907

HB3750

HB3143

SB2232

9.59* 12.33 6.85 5.48 5.48 8.22 6.16 6.16 8.22 3.42 4.11 7.53 8.22 8.221 Bryan Hughes Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y N N Y A Y2 Bob Hall Y Y Y Y Y N Y N Y N N Y Y Y3 Robert Nichols Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y4 Brandon Creighton Y Y N Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y5 Charles Schwertner Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y6 Carol Alvarado Y N Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N N7 Paul Bettencourt Y Y N Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y8 Angela Paxton Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y9 Kelly Hancock Y Y Y N Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y N Y10 Beverly Powell Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N N11 Larry Taylor Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y12 Jane Nelson Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y13 Borris Miles N N Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N N14 Kirk Watson N N Y N N Y Y Y N Y Y N N N


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15 John Whitmire N N Y Y N Y Y Y N Y Y Y N Y16 Nathan Johnson N N Y N N Y Y Y N Y Y Y N N17 Joan Huffman Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y18 Lois Kolkhorst Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y19 Peter Flores Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y20 Juan Hinojosa Y N Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y21 Judith Zaffirini N N Y Y N Y N Y N Y Y N N N22 Brian Birdwell Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y N Y23 Royce West Y N Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y24 Dawn Buckingham Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y25 Donna Campbell Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y26 Jose Menendez N N Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N N27 Eddie Lucio Y N Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y28 Charles Perry Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y29 Jose Rodriguez N N Y Y N Y Y Y N Y Y N N N30 Pat Fallon Y Y N Y Y Y Y N Y N N Y Y Y31 Kel Seliger Y Y N Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y N Y

2019 texas legislative scorecard - sierra club...goodwin, ramos, zwiener, and rosenthal received...

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