Agenda 3-10-21 6:30 – 7:30 PM https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86483898178?pwd=WVZHZEo2R2ZHYUdjNzRRVkFMc1BUZz09
FROM EQUALITY TEXAS : BILL MOVEMENT
HB 1458 (Swanson, R-Spring) This bill bans trans youth (K-12 and collegiate) from participating in sports, based on the undefined term, “biological sex.” It dangerously leaves the door open for anyone — a coach, fan, or player — to accuse and humiliate any girl of not belonging. The bills could lead to accused children being forced to undergo invasive examinations and other privacy-violating tests. This week, it was referred to the committee on State Affairs.
HB 610 (Swanson, R-Spring) This bill would allow any individual to bring suit against any local law that establishes regulations or requirements for licensed professionals that go beyond state law. Because Texas does not have statewide nondiscrimination protections, all local nondiscrimination ordinances establish requirements beyond state law, and would be a target. This week, it was referred to the House Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence Committee.
SB 247 (Perry, R-Lubbock) This bill would allow anyone licensed under the state bar of Texas to refuse service without losing their license to anyone, including the LGBTQ+ community, if that individual violates a “sincerely held religious belief” of the licensee. This week, it was referred to the Senate State Affairs Committee and has been scheduled for a hearing Monday, March 8 at 9:00 AM.
HB 1399 (Krause, R-Fort Worth) This bill would discourage doctors from providing best practice transition care by prohibiting professional liability insurance from covering transition related care. This week, it was referred to the House Public Health Committee.
HB 1424 (Oliverson, R-Houston) This bill would allow any medical professional to object to any medical procedure that violates their “ethical, moral, or religious beliefs” even if the procedure in question is live-saving care. This week, it was referred to the House Public Health Committee.
HB 1402 (A. Johnson, D-Houston) The James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Act authorizes enhanced penalties for violent crimes motivated by bias against the victim’s race, religion, color, sex, disability, sexual orientation, age, or national origin. The law should be updated to include gender identity and expression. According to a report by the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, anti-LGBTQ violence, particularly against transgender women of color, is on the rise. Hate-related homicides spiked 86% in 2017 and Texas had more deaths than 48 other states. On Friday, it was referred to the House Criminal Jurisprudence committee.
- Pflugerville ISD (Place 1 and Place 2) – Marc Garcia https://www.pfisd.net/site/Default.aspx?PageID=8149 - Round Rock City Council (Place 3 and 5) - Janneke Parrish https://www.roundrocktexas.gov/departments/administration/city-clerk/elections/ - City of Cedar Park (Place 1, 3 & 5) https://www.cedarparktexas.gov/departments/city-secretary/candidates-for-city-council - City of Leander (Mayor, Place 2, 4 & 6) https://www.leandertx.gov/citysecretary/page/2021-general-election - Hays CISD (District 3, At-Large) https://www.hayscisd.net/Page/12119 - City of Austin Propositions (A-H) Prop A: Charter amendment allowing the Austin Firefighters Association to force the city into binding arbitration if they reach an impasse in collective bargaining. Prop B: Code amendment prohibiting public camping, in addition to sitting or lying down on a public sidewalk or sleeping outdoors in and near Downtown and the UT-Austin area. Prop C: Charter amendment permitting City Council to appoint or remove the Director of the Office of Police Oversight. Prop D: Charter amendment moving Austin’s mayoral election to presidential election years. Prop E: Charter amendment creating ranked-choice voting for city elections. If passed, voters would rank candidates instead of voting for just one candidate. Prop F: Charter amendment changing Austin’s form of government from “council-manager” to “mayor-council,” also known as “strong mayor.” If passed, this would eliminate the city manager position; the mayor would not have a vote on Council but would have the authority to veto Council decisions. Prop G: Charter amendment creating an 11th City Council district. Because the mayor would be rendered a non-voting member of Council if Prop F passed (see above), an 11th single-member district was proposed in an effort to avoid potential 5-5 deadlocks on Council. However, because Prop G is a standalone proposition, it is not dependent on Prop F’s passage or failure. Prop H: Charter amendment creating a so-called “Democracy Dollars” public campaign finance program that, if passed, would provide up to two $25 vouchers to every registered voter who could then contribute them to candidates for city office.
- Stonewall Endorsement Voting Process (Electronic Ballots)
- Officer Elections - Call for nominations for President and Secretary
|