Texans for Economic Progress

A few highlights from the latest legislative session include:

Critical 9-1-1 Bill, Texas Legislature Passed House Bill 1831

TEP supported legislation allowing prepaid wireless customers to pay their fair share to support the 9-1-1 system in Texas.

Originally, the Senate passed Senate Bill 1587 but was stalled in the House. However, with support from many different groups across Texas, the language from SB 1587 was revived and attached to House Bill 1831 dealing with disaster preparedness and emergency management.

Our state needed this legislation to keep pace with advances in technology. Under the old laws virtually all telecommunication consumers paid a small fee to maintain the 9-1-1 system.

Prepaid cell phone didn’t exist a few years ago and these phones didn’t have a monthly bill or a 9-1-1 fee. HB 1831 has a provision to loop this new segment of consumers into the mix so that everyone who uses 9-1-1 services pays their fair share.

The bill is currently awaiting Governor Perry’s signature before it becomes law.

Distracted Driving, House Bill 55

The House considered two bills to reduce distracted driving. The first, House Bill 55 by Rep. Dan Branch, requires use of a hands-free device to use a wireless device in a school zone.

HB 55 is a response to a number of cities’ enacting a variety of ordinances restricting wireless device use in school zones.

HB 55 passed both chambers of the legislature and the bill is awaiting Governor Perry’s signature to become law.

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posted: Jun 19, 02:15 PM