AMARILLO, TEXAS -- Monday was the first day lawmakers could file proposed legislation in Austin. Cracking down on illegal immigrants was the focus of many of the bills filed. Pronews 7 wanted to know what bills the Senators and Representative elected from the Texas Panhandle filed the first day, here is what we have learned so far.
Senator Kel Seliger co-authored two bills. The first, SB 178, relates to requirement to vote, including presenting proof of identification; providing criminal penalties. Basically, this is a voter id bill that would require voters to show a picture ID in order to cast a ballot. A similar bill was filed in the last legislative session and became the subject of great debate. At one point, Texas Speaker of the House Joe Straus said the debate over the voter id bill delayed other major legislation from being considered, calling democrats obstructionist.
The second bill co-authored by Seliger is SB 181, relating to the report of water conservation measures by municipalities and water utilities. The bill calls for better accountability on reporting usage and conservation measures and provides a method to oversee it, as well as, a uniform way to report it.
Pronews 7 has phones calls into Rep. Warren Chisum and John Smithee to see if they filed any bills Monday. We will update this story as we get that information, please check back.
Other bills that have been filed included making it legal for concealed handgun license holders to carry handguns on college campuses, prohibit state money from going to facilities that perform abortions and keep Texas from enforcing new federal health care laws.
Sen. Dan Patrick of Houston filed a bill that would allow suspicious law enforcement officers to inquire about a person's immigration statue and make an arrest based on the answer.
