The Ellis County Press: FIRST CALLED SESSION OPENS

FIRST CALLED SESSION OPENS
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Editor on 07/01/2009 18:34:00


07-01-09
(Austin)  The Texas Senate approved a bill to continue the operation of key
state agencies on the opening day of the first called session of the 81st
Legislature.
When the regular session ended in June, the Legislature had not passed bills
that would prevent five agencies, including the Texas Department of Insurance
(TDI) and the Department of Transportation (TxDOT), from disappearing on Sept.
1, 2010.
Governor Rick Perry called the House and Senate back in to deal with this issue,
as well as legislation relating to transportation funding.
SB 2, approved by the Senate, provides for the continuation of TDI and TxDOT
through 2011, as well as the Texas Racing Commission, Office of Public Insurance
Council, and the Texas Affordable Housing Commission.  Those agencies will
undergo a sunset review, where lawmakers consider changing the scope and
operation of an agency, in the next regular session.
The Senate Finance Committee also heard two bills relating to transportation
funding.  Those bills could come to the floor later this week.   The Senate will
reconvene Tuesday, July 2, at 11 a.m.