82ND TEXAS LEGISLATIVE SESSION

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UPDATE ON TEXAS IMMIGRATION BILLS - 5/4/11

LIST WILL BE REVISED FREQUENTLY, SO CHECK BACK!

E-Verify continues to be IRCOT’s #1 priority, but there is little chance that any of the E-verify bills filed will be moved out of committee.  Byron Cook stated at the last State Affairs hearing that he is inclined to have an interim study on E-Verify due to the fact that it could potentially be problematic to many stakeholders.  Code word:  The business lobby doesn’t want it.

HB 1275 Harless            Requiring Employers to use E-verify for employment. STATUS: 4/28/11 Left pending in committee.

IRCOT fought the following resolution as well as other bills that advocated a guest worker program in the guise of ensuring prosperity and national security.  This bill is particularly heinous because it is so cloaked.  It is outrageous that this bill calls on congress to fix the “broken” immigration system through a comprehensive immigration reform rather than address the core problems. The fact that it would have a higher priority than bills which essential call for the State of Texas to merely enforce the laws on the books reflects that the Texas Legislature has another agenda!

HCR 88 Garza                Urging Congress to enact an overhaul of the immigration system to achieve comprehensive immigration reform promoting guest worker programs.

STATUS:  5/2/11 Committee report sent to Calendars. This bill has the potential for passage.

Of the 5 bills which were originally designated as IRCOT priority legislation at the beginning of this session, only 2 bills now have a chance of passage.  These include: 

HB 12 Solomons            Anti-Sanctuary City. Status: 2nd reading of the bill scheduled 5/6/11 on the House floor.  Watch the chamber proceedings here on Friday, 5/6 starting at 10:00AM. http://www.house.state.tx.us/video-audio/

HB 608 Zerwas              Reporting cost of services & benefits to illegal aliens. STATUS: 4/29/11 Report sent to Calendars.

The following 2 bills were in the 2nd tier of important bills and also have a good chance of passage this session.

HB 911 Berman             Application of foreign laws and foreign forum selection in this state. STATUS: 4/28/11 Committee report sent to Calendars.

HB 19 Riddle                  Criminal penalty for operation of a motor vehicle without a license. STATUS: 5/3/11 Committee report sent to Calendars. 

The following immigration-related bills were also listed in IRCOT’s listing of immigration related bills but have a slightly less chance of passage this session.

HB 892 Howard              Unlawful transport of an illegal alien.  STATUS: 5/3/11 Considered in Calendars.

HB 1455 Kolkhorst        Release of illegals due to ICE non-cooperation. STATUS: 5/2/11 Committee report sent to Calendars.

HB 174 Jackson             Voter eligibility of deceased or non citizens of the U.S. and cancellation of the voter registration. STATUS: 4/11/11 Considered in Calendars.

HB 655 Taylor, V.         Determining eligibility for indigent health care.  STATUS: 5/3/11 Considered in Calendars.

HB 1122 Weber             Relating to the Trafficking of Persons. STATUS: 5/3/11 Committee report sent to Calendars.

HB 1930 Zedler              Membership and duties of the Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force. Referred to Human Services. STATUS: 4/26/11 report sent to Local & Consent Calendar.

HB 48 Pena                Establishment of Southbound checkpoints along the border. STATUS: 4/28/11 Report sent to Calendars.

SB530 Huffman        Grants limited state law enforcement authority to special agents of Ofc. Inspector General of US Social Security. STATUS: Passed Senate; 5/2/11 Referred to House Homeland Security & Public Safety.

SCR 36 Williams           Urging the Texas congressional delegation to provide to the legislature a cost analysis of the exact funding necessary for full enforcement of all immigration laws in Texas. STATUS: Passed Senate; 5/02/11 Referred to House State Affairs.

SB 1417 Hinojosa       Prevent landowners from being held liable for injuries/damages incurred by individuals who trespass on their property when resulting from law enforcement actions. STATUS: 5/3/11 S Committee report printed and distributed. 

IRCOT IMMIGRATION RELATED BILLS WITH NO CHANCE OF PASSAGE:

HB 301/HJR38 Berman     Relating to the establishment of English as the official language of Texas and the requirement that official acts of government be performed in English. STATUS: Referred to State Affairs Committee. No further movement.

HB 176 Jackson             English as official language. STATUS: Referred to State Affairs Committee. No further movement.

HB 292 Berman             Birth records of children born in this state must include a space for recording the citizenship status of mother and father. STATUS: Referred to State Affairs Committee. No further movement.

HB 302 Berman             Relating to the enforcement of state and federal laws governing immigration by certain governmental entities; providing a civil penalty. STATUS: Referred to State Affairs Committee. No further movement.

HB 303 Berman             Relating to the imposition of a fee for money transmissions sent to certain destinations outside the United States to be paid to local hospital districts as reimbursement for care. STATUS: No further movement.

HB 293 Berman           Eligibility of an individual born in Texas whose parents are illegal aliens to receive state benefits. STATUS: Referred to State Affairs Committee. No further movement.

HB 177 Jackson             U.S. Citizenship requirement for issuance or renewal of occupational licenses, driver's licenses, and identification certificates. STATUS:  Referred to State Affairs Committee. No further movement.

HB 17 Riddle                  Creation of the offense of criminal trespass by an illegal alien. STATUS:  Referred to Criminal Jurisprudence. No further movement.

HB 294 Berman             Prohibiting a person who is in the United States illegally from bringing a claim in a state court.  STATUS: Referred to State Affairs. No further movement.

HB 428 Fletcher             Relating to access to campuses of public schools and institutions of higher education by foreign consuls. STATUS: Heard in State Affairs Committee 3/09/11. Left pending. No further movement

HB 464 Flynn                 Determination of resident status of students by public institutions of higher education.  STATUS: Referred to State Affairs. No further movement.

HB 22 Riddle                  Citizenship and immigration status of public school students. STATUS: Heard in State Affairs on 3/2/11 No further movement.

HB 623 Bonnen              Database of arrested illegal aliens & Sanctuary City. STATUS:  Heard in State Affairs on 3/2/11. Left Pending in committee.

HB 743 Gonzales, L.     Notification of the federal Student Exchange and Visitor Information System (SEVIS) regarding withdrawal or nonattendance of foreign students.  STATUS: Heard in Higher Education Committee 3/2/11.  Left pending in committee.

HB1035 Legler               Relating to the proof of identity required of an applicant for a driver's license. STATUS: Referred to State Affairs Committee. 3/30/11 H Withdrawn from schedule

HB 615 Kleinschmidt  Required drivers license tests to be conducted in English. STATUS: Referred to Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee. 4/4/11 Withdrawn from schedule.

HB 1121 Weber              Prosecution and punishment of certain offenses involving trafficking of persons. STATUS: 4/4/11 Withdrawn from schedule.

HB 1238 Zedler              Relating to the determination of resident status of students by public institutions of higher education. STATUS: Referred to State Affairs Committee. No movement.

HB 1239 Zedler/Flynn   Prohibition against day labor centers for illegal aliens by local government. STATUS: Referred to State Affairs. No movement.

HB 1240 Zedler/Flynn   Application of foreign and international laws and doctrines in the state. STATUS: 3/24/11 H Left pending in committee.

HB 1387 Cain                 Lawful presence required in determination of resident status of students by public institutions of higher education. STATUS: Referred to State Affairs. No Movement.

HB 1927 Zedler              Lawful presence in the U.S.required for students to receive state educational benefits to public institutions of higher education. STATUS: Referred to State Affairs. No Movement.

HB 2260 Zedler              Verifying eligibility of applicants for federal, state, and local public benefits; providing a criminal penalty. STATUS: Referred to State Affairs. No Movement.

HB 2878 Berman           Creation criminal offenses and forfeiture of property, and the creation of a private cause of action for employing or contracting with illegal aliens.

STATUS: Not yet referred to committee. No Movement.  

HB 3160 V. Taylor         Relating to the verification of citizenship of an applicant for voter registration.  STATUS: 4/18/11 Left pending in committee.  

IRCOT DID NOT SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING BILLS AND THEY HAVE VERY LITTLE CHANCE OF PASSAGE. 

HB 2886 Workman        Guest Worker Program. STATUS: 4/06/11 Left pending in committee.

HB 2757 Pena                Migrant worker visa pilot program. STATUS: 3/30/11 Left pending in committee

HB 1474 Alonzo                Prohibiting landlords from refusing to lease to a tenant solely on their immigration status or to inquire into immigration. STATUS: 4/6/11 Left pending in committee.

81ST TEXAS Legislative Session

IRCOT IMMIGRATION RELATED RATINGS

FOR TEXAS LEGISLATORS

81ST LEGISLATIVE 2009 SESSION

REPORT CARD

IRCOT rating of legislators relates to their actions during the 81st Texas Legislative session only and is based onthe following criteria:   

 Texas Defenders –Authored, Co-Authored, demonstrated consistent and/or early support of several vital immigration related bills.   

 Honorable Mention– Demonstrated support for IRCOT backed immigration legislation. 

SPECIFIC NOTES ON RATINGS:

(i)  Legislators demonstrating significant efforts to reform Voter ID are indicated;

(ii) Specific immigration related subjects are listed for Honorable Mention Democrats since they traditionally vote against legislation designed to reduce the growth of the illegal alien population in Texas.  We greatly appreciate their willingness to do what is best for Texas families and work across party lines;  (iii) List may be updated or revised based on new information; and (iv) Legislators not listed either worked against Texas families or were considered ineffective during session on the most important issue facing Texas.  

 STRONGEST TEXAS DEFENDERS 

Representatives:

Rep. Leo Berman [R-Tyler]

Rep. Dennis Bonnen [R-Angleton]

Rep. Betty Brown [R-Terrell] – Voter ID

Rep. Allen Fletcher [R-Tomball]

Rep. Dan Flynn [R-Van]

Rep. Linda Harper-Brown [R-Irving] – Voter ID

Rep. Patricia Harless [R-Spring]

Rep. Charlie Howard [R-Sugarland]

Rep. Jim Jackson [R-Carrollton]

Rep. Debbie Riddle [R-Tomball]

Senators:

Sen. John Carona [R-Dallas]

Sen. Troy Fraser [R-Marble Falls] – Voter ID

Sen. Dan Patrick [R-Houston]

Sen. Tommy Williams [R-Woodlands] – Voter ID

HONORABLE MENTION

Democrat Representatives:

Rep. Pete Gallego [D-Alpine] – Support Subject:  Gang Legislation

Rep. Ryan Guillen [D-Rio Grande City]– Support Subject: Gang Legislation

Rep. Mark Homer [D-Paris] – Support Subject:  Cost Study Legislation

Rep. David Leibowitz [D-San Antonio] – Support Subject:  E-Verify

Rep. Robert Miklos [D-Mesquite] – Support Subject:  Gang Legislation

Rep. Joseph Moody [D-El Paso] – Support Subject:  Gang Legislation

Rep. Paula Pierson [D-Arlington] – Support Subject:  Gang Legislation

Rep. Senfronia Thompson [D-Houston] – Support Subject:  Human Trafficking

Republican Representatives: 

Rep. Angie Chen Button [R—Garland]

Rep. Wayne Christian [R-Center]

Rep. Frank Corte [R-San Antonio]

Rep. Brandon Creighton [R-Conroe]

Rep. Dan Gattis [R-Georgetown]

Rep. Brian Hughes [R-Mineola]

Rep. Tim Kleinschmidt [R-Lexington]

Rep. Jodie Laubenberg [R-Parker]

Rep. Ken Legler [R-Pasadena]

Rep. Tommy Merritt [R – Longview]

Rep. Sid Miller [R-Stephenville]

Rep. Ken Paxton [R-McKinney]

Rep. Larry Phillips {R-Sherman]

Rep. Ralph Sheffield [R-Temple]

Rep. John Zerwas [R-Richmond]

Democrat Senators:

Sen. Carlos Uresti [D-San Antonio] – Support Subject:  Gang Legislation

Sen. Leticia Van de Putte [D-San Antonio] – Support Subject:Human Trafficking 

Republican Senators: 

Sen. Craig Estes [R-Wichita Falls] – Voter ID

Sen. Chris Harris [R-Arlington]

Sen. Jane Nelson [R-Lewisville]

DISHONORABLE TEXAS SELL-OUTS:

Speaker Joe Straus [R-San Antonio]

For making a backroom deal with the Democrats and the open borders/big business lobby to make sure no immigration legislation got out of the House this session.  His actions will endanger the lives of

Texas families since criminal illegal aliens will continue to flow into Texas without fear of detection and/or removal. 

Rep. Todd Smith [R-Euless] --  For his TOTAL FAILURE  to protect election integrity in Texas and for allowing pro-illegal immigration legislators to run rough shod over those who testified in favor of strong voter ID legislation during public hearings in his Elections committee.

.Rep. Burt Solomons [R-Carrollton] -- For TOTALLY FAILING in his duties to protect Texas families for the following reasons:   (1) failed to hold timely State Affairs hearings on immigration bills; (2) refused to give ANY of Rep. Leo Berman’s vital immigration bills a hearing; (3) held up Rep. John Zerwas’ HB 276 in committee until the last deadline day for reporting it out ensuring that it would not be placed on the calendar for floor debate.  

Mexican-American Legislative Caucus Members -- With the exception of those listed in the Honorable Mention section above.  For TOTALLY FAILING  to protect the safety and prosperity of  their U.S.citizen constituency.