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This week, the House finished its remaining business and adjourned sine die on Wednesday, June 29, 2011. The Senate adjourned one day earlier, on the 28th. The House primarily took up and approved several conference committee reports, including the fiscal matters bill Senate Bill 1. This was one of the few bill that had to pass this session in order to prevent another special session from being called.
The legislature also passed critical legislation regarding the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA), the insurer of last resort for coastal residents who cannot otherwise get windstorm insurance. After Hurricane Ike, it became evident that reforms to the association were necessary. The governor indicated that if the legislature failed to pass some type of reform to TWIA, he would call another special session to address the issue. Fortunately, the legislature was able to pass House Bill 3, which made significant reforms to the insurance pool.
The legislature also passed a congressional redistricting map during the special session. Under the new map, Grayson and Fannin Counties remain in the 4th Congressional District. Grayson County, with 120,000 residents, remains the most populous county in the 4th District., followed by Bowie County, with 92,000 people.
On the last day of the session, the House passed House Bill 79, which to simplifies matters relating to the operation and administration of the state's courts. H.B. 79 was one of several bills relating to the fiscal matters of the state and aims to save the state money through greater efficiency in government.
This weekend we will celebrate our nation's independence. I hope everyone has a fun and safe holiday. You can contact my office by writing to P.O. Box 2910, Austin, TX 78768-2910 or by emailing me at larry.phillips@house.state.tx.us. My district office phone number is (903) 891-7297.
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