Rep. Vaught Named Legislator of the Year
~ Rep. Allen Vaught Receives Award from the
Association of Texas Professional Educators ~
AUSTIN-- State Representative Allen Vaught (Dallas) will receive the Legislator of the Year Award from the Region 10 Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) on Saturday, March 7, 2009.
Jackie Davis, the Region 10 ATPE President said, “Representative Vaught is a champion for public schools and we are awarding him with this prestigious award in honor of his service to public schools through his position in the Texas House of Representatives.”
“I am honored to be chosen for this award. Our public schools are the backbone of our community, and I will continue to work hard to support them through my position in the Texas House,” said Rep. Vaught. The award will be presented this Saturday, March 7 during the ATPE Region 10 Convention at the Hampton Inn & Suites at the Mesquite Rodeo Center in Mesquite, Texas.
Rep. Vaught first took office in 2007 and is in his second term representing House District 107. He serves as the Vice-Chair of the Defense & Veterans’ Affairs Committee and is a member of the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee. He is the managing attorney of the Dallas office of Franklin, Cardwell, & Jones, P.C. Rep. Vaught also served as a U.S. Army Reserve Captain and fought in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
District 107 covers the area in east Dallas surrounding White Rock Lake--including Lakewood and part of Lake Highlands. The eastern portion of the district covers parts of Garland and Mesquite. He lives with his wife, Donna, their son Jonathan, and daughter Morgan in Lakewood.
For more information, please contact Rep. Vaught’s district office at (214) 370-8305, e-mail him at Allen.Vaught@house.state.tx.us or visit the Texas House of Representatives website at www.house.state.tx.us.
March 3, 2009
From the desk of Rep. Allen Vaught
The Committee Process- Part Two
This article is the second in a two part series discussing the committee process for the Texas House of Representatives. In the previous article, I discussed the changes to the house standing committees for the 81st legislative session. In this article, I will review the house committee procedures, including referral of bills by the speaker, bill analyses, committee meetings and hearings, and the calendars committees.
Referral by the Speaker of the House
After a bill is filed in the Texas House, the Speaker of the House has the responsibility of referring that bill to a particular committee. The speaker will look at a committee's jurisdiction and what code or statute a bill changes in order to decide where a bill should be referred. Additionally, the speaker appoints the members of the House to particular committees and designates who will serve as the committee chair. Once a bill is referred to committee, the committee chair then takes over responsibility for deciding if and when a bill will be heard.
Bill Analyses
Once a bill is referred to committee, the author of that bill may request a bill analysis be prepared by the Texas Legislative Council. The bill analysis will explain, in easy to understand language, the background and purpose of the bill, where the rulemaking authority of the bill may lie if applicable, and will detail the contents and sections of the bill. During this legislative session, a copy of the bill analysis must be provided to each committee member before that bill can be considered.
Committee Meetings and Hearings
There are three different types of meetings a committee may hold. They can either hold a "work session" to discuss legislation but take no formal action, or hold a "formal meeting" or "public hearing" where they may act on legislation. Most of these meetings are open to the public. Public hearings on a bill are posted at least five calendar days in advance, whereas work sessions and formal meetings are only posted two hours in advance. A committee usually does not meet while the House is in session unless approved by a majority vote of the House.
Unlike the Senate rules, the House is not required to hold a public hearing before legislation is considered in committee. If a house committee decides to hold a public hearing they will usually let anyone testify, although sometimes the hearing is limited to invited testimony only. If you are ever interested in attending a committee meeting or hearing, or would like to inquire about testifying in front of a house committee on a particular bill, please contact my office.
A quorum must be present in a House committee for them to take action on a bill. There are several actions a committee may take when a bill is laid before them. They may vote to refer the bill to a subcommittee, leave it pending, or postpone taking action. If the committee is ready to report on the bill, they can either report it favorably or unfavorably. "Reporting" is the final action the committee may take on a bill. If the bill is reported unfavorably, it is essentially killed and has died in the committee. If the bill is reported favorably, then an official committee report is printed, and the bill is either sent to the Local and Consent Calendars Committee or the Calendars Committee to be scheduled for a vote on the House floor.
Calendars Committee
There are two different committees that decide if and when a bill will be scheduled for debate on the house floor: Calendars and Local & Consent Calendars. The Local & Consent Calendars Committee has eleven members who place local and uncontested bills on the House floor schedule. The Calendars Committee has thirteen members and will also schedule bills for floor consideration, but has the responsibility for placing bills on the Emergency, Major State, or General State Calendars as well.
I hope this article helped to clarify and explain some of the House rules and the committee process. This was a brief overview of committee procedures, so if you would like more information, please feel free to contact my district office at (214) 370-8305 or my capitol office at (512) 463-0244. I look forward to hearing from you.
This article is the second in a two part series discussing the committee process for the Texas House of Representatives. In the previous article, I discussed the changes to the house standing committees for the 81st legislative session. In this article, I will review the house committee procedures, including referral of bills by the speaker, bill analyses, committee meetings and hearings, and the calendars committees.
Referral by the Speaker of the House
After a bill is filed in the Texas House, the Speaker of the House has the responsibility of referring that bill to a particular committee. The speaker will look at a committee's jurisdiction and what code or statute a bill changes in order to decide where a bill should be referred. Additionally, the speaker appoints the members of the House to particular committees and designates who will serve as the committee chair. Once a bill is referred to committee, the committee chair then takes over responsibility for deciding if and when a bill will be heard.
Bill Analyses
Once a bill is referred to committee, the author of that bill may request a bill analysis be prepared by the Texas Legislative Council. The bill analysis will explain, in easy to understand language, the background and purpose of the bill, where the rulemaking authority of the bill may lie if applicable, and will detail the contents and sections of the bill. During this legislative session, a copy of the bill analysis must be provided to each committee member before that bill can be considered.
Committee Meetings and Hearings
There are three different types of meetings a committee may hold. They can either hold a "work session" to discuss legislation but take no formal action, or hold a "formal meeting" or "public hearing" where they may act on legislation. Most of these meetings are open to the public. Public hearings on a bill are posted at least five calendar days in advance, whereas work sessions and formal meetings are only posted two hours in advance. A committee usually does not meet while the House is in session unless approved by a majority vote of the House.
Unlike the Senate rules, the House is not required to hold a public hearing before legislation is considered in committee. If a house committee decides to hold a public hearing they will usually let anyone testify, although sometimes the hearing is limited to invited testimony only. If you are ever interested in attending a committee meeting or hearing, or would like to inquire about testifying in front of a house committee on a particular bill, please contact my office.
A quorum must be present in a House committee for them to take action on a bill. There are several actions a committee may take when a bill is laid before them. They may vote to refer the bill to a subcommittee, leave it pending, or postpone taking action. If the committee is ready to report on the bill, they can either report it favorably or unfavorably. "Reporting" is the final action the committee may take on a bill. If the bill is reported unfavorably, it is essentially killed and has died in the committee. If the bill is reported favorably, then an official committee report is printed, and the bill is either sent to the Local and Consent Calendars Committee or the Calendars Committee to be scheduled for a vote on the House floor.
Calendars Committee
There are two different committees that decide if and when a bill will be scheduled for debate on the house floor: Calendars and Local & Consent Calendars. The Local & Consent Calendars Committee has eleven members who place local and uncontested bills on the House floor schedule. The Calendars Committee has thirteen members and will also schedule bills for floor consideration, but has the responsibility for placing bills on the Emergency, Major State, or General State Calendars as well.
I hope this article helped to clarify and explain some of the House rules and the committee process. This was a brief overview of committee procedures, so if you would like more information, please feel free to contact my district office at (214) 370-8305 or my capitol office at (512) 463-0244. I look forward to hearing from you.
February 12, 2009
From John Gould, Friends of the Audelia Library
NOTE: The library will be closed on Presidents’ Day, Monday, February 16.
PRESCHOOL STORYTIME
Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.
Stories and activities suitable for the whole family.
AARP - FREE INCOME TAX HELP
Tuesdays, February 3 - 24, 12 noon - 4 p.m.
Please bring your W-2, Form 1099 or any other current tax information to fill in your form and a copy of your previous year’s tax return. AARP will help anyone, if there are no persons age 55+ waiting for tax help.
DISNEY MOVIES
Thursdays, February 5 and 26, 3:30 p.m. G-rated Disney movies shown. All ages welcome.
GRANDPARENTS RAISING GRANDCHILDREN SUPPORT GROUP
Thursday, February 5, 11:30 a.m.
Join our discussion group for grandparents who are raising their grandchildren with Belinda Glenn, coordinator of the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Program of the City of Dallas. Please call ahead if you are bringing children or require Spanish assistance. For questions, call Belinda Glenn at 214-243-2049.
LIBRARY LIVE! *
Tuesday, February 10, 10:30 a.m. Acting with Donna Farrell
* LIBRARY LIVE! Chase presents LIBRARY LIVE! Big Thought’s FREE monthly program that offers interactive, culturally diverse performances and workshops for students and families. The program brings literary traditions to life through dance, visual art and music. Check out the educational fun at the branch nearest you! Other sponsors include The Dallas Morning News, City of Dallas, Office of Cultural Affairs, The Constantin Foundation, Target Stores, and Centex Corporation.
AFRICAN AMERICAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FIELD OF HEALTH
Thursday, February 12, 4 p.m. A children’s African American History Month program by Janice Fowler.
KEEP OUR WATER CLEAN
Saturday, February 14, 1 p.m. Children learn about water conservation
THE MYSTERY BOOK CLUB
Tuesday, February 17, 6:30 p.m. This is a discussion group, not a book review, and we always welcome new members. RSVPs are not required, but are encouraged. The book selection for this meeting is Echo Park by Michael Connelly. Please call 214-670-1350 to RSVP.
SMALL CHANGE
Thursday, February 19, 3:30 p.m. Kids make craft products in the branch to donate to organizations that serve children in need.
READ TO ROCKY Saturday, February 21, 2 p.m.
Children read to Heart of Texas therapy dogs. Grades K - 4. Read for fun and to improve reading skills. The dogs are good listeners. Bring your own book or use ours.
AUDELIA ROAD BOOK CLUB
Tuesday, February 24, 6:30 p.m. This is a discussion group, not a book review, and we always welcome new members. Please RSVP to 214-670-1350.
PRESCHOOL STORYTIME
Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.
Stories and activities suitable for the whole family.
AARP - FREE INCOME TAX HELP
Tuesdays, February 3 - 24, 12 noon - 4 p.m.
Please bring your W-2, Form 1099 or any other current tax information to fill in your form and a copy of your previous year’s tax return. AARP will help anyone, if there are no persons age 55+ waiting for tax help.
DISNEY MOVIES
Thursdays, February 5 and 26, 3:30 p.m. G-rated Disney movies shown. All ages welcome.
GRANDPARENTS RAISING GRANDCHILDREN SUPPORT GROUP
Thursday, February 5, 11:30 a.m.
Join our discussion group for grandparents who are raising their grandchildren with Belinda Glenn, coordinator of the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Program of the City of Dallas. Please call ahead if you are bringing children or require Spanish assistance. For questions, call Belinda Glenn at 214-243-2049.
LIBRARY LIVE! *
Tuesday, February 10, 10:30 a.m. Acting with Donna Farrell
* LIBRARY LIVE! Chase presents LIBRARY LIVE! Big Thought’s FREE monthly program that offers interactive, culturally diverse performances and workshops for students and families. The program brings literary traditions to life through dance, visual art and music. Check out the educational fun at the branch nearest you! Other sponsors include The Dallas Morning News, City of Dallas, Office of Cultural Affairs, The Constantin Foundation, Target Stores, and Centex Corporation.
AFRICAN AMERICAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FIELD OF HEALTH
Thursday, February 12, 4 p.m. A children’s African American History Month program by Janice Fowler.
KEEP OUR WATER CLEAN
Saturday, February 14, 1 p.m. Children learn about water conservation
THE MYSTERY BOOK CLUB
Tuesday, February 17, 6:30 p.m. This is a discussion group, not a book review, and we always welcome new members. RSVPs are not required, but are encouraged. The book selection for this meeting is Echo Park by Michael Connelly. Please call 214-670-1350 to RSVP.
SMALL CHANGE
Thursday, February 19, 3:30 p.m. Kids make craft products in the branch to donate to organizations that serve children in need.
READ TO ROCKY Saturday, February 21, 2 p.m.
Children read to Heart of Texas therapy dogs. Grades K - 4. Read for fun and to improve reading skills. The dogs are good listeners. Bring your own book or use ours.
AUDELIA ROAD BOOK CLUB
Tuesday, February 24, 6:30 p.m. This is a discussion group, not a book review, and we always welcome new members. Please RSVP to 214-670-1350.
Adopt -A-Station Project
The Dallas Fire Department's Adopt-A-Station program is designed to assist the city in its efforts to maintain, refurbish, and renovate fire stations. Citizens and businesses are encouraged to involve themselves within the community and contribute time, funds, goods or services to benefit our men and women firefighters and paramedics. Guidelines, Donor & Volunteer forms and Station Locations and Wish Lists are available at the Dallas Fire Department website: http://www.dallasfirerescue.com.
Petition for Saving Northlake Post Office
Petition for Saving Northlake Post Office at
8919 Hackney – Front Porch During Daylight Hours
The Lake Highlands Area Improvement Association (LHAIA) is initiating a petition drive to save the Northlake Post Office. Currently, petitions are located at Ebby Halliday Realtors, Inc. (faces NW Hwy), and RESELL IT! (near Post Office), both located in Northlake Shopping Center. A petition is also located in Highland Meadows at the home of Joyce Ferguson: 8919 Hackney Lane, on the west side of Hackney between Rolling Rock and Quail Run. Clipboard/pen are on the porch in small basket—no need to call beforehand.) What you are signing--the petition says: “We, the undersigned, are concerned citizens who urge the USPS to realize the importance of the Northlake Post Office (known to the UPS as the Northlake Finance Center) to our community and our willingness to support its continued operation by utilizing its services.”
8919 Hackney – Front Porch During Daylight Hours
The Lake Highlands Area Improvement Association (LHAIA) is initiating a petition drive to save the Northlake Post Office. Currently, petitions are located at Ebby Halliday Realtors, Inc. (faces NW Hwy), and RESELL IT! (near Post Office), both located in Northlake Shopping Center. A petition is also located in Highland Meadows at the home of Joyce Ferguson: 8919 Hackney Lane, on the west side of Hackney between Rolling Rock and Quail Run. Clipboard/pen are on the porch in small basket—no need to call beforehand.) What you are signing--the petition says: “We, the undersigned, are concerned citizens who urge the USPS to realize the importance of the Northlake Post Office (known to the UPS as the Northlake Finance Center) to our community and our willingness to support its continued operation by utilizing its services.”
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