Top Issues in the 87th: Key Bills Reach Governor’s Desk (May 12th Update)
Before the 87th Texas Legislature convened, the Lubbock Chamber highlighted a handful of key issues that we were keeping an eye on throughout the session. Beyond our top issues, we tracked more than 400 pieces of legislation spanning all sectors and topics from agriculture, healthcare, COVID-19, local control, energy, and more.
With Sine Die less than three weeks away, here is an update on key legislation that has made its way from the legislature to Governor Abbott’s desk.
HB 1195 – Exempting COVID-19 relief from the franchise tax
Following certain forgivable loans and grants offered by Congress in various COVID-19 relief packages over the past year, an update to Texas franchise tax law was needed to make sure Texas businesses who utilized these relief funds would not be required to pay franchise taxes on these loans. HB 1195 amends the franchise tax code so that money received by Texas businesses through the CARES Act, Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act, Consolidated Appropriations Act, and the restaurant revitalization fund established in the American Rescue Plan are not subject to the franchise tax.
It passed the House on a vote of 148-0, the Senate on a vote of 31-0, and was signed into law by Governor Abbott on May 8.
HB 1024 – Alcohol-to-go
Another issue that popped up from the pandemic was making permanent the Governor’s allowing of alcohol-to-go, which started as a temporary measure to help restaurants and establishments that sell alcohol during business shutdowns. HB 1024 will allow restaurants with a mixed beverage permit and a food and beverage certificate from TABC to sell beer, wine, and cocktails with food orders that are purchased for pickup or delivery, including through third-party delivery companies like Uber Eats, Door Dash, etc.
It passed the House on a vote of 144-1, the Senate on a vote of 31-0, and was signed into law by Governor Abbott on May 12.
HB 2089 – Detection and mitigation of plant pests and disease
From Texas Legislature Online: “H.B. 2089 and its companion, S.B. 731, establish an early plant pest detection and surveillance system through cooperative agreements with the Texas Department of Agriculture and universities in the state. This bill provides a full range of activities including field inspection for early detection before the invasive organism becomes established or becomes too large to eradicate or control.”
This is an important piece of legislation for the Upland cotton industry (which makes up 99% of cotton grown in Texas), as it is affected by FOV4 and there are currently no seed varieties resistant to this invasive organism.
It passed the House on a vote of 148-0, the Senate on a vote of 31-0, and is awaiting approval from Governor Abbott as of May 12.
With Sine Die less than three weeks away, here is an update on key legislation that has made its way from the legislature to Governor Abbott’s desk.
HB 1195 – Exempting COVID-19 relief from the franchise tax
Following certain forgivable loans and grants offered by Congress in various COVID-19 relief packages over the past year, an update to Texas franchise tax law was needed to make sure Texas businesses who utilized these relief funds would not be required to pay franchise taxes on these loans. HB 1195 amends the franchise tax code so that money received by Texas businesses through the CARES Act, Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act, Consolidated Appropriations Act, and the restaurant revitalization fund established in the American Rescue Plan are not subject to the franchise tax.
It passed the House on a vote of 148-0, the Senate on a vote of 31-0, and was signed into law by Governor Abbott on May 8.
HB 1024 – Alcohol-to-go
Another issue that popped up from the pandemic was making permanent the Governor’s allowing of alcohol-to-go, which started as a temporary measure to help restaurants and establishments that sell alcohol during business shutdowns. HB 1024 will allow restaurants with a mixed beverage permit and a food and beverage certificate from TABC to sell beer, wine, and cocktails with food orders that are purchased for pickup or delivery, including through third-party delivery companies like Uber Eats, Door Dash, etc.
It passed the House on a vote of 144-1, the Senate on a vote of 31-0, and was signed into law by Governor Abbott on May 12.
HB 2089 – Detection and mitigation of plant pests and disease
From Texas Legislature Online: “H.B. 2089 and its companion, S.B. 731, establish an early plant pest detection and surveillance system through cooperative agreements with the Texas Department of Agriculture and universities in the state. This bill provides a full range of activities including field inspection for early detection before the invasive organism becomes established or becomes too large to eradicate or control.”
This is an important piece of legislation for the Upland cotton industry (which makes up 99% of cotton grown in Texas), as it is affected by FOV4 and there are currently no seed varieties resistant to this invasive organism.
It passed the House on a vote of 148-0, the Senate on a vote of 31-0, and is awaiting approval from Governor Abbott as of May 12.
