Obesity
Subtopics
General obesity-related bills | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill # | Author | Status | Brief Description | Past Bills (2015) |
| SB 756 | Sen. José Menéndez |
FAILED TO PASS - did not receive committee hearing |
Group health insurance plans would be required to provide coverage for obesity diagnosis and treatment, including nutrition counseling, medication, or bariatric surgery. Companion bill: HB 3560 | Topic not tracked by the Michael & Susan Dell Center during the previous session |
| HB 3560 | Rep. Tom Oliverson | FAILED TO PASS - passed the House (138-7) but did not receive Senate committee hearing | Creates a joint interim committee to study requiring group health insurance plans to cover obesity diagnosis and treatment. Bill originally called for requiring group health insurance plans to provide coverage, but was amended while in committee. Companion bill: SB 756 | Topic not tracked by the Michael & Susan Dell Center during the previous session |
|
General Obesity Resources
|
||||
Breastfeeding | ||||
| Bill # | Author | Status | Brief Description | Past Bills (2015) |
| HB 329 | Rep. Mary Gonzalez |
FAILED TO PASS - left pending in committee |
Directs every state agency, "to the extent reasonably practicable," to develop a policy supporting the practice of worksite breast-feeding and submit this policy to the Department of State Health Services for inclusion on a list of "mother-friendly" businesses. Public employers are already required by state statute to have such policies in place. | Builds on HB 786 that passed in 2015. |
| HB 443 | Rep. Armando Walle | FAILED TO PASS - passed committee but did not receive House vote | Public employers would have to provide a place, other than a bathroom, for the expression of breast milk. Currently, single-person bathrooms qualify as a lactation place. | Topic not tracked by the Michael & Susan Dell Center during the previous session |
| HB 742 | Rep. Jessica Farrar | FAILED TO PASS - passed committee but did not receive House vote | Allows a mother to bring civil action if her right to breast-feed is violated. Requires Comptroller's office to promote general awareness of this right through various communications channels. | Similar to HB 232 (2015) and HB 1706 (2013); out of committee (Business & Industry), failed to get House vote. |
| SB 279 | Sen. Judith Zaffirini |
FAILED TO PASS - did not receive committee hearing |
Requires the designation of a place, other than a bathroom, for the expression of breast milk at the Texas Capitol building; and, ensures new construction or renovations of buildings where public employees work also include such a private space. | Topic not tracked by the Michael & Susan Dell Center during the previous session |
|
Breastfeeding Resources
|
||||
Active Transportation and Built Environment | ||||
| Bill # | Author | Status | Brief Description | Past Bills (2015) |
| SB 31 | Sen. Judith Zaffirini | FAILED TO PASS - companion bill HB 62 did pass | Would prohibit the use of a cell phone while driving, unless using a hands-free device. Currently many cities across Texas have this rule in place, but there is no state-wide law. Companion bills: HB 62 and HB 160. Similar bill: SB 67 | Topic not tracked by the Michael & Susan Dell Center during the previous session |
| SB 67 | Sen. Judith Zaffirini |
FAILED TO PASS - did not receive committee hearing |
Would prohibit the use of a cell phone while driving, unless using a hands-free device. Currently many cities across Texas have this rule in place, but there is no state-wide law. Similar bill: SB 31 | Topic not tracked by the Michael & Susan Dell Center during the previous session |
| HB 62 | Rep. Tom Craddick |
PASSED - Signed by the Governor; effective 9/1/2017 |
Would prohibit the use of a cell phone while driving, unless using a hands-free device. The bill has been amended to only cover texting and calling, so you could still hold your phone when using GPS or music. Currently many cities across Texas have a texting while driving ban in place, but there is no state-wide law. Companion bill: SB 31. Duplicate bill: HB 160. Similar bill: SB 67 | Similar to HB 80; Failed to pass, died on Senate floor. Similar bills have been vetoed on multiple occasions. |
| HB 160 | Rep. Eddie Lucio III |
FAILED TO PASS - duplicate bill HB 62 did pass |
Would prohibit the use of a cell phone while driving, unless using a hands-free device. Currently many cities across Texas have this rule in place, but there is no state-wide law. Companion bill: SB 31. Duplicate bill: HB 62. Similar bill: SB 67 | Similar to HB 80; Failed to pass, died on Senate floor. Similar bills have been vetoed on multiple occasions. |
| SB 57 | Sen. Judith Zaffirini |
FAILED TO PASS - did not receive committee hearing |
Would prohibit the use of a cell phone while driving for state business by state employees, unless engaged in law enforcement or emergency activities. | Topic not tracked by the Michael & Susan Dell Center during the previous session |
| HB 520 | Rep. Chris Turner |
FAILED TO PASS - left pending in committee |
Would prohibit the use of texting while driving with a minor present, in a school zone, or if the driver is a minor, unless using a hands-free device. | Topic not tracked by the Michael & Susan Dell Center during the previous session |
| HB 1748 | Rep. Gary VanDeaver |
FAILED TO PASS - did not receive committee hearing |
Would prohibit the use of a cell phone or other portable electronic device while driving, unless using a hands-free device. Similar to HB 62, HB 160, SB 31 and SB 67. | Topic not tracked by the Michael & Susan Dell Center during the previous session |
| HB 1236 | Rep. Armando "Mando" Martinez |
FAILED TO PASS - did not receive committee hearing |
Would create standard traffic laws to better protect pedestrians, cyclists, and other "unprotected road users" (e.g. safe passing distances, right-of-way, harassment or intimidation); establishes penalties if the violation of these laws leads to bodily or property harm. Companion bill: SB 1274 | Topic not tracked by the Michael & Susan Dell Center during the previous session |
| SB 1274 | Sen. Jose Rodriguez |
FAILED TO PASS - did not receive committee hearing |
Would create standard traffic laws to better protect pedestrians, cyclists, and other "unprotected road users" (e.g. safe passing distances, right-of-way, harassment or intimidation); establishes penalties if the violation of these laws leads to bodily or property harm. Companion bill: HB 1236 | Topic not tracked by the Michael & Susan Dell Center during the previous session |
| HB 1368 | Rep. Celia Israel |
FAILED TO PASS - left pending in committee |
Aims to make neighborhood streets safer for non-motorists by lowering the default speed limit when driving in a neighborhood to 25 MPH; current default is 30 MPH. Companion bill: SB 1244 | Topic not tracked by the Michael & Susan Dell Center during the previous session |
| SB 1244 | Sen. Jose Rodriguez |
FAILED TO PASS - did not receive committee hearing |
Aims to make neighborhood streets safe for non-motorists by lowering the default speed limit when driving in a neighborhood to 25 MPH; current default is 30 MPH. Companion bill: HB 1368 | Topic not tracked by the Michael & Susan Dell Center during the previous session |
| HB 1677 | Rep. Celia Israel |
FAILED TO PASS - did not receive committee hearing |
Creates a task force that would propose a plan based on the Vision Zero model to eliminate all traffic deaths in the state. San Antonio and Austin currently have Vision Zero plans. Companion bill: SB 1245 | Topic not tracked by the Michael & Susan Dell Center during the previous session |
| SB 1245 | Sen. Jose Rodriguez |
FAILED TO PASS - did not receive committee hearing |
Creates a task force that would propose a plan based on the Vision Zero model to eliminate all traffic deaths in the state. San Antonio and Austin currently have Vision Zero plans. Companion bill: HB 1677 | Topic not tracked by the Michael & Susan Dell Center during the previous session |
| HB 4125 | Rep. Valoree Swanson |
FAILED TO PASS - did not receive committee hearing |
Eliminates distracted driving ordinances created by cities or municipalities. Several cities including Austin, El Paso, and San Antonio, currently prohibit texting while driving. It also makes it a criminal offense if a person causes an accident due to distracted driving. Companion bill: SB 1356 | Topic not tracked by the Michael & Susan Dell Center during the previous session |
| SB 1356 | Sen. Bob Hall |
FAILED TO PASS - did not receive committee hearing |
Eliminates distracted driving ordinances created by cities or municipalities. Several cities including Austin, El Paso, and San Antonio, currently prohibit texting while driving. It also makes it a criminal offense if a person causes an accident due to distracted driving. Companion bill: HB 4125 | Topic not tracked by the Michael & Susan Dell Center during the previous session |
|
Resources for Active Transportation and Built Environment
|
||||
