81st first called Special Session Recap
The Texas Legislature adjourned Sine Die on July 2nd, 2009 from
the 81st first called special session and addressed
the needs of Texas by passing House Bill 1
and Senate Bill 2. The special session included the
sunset scheduling bill, which continues several vital
state agencies that are subject to expiration as of next
year as well as two transportation issues. These issues
include general obligation bonds and Comprehensive
Development Agreements.
The House and Senate worked diligently and quickly so
the state can continue to fund and build our roads, as
well as continue the function of many important agencies
such as the Texas Department of Insurance and the
Texas Department of Transportation. By passing these
bills during the special session, it allowed the state to
continue to serve its citizens in an efficient manner.
House Bill 1 allows the state to issue general obligation
bonds for highway improvement projects to assist
in providing adequate financing for future transportation
infrastructure. In addition, an important amendment
was added to prevent the State Infrastructure
Bank from providing money to convert non-tolled
roads or highways into tolled roads or highways. This
amendment would not prevent tolled lanes from being
built between existing highway lanes with the old
highway lanes being turned into free access roads.
Senate Bill 2 continues the operations of five state
agencies. Those agencies – the Transportation and Insurance
Departments, the Office of Public Insurance
Counsel, the Racing Commission, and Affordable
Housing Corporation – were authorized for another
two years but will be scrutinized by lawmakers in the 2011 session.
House Bill 3 and the senate companion bill dealing
with Comprehensive Development Agreements was
not agreed upon and was never voted out of the chambers’
respective transportation committees.
[back to Rep. Fletcher's homepage]