Get Engaged!
Education & Advocacy
Begins with You
Texas
Texas
APCO/NENA
AnnualProcess
Conference
Legislative
April 8, 2014
Galveston
What goes on in
there?
Know the Process
Texas Government
Executive Branch
Statewide Elected Officials
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Governor Rick Perry-R
Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst-R
Comptroller of Public Accounts Susan Combs-R
Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson-R
Attorney General Greg Abbott-R
Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples-R
Railroad Commissioners Barry Smitherman-R;
Chair, David Porter-R, Christi Craddick-R
Texas State Legislature
The Legislature of Texas, like the legislature of every other state
except Nebraska, is bicameral (that is, it has two chambers).
• The House of Representatives has 150 members one of which is
elected by the House membership to serve as Speaker of the
House, currently Joe Straus (R-San Antonio) leads the House.
• Texas Senate has 31 members and statewide elected Lieutenant
Governor, currently David Dewhurst, a Republican leads the State
Senate.
• The Legislature meets in regular session only once every two
years for 140 days.
• The Legislature cannot call itself into special session; only the
governor may call a special session, and may call as many
sessions as often as wanted.
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Floor and Gallery of the Texas House of Representatives
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Texas Legislature Online
www.capitol.state.tx.us
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Who represents me?
How do I contact my legislators?
Follow the status of a bill?
Find how a legislator voted?
Find when hearings are
scheduled?
• View the text of a bill?
Legislative Reference
Library of Texas
www.lrl.state.tx.us
• Citizen Handbook, Secretary of the Senate
– Includes information on the legislative process in Texas, advocacy etiquette and guidelines.
• How A Bill Becomes Law: 83rd Legislature, House Research Organization
– Summarizes key constitutional provisions and rules governing a bill's movement through the
Legislature, with emphasis on House Rules.
• House Committee Procedures: 83rdst Legislature, House Research Organization
– Reviews the rules and procedures used in the committees of the Texas House of
Representatives.
• The Legislative Process, Texas Legislature Online
– Features details on the legislative process in Texas and includes a useful diagram.
• Reading a Bill, Texas Legislative Council
– Provides an overview of each part of a bill and its function.
• Legislative Glossary, Texas Legislature Online
– Defines many words and phrases used to describe legislative activity.
• How to Follow a Bill, Texas Legislature Online
– Offers links and descriptions of resources that can be used to follow a bill through each stage of
the legislative process.
• Secretary of State, Elections Division: Voter Information
– Gathers information on voter registration, candidates, past election returns, and upcoming
elections.
• Texas Online: Government
– Provides general information about Texas government, including legislative, executive, and
judicial branches, as well as links to city and county governments in Texas.
Dates of Interest
• Tuesday, November 4, 2014
General election for statewide & legislators
• Monday, November 10, 2014
Prefiling of legislation for the 84nd Legislature begins
• Tuesday, January 13, 2015 (1st day)
84th Legislature convenes at noon
• Monday, June 1, 2015 (140th day)
Last day of 84thd Regular Session; corrections only
in house and senate
• Sunday, June 21, 2015 (20th day following final adjournment)
Last day governor can sign or veto bills passed during the
regular legislative session
What can I do between
now and January?
• Make an effort to meet your legislator?
– Contact district office to make an appointment
– Attend a town hall meeting or a civic club event
where he/she may be speaking
– Interim Committee Charge Hearings
• Get to know the legislator’s staff.
– You can be their go-to person on issues involving
emergency communications
• Get involved in a campaign as a volunteer
Upcoming Elections
May 10, 2014
Senate District 4 Special Election
May 27, 2014
Primary Run Off Election
November 4, 2014
General Election
Texas 9-1-1 Program
Working with the Texas
Legislature
Information and Advocacy
Statutory Limitations
Government Code
Sec. 556.006. LEGISLATIVE LOBBYING. (a) A state agency
may not use appropriated money to attempt to influence
the passage or defeat of a legislative measure.
(b) This section does not prohibit a state officer or
employee from using state resources to provide public
information or to provide information responsive to a
request.
What is your objective?
 If it is to get a bill passed or defeated – out of scope
 However, if your objective is to develop legislative
support for 9-1-1 and your program,
 Wouldn’t it be nice to have legislative advocates in
the Capitol
 You provide the information to develop advocates
Tips
 Focus on the staff, both in Austin and the District
 Invite them for a PSAP tour
 Notify them of award presentations that may be
of interest
 Newsletter distribution list
 Participate in 9-1-1 Goes to Austin
 Leave them info on what your organization does,
who you are and how to reach you - 1 pager
State Program Overview
AGENCY OVERVIEW
The mission of the Commission on State Emergency Communications (CSEC) is to
preserve and enhance public safety and health in Texas through reliable access
to emergency telecommunications services.
State 9-1-1 Program
– Serves a little over 1/3 of the state’s population in 224 Counties
– Service that connects a caller with a Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP
– 350 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs)
– Answering, dispatch and response are local responsibilities
– Contract with 24 Regional Planning Commissions For 9-1-1 Operations
– GR – Dedicated Funding Appropriated by Legislature
– Fund 5050 – 9-1-1 Service Fee
– Fund 5007 – Equalization Surcharge
– 51 Other Texas 9-1-1 Entities
– Emergency Communications Districts/Municipalities
12 Commission members and 25 FTE staff
Poison State Program Overview
• Texas Poison Control Program
• Serves the entire State
• Provides information via telephone to the public or health care professionals
dealing with a suspected toxic exposure
• Saves money by treating the poisoning at home & avoiding a trip to the ER
• Was Co-Administered with Department of State Health Services
• Since May 1, 2010 under CSEC’s purview
• 6 Poison Centers
• GR – Dedicated Funding Appropriated by Legislature
• Fund 5007 – Equalization Surcharge
2014 Grassroots Plan
•Work with your TX NENA Region Coordinator to…
•Obtain Education Packets for your House & Senate Members
•Make appointments with your district offices
•Share 9-1-1 information
•Invite to open house or visit your PSAP
•Invite legislator to participate in local award ceremonies
•Send Thank-you cards for their time
•Report your contacts to Region Coordinator
• Plan to attend the 9-1-1 Goes to Austin
Sharing information about 9-1-1
is NOT Lobbying!
9-1-1 Goes to Austin
2015
WE NEED YOU!
For more information:
Toni Dunne, ENP
TX NENA
512.970.7066
TexasNena.dunne@gmail.com
You can access this presentation at:
TexasNena.org → Resources