July 3, 2019

Thank you for subscribing to my e-newsletter. Below you will find updates from federal, state and local agencies. Should you have any questions about the information below, please do not hesitate to contact us using the contact details listed at the end of this newsletter.

Happy Fourth of July! Hopefully you are celebrating America's Independence with among family and friends. Our family will once again be taking part in the Kingwood Civic Club Parade and the Kingwood Town Center Firework display. There are several other fun events around the Lake Houston area, from fishing to parades to concerts and, of course, more fireworks. Take a look below at the list of events we have gathered for you.

Please note: in observation of Independence Day, both my Capitol & District Offices will be closed Thursday, July 4th, and Friday, July 5th. We will return to the offices on Monday, July 8th.

Should you have questions regarding anything in this newsletter, please feel free to contact us directly using the information provided at the bottom of this email.

Sincerely,

Both the Capitol and District Offices of State Representative Dan Huberty will be closed on Thursday, July 4, 2019, and Friday, July 5, 2019, in observation of Independence Day. We will address any messages received during that time upon our return on Monday, July 8, 2019.

Download my July 2019 calendar by clicking the link below. This month is full of events in and around Texas that could be fun or useful to you and your family! This new format allows you to save the document for printing or sending to your family members.

 

Keep watch for these updated calendars at the beginning of each month. Important local and legislative dates and events will be posted here.

HCFCD: Huffman Drainage Community Meeting

The Harris County Flood Control District will hold a Community Engagement Meeting for the Huffman Area Drainage Improvements project. This is the second of two community engagement meetings intended to present study results to reduce flooding risks in the Huffman area and collect public input regarding this high-level drainage study for the Huffman area.

The Huffman drainage analysis area roughly coincides with the Huffman Independent School District boundary. This area drains to the San Jacinto River, Luce Bayou and Cedar Bayou watersheds. The study includes an engineering investigation into the sources of flooding and is recommending preliminary options to reduce flooding.

This study is funded with bonds approved by Harris County voters on August 25, 2018. Community Engagement is an important component of the Bond Program, and we invite your participation as the program is implemented.

The Community Engagement Meeting will be held on:

Thursday, July 11, 2019, from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

May Community Center

2100 Wolf Road

Huffman, Texas 77336

The Public Meeting will begin at 6 p.m. with a brief presentation at 6:15 p.m. Interested citizens are also invited to view the presentation online through a live feed hosted at www.facebook.com/hcfcd . An open house will follow the presentation, where interested citizens are invited to review informational exhibits, discuss the Huffman Area Drainage Improvements project with Harris County representatives, and provide comments to the Harris County Flood Control District.

For questions, please contact the Flood Control District at 713-684-4000, or fill out the comment form online http://www.hcfcd.org/F110.

86th Session: Conservative Accomplishments

TEA: New “ HB3 In 30” Web Video

Legislative Update:

HB 766 - Relating to exemptions for disabled peace officers and fire fighters from payment of tuition and fees at public institutions of higher education.

In this weekly section, you will find bills authored by Rep. Huberty that successfully passed both chambers and were sent to Governor Abbott for his approval. Governor Abbott has signed all of the 11 House Bills and both of the Senate Bills Rep. Huberty passed. The last bill highlighted here was HB 76 , a life-saving measure for UIL student athletes in Texas. This week, you will learn more about HB 766 , a tuition exemption for permanently disabled peace officers and firefighters to learn new skills or trades.

Previously, institutions of higher education had the option to exempt tuition and fees for permanently disabled peace officers who are unable to return to law enforcement work as a result of an on duty injury. It had been pointed out in the past that this exemption was not evenly offered to permanently disabled firefighters who are injured on the job. Rep. Huberty authored this bill in an attempt to correct this inequity for multiple sessions and was finally successful in sending HB 766 to Governor Abbott this year. The bill was signed into law on June 14, 2019, and went into effect immediately.

 

Now, a peace officer or firefighter permanently disabled while on duty will receive tuition and fee exemptions from higher education institutions if seeking skills applicable to a new trade. The number of disabled peace officers or firefighters enrolled in any specific class must not equate to more than 20 percent of the total enrollment of that course. The governing body of the institution is now required to exempt these students from payment of tuition and fees. The exemption was optional in the past, but it is vital that these first responders be provided the opportunity to seek new skills.

To see a list of Rep. Huberty's legislation from the 86th Session, click here.

DPS: Traffic Enforcement Ramps Up for Holiday

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) will conduct two traffic operations simultaneously this week to help keep drivers safe over the Fourth of July holiday. Starting Wednesday, July 3, through Friday, July 5, DPS Troopers will increase traffic enforcement as part of Operation CARE (Crash Awareness and Reduction Effort) and Operation Holiday . DPS Troopers will be looking for those violating the Move Over, Slow Down law, as well as other traffic violations such as DWI, speeding and failure to wear a seat belt, during these enforcement operations.

“As we celebrate our nation’s independence, it’s important to remember to do so safely and responsibly,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “We want to remind everyone to follow posted speed limits, wear your seat belt and designate a sober ride home. Remember, if you see an emergency vehicle or tow truck on the side of the road, slow down or move over. By celebrating responsibly, you can help ensure we all make it home safely.”

Operation Holiday runs in conjunction with the Fourth of July and is geared towards individuals who violate traffic laws. During last year’s holiday enforcement campaign, DPS Troopers issued more than 57,000 citations and warnings, including 1,023 seat belt and child safety restraint citations. DPS enforcement efforts also resulted in 256 DWI arrests, 212 fugitive arrests and 204 felony arrests. 

Operation CARE focuses on violations of the state’s Move Over, Slow Down law, with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) assisting DPS Troopers in a non-enforcement capacity. From Jan. 1 through June 25 of this year, DPS conducted 13,988 enforcement actions for Move Over, Slow Down violations.

 

The law, originally passed in 2003, requires drivers to move over or slow down when certain vehicles — including police, fire, EMS, TxDOT vehicles and tow trucks — are stopped on the side of the road with emergency lights activated.

       

Drivers are urged to follow these safety tips during the Fourth of July holiday:

Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program

July 4th in the Lake Houston area always brings a multitude of opportunities to celebrate our nation's Independence and 2019 is no different! Please see a list of events below compiled by our office of events in the community. This does not represent an exhaustive list but rather information available online.

Wednesday, July 3rd



Thursday, July 4th

Friday, July 5th

Our office is always ready to assist you. Call or email us and we will do our best to help. Many State Agencies also have hotlines or citizen assistance offices to assist you. That contact information is available at this link, in alphabetical order: 

http://www.lrl.texas.gov/genInfo/stateAgencies.cfm

All of the relevant information our office has gathered during the week will be posted to our Facebook page. By "liking" us, you will stay up-to-date about important matters across the state that affect you and your family. Click below to find our page.

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