Today, we see the effects of the rigged system created and perpetuated by the Austin swamp. For weeks early in session, I voted against 5-day weekends, knowing our time was limited. When we were faced with a floor schedule of over 400 bills and had been on the floor debating and voting for 14 hours a day, for over a week, we couldn’t get caught up. Democrats stalled, a tactic I’ve come to find out is called chubbing. They asked redundant questions and voted to extend debate unnecessarily, just to eat up more clock. Every minute we wasted, good conservative bills died. The age-old excuse of “we just ran out of time” was once again uttered by members of the uniparty. They have no one to blame but themselves. 

I’m proud to say, despite these setbacks, I have 3 local bills pass the House! Updates to the JOHNSON COUNTY Special Utility District, SOMERVELL COUNTY Hospital District, and authorizing BURLESON to collect taxes from future convention center revenues. They have all passed the House!

In addition, I still have bills moving through the legislative process! Three of my human trafficking bills are on their way. I was able to successfully amend another bill with my school bus stop protection bill. I know it’s hard to believe, but children in Texas have gotten off their school bus and never been seen again. My amendment would give school bus stops the same criminal enhancement we give our schools. It has passed both Houses and is on its way to the governor’s desk. 

My other trafficking bill that I’ve been working with Senator Paxton, SB 1212, would make all human trafficking a FIRST-DEGREE FELONY. My House version of this bill is HB 3231. Last week we passed this bill out of the House and it is now on it's way to the Governor's desk!

Another bill, HB 3153, has passed the House and Senate! It requires background checks for those working with our youth in non-secure facilities like group homes or residential treatment facilities. Current law requires background checks for secure facilities, but not these unsecure facilities. All our children are valuable, and now Texas law will protect them equally. Thank you Senator Kolhkorst for sponsoring this in the Senate!

HB 1674, my PFAS TOXIC FOREVER CHEMICAL bill that has made national news, had a hearing at 1 am last week. I am so grateful to the many constituents from Johnson County who came to testify for this bill and waited all day (and all night!) in order for their important experience to be shared with the committee. I have had many excellent conversations with members about this bill, and look forward to it becoming law next session. We have also seen PFAS issues in other areas and I will continue to fight for stronger regulations on PFAS poisoning our land and water.

HB 1952, my bill to increase the elected members of a Central Appraisal District, was killed by a Democrat Sub-Committee Chairman. We had a wonderful hearing with amazing testimony from our awesome Johnson County appraisal district members, but the bill never got a vote. I believe the Tarrant County CAD chaos prevented any momentum moving forward.

HB 2220, my bill to ELIMINATE PROPERTY TAX, was never even scheduled for a hearing. Despite multiple good conversations with the Chairman, a Republican, he would not set the bill for a hearing. For this session, the House and Senate jointly formed a committee proposing solutions:

• $125k business tax deduction
• $200k homestead exemption for the disabled and seniors
• $140k general homestead exemption
• $3 billion in maintenance and operations tax relief. 

I remain committed to eliminating property taxes and will continue to advocate for it every opportunity I can.

Overall, while we have passed many bills, we have fallen short of the goal I had for this session. Many conservative priorities were not passed or gutted. I look forward to continuing to advocate for more conservative legislation and to reform the Texas House as I promised!

State Representative Helen Kerwin

Please follow along on social media!