LEGISLATIVE UPDATES .

80th Legislative Session 2007

Important note: The following information is provided for informational purposes only. The listing of a bill on this Web site does not indicate support, opposition, or any other position regarding the bill and should not be construed as such.

How a bill becomes law - A diagram that displays the sequential flow of a bill from the time it is introduced in the house of representatives to final passage and transmittal to the governor.

Keeping up with bills under consideration - Describes the basic steps involved in passing a bill into law. Includes a list of bills that have been filed and examples of how to track bills that have been introduced.

The Senate and its committees - Website for the Texas Senate. This site provides access to audio and video broadcasts for senate chamber proceedings and committee hearings, biographical information, newsletters, news releases, and a kids page.

View proceedings from the senate floor.
View committee hearings.

The House and its committees - Website for the Texas House of Representatives. This site provides access to audio and video broadcasts for house chamber proceedings and committee hearings, biographical information, newsletters, and news releases.

View proceedings from the house floor.
View committee hearings.
View weekly broadcast schedule.

Legislation affecting TBAE

The house and senate are considering the following bills which could affect this agency or the practice of architecture, landscape architecture, or interior design. This list does not purport to cover every bill that might affect our registrants’ profession so it shouldn’t be relied upon as a sole source of legislative data. [Update 7/23/07: The following bills were signed by the governor: SB924, HB2060, HB2198, HB823, and SB540. HB447 was vetoed by the governor. The other bills listed here failed to pass. ]

• HB506 and companion SB487Relating to the regulation of the practice of construction and program management for capital improvement projects of school districts. (Neither bill passed)
  
  

  HB506	SB487
  Text of Bill       History	Text of Bill      History

HB507Relating to the submission and opening of bids, proposals, and statements of qualifications for contracts involving school district facilities. (HB507 did not pass.)
Text of Bill       History

HB999 Relating to the adoption of energy efficiency and conservation standards for the design, construction, and renovation of public school instructional facilities. (HB999 did not pass.)
Text of Bill       History

HB1387Relating to requiring a school district to provide for a feasibility study before acquiring title to real property through eminent domain. (HB 1387 did not pass.)
Text of Bill       History

HB1567 Relating to the requirement to hold a certificate of registration as a landscape architect. (HB1567 did not pass.)
Text of Bill       History

HB1568 and companion SB 717 relating to the selection by certain governmental entities of providers of landscape architectural services. (Neither bill passed.)

• HB1568	SB 717
  Text of Bill       History	Text of Bill      History

HB1963 and companion SB 924 relating to rules and policies adopted by state agencies regarding engineering or architectural errors or omissions. (SB924 signed by the Governor on 6/15/07, effective 9/1/07. HB1963 did not pass.)

• HB1963	SB924
  Text of Bill       History	Text of Bill      History

HB1985 and companion SB 832 Relating to the regulation of interior designers. (Neither bill passed.)

HB1985	SB832
Text of Bill      History	Text of Bill      History

HB2060 Relating to the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners; providing penalties. (Signed by the Governor on 6/15/07, effective 9/1/07.)
Text of Bill       History

HB2198 Relating to authorizing certain public junior colleges to offer baccalaureate degree programs. (Signed by the Governor on 6/15/07, effective immediately.)
Text of Bill       History

SB238 Relating to authorizing certain community colleges to offer a baccalaureate degree program in interior design. (SB238 did not pass.)
Text of Bill        History

SB356 and companion HB447 Relating to contracts by governmental entities for construction projects and related professional services and to public works performance and payment bonds. (SB356 did not pass. HB447 vetoed by governor on 6/15/07. )

• SB356	HB447
  Text of Bill       History	Text of Bill      History

SB445 Relating to design and construction standards for newly constructed state buildings. (SB445 did not pass.)
Text of Bill         History

SB 509 and companion HB823 Relating to the liability of certain licensed or registered professionals for damages arising from certain services provided during an emergency. (HB823 signed by the Governor on 5/18/07, effective immediately. SB509 did not pass.)

• SB509	HB823
  Text of Bill      History	Text of Bill       History

SB 541 Relating to continuing education in sustainable and energy-efficient design standards for a person licensed by the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners. (Signed by the Governor on 6/15/07, effective 9/1/07.)
Text of Bill         History

SB899 Relating to design and construction standards for newly constructed or renovated state buildings, public school facilities, and higher education facilities. (SB899 did not pass.)
Text of Bill        History

Hearings

Use the Texas Legislature link(s) below to find the archived audio/video recording of TBAE hearings. (Note: audio download from Texas Legislature Online may not work on all computers) After listening to hearings, use the "Back" key to return to this Web site.

• Check here for updates