12th TSHL LEGISLATIVE SESSION, SEPTEMBER 8-11-2008

Speaker Walter Graham convened the 12th TSHL Legislative Session September 8-11, 2008, at the State Capitol. TSHL members adopted 74 resolutions which addressed many of the aging issues discussed during the statewide town hall meetings of 2007-2008.

The TSHL conducted its 12th Legislative Session in the House Chambers and Committee rooms of the State Capitol, September 8-11, 2008. Speaker Walter Graham, of Cisco, convened the opening session on Monday in the House Chambers. The Governorâ€™s Legislative Director, Senator Ken Armbrister, welcomed the group and administered the Oath of Office to Linda Parrish, representative from College Station and Robert Smith, representative from Granbury, who were unable to be present for the ceremony conducted during the July Orientation. Speaking to the group on Tuesday was Secretary of State Esperanza "Hope" Andrade; she returned during the closing session on Thursday.

Following the plenary sessions each morning, members adjourned to meet in nine legislative issue committees to consider resolutions in public meetings. These committees included: Criminal Justice, Elsie Whiteside, of Laird Hill, chair; Education, Lynn Crisp, of Sugar Land, chair; Health & Human Services, Sandra Graham, of Austin, chair; Human Services, Adalaide Balaban, of Silsbee, chair; Insurance, Pete Hinojosa, of Kingwood, chair; Retirement and Aging, Billie Erwin, of Bishop, vice chair; Rural-Urban Affairs, Paul Geisel, of Fort Worth, vice chair; State Affairs, Homer Lear, of San Antonio, chair; and Utilities and Natural Resources, Jim Brisbin, of Sonora, chair.

Committees considered a record 169 resolutions which had been filed by members, passing 74 for debate and action by TSHL in the general sessions, conducted through Thursday. Numerous resolutions were passed as a result of issues identified during the Town Hall Meetings that were conducted by members throughout the year. Because of Hurricane Ike, Speaker Graham closed the session on Thursday rather than Friday as planned. Approximately 20 members were affected by the hurricane and had to leave early.

Issues, which were adopted, related to Medicaid reimbursements, gerontology training for health care professionals, transportation needs, rates for Meals on Wheels programs, decreased ratio of Adult Protective Supervisors to Adult Protective Workers, grandparents raising grandchildren, family caregivers, right to die with dignity and respect, infection control within hospitals, reform homeowners insurance, social isolation, rights of nursing home residents, deinstitutionalization; also, eminent domain, cap annual property evaluations, social security numbers protection, teacher health insurance and retirement formula, regulate electrical rates, Legislative committee on aging, support Texercise, restore free fishing and hunting licenses for seniors; numerous more were considered by members prior to closing session on Thursday.

Top priorities will be determined by mail and email ballot to all members. All resolutions and priorities will be posted online within the next several weeks when balloting is completed. The 12th TSHL Legislative Report will be distributed, as required, to the Governor, Texas Legislature, Department of Aging and Disability Services and Area Agencies on Aging prior to the 81st Texas Legislature which convenes in January 2009.

The 12th TSHL Legislature adjourned sine die, 11:30 am, September 11, 2008 with the 13th TSHL Legislative Session to be convened September 13, 2010.