AUSTIN – Today, Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa passed House Bill 306 by Representative Abel Herrero out of the Texas Senate. Also known as the Service Member and Veteran Open Burn Pit Registry Act, the bill would provide outreach, education, and awareness for our veterans facing health issues after exposure to open burn pit smoke and other airborne hazards.

In military conflicts since the First Gulf War, open burn pits were used to dispose of chemicals, munitions, and medical waste, exposing service members to dangerous toxins. Unfortunately, the long-term health effects from burn pit smoke are still not fully understood. In addition, there is no federal or state outreach effort to provide service members who may have resulting health problems with information on how to get assistance. The Service Member and Veteran Open Burn Pit Registry would help medical researchers track changes in health and get our veterans the benefits and information they and their families deserve.

Senator Hinojosa released the following statement:

“ The Service Member and Veteran Open Burn Pit Registry will facilitate outreach, education, and advocacy related to health concerns and diseases suffered by our soldiers and veterans as a result of exposure to toxic fumes. We must provide this tool to get a better understanding of the impact and consequences of this exposure to be able to better support those who served our country. I appreciate Rosie and Leroy Torres for their tireless commitment to this effort and for sharing their story with our legislators.”

Representative Herrero released the following statement:

 “Veterans who bravely fought for our country, only to develop debilitating illnesses when they came home, deserve answers and proper medical treatment. This legislation takes the initiative to facilitate critical awareness and outreach to veterans and their families feeling the devastating effects of exposure to open air burn pits. We must stand with our veterans in this war that has followed them home.”     

Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa proudly represents the counties of Nueces, Jim Wells, Brooks, and Hidalgo (part). Senator Hinojosa currently serves as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, and serves on the Senate Committees on Property Tax; Natural Resources & Economic Development; Transportation; Agriculture; and Select Committee on Texas Ports.

AUSTIN, TX — Today, Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa was joined by Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino, City of Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, Hidalgo County Commissioner Eddie Cantu, and City of Brownsville Mayor Tony Martinez at the Texas Transportation Commission (Commission) meeting to officially present the Commissioners with the recently signed re-designation agreement for Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) consolidation. The agreement allows for the merging of the Harlingen-San Benito MPO, the Brownsville MPO, and the Hidalgo County MPO to create the new Rio Grande Valley MPO. This is the first time in Texas history that three MPOs are merging into one.

The Rio Grande Valley is one of the fastest growing regions of the state and the infrastructure must be able to support the growth. The merger of the MPOs will provide increased revenue to repair roads, provide congestion relief, maintain the highway system, and fund border projects to prevent loss of revenue at the international ports of entry.

Senator Hinojosa released the following statement:

“After three years from the time we started the conversation about merging the three Valley MPOs, I was honored to present the signed agreement to the Texas Transportation Commission. By taking this regional approach, the newly created Rio Grande Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization (the Valley MPO) will be one of the largest in the state. This merger will allow South Texas to access more funds to construct larger projects. The merged MPO will be more efficient and allow for projects to be considered and approved as a region.

This historic moment would not have been possible without the regional cooperation, collaboration, and negotiations that were pretty tense at times. However, in the end, the benefits of a merged MPO prevailed over a small city approach. With the creation of the Valley MPO, we have delivered on our commitment to speak with one voice. The Valley MPO will be a powerful advocate for addressing the infrastructure needs of South Texas that are required to continue being an economic driver for the state.

I appreciate the leadership, cooperation, and team work from all of our public officials involved in making this a reality. I also want to thank Governor Greg Abbott for his continued support of our region. Lastly, I want to recognize and commend TxDOT Pharr District Engineer Pete Alvarez for his commitment, guidance, and support throughout this process.”

Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa proudly represents the counties of Nueces, Jim Wells, Brooks, and Hidalgo (part). Senator Hinojosa currently serves as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, and serves on the Senate Committees on Property Tax; Natural Resources & Economic Development; Transportation; Agriculture; and Select Committee on Texas Ports.

AUSTIN, TX — Today, after much discussion and cooperation from Agua SUD leadership, Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa filed Senate Bill 2552, a local bill to strengthen the transparency and accountability of Agua SUD board members and personnel. SB 2552 would require that Agua SUD board of directors file financial statements and apply conflict of interest and nepotism laws to the directors. It also covers eligibility requirements for service as a director or general manager, including the disqualification of any person or his or her relative who owns or controls more than a 10% interest in the fair market value of a business that receives money from Agua SUD (the District).

SB 2552 also details prohibited conduct for directors and employees of the District. Among its specifications, it provides that a director or employee may not have a personal interest in an agreement executed by the District. The bill also provides the grounds for removal of a director from the board if a director does not complete training and education requirements, does not meet eligibility requirements for service, or participates in prohibited conduct under this bill.

Openness and transparency are essential to maintain the confidence of citizens in their government, as well as to ensure the ethical use of taxpayer funds. In an effort to be transparent and accountable to rate payers, SB 2552 would require the District to prominently post on its website reports showing payments made by Agua SUD on a monthly basis. Additionally, the District would be required to post the minutes of the previous meeting within 72 hours of adoption.

Senator Hinojosa is also working with District leadership to re-district the boundaries and allow for single member districts. This will ensure better representation from all cities within the District.

Senator Hinojosa released the following statement:

“I appreciate Agua SUD’s leadership working with me to develop this legislation to further increase transparency and accountability of this important utility district. The updated operating procedures, standards of conduct, budget transparency, and ethics guidelines recommended in this bill are important to ensure a strong governance structure with the highest level of integrity and accountability. I applaud Board President Zeke Ortiz and General Manager Eddie Saenz for their willingness to implement many of these recommendations into their procedures before this bill becomes law.”

Esequiel “Zeke” Ortiz, Jr., Agua SUD Board President releases the following statement:

“As board president of Agua SUD, we want to reassure the community that we are working together in close partnership with Senator Hinojosa on this legislation as another example of the Agua Board’s commitment to transparency in our governance of this utility district and fully support Senator Hinojosa in the proposed re-districting of the Board seats to provide a more equitable representation of all rate payers.”

Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa proudly represents the counties of Nueces, Jim Wells, Brooks, and Hidalgo (part). Senator Hinojosa currently serves as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, and serves on the Senate Committees on Property Tax; Natural Resources & Economic Development; Transportation; Agriculture; and Select Committee on Texas Ports.

AUSTIN, TX –  Today, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick announced Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa as one of only five Senate appointees to the Conference Committee on Senate Bill 500, the state’s supplemental appropriations bill for the 2018-19 biennium.

The Conference Committee will be responsible for funding the state’s unaddressed needs for the 2018-19 biennium, including expenditures necessitated by Hurricane Harvey, by reconciling the differences between the Senate and House versions. Senator Hinojosa released the following statement:

“I am honored to have been selected by Lt. Governor Patrick to serve on the Senate Conference Committee to SB 500, the state’s supplemental budget.

It is critical that the House and Senate work together to address important outstanding needs in our current budget such as health care, teacher retirement, school safety, public safety, and Hurricane Harvey damages.”

Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa proudly represents the counties of Nueces, Jim Wells, Brooks, and Hidalgo (part). Senator Hinojosa served as the Senate President Pro Tempore of the Texas Senate in the 84th Texas Legislature. Senator Hinojosa currently serves as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, and serves on the Senate Committees on Natural Resources & Economic Development; Transportation; Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs as well as the Sunset Advisory Commission.

AUSTIN, TX — Today, the Texas Senate passed Senate Bill 129 authored by Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa. This bill would give property tax relief in the form of an exemption to the surviving spouse of an officer or a special agent who was killed while in the line of duty while serving the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The first responder must have been a resident of the state at the time of death.

Current law entitles the surviving spouse of a fallen first responder including Texas certified peace officers, probation officers, volunteer fire-fighters, EMS, DPS troopers, and game wardens. However, when the law was passed, it excluded federal law enforcement agents living in Texas. With property taxes on the rise, SB 129 will ensure that spouses of certain federal law enforcement first responders killed in the line of duty are not burdened with property taxes due to the death of his or her spouse. The exemption is available for all surviving spouses, regardless of the date of the first responder’s death, so long as he or she was married to the first responder at the time and has not since remarried.

Senator Hinojosa released the following statement:

“In 2017, Texans overwhelmingly supported the constitutional amendment that provides a property tax exemption to spouses of first responders killed in the line of duty. Our first responders risk their lives to protect our families, so it is only right that we look after their families should tragedy befall a first responder in the line of duty. The surviving spouse already has to deal with grief and the financial challenges of losing their spouse. The least we can do is help them keep their family home by removing the burden of having to pay property taxes. SB 129 continues Texas’ commitment to our first responders.”

Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa proudly represents the counties of Nueces, Jim Wells, Brooks, and Hidalgo (part). Senator Hinojosa currently serves as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, and serves on the Senate Committees on Property Tax; Natural Resources & Economic Development; Transportation; Agriculture; and Select Committee on Texas Ports.

AUSTIN, TX — Today, the Texas Senate passed Senate Bill 21 joint-authored by Senator Joan Huffman and Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa to raise the minimum legal age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21. According to national data, 95 percent of adult smokers begin smoking before they turn 21 and this bill would prohibit nonmilitary individuals under that age from being able to purchase cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and other tobacco products. This bill is now headed to the Texas House of Representatives for consideration.

Senator Hinojosa released the following statement:

“Tobacco products are primarily responsible for many preventable chronic diseases. Two sessions ago, I passed a bill that was signed by Governor Abbott to prohibit the sale of e-cigarettes to minors. SB 21 expands on that by making 21 the minimum legal age to purchase any tobacco product. I am proud to be a joint-author of this bill to help keep individuals away from the harmful effects of tobacco, decrease costs of preventable diseases caused by smoking, and more importantly, save lives.”

In 2015, Senator Hinojosa was the author of Senate Bill 97, signed by Governor Greg Abbott, to prohibit the sale to any person under the age of 18 and prohibit a person under 18 from possessing or using e-cigarettes. The use of any product that contains nicotine is addictive and can have an adverse effect on adolescent brain development.

Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa proudly represents the counties of Nueces, Jim Wells, Brooks, and Hidalgo (part). Senator Hinojosa currently serves as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, and serves on the Senate Committees on Property Tax; Natural Resources & Economic Development; Transportation; Agriculture; and Select Committee on Texas Ports.

On March 29, 1973, the last remaining members of the United States armed forces withdrew from Vietnam and returned home. To commemorate this day, in 2009,  I passed legislation to designate March 29 as Texas Vietnam Veterans Day. Five years ago, on this day, we dedicated the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument at the Texas Capitol to welcome home our Texas Vietnam Veterans. This beautiful monument on the northeast grounds of the Capitol honors the loyalty and the courage of those Texans who served in Vietnam.

The Vietnam war was a controversial and unpopular war, where over 58,000 American soldiers lost their lives, and many others were MIA or POWs.  It was a war that we as a country did not understand.  We often confused its unpopularity with the courage and valor of our soldiers.  Because of this, many of us never felt welcomed upon our return home to our own country.

Many of us Vietnam Veterans, still remember the rice paddies and jungles of Chu Lai, Da Nang, Huề, Khe Sanh, and of course Saigon to name a few.  Every day of my life as I smell the flowers, hear the birds sing, feel the wind and enjoy my freedom, I am grateful and reminded of my fellow Marines in Vietnam — Anzio an Italiano from the Bronx, New York; the two West Virginia brothers; the blue-eyed son of an Alabama preacher; Shellhorn, the Bronco Rider from New Mexico; Suarez from El Paso; a couple of farmers from West Texas; the corn husker from Nebraska; and my African American friends from L.A. and Chicago.

In Vietnam, we created a family away from home. We were all Americans; we were united.  We stood together ready to fight and die for our country — our freedom. We were all the same despite our different races, religions, backgrounds and cultures, and states of residence. We were all the same then, and continue to be the same now.  We understood that our diversity represented what makes our country a great nation — The United States of America!

But who were these soldiers in Vietnam?  Many of us were volunteers, and many were drafted without a choice.  Many were taken away from their families to fight a war in an unknown place.  Those soldiers were us — our brothers and sisters, our fathers and mothers, our neighbors, and our friends.  They courageously answered the call to serve our country, and many died for our freedom and the freedom of others.  Vietnam taught our country a lesson, one that I hope we never forget —  and that is — always honor and respect our soldiers, their sacrifice and courage, whether fighting in Afghanistan, Iraq, Vietnam or other wars.  Throughout our nation’s history, it is our servicemen and women and their families who sacrifice and stand committed to defend our country.

This Texas Vietnam Veterans Day, I hope you join me in honoring our Texas Vietnam soldiers and remember the 3,417 Texans who lost their lives in Vietnam. I will be remembering all my fellow servicemen including three of my high school classmates: Jesus Martinez, Walter Merle Langford, and Leonel Buntello. I hope that as long as we honor and remember our soldiers’ sacrifice, they will always be with us in memory and spirit.

Semper Fi. God Bless our country.

Senator Hinojosa proudly co-authored House Concurrent Resolution 36 of the 79th Legislative Session in 2005 authorizing a Vietnam Veterans War monument on the Capitol grounds. Senator Hinojosa then worked to secure funding through a legislative rider in 2011 by obtaining a $500,000 matching grant towards the installment of this historic monument. 

Finally, Senator Hinojosa passed legislation in 2009 to declare an official day of recognition specifically for Vietnam Veterans.  On March 29, 1973, the last remaining members of the United States armed forces withdrew from Vietnam; thus, March 29 has been declared “Vietnam Veterans Day.”

AUSTIN, TX — Today, the Texas Senate passed three disaster relief bills joint authored by State Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa to address lessons learned from Hurricane Harvey by preparing our state for future hurricanes and natural disasters, including ways to address flood response and clean-up (SB 6), flood project funding (SB 7), and state and regional flood planning (SB 8).

Senator Hinojosa released the following statement:

“A year ago, I wrote an editorial titled “Investments in Flood and Drought Control Should be Proactive, Not Reactive.” I wrote this after Hurricane Harvey dropped 50 inches of rain in the Houston area and a few days before the Rio Grande Valley received 15 inches of rain in a two-day period, causing significant flooding and damage to our communities. The three bills we passed today, and are now headed to the Texas House for consideration, will allow us to address current challenges, lessons learned, and will help us be better prepared for future natural disasters.

These bills will allow our local officials who have been working and developing plans to improve drainage infrastructure access funds needed to see these projects to completion. These are smart investments, as Comptroller Hegar recently noted that mitigation spending has a four-to-one payback ratio.

We cannot control the weather, but with the proper planning, preparation, and investments we can minimize the impact of significant weather events, which are happening more frequently, and can help save lives and protect our property. I am proud to be a joint author and look forward to working with my colleagues as these bills move through the legislative process.”

SB 6 would require the Texas Department of Emergency Management to create a disaster response plan for local officials. This plan is designed to reduce the confusion and delay after an event by providing local government with resources needed to effectively prepare and recover from disasters.

SB 7 would create the flood infrastructure fund to support flood projects throughout the state. The fund would be managed by the Texas Water Development Board and overseen by an advisory committee composed of the same members that serve on the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas Advisory Committee. The Texas Water Development Board may use the fund to make grants or provide zero/low-interest loans to eligible local governments for flood planning projects. The bill includes transparency and reporting requirements which ensure that Texans will be informed on the completion and financial projects.

SB 8 would direct the state’s water planning agency to devise a statewide flood plan. The plan would be required to provide for flood preparation and response, to guide state and local flood control policy, and, if possible, to contribute to water development. This bill also includes about $150 million to repair all of the 500 high-hazard dams throughout the state.

Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa proudly represents the counties of Nueces, Jim Wells, Brooks, and Hidalgo (part). Senator Hinojosa currently serves as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, and serves on the Senate Committees on Property Tax; Natural Resources & Economic Development; Transportation; Agriculture; and Select Committee on Texas Ports.

AUSTIN, TX — Recently, Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa joined Senator Joan Huffman, Chair of the Senate State Affairs Committee, as joint-author of Senate Bill 12, the Retired Teachers’ Security Act. This bill, if passed, will bring actuarial soundness to the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) and provide our retired teachers with a 13th check.

Senator Hinojosa released the following statement:

“The long-term sustainability of TRS has been a priority and I am proud to join Senator Huffman as joint-author of Senate Bill 12 (SB 12). Our retired and current teachers deserve a system that is actuarially sound and can guarantee that a retiree will receive a retirement paycheck they worked hard to earn.

SB 12 and the teacher pay raise bill, SB 3, are proof that the advocacy, engagement, and call to action from our teacher groups and retirees across the state made a difference. I look forward to supporting this bill as it moves through the legislative process.”

The introduced Senate budget for the fiscal year 2020-21 also includes $231 million for TRS HealthCare to help ensure the solvency of the fund.

Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa proudly represents the counties of Nueces, Jim Wells, Brooks, and Hidalgo (part). Senator Hinojosa currently serves as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, and serves on the Senate Committees on Property Tax; Natural Resources & Economic Development; Transportation; Agriculture; and Select Committee on Texas Ports.

AUSTIN, TX — Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa recently filed Senate Bill 858, the Senate companion to House Bill 1521 by Representative Burrows, to address the challenges faced by first responders trying to get compensation for work-related injuries or health issues. This bill would not only specify that self-insuring political subdivisions could be sued for violation of the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act, but also allow the commissioner of the Division of Workers’ Compensation to assess a penalty against a political subdivision that fails to cover a filed claim.

Senator Hinojosa released the following statement:

“Our first responders have earned and deserve our support, including our firefighters who do not hesitate to enter into a burning building or home to save lives and property. Likewise, we shouldn’t turn our backs on them when their life is in danger. We must do everything possible to provide them with the life-saving healthcare they need and the benefits they have earned, especially when the health issues are caused by their line of work.

The current process used by workers’ comp insurers takes too long and takes advantage of the fact that our first responders don’t have the time or resources to fight a claim. They often settle for nothing to avoid a lengthy fight that in the long run only benefits the insurance companies. This bill makes the needs and benefits of our first responders the priority.” 

Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa proudly represents the counties of Nueces, Jim Wells, Brooks, and Hidalgo (part). Senator Hinojosa currently serves as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, and serves on the Senate Committees on Property Tax; Natural Resources & Economic Development; Transportation; Agriculture; and Select Committee on Texas Ports.