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.

AUSTIN, TX — Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa recently filed Senate Bill (SB) 1325 which, if passed, will make it easier for a person married to a military service member or veteran to obtain an occupational license or revalidate an existing license from another state. Texas is home to thousands of military families, consisting of veterans, active-duty service members, spouses, and dependents.

Senator Hinojosa issued the following statement:

“Our military spouses face frequent moves and parenting responsibilities that often make it challenging for them to get a job. They face further barriers with burdensome state and local occupational licensing regulations. The occupational licensing reforms in my bill will help maximize employment opportunities for our military families and will show our state’s continued commitment to welcoming them to Texas.”

SB 1325 will continue to aid military members or spouses by extending the fee waivers established by Senate Bill 807 in 2015 to include any relevant local fees. The bill will also provide for licensing reciprocity for veterans, their spouses, and for military spouses who hold a current license issued by another jurisdiction for which the licensing requirements are substantially equivalent to those in Texas. Additionally, SB 1325 will create a comprehensive website for military members or dependents to locate license reciprocity information.

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, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick appointed Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa as a member of the Senate Select Committee on Texas Ports. Lt. Governor Patrick originally created the Select Committee during the 84th Legislature and has reactivated it for the 86th Legislature. Senator Hinojosa was previously appointed to the Select Committee on Texas Ports during the 84th Legislature.

Other members of the Committee include Chairman Brandon Creighton, Vice Chair Carol Alvarado, and Senators Lois Kolkhorst, Eddie Lucio, Jr., Jane Nelson, and Larry Taylor. 

Senator Hinojosa offered the following statement regarding his appointment:

“I thank Lt. Governor Patrick for reappointing me to the Select Committee on Texas Ports. I look forward to resuming the work we started under Chairman Creighton’s leadership two sessions ago.

Clearly, our sea and inland ports are vital to the success of Texas’ economy. We are blessed with a beautiful stretch of coastline offering our economy and businesses greater access to trade and commerce through our seaports. We also benefit enormously from the trade along our border with Mexico — Texas’ largest trading partner at nearly $200 billion a year.

It is critical that we focus on maintaining the success of our Texas ports, as they generate over $270 billion a year in economic development and $6 billion in state and local taxes per year. Our ports also create 1.4 million jobs and more than $80 billion in personal income.”

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 Senate Committee on Property Tax voted 4-0 to favorably report Senate Bill 2 (SB 2) to the full Senate. Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa was present, not voting on SB 2, otherwise known as the Property Tax Reform and Relief Act of 2019.

Senator Hinojosa issued the following statement:

“While I support 97.5% of this bill, I cannot support the other 2.5%. Specifically, I cannot support the 2.5% “voter-approved rate” currently in SB 2. While the existing 8% rate is too high, the 2.5% rate is too low and would jeopardize the ability of local governments to provide crucial services to their communities.

There is no doubt that property tax appraisals are increasing faster than our paychecks. Property taxpayers need relief. However, we should find a balanced approach that does not tie the hands of our local elected officials and hinder their ability to provide basic services and public safety.

The largest budget expenditure by local governments is public safety. On average, 60% of their budget supports our police officers and firefighters. With a 2.5% cap, SB 2 could hinder our local governments’ ability to keep our communities safe and to fund other necessary services and infrastructure.

Instead of applying a one size fits all approach to our vast state, to provide true property tax relief we should focus more on school finance reform. School taxes are the largest portion of our property tax bill. We should also eliminate unfunded mandates by the state.

I look forward to continue working with my colleagues to find consensus on a fair and equitable solution that improves the property tax and appraisal process without hindering our local communities’ ability to fund public safety, education, indigent health care, and the infrastructure needed to continue Texas’ prosperity.”

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; and, Agriculture.

AUSTIN, TX – Today, Senator Paul Bettencourt, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Property Tax, filed Senate Bill 2 cited as the Property Tax Reform and Relief Act of 2019. The proposed legislation lowers the rollback rate from the current 8% to 2.5% for taxing entities that collect more than $15 million in tax revenue annually. This bill also makes changes to the appraisal process.

Senator Hinojosa, the only South Texas and border member of the Property Tax Committee issued the following statement:

“The filing of Senate Bill 2 means we are ready to roll up our sleeves and get to work. Property tax reform is a top priority for the Legislature this session. As a member of the Property Tax Committee, I have the opportunity to advocate for our working families burdened with paying a property tax bill that sometimes feels like a second mortgage.

This bill is just a starting point, and I am committed to working with Chairman Bettencourt and the members of the committee to find a fair and equitable solution to our broken property tax system. This solution must include assurances that we will have sufficient revenue to properly fund public safety, education for our children, health care for our most vulnerable, and infrastructure for our continued growth and prosperity.”

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; and, Agriculture.