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The 83 rd Texas Legislature: Everything You Need to Know TETAF EMS Leadership Lunch ‘n Learn Webinar Series January 30,

The 83 rd Texas Legislature: Everything You Need to Know TETAF EMS Leadership Lunch ‘n Learn Webinar Series January 30, 2013 Dinah S. Welsh. 83 rd Texas Legislature. Texas Legislature meets in odd years for 140 days 83 rd Texas Legislature began January 8, 2013

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The 83 rd Texas Legislature: Everything You Need to Know TETAF EMS Leadership Lunch ‘n Learn Webinar Series January 30,

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  1. The 83rd Texas Legislature: Everything You Need to Know TETAF EMS Leadership Lunch ‘n Learn Webinar Series January 30, 2013 Dinah S. Welsh

  2. 83rd Texas Legislature • Texas Legislature meets in odd years for 140 days • 83rd Texas Legislature began January 8, 2013 • Legislature only constitutionally required to pass a balanced budget • Sine Die - May 27, 2013

  3. 83rd Texas Legislature • The Good – The Budget • The Bad • The Ugly

  4. Texas Senate • Current Senate mix = 19R, 11D + 1open seat (that will be a D) • 6 new members • Lt. Governor David Dewhurst leader of the Senate

  5. Key Senate Committees • Senate Finance, chaired by Sen. Tommy Williams (R-The Woodlands) • Senate Health & Human Services, chaired by Sen. Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) • Senate State Affairs, chaired by Senator Robert Duncan (R-Lubbock)

  6. Texas House of Representatives • Republican majority currently in House = 95 R, 55 D (41 freshmen) • Speaker Joe Straus (R-San Antonio)

  7. Key House Committees* • House Appropriations Committee, chaired by Rep. Jim Pitts (R-Waxahachie) • House Public Health Committee, chaired by Rep. Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) • House Calendars Committee, chaired by Rep. Todd Hunter (R-Corpus Christi) • House Human Services Committee, chaired by Rep. Richard Pena Raymond (D-Laredo) • House Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee, chair is vacant *House Committees not appointed as of 1/30/13 for 83rd Legislature

  8. Governor Rick Perry • Longest serving Texas Governor • Very popular governor, but with decreased approval ratings • Appointments

  9. Texas Population of 25.6 million 254 counties 113,243 House District Population 547,952 Senate District Population

  10. 2014-15 Texas Budget • $101.4 billion available in general purpose spending • 12.4% increase from 2012-2013 • Additional funds available but dedicated (i.e. federal funds) = $208.2 billion all funds available for Texas budget

  11. I’m Just a Bill

  12. Idea to Law • Idea • Research and collection of data • Need for legislation to change status quo • Identify state legislator and convince to carry legislation • Writing and filing of bill • Referral of bill to committee • Hearing in committee, passage by one chamber of legislature • Referral to other chamber of legislature and referral to committee • Passage by second chamber of legislature • Signature by Governor, veto, or becomes law without signature • Law and implementation

  13. 83rd Texas Legislature • Supplemental appropriations bill - $6.2 billion to complete 2012-2013 spending • Underfunding of Medicaid - $3.9 billion • Deferred payments to public schools - $2.3 billion • Legislative Budget Board asks agencies to cut 10% from budgets for 2014-1015 spending • Public school reform • Health care reform with implementation of new federal health requirements

  14. Texas Legislation Quick History • The Good • The Bad/Ugly • The Unexpected

  15. The GOOD: Child Booster Seat Legislation Try, try, try again • 2005 - legislation passed but was actually weaker than existing law • 2007 – legislation fails to pass • 2009 – Model Booster Seat Law Passed

  16. Booster Seat Legislation Flyer

  17. The BAD/UGLY: Motorcycle Helmet Law Repealed • Repealed in 1997 • Prior to 1997 all motorcyclists were required to wear helmets in Texas • Current law one has to show proof of $10,000 medical insurance coverage to ride without a helmet

  18. Motorcycle Helmet Law Repealed • Prior to 1997 97% of motorcyclists wore helmets, after 1997 66% wear helmets • After 1997 – fatalities and injuries increase • Operator fatalities increase by 31 percent • Costs for brain injuries increase

  19. With all this data working against repeal of mandatory use of motorcycle helmets how was the law repealed?

  20. The Motorcycle Lobby

  21. Leader of the Motorcycle Lobby Bill “Sputnik” Strain

  22. The Unexpected: Texas Trauma Funding • Trauma System created in 1989 • State infrastructure created but no state funding • 1997 – 22 RACs and 60 designated trauma facilities • First trauma and EMS monies appropriated by Texas Legislature • Attempted fee on driver’s license renewal • Ultimately $4 million used from the 911 fee fund

  23. Texas Trauma Funding • 2002 increased trauma diversions + • Looming medical malpractice crisis + • Significant changes to Texas transportation infrastructure + • And $10 billion budget deficit = TRAUMA FUNDING!!

  24. Texas Trauma Funding • Diverse coalition of interested parties • Data to prove problem • Legislative study • Legislative leadership • Timing

  25. Texas Trauma Funding • Designated Trauma Facility and EMS Account created (HB 3588) • 96% of funds to designated trauma facilities • 2% EMS agencies • 1% RACs • 1% DSHS • Grand total distributed to eligible hospitals since the inception of this funding source isapproximately $382 million

  26. Texas Trauma Funding • In addition, SB 1131 was passed imposing fees on certain traffic violations $539,766 distributed to date • Currently 264 designated trauma facilities compared to 60 in 1997

  27. What passes legislation? • Grassroots data gathering • Engaged advocates • Legislative visits, relationships • Personal stories – victim impacts • PERSISTENCE!

  28. What passes legislation? • Data, data and more data! • Bringing to legislator’s level - local data makes a world of difference • Lawmakers need data at multiple levels: • Local data • Compare communities across the State • Compare the State across the Nation • Data needs to be accurate and current • Data gathering does not stop after legislation is passed

  29. GET INVOLVED! • Who is my legislator? • www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/Home.aspx • Great websites • www.capitol.state.tx.us • www.senate.state.tx.us • www.house.state.tx.us • Great Apps • TexLege – FREE • Texas Capitol Watch - $.99 • Texas Legislature Online (TLO) www.txlegis.com - FREE • Texas Tribune - FREE

  30. EMS & Trauma Day at the Capitol • EMS & Trauma Day at the Capitol – February 26, 2013, Austin • Begin with continental breakfast and briefing at the Texas Hospital Association, briefing will begin at 9 a.m. • Walk to Capitol for House and Senate recognitions • Press conference to emphasize importance of the Texas EMS & Trauma Systems • Time to Visit with YOUR legislator • CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATOR NOW to let them know you’ll be in town 2/26/13 and request for time to meet with them

  31. TETAF Initatives • Development of coordinated EMS, trauma and acute care advocacy initiatives • Initiated Coalition to Protect Trauma Care in 2010, will re-activated for 2013 Texas Legislative Session • Use strengths of existing organizations • TETAF Legislative Watch

  32. 83rd Texas Legislature Bills of Note • HB 10 – Pitts – emergency supplemental state appropriations • SB 53 – Zaffirini – life support services provided by certain EMS personnel • SB 159 - Carona/HB 567 – Smith – definition of an authorized emergency vehicle • SB 223 – Watson – designation of certain vehicles of the Texas Division of Emergency Mgmt as authorized emergency vehicles • HB 104 – Gonzales, Larry – repeal of the Driver Responsibility Program

  33. 83rd Texas Legislature Bills of Note • HB 365 – Martinez, “Mando” – certain diseases or illnesses suffered by firefighters and EMTs • HB 409 – King, Phil – state EMS medical director • HB 705 – Howard – enhanced penalties for assault of ER personnel • HB 521 – Kuempel – direct payment by an automobile insurer to EMS providers • HB 746 – Ashby – allowing health care providers to provide services across state lines in catastrophic circumstances • SB 166 – Deuell – use by certain health care providers of electronically readable information from a driver’s license or personal identification certificate

  34. 83rd Texas Legislature Bills of Note • HB 434 – Riddle/HB 435 – Turner, Sylvester/HB 516 - Pitts - several different bills dealing with blood specimen collection • Several bills dealing with use of wireless devices in cars • Several bills dealing with reducing intoxicated drivers and increasing penalties

  35. 83rd Texas Legislature Bills of Note • HB 778 – Guillen – requiring an annual football game between The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University

  36. TETAF EMS Division • Led by Ed Racht, M.D. • Division exists to further develop and coalesce the EMS system in Texas • Get involved!

  37. TETAF EMS Leadership Lunch ‘n Learn Webinar Series • “EMS Exposure Management & Immunization Practices” • February 20, 2013 beginning at noon CST • Bill Coll, B.A., M Pub Affs. LP, REHS, Program Manager, Infection Preventionist, Office of the Medical Director, Austin/Travis County EMS System • CE credits will be offered at a small fee to cover costs

  38. Thank you! Dinah S. Welsh Chief Executive Officer Texas EMS, Trauma & Acute Care Foundation 3400 Enfield Road Austin, Texas 78703 dwelsh@tetaf.org 512/524-2892 www.tetaf.org

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