Tracking the Texas Legislature
TANO Tracking & Reports on Texas Legislative Session
Authorized agent of the Texas Association of Nonprofit Organizations
Richard W. Meyer, Attorney at Law and former TANO Vice-President for Public Policy & Advocacy, informs TANO on governmental, public policy and legislative issues that may arise before legislative, governmental bodies or agencies at the state, federal or local levels. His regular updates on such activities are available at nonprofitlawandpolicy.com .
84th Legislature – 2015 Regular Session
Past Texas Legislative Sessions
- 83rd Legislature – 2013 Regular Session
- 82nd Legislature – 2011 Regular Session
- 81st Legislature – 2009 Regular Session
- 80th Legislature – 2007 Regular Session
- 79th Legislature – 2005 Regular Session
- 78th Legislature – 2003 Regular Session
How TANO determines what to monitor
Numerous bills are introduced in every session of the Texas Legislature that directly or indirectly impact nonprofit organizations. TANO applies the following criteria to determine which legislation it monitors:
- Whether a proposed bill strengthens nonprofit organization viability under Texas law or unduly burdens or threatens their status;
- Whether the legal liability of nonprofit board members or officers, staff or volunteers is increased;
- Whether current “charitable immunity” and “good faith” legal protections remain in place;
- Whether laws governing nonprofits are necessary, understandable and based on reasonable public policy concerns;
- Whether nonprofit advocacy is protected;
- Whether ongoing nonprofit organization operations and finances are complicated by new governmental regulations;
- Whether nonprofit organization disclosure and accountability requirements remain reasonable and balanced.
Online access to Texas & Federal legislation
- Access pending bills before Texas House of Representatives and/or Senate at Texas Legislature Online.
- Access Federal legislation can at Thomas Legislative Information Online, a service of the Library of Congress