Texas Legislature 86th Session Dates of Interest

The Texas legislature will convene its 86th Regular Session in early January. Only two bills have been filed currently that directly relate to the workers’ compensation system.

Senate Bill 163, by Sen. Rodriguez (D-El Paso), would require the provision of workers’ compensation coverage for employees of certain building and construction contractors and subcontractors.

House Bill 387, by Rep. (D-San Antonio). Last session, the legislature amended the Labor Code to permit a treating doctor to delegate the authority to complete and sign a work status report regarding a claimant’s ability to return to work to a physician’s assistant. This bill proposes to expand that authority to licensed advanced practice registered nurses.

The session will run for almost five months before adjournment until 2021. The following are important dates of interest for the legislative session.

• Tuesday, January 8, 2019 (1st day)

86th Legislature convenes
(Sec. 5(a), Article III, Texas Constitution; Sec. 301.001, Government Code)

• Upon the convening of the 86th Legislature

The comptroller of public accounts delivers the Biennial Revenue Estimate to the governor and the 86th Legislature
(Sec. 49a, Article III, Texas Constitution; Sec. 403.121, Government Code)

• Monday, January 14, 2019

LBB budget estimates delivered to the governor and the 86th Legislature
(Sec. 322.008(c), Government Code)

• Tuesday, January 15, 2019

Inauguration of the governor and lieutenant governor
(Sec. Sec. 4, Article IV, Texas Constitution)

• Tuesday, January 15, 2019

LBB general appropriations bill delivered to the governor and the 86th Legislature
(Sec. 322.008(d), Government Code)

• Before the governor’s State of the State address to the 86th Legislature

The governor delivers the governor’s budget to the 86th Legislature
(Sec. 401.046, Government Code)

• Friday, March 8, 2019 (60th day)

Deadline for the unrestricted filing of bills and joint resolutions other than local bills, emergency appropriations, and emergency matters submitted by the governor
(Sec. 5(b), Article III, Texas Constitution; House Rule 8, Sec. 8; Senate Rule 7.07(b); Senate Rule 10.01 subjects joint resolutions to the rules governing proceedings on bills)

• Monday, May 27, 2019 (140th day)

Last day of 86th Legislature (sine die)
(Sec. 24(b), Art. III, Texas Constitution)

After March 8, 2019, a number of granular deadlines will be imposed that will affect whether and how individual bills proceed through the House and the Senate while on their way to the Governor’s desk. The last 22 days of the session then become critical to the successful passage or failure of a particular bill. Critical deadlines crop up almost daily during this period.