(AUSTIN, TX) — Senator Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, passed another 79 bills during the 2011 legislative session, bringing her total to 727 since 1987. Her legislation will strengthen local communities; enhance public safety; reduce wasteful spending; improve educational programs; increase affordability, accountability and excellence in higher education; and promote health and human services for the very young, the very old and persons with disabilities.

"Because of the significant budget shortfall, the 82nd Texas Legislative Session was exceedingly challenging," Senator Zaffirini said. "Despite this and other hurdles, we persevered in making a difference for the families of Senate District 21 and of our great state."

Senator Zaffirini, Chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee and Co-Chair of the Joint Oversight Committee on Higher Education Governance, Excellence and Transparency, passed 30 bills related to higher education.

Enhancing financial aid programs for Texas families is one of Senator Zaffini's top priorities in the Texas Senate. Her Senate Bill (SB) 28, sponsored by Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, reforms the TEXAS Grant program, which has helped thousands of Texas families afford to send their children to college. The bill will prioritize grants for high-achieving, low-income students.

With its multitude of deadlines, the financial aid process can be confusing for families sending a first child to college. SB 851, also by Zaffirini and Branch, creates a single statewide financial aid deadline for all public four-year universities in Texas.

Senator Zaffirini and Rep. Branch also collaborated in passing SB 29, which will allow students who are recipients of graduate fellowships to participate in university health insurance programs. The bill will help increase the number of fellowships accepted at Texas colleges and universities and help institutions maximize research funding. What's more, House Bill (HB) 2910 by Branch and Zaffirini creates the Texas Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Challenge Scholarship Program, which will promote training in high-tech fields and help ensure the Texas workforce remains competitive in today's global economy.

SB 5 by Zaffirini and Rep. Branch removes unfunded mandates and relieves administrative burdens placed on higher education institutions related to duplicative and unnecessary reports. HB 1000, also by Branch and Zaffirini, continues a multi-session effort to expand and enhance national research universities in Texas by providing a criteria-based incentive and distribution methodology for the National Research University Fund.

Academic advising at universities will be improved by SB 36, which brings academic advisors into the state's accountability system. Quality academic advising is key to student success, and the bill will help ensure that students are receiving effective, appropriate academic advising from qualified academic advisors. Senator Zaffirini's bill was sponsored by Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio.

Accountability also is the focus of Senator Zaffirini's SB 38, which was passed after being attached to SB 1534 by Senator Florence Shapiro, R-Plano. The bill brings for-profit and career colleges into the state's higher education accountability system.

A member of the Health and Human Services Committee since 1987, Senator Zaffirini always has championed quality care and respectful treatment for persons with disabilities. Her SB 37, sponsored by Rep. Elliott Naishtat, D-Austin, authorizes the statutory continuation of the Promoting Independence Advisory Committee. The committee plays a key role in helping Texans with disabilities live in the community or with their families, instead of in costly institutional settings.

SB 41 by Zaffirini and Rep. John Davis, R-Houston, prohibits the use of prone holds, straitjackets and other dangerous, ineffective restraints in State-Supported Living Centers. The hurtful slur "retarded" is eliminated from state statutes by HB 1481 by Rep. Vicki Truitt, R-Keller, and Zaffirini. The bill requires state agencies to use respectful language when referencing persons with disabilities.

HB 3724 by Rep. Ryan Guillen, D-Rio Grande City, and Zaffirini requires implementation of an early detection plan for prevention, early screening, diagnosis and management of chronic kidney disease. HB 2904 by Rep. John Zerwas, R-Simonton, and Zaffirini makes the Glenda Dawson Donate Life-Texas Registry a more effective tool in registering citizens of Texas to become organ, tissue and eye donors and reduces the cost to state government of operating the registry.

Protecting children with food allergies is the focus of Senator Zaffirini's SB 27. Sponsored by Rep. Branch, the bill requires public school systems to adopt guidelines that could help prevent deadly allergic reactions, thereby averting tragedies.

A longtime champion of early childhood education, Senator Zaffirini continued her legislative efforts to ensure wider access to quality childcare. Her SB 264, sponsored by Rep. Guillen, will ensure that parents are informed consumers by requiring local workforce boards to provide them with information about quality child care indicators for each child care provider in the area. Childcare employee training is enhanced by SB 265 by Zaffirini and Rep. Stefani Carter, R-Dallas.

Senator Zaffirini believes that reading fosters a lifelong love of learning for children of all ages. Accordingly, HB 2139 by Rep. Guillen and Zaffirini would establish an Adopt-A-Library program to encourage public and private entities to invest in public libraries throughout Texas.

Public safety is consistently ranked among the top concerns of Texans. Senator Zaffirini's SB 250 will help more victims of stalking obtain life-saving protective orders. She passed her SB 46 as an amendment to HB 242 by Rep. Tom Craddick, R-Midland, prohibiting texting-while-driving on Texas roadways. What's more, HB 2138 by Rep. Guillen and Zaffirini will enhance the cooperative efforts between game wardens and state military forces in water-related rescues.

Volunteer fire departments play a critical role in protecting rural communities, especially during times of wildfire and drought. SB 1927 by Zaffirini and Rep. John Garza, R-San Antonio, authorizes volunteer firefighters to hold 10 fundraisers a year, thereby allowing departments to raise more funds for equipment, training and travel expenses.

SB 61 and SB 209, authored by Senator Zaffirini and sponsored by Rep. Armando Walle, D-Houston, will establish minimum guidelines and supervision standards for juvenile case manager.

This Memorial Day Senator Zaffirini is especially proud to have worked with local veterans groups to rename portions of State Highways 359, 16 and 285 as the Veterans of the Korean War Memorial Highway. The bill was sponsored in the House of Representatives by Rep. Richard Raymond, D-Laredo.

Improving government efficiency and eliminating unnecessary spending is another priority addressed by Senator Zaffirini's legislation. HB 326 by Rep. Guillen and Zaffirini requires agencies and departments under sunset review to submit to the legislature the unnecessary and duplicative reports that can be eliminated to save on costs.

"I am grateful for Lt. Governor David Dewhurst's leadership and for the opportunity to work closely not only with my colleagues in the Senate and the House, but also with local leaders, educators and community and health advocates to develop and pass legislation benefitting SD 21 and our great State of Texas."

At the beginning of the legislative session Lt. Gov. Dewhurst re-appointed Senator Zaffirini Chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee and a member of the Senate Finance, Redistricting, Administration and Economic Development Committees. Later in the session, he appointed her Co-Chair, with Rep. Branch, of the Joint Oversight Committee on Higher Education Governance, Excellence and Transparency. She also serves on the Legislative Budget Board.

The bills passed by Senator Zaffirini have been sent to Governor Rick Perry for his consideration. The progress of these and other bills can be monitored via the internet at www.zaffirini.senate.state.tx.us or by contacting the Texas Legislative Reference Library at 512/463-1252.

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