DALLAS — State Senator Royce West (D-Dallas) filed 12 pieces of legislation today, the first day to file bills for the upcoming 84th session of the Texas Legislature.

“With eight new members in the Senate, and a slate of new officeholders at the statewide level, it should be an interesting session," Senator West concluded. “I look forward to developing relationships with my new colleagues and to working with them for a better Texas.”

Senate Bill 121 addresses "payday" lending. It is modeled from legislation that passed the Senate in 2013. “We know that some people lack access to traditional sources of financial lending,” said Senator West, "but the practices of some Texas payday lenders has created a cycle of debt from which many hardworking Texans cannot escape. SB121 should help restore balance to the relationship between borrowers and lenders in this area."

In light of recent shootings involving law enforcement and reportedly unarmed suspects, numerous cities and police departments across the country and here in Texas, have employed or are exploring the use of body-worn camera technology by officers. However, little legal or statutory framework for the use of cameras worn by police officers exists. Senate Bill 158 by Senator West would create statewide policy and looks to provide body-worn cameras for officers assigned to patrol duties.

Senator West also prefiled a number of bills related to criminal justice. Senate Bill 122 extends compensation for persons who were wrongfully convicted. Current state law does not account for persons whose convictions were overturned prior to post-conviction DNA legislation passed in 2001.

Senate Bill 124 identifies in state statute, the federal prohibition for knowingly buying firearms for another person who cannot legally purchase guns. The ban on "straw" gun purchases was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in June of this year.

Under Senate Bill 126, certain seriously-ill prison inmates, who because of their infirmities are no longer a threat to society, could be released from confinement following review by the Board of Pardons and Paroles. This measure would reduce expensive medical care costs that are now paid entirely by the state.

Senate Bill 128 seeks to ensure that criminal history record information disclosed to the public is accurate and up-to-date, and that private entities selling this information are held accountable for the accuracy of the disclosed information.

Senator West's past work regarding orders of nondisclosure is furthered by Senate Bill 130 that would allow the disposition of a judicial "set-aside," a dismissal, to be sealed from public disclosure. Senate Bill 131 follows up with legislation passed in 2011 that created statewide standards and training for law enforcement agencies, court workers, technicians and others responsible for the collection, analysis, storage and retention of biological (DNA) evidence.

Among the other legislation filed today by Senator West are bills permitting cities and counties to set a minimum wage that is greater than the federal minimum wage, and creating a bipartisan commission to handle congressional redistricting.

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