Crabb files bills to help VFDs, gun owners

AUSTIN — The committee assignments have been handed out and local legislators have already begun filing bills as part of the 81st Session of the Texas Legislature.

Joe Crabb

Joe Crabb, a Crosby High graduate, is serving his eighth term in the State House. He serves as Vice-Chairman of the Rules and Regulations Committee. He also serves on the Agriculture & Livestock and Energy Resources Committees.

Crabb has authored or co-authored five bills so far this session. Two of the bills, HB 105 and HJR 19 are related to the creating of a Texas Redistricting Commission.

HB 267, which was also coauthored by Baytown’s Wayne Smith, would change the law regarding the interstate sale of firearms, ammunition, reloading components and firearm accessories. Crabb is seeking to remove the restriction that only allows sales from contiguous states. Crabb’s HB 794 would exempt volunteer fire departments from paying certain types of motor fuel taxes. He has also filed a bill, HB272, which would create a state board which would oversee disease control programs aimed at fighting the spread of infectious and communicable diseases including, but not limited to HIV, and Hepatitis strands A,B and C.

Wayne Smith

Smith, who represents Baytown, serves on the County Affairs and Transportation Committees. He has co-authored two bills. The first, HB 632, would require water and utility districts to maintain auxiliary generators to use in the event of a power outage. Through HB 742, Smith wants to provide property tax exemptions for disabled veterans.

Tommy Williams

Williams has served in the Texas Senate since 2003. He serves as chairman of the Administrative Committee. He is also a member of the Education, International Relations and Trade and Finance Committees. He has written 21 bills so far this session. Among the bills are school programs of the disabled, funding for county parks and a bill that would restrict the use of wireless communication devices for drivers under the age of 18.

Williams is also seeking to create a water protection pilot program for the San Jacinto River.