Highlights 77th Texas Legislature - Senate

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77 th Texas Legislature
including the costs of providing statewide support services to each state agency, and develop and
prescribe a billing procedure that ensures each state agency is billed for all costs allocated to the agency
for which the agency is not obligated to pay another state agency under other law.
Texas Public Finance Authority - H.B. 2153
by Representative Averitt
Senate Sponsor: Senator Sibley
The Texas Public Finance Authority (TPFA) was created in 1984 to provide cost-effective financing for
capital projects to certain state agencies and institutions of higher education, as specified by the legislature.
Increases from six to seven members the size of the board of directors of TPFA.
Expands TPFA's authority to issue and sell bonds in the name of TPFA to include financing for the
acquisition or construction of buildings throughout Texas, rather than buildings in Travis County alone.
Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation - H.B. 2723
by Representative Raymond
Senate Sponsor: Senator Shapleigh
There has been a trend for persons participating as witnesses or complainants in governmental
proceedings to be subjected to groundless lawsuits for libel and slander brought for the purpose of
harassing or intimidating the person or forcing the person to withdraw a complaint. These lawsuits are
sometimes known as SLAPP suits, which stands for “Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation.”
Sets out the type of claims that are included in the law and the venue for such claims.
Provides that complainants (persons who makes complaints or who communicate information relevant to a
complaints to a governmental agency or quasi-governmental entity) who make a complaint in good faith are
not liable for monetary damages arising from the complaint or subject to injunctive or declaratory relief with
respect to the complaint. There is a rebuttable presumption that a complaint is made in good faith.
Makes a person liable for damages to a complainant and subject to injunctive or declaratory relief if the
complainant demonstrates by a preponderance of the evidence that:
• the complainant made or intended to make a complaint in good faith;
• the person committed or caused to be committed harassing conduct against the complainant; and
• the harassing conduct was committed to obtain the withdrawal of the complaint, prevent or limit the
complainant's participation, prevent the filing of the complaint, or retaliate for the complaint.
Sets damages that may be awarded to the complainant as:
• actual damages;
• attorney's fees and costs; and
Senate Research Center 265