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Texas Association of Business Score Card
Texas Association of Business Score Card
THE 2017 REPORT OF THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE 85th REGULAR & FIRST CALLED SPECIAL SESSION
THE BUSINESS REPORT CARD IS IN. DID YOUR LAWMAKERS MAKE THE GRADE?
October 2017
Every session, TAB contacts the Legislature about the bills and issues that Champion for Free Enterprise
impact small and large employers across Texas. For the Record 2017 is a Scores highlighted in red are legislators designated as the Texas
valuable tool to hold legislators accountable and ensure they are addressing Association of Business Champions for Free Enterprise. A legislator
the needs of the business community. must score a 90 or above to receive this distinction. This is the highest
honor that a lawmaker can receive from TAB.
For a bill to be used on the TAB voting record, we make sure our stance
was communicated through one or more of the following ways. TAB Fighter for Free Enterprise
produced and delivered to legislators and their staff our priorities while Scores highlighted in gold are legislators designated as the Texas
also meeting face-to-face when possible on issues. In addition, TAB wrote Association of Business Fighters for Free Enterprise. A legislator must
letters on specific bills and provided oral and/or written testimony or score an 80-89 to receive this distinction.
registered its position in committee hearings. As an added benefit to
legislators, TAB produced a floor report that was electronically delivered
to legislative offices every morning that indicated TABs positions on each
bill of interest on the calendar for that specific day. Offices also were given HOW TO READ THE VOTES
electronic access to all TAB memos and letters on issues as well as specific
bills.
+ Pro-Business Vote
- Vote Against Business
Legislators who score 90-100 on our voting record are recognized as E Excused Absence
Champions for Free Enterprise and legislators scoring 80-89 are noted as
Fighters for Free Enterprise. TABs scorecard includes a specific score of
A Absence (Unexcused)
the session as well a cumulative grade that spans over their career as a state C Chair
lawmaker. TAB honors the higher of either score. P Present Not Voting
FR Freshman Legislator
The vote occurred on passage to third reading. A vote for HB 28 was a The vote occurred on third reading and final passage. A vote for HB 122
vote with TAB. HB 28 passed the House but died in the Senate. was a vote with TAB. HB 122 passed the House but died in the Senate.
Freestanding ER Transparency HB 3276 The vote occurred on passage to third reading. A vote against SB 3 was a
Third Reading and Final Passage vote with TAB. SB 3 passed the Senate but died in the House.
This bill requires freestanding emergency rooms to post notice of health
benefit plan provider network status. This is an important step to greater
transparency at freestanding ERs and will help ensure consumers receive
adequate information to make informed health care decisions for them
and their families. Texas has more than half of the Freestanding ERs in
the country and many consumers are unaware that these facilities are often
out of network, resulting in surprise medical bills.
The vote occurred on third reading and final passage. A vote for HB 3276
was a vote with TAB. HB 3276 passed and was signed by the Governor.