Sheffield said the legislation is very conservative, would not cost the state any money, and could actually cut spending.
“The bills were generated basically by people who came to me and said, ‘I’d like you to help me,’” Sheffield said. “I rolled up my sleeves and went to work.”
Supporting Rep. Myra Crownover, R-Denton, Sheffield is joint author of HB 5, which would streamline no-smoking policies statewide. Sheffield said as a restaurant owner he’s been on the other side of the fence regarding no-smoking ordinances, and understands the business owners’ point of view. Pointing out there are different no-smoking ordinances in Temple, Belton and Killeen, he said this was a way to “level the playing field,” and address workers’ concerns who were affected by secondhand smoke.
“We’re not trying to take away anyone’s right to smoke,” Sheffield said. “We’re trying to say, ‘be conscious of where you are smoking.’”
Here’s a snapshot of the five bills Sheffield has authored, which will go to committee later in the session.
n HB 575 - would restrict issuing speeding tickets from toll tag information. Legislation could prevent authorities from using cameras at tollbooths to calculate motor vehicle speed and mail citations to the owners.
“That’s not what tolls are for, and that’s not how they need to be operated,” Sheffield said. “We’re trying to say that’s not something that needs to be done with toll operators.”
n HB 574 - relating to disclosure of physicians on staff for certain laser cosmetic procedures.
“It’s a notice posting, basically, in a business that would identify they are licensed,” Sheffield said. “A safety issue more than anything else. There’s so many places that have popped up that are not licensed. We want to be able to make sure the consumers are aware of what they’re walking into.”
n HB 576 - regarding electronic distribution of information to legislators by state agencies.
Sheffield said legislators receive piles of unnecessary paperwork from state agencies. This wastes money on printing costs.
“What we’re saying, if you’re not asking for it, you’re not going to get it. Otherwise, it’s going to be strictly electronically provided to you.”
n HB 573 - relating to a person’s eligibility for appointment as a volunteer deputy voter registrar.
Sheffield said this would require these volunteers to provide identification before they could work as voter registrar. Sheffield’s chief of staff, Molly Quirk, said there are not a lot of rules regarding volunteers who knock on doors looking to register voters.
n HB 577 - would require institutions of higher education to notify the federal Student Exchange and Visitor Information System about the withdrawal or absence of certain foreign students.
Sheffield called this a homeland security issue, pointing out some of the terrorists behind the Sept. 11 attacks remained in the United States after their student visas had expired.
Shortly after Sheffield and 149 other state representatives took their oath, the business of selecting a new House speaker was quickly settled. The five endorsement speeches from various representatives took longer than the vote, which was a mere formality.
Secretary of State Hope Andrade asked if anyone objected to the nomination of Rep. Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, for House speaker. After a short, quiet, moment, when no representative spoke up, Andrade declared Straus new speaker by unanimous vote.
Sheffield had backed former speaker Tom Craddick, R-Midland. When it was obvious Craddick did not have the votes to retain his position, Sheffield backed John Smithee, R-Amarillo. But Smithee could not garner the required 76 votes, and on Sunday released his supporters from their pledge to back him.
“I think the positive thing is more than anything else, we’re going to go on the floor today, we’re going to get sworn in, we’re going to elect a speaker, without a whole lot of grumbling and fighting,” Sheffield said shortly before the vote.
The unanimous vote for Straus gets the 81st Legislature off to a smooth start, compared to the 2007 session, which was plagued with a power struggle over ousting then-Speaker Craddick.
Sheffield should be seated on two committees by early February, Ms. Quirk said.
