Round The Capitol 2015

ROUND THE CAPITOL 2015

The Texas Legislature meets in regular session every two years, convening on the second Tuesday in January of every odd-numbered year.  These biennial sessions are limited to just 140 days.  The 84th Texas Legislature will convene January 2013 and sine die June 1, 2015.  Between now and then you can expect to hear a lot from me.

Legislators began pre-filing legislation on November 10, and on that first day, some 350 bills were filed.  To date, more than 592 bills have been filed.  While we have yet to have any bills filed, the coming weeks will see a number of significant bills filed to improve nurse practitioner regulations and to improve access to care.  It's going to be exciting.

While the session doesn't begin until mid-January, we have been preparing for this since June of 2013.  Through our Legislative Academy participants and other TNP member volunteers, we have met directly with more than 100 state legislators, educating and building relationships that will surely make a difference in passing significant reforms that will benefit your practice.

In addition to the many legislative visits this interim, our TNP Political Action Committee (PAC) has been active in supporting candidates and officeholders that support one thing – YOU.  The PAC contributed nearly $20,000 to candidates, provided public endorsements and, worked election-day polling locations so that candidates who support improving APRN regulations are elected to the Texas House and Senate.

We have done a lot in short time and we will begin to measure the success of our efforts come January.  But we will still need your help.  Please join us for our TNP Round the Capitol Days.  Citizen lobbying is only effective if you have citizens participating.  Your legislators need to hear from you, at home in the district, and in Austin at the capitol.  Choose one of the 4 dates that correspond with your region and join us as we seek to pass a wide range of legislative measures that will improve your practice. ~David Williams, TNP Public Affairs Director

January 28th, February 11th (TEMPLE & WACO) ,  March 4th & April 8th

Follow this link http://bit.ly/1w0V94v%20   and register for FREE to come join the fun as we seek to modernize NP practice laws

THERE IS NO REGISTRATION FEE!!!! You heard that right; there is no cost to attend. In addition, if the Temple/ Waco region gets enough attendees, bus travel to and from the Capitol will be arranged.