What the Texas legislature does in a typical day

What your Legislature is up to this session...

I happen to subscribe to the Texas legislature's feed regarding new bills (mostly for a humor filled distraction to my day). As I reviewed the work our elected officials do I cam across some interesting things. Below is a list of two day's worth of bills worked on by the Texas legislature. Keep in mind this guys only work every other year and have 120 days to get their work done. Here's what they did on March 18, 2013:

What your Legislature is up to this session...

I happen to subscribe to the Texas legislature's feed regarding new bills (mostly for a humor filled distraction to my day). As I reviewed the work our elected officials do I cam across some interesting things. Below is a list of two day's worth of bills worked on by the Texas legislature. Keep in mind this guys only work every other year and have 120 days to get their work done. Here's what they did on March 18, 2013:

SCR 29 Introduced

- Granting the legislature permission to adjourn for more than three days during the period beginning on Wednesday, March 13, 2013, and ending on Monday, March 18, 2013. (I guess they needed more of a holiday).

SR 423 Enrolled

 - Recognizing Boy Scout Troop 7 in Grapevine on the occasion of its 100th anniversary. ( As the den leader for a young Cub Scout, I like Scouting. But does it really need the Senate to recognize this Troop?)

SR 424 Enrolled

 - Recognizing the Pregnancy Resource Centers in Texas.

SR 433 Enrolled

 - Recognizing Ruby Cole Session for her achievements.

SR 463 Enrolled

 - In memory of Effie Mae Caffee.

SR 464 Enrolled

 - Commending Sharif Nassef Ariel Stallworth for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. (An Eagle Scout is the highest rank in Boy Scouts and the Troop recognizes the hard work put in over a six year period. But there are thousands of Eagle Scouts each year. Does the legislature have to honor only a few?)

SR 465 Enrolled

 - Commending Jarrett O'Keith Villery for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.

SR 466 Enrolled

 - Recognizing July 1 through July 4, 2013, as the Texas Family Reunion. (What in the world is the Texas Family Reunion?)

SR 467 Enrolled

 - Recognizing United Way of Williamson County for its service.

Now this only one day and only the Senate's bills. The house has similar ones packed into their session. Seems to me they should be working on more important state matters.

Peeing in the Bar Exam and Blizzard Test Taking

Check out this story about the Texas and Missouri Bar Exams....

Bar Exam Horror Stories

I'm glad I passed the first time in July and when I took the test in the olden days, we had to write ours in  BLUE ink (black and you're out).  Yeah, I wrote for three hours, longhand for the bar.  That's when lawyers researched in books (all those things covering the law firm shelf).  Besides the blizzard, kids have it too easy these days (although I though peeing in a baggie was a bit resourceful, kinda like some survival show on the Discovery Channel).

Dog eats $49k inheritance!

The owner must REALLY love this dog....

Dog eats $49k

WHOOP! Gig 'em Ags!!!

GIG 'EM AGS!!!!!!!


Ags rated #1 on preseason poll

Cursive should survive

Great article on cursive's demise in schools.  If they don't know cursive, how are they going to read the original founding documents? Like the Constitution or the Declaration of Independence.

http://tinyurl.com/bu4thyy

Boats, Kids and a Quick Note on Seatbelts

A Quick Note About Car Seatbelts
Under Texas law, all drivers and passengers must wear a seatbelt in a car.  Notice that this includes passengers in the back seat who did not have to wear one in the past.  A violation of this law is subject to a fine of $25 to $50.
For children under the age of 8 they must be in an approved child passenger seat unless they are taller than 4 feet, 9 inches tall.  Violation of this law the first time is a $25 fine.  The second violation is a $250 fine.

Boats and Kids
The laws covering boating and children aged 13 or under begins in the Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 4, Chapter 31.  First, all kids under the age of 13 must wear a Personal Flotation Device ("PFD") while a boat is "underway." (Unless the boat is over 26 feet, if it is over 26 feet, it is a free-for-all and you are probably rich enough to handle any fines anyway).  "Underway" means the boat is moving, not at anchor, tied to the shore or run up on the beach.  (See Sec. 31.066 of the Parks and Wildlife Code).
To make really sure that the kids under 13 are wearing a PFD, the operator of a boat (under 26 feet) is required to make the kids wear a PFD while underway. (Sec. 31.073(b)). To make really, really sure the kids have the PFD, the same rule is restated in Section 31.73(d).  Finally, just in case you missed it the first few times, Section 31.73(e) states an adult operator may not permit a person under 13 to be on board if the vessel is underway and they are not wearing a PFD.  (I am beginning to think they are serious about this issue).
While wearing their PFDs a 13 year old or older can act as a rearview mirror.  (Sec. 31.071).  Boats that tow skiers, tubers or other towable devices must have a rearview mirror.  Under Section 31.071(b) no mirror is required if a boat "has on board a person 13 years of age or older observing the progress of the person being towed."
In addition to state law, some lakes and sections of lakes are covered under local regulations.  These regulations may or may not prescribe PFD requirements for kids or adults or dogs, or anything else on a boat.  So, brush up on your local regulations if you use these waters.
Don't think you can get out of the rules just by having a personal watercraft (jetski, etc.).  Under Section 31.106(a)(5), a kid under 13 years of age may not operate one of these increasingly popular toys unless supervised by by a person who is at least 18, can lawfully operate the watercraft and is on board while underway. (Section 31.106(a)(5)).  Seems that takes all the fun out of a 12 year old's driving a personal watercraft.
Boats also have an age limitation on operation.  If the boat has a 15 horsepower or more motor (which most do unless paddled), the kid must be at least 13 and supervised by someone who is at least 18, can lawfully operate the boat, and is on the boat when underway (don't know how else they could supervise without being on the boat).  (Section 31.107).
If the child is born after September 1, 1993, and in a boat with at least 15 horsepower or a sailboat over 14 feet in a public waterway, they must have a "Boater Education Course."  Additionally, they must carry a license with their picture on it (just like a driver's license). (See Section 31.109 (1) & (2)).
In addition to these state regulations, the U.S. Coast Guard has jurisdiction over most Texas lakes and prescribes safety devices that must be present on a boat, such as a fire extinguisher, horn, enough PFDs, etc.  So, you new boat owners will want to check into these regulations to make sure you have everything you need.  
So, if you or someone you know has kids who want to drive the boat (I did starting when I was 8 and these laws were not in place), make sure you follow these laws or you may have a Game Warden or Sheriff's boat pulling you over with embarrassing blue lights in the middle of the lake.  (Believe me, they do have them and they do patrol).  Be careful with the kids in the car and on the water..

Legal Zoom's Achilles' Heal

Interesting article on Legal Zoom (and similar sites).

http://www.elawyeringredux.com/2012/08/articles/free-law/legalzooms-achilles-heel-free-legal-forms

Ipods up, heads down

This week there will be no legal advice or explanation of the law that I normally supply.  This is my turn to "rant" on the net and I'm going to take it.

Earlier this week, I was in Plano dropping off my kids with my parents.  I took the opportunity on the way home to drop by one of my favorite places to walk/hike: Arbor Hills Nature Preserve.  As usual there were quite a few people jogging, walking dogs, biking the usual things.

As I passed by a woman about my parent's age, she congratulated me on not having an Ipod stuck my ear.  A humorous remark in passing. 

After that I began to notice that some 90% of the people in the park, male and female, had an Ipod or phone in their ears.  As I passed someone going along path in the opposite way, I wished them a 'good morning' as I passed.  The surprising thing was that the younger people, did not say 'good morning', or look me in the eye as I passed. Older people (at least older than me) all reacted to my mannerly 'good morning' and looked me straight in the eyes.

I began to wonder, why the younger generation (including my age, 43, and younger) did not acknowledge me in any way while the older generation was different.

I may not be the standard walker or hiker in this park, but I showed no hostile intent by my address to them.  The younger generation, did not even look me in the eye much less respond or recognize me in any way.  Even when I apologized for parking crookedly to a woman in the parking lot for not leaving her enough room to easily get her child out of the car, she totally ignored me.  I was five feet away, making an apology, and she totally ignored me.  I thought she did not hear me, so I repeated the apology.  She just kept going on her way.

Now, I am a Texas Aggie and one of the standard greetings to just about anyone on campus is 'Howdy" and you get one in return.  So maybe I am a little more aware of not getting a greeting in return.

I pondered on this situation (I have a lot of time on my hands the hour drive home) and began to try and determine the cause of a lack of response.  This is what I think are the possibilities that I came up with:

1)  I am intimidating so that to even look at me in passing too fear-inducing.  Public park, walking on a heavily used trail with a pleasant greeting - I'm thinking I don't really look like a threat, especially to the woman in the parking lot. Additionally many of the people I passed were men.

2)  Their parents, teachers and others did not teach them to respond to a polite greeting.  If so, we have a generation of social misfits unable to deal with others.

3)  They are lost in the cocoon of technology created by the mp3 player and either are adjusting the song playing or talking on the phone.  This may be an answer as most had some tech device in hand to block out the rest of the world.  (My teen age son often tries this around the house, but if I, his mother or another adult talks to him, he is to remove the headphones, look them in the eye and address their query).  If they are that involved with their own hearing, they sure look like a possible victim to an unsavory character.

4) People in the affluent suburb of Plano, just don't talk to each other unless necessary.  I grew up in Plano and don't remember anyone being hostile or unfriendly.  I have been guilty on this in one aspect in my neighborhood.  We had a young couple move in for about a year next door and I never even knew their names.  That is a shame and one I will not repeat.  After all, these are the folks whose kids your kids will play with and wouldn't you like to know a little about who will be around your kid?

5)  Unless you have the possibility of leaving a tip or otherwise making them money, you don't deserve a greeting.  I think of this one whenever I go out eat or go to the local Sonic for a drink.  Carhops come out smiling and seem pleased to greet you.  Of course they are looking for a tip or might just be friendly.  The same goes with restaurants, you have the possibility of providing a tip so the waiters will be nice until you get that final bill.  Go into Best Buy some time.  You practically get followed by an employee probably working on a commission basis (or at least it seems that way).  Car lots and salesmen, happy until you say you are "just looking'.

I don't know the answer.  It may be one of these or maybe them all.  But I believe it points out a flaw in our society.  I think we may be entering a time in society where human contact is not valued.  It is being replaced by technology of the mp3 player, Twitter account, TIVO or Google search.  I am not sure this is a good thing.  I wonder if the Romans had a problem with interpersonal communication before Rome fell.  Maybe this is the first part of our own society changing permanently. 

In my opinion, people are valuable enough to give them a casual greeting.  A neighborly waive as you pick up the paper in the morning is more than we have now.  I have some new neighbors that have moved in next door.  Been there about a month.  I think I'll go welcome to the neighborhood.

Great!! just got $654 see this http://ping.fm/IusS3?Article=9354

awesome!! just made $642 Read this http://ping.fm/urPVB?Article=7542