HB 902 (http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB902), a bill to decriminalize minor possession of marijuana (up to 1oz), was introduced into the Texas House of Representatives by Rep. Harold Dutton (Dist. 142, Houston). If passed, HB 902 would make the possession of up to 1 ounce of marijuana a Class C Misdemeanor, and under Texas law that means a fine up to $500 with NO THREAT OF JAIL-TIME, if convicted!
HB 902 has been assigned to the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee in the House of Representatives. There are a several different actions that need to be taken on this bill.
PLEASE BE AS COURTEOUS AS POSSIBLE WHEN CORRESPONDING WITH LEGISLATORS!
First, we need you all to contact your Representatives and ask them to please consider being a sponsor or co-author of HB 902.
You can find out who your Representative is by going to, http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/, entering your address, and enter “House” for the District Type. Make sure it lists your “Texas State Representative”.
Second, we need as many of you as possible to contact the Chairperson of the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee, Rep. Pete Gallego (Dist. 74, Alpine), and respectfully ask that HB 902 be scheduled for a hearing. It would be most helpful if anyone is a registered voter in Texas’ District 74.
Third, we need anyone who lives in the districts of the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee members to contact those Representatives and ask for their support on HB 902. When the bill does come up for a hearing, we desperately need to have the support of the committee or else it will not advance.
Below is a list of the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee members, their respective Districts, websites, and phone number.
You can send mail to any of these representatives here:
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
Chair:
Rep. Pete Gallego, Dist. 74, Alpine, TX
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist74/welcome.htm
(512) 463-0566
Vice Chair:
Rep. Wayne Christian, Dist. 9, Center/Nacogdoches, TX
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist9/welcome.htm
(512) 463-0566
Rep. Allen Fletcher, Dist. 130, Tomball, TX (Harris County)
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist130/welcome.htm
(512) 463-0661
Rep. Terri Hodge, Dist. 100, Dallas, TX (central)
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist100/welcome.htm
(512) 463-0586
Rep. Carol Kent, Dist. 102, Dallas/Garland, TX
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist102/welcome.htm
(512) 463-0454
Rep. Robert Miklos, Dist. 101, Mesquite/Sunnyvale, TX
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist101/welcome.htm
(512) 463-0464
Rep. Joseph E. Moody, Dist. 78, El Paso, TX
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist78/welcome.htm
(512) 463-0728
Rep. Paula Pierson, Dist. 93, Arlington/Grand Prairie, TX
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist93/welcome.htm
(512) 463-0562
Rep. Debbie Riddle, Dist. 150, N. Harris Country, TX
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist150/welcome.htm
(512) 463-0572
Rep. Allen Vaught, Dist. 107, Dallas/Garland, TX
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist107/welcome.htm
(512) 463-0244
Rep. Hubert Vo, Dist. 149, E/SE Houston, TX (Harris County)
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist149/welcome.htm
(512) 463-0568
Lastly, we need all of you to contact your State Senator, and respectfully request that a “companion bill” to HB 902 be introduced in the Senate. Without a similar bill in the Senate, this legislation will not make it to the Governor’s desk.
To find out who your Texas State Senator is go to, http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/, enter your address, and enter “Senate” for the District Type. Make sure it lists your “Texas State Senator”.
Please take action on this very important legislation, and pass on the information to your friends and family.
