WHAT BILLS SHOULD I FILE? The People’s Lawmaking Session
About this Event
- 🏛️ WHAT BILLS SHOULD I FILE?
- The People’s Lawmaking Session - Turn Your Idea Into Legislative Action
- 🌐 RSVP: TexasBills.Eventbrite.com
- 🎟️ Free Event⚠️ Space is limited.
The laws passed in Austin affect our schools, neighborhoods, businesses, workplaces, health care, public safety, voting rights, families, and everyday lives. The people who live with those laws should have a real opportunity to speak about what is broken, what needs to change, and what Texas should do next.
State Representative Jolanda “Jo” Jones is inviting residents, advocates, professionals, neighborhood leaders, students, organizations, subject matter experts, and members of the public to bring their ideas directly to the table. Guests will have an opportunity to discuss problems affecting their communities, propose new laws or changes to existing laws, and learn how an idea moves from a community concern to a bill that can be filed, heard in committee, debated, voted on, and sent to the governor.
Bring the problem, share your experience, and help turn community ideas into legislative action.
📍 EVENT DETAILS
- 👥 WHO: This event is open to anyone who wants to attend, learn, participate, or share an idea. Residents, students, educators, professionals, neighborhood leaders, nonprofit organizations, business owners, advocates, local officials, subject matter experts, and members of the public are all welcome. No legal experience, government experience, or policy background is required.
- 🏛️ WHAT: What Bills Should I File? The People’s Lawmaking Session. This is a community listening session and legislative education event hosted by State Representative Jolanda “Jo” Jones. Guests will have the opportunity to share issues affecting their families, neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, professions, organizations, and communities.
Ideas may include:
- 💡 A new law Texas should create
- 📝 A current law that needs to be changed
- 🛡️ A protection that should be strengthened
- 💰 A program or service that needs state funding
- 🏢 A problem involving a Texas agency
- ⚖️ An unfair policy that needs to be addressed
- 🏘️ A community issue that requires action from the State of Texas
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- 📅 WHEN: Tuesday, August 25, 2026
- ⏰ TIME: 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- 📌 WHERE: Judson Robinson, Jr. Community Center
- 📌ADDRESS: 2020 Hermann Drive, HTX 77004
- 🎟️ ADMISSION: Free Community Admission
There is one ticket type, and it is completely free for anyone who wants to attend.
Registration reserves your seat and helps the office prepare adequate seating, materials, and event support.
- 🌐 RSVP: TexasBills.Eventbrite.com
Space is limited, so advance registration is strongly encouraged.
- ☎️ POINT OF CONTACT: Ivan Sanchez, 832-713-4577
Office of State Representative Jolanda “Jo” Jones
For questions regarding the event, registration, accessibility, participation, or community partnerships, please contact Ivan Sanchez through the office.
- 📚 WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
This event will provide a practical explanation of how the Texas legislative process works. Think House Rocks "I'm just a bill"
Guests will learn about:
- 💡 Turning a community concern into a legislative idea
- 🔎 Researching current Texas law
- ✍🏾 Drafting proposed legislation
- 📂 Filing a bill in the Texas Legislature
- 🏛️ Referral to a House or Senate committee
- 🎤 Public hearings and community testimony
- 📋 Committee debate, amendments, and votes
- 🗳️ Floor consideration in the Texas House and Senate
- 🤝 Building support among lawmakers and community organizations
- 📲 Tracking a bill during the legislative session
- 🖊️ Sending approved legislation to the governor
Guests will also learn how residents can remain involved by sharing personal testimony, contacting lawmakers, attending committee hearings, organizing community support, and helping explain why a proposed law is needed.
💬 WHAT WE WANT TO HEAR
- What is happening in your community that lawmakers need to understand?
- What problem continues to affect people because the law has not caught up?
- What protection, program, service, or policy should Texas create?
- What current law is unfair, outdated, ineffective, or causing harm?
- Who is affected, and what would a meaningful solution look like?
You do not need to know the legal language or arrive with a fully written bill. The purpose of this event is to hear your experience, understand the problem, and begin exploring possible legislative solutions.
📂 WHAT YOU CAN BRING
Guests are welcome to bring materials that help explain their idea or community concern.
Helpful materials may include:
- 📄 A written summary of the issue
- 📊 Research, reports, or statistics
- 🗣️ Personal or professional experiences
- 📰 News articles or public records
- 📸 Photographs or supporting documents
- 🏛️ Examples of laws from other cities or states
- 💭 A proposed solution or recommendation
🤝 Information from organizations already working on the issue
Formal materials are not required. Guests are welcome to attend simply to listen, learn, and participate in the conversation.
🤝 WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE EVENT
Ideas shared during The People’s Lawmaking Session may be reviewed by Representative Jones and her legislative team.
The review process may include:
- 🔎 Researching current law
- ⚖️ Evaluating legal and constitutional questions
- 💰 Considering financial costs or funding needs
- 🏢 Identifying agencies or government entities involved
- 📝 Developing possible bill language
- 🤝 Consulting with community organizations and subject matter experts
- 🏛️ Building support among legislators and local leaders
- 🎤 Preparing residents to provide public testimony
Community members connected to promising proposals may be invited to remain involved throughout the process.
That involvement may include providing additional information, reviewing proposed language, identifying affected residents, gathering organizational support, contacting lawmakers, traveling to the Texas Capitol, and testifying during committee hearings.
📋 IMPORTANT INFORMATION
- ✅ The event is free and open to the public
- ✅ Registration is required because seating is limited
- ✅ No government or legal experience is required
- ✅ Guests may attend without presenting an idea
- ✅ Students and young people interested in government are encouraged to attend
- ✅ Community organizations are welcome to participate
- ✅ Ideas may involve legislation, funding, agency rules, or action by another level of government
- ✅ Every proposal must be researched and reviewed before moving forward
Submitting an idea does not guarantee that a bill will be filed, receive a hearing, pass the Legislature, or become law.
🏛️ NEED HELP FROM OUR OFFICE?
The Office of State Representative Jolanda “Jo” Jones assists constituents who are experiencing problems involving Texas state agencies.
The office may also assist with requests for official certificates, recognitions, congratulatory letters, memorial resolutions, and other constituent services.
To request assistance, contact the Office of State Representative Jolanda “Jo” Jones at:
☎️ 713 522 0555
We are here to listen, help, and connect our community with the resources available through the State of Texas.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00
