What did the House pass by crossover?

Here are some of the more interesting bills that made it past the upper chamber before the deadline to be considered by the Senate:

H.B. 9: Bans texting while driving.

H.B. 88: Allows parents to choose comprehensive sex ed for their children.

H.B. 813: Allows people to collect money from negligence lawsuits even if they are somewhat at fault as well.

H.B. 961: Bans campaign contributions from officers of companies that have state contracts.

H.B. 1185: Allows habitual drunk drivers to get their licenses restored after 10 years with some conditions.

More after the jump.

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The House voted for a bill that would lower the threshold for reporting campaign contributions in municipal raises.

Currently, candidates who raise less than $3,000 don't have to file detailed finance reports. The bill would lower that threshold to $500.

Rep. Robert Grady, a Jacksonville Republican, said the bill was necessary to avoid cases such as one in his district in which two candidates promised they would not exceed the threshold. Turns out, both has spent more than $10,000, he said.

"It's a way to keep people honest," Grady said.  

Rep. Paul Stam, an Apex Republican, said the bill was self-serving for many legislators who wanted to discourage eleciton challenges by requiring burdensome finance reports.

"This is an incumbent non-irritation act, which we shouldn't pass," Stam said. They just don't want the aggravation of people running against them who aren't serious candidates."

The bill cleared the House 91 to 21 and now moves to the Senate.

Recent House bills of note:

H.B. 370: Salary of Secretary-Health and Human Services, Rep. Verla Insko

H.B. 388: Campaign Disclosure, Reps. Beverly Earle, Earline Parmon, Marvin Lucas and Becky Carney

H.B. 390: Poultry Worker Protection, Reps. Earle and Insko

H.B. 397: Conscience Protection/Contraceptive Coverage, Rep. Mark Hilton

H.B. 399: U.S. Senate Vacancies, Rep. John Blust

H.B. 409: Annual Archeology Reports, Rep. Ronnie Sutton

H.B. 413: Limit Legislators to Four Consecutive Terms, Rep. Johnathan Rhyne