Sylvester Turner in TX legislative records
On Abortion:
Opposes restrictions of judicial bypass for minor's abortion
House Bill 3994 amends the statutory provisions governing judicial bypass, the process by which a judge may grant a pregnant minor who wishes to have an abortion an exemption from requirements that a parent be notified and consent to the procedure.
The bill's language says that, "A physician shall presume that a pregnant woman is a minor unless the woman presents a valid government record of identification showing that she has reached the age of maturity," essentially creating the same
ID requirements that Texas's controversial voter ID law holds for those seeking abortions. That's a significant issue for undocumented Texans seeking abortions.
Legislative Outcome:
Passed Senate 21-10-0 on May/26/15; passed House 102-43-2 on May/29/15; State Rep. Sylvester Turner voted NO; signed by Governor Greg Abbott Jun/19/15.
Source: Texas Monthly on Texas legislative voting records: HB3994
May 29, 2015
On Drugs:
Criminalize "doctor-shopping" to obtain prescription opiates
Excerpts from Sponsor's Statement of Intent: The abuse of prescription drugs is a serious public health issue and the increasing diversion of prescription drugs is a cause for concern. One of the causes of diversion is doctor shopping--
where a patient actively seeks doctors who will prescribe certain types of medications, usually opiates, depressants, and stimulants. Fifteen other states currently have legislation that specifically addresses the problem.
S.B. 158 creates criminal penalties for patients who visit multiple practitioners and do not disclose that they are already receiving controlled substances. In other words, a person commits an offense if they have intent to obtain controlled substances
that are not medically necessary for the person using misrepresentation or concealment.Legislative Outcome: State Rep. Sylvester Turner voted YES; signed by Gov. Perry on June 17, 2011.
Source: Texas legislative voting records: SB158
Jun 17, 2011
On Education:
Require evaluation of schools with A-F grades
House Bill 2804 revises the evaluation of public school performance, based on five domains of indicators. The bill requires the commissioner of education to assign each public school district and campus an overall A-F performance. When the measure
originally passed the House, both Democrats and Republicans rose to oppose the change. State Rep. Sylvester Turner, said moving to the letter grades would be a "horrendous mistake. That places more of a stigma on kids who are trying to rise above their
circumstances," he said.
In a particularly fiery speech, state Rep. Larry Phillips (R) urged his colleagues to "stand up for sanity in schools" & vote for his amendment to strip the A-through-F ratings from the bill. "You think just because you rate
someone A through F they are going to do a better job? No," Phillips said.
Legislative outcome: Passed Senate 30-1-0 on May/29/15; passed House 119-17-2 on May/31/15; Rep.Turner voted YES; signed by Governor Greg Abbott Jun/19/15.
Source: Texas Tribune on Texas legislative voting records: HB2804
May 29, 2015
On Energy & Oil:
Allow local regulation of oil and gas operations
Texas regulators are one step closer to preempting nearly all local oil and gas regulation in the state. The controversial bill gives the Texas Railroad Commission authority to preempt city laws when it comes to subsurface oil and gas operations,
including hydraulic fracking. It was filed in reaction to the Denton frack ban, approved by voters in that city. If adopted, the bill would ban any ordinance that prohibits an oil and gas operation.
Legislative outcome: Passed Senate 26-5 on May/4/15; passed House 125-20-1 on Apr/20/15; State Rep. Sylvester Turner voted NO; signed by Governor Greg Abbott May/18/15.
A YES vote supports fracking despite local opposition; a NO vote allows municipal regulations on fracking.
Source: Dallas Business Journal:Texas legislative voting record HB40
Apr 20, 2015
On Government Reform:
Don't require voters to present photo ID at polling places
Gov. Perry signed Senate Bill 14 [State Rep. Sylvester Turner voted NO] which requires voters to present photo identification at a polling place. "The right to vote is simply too important for us to take the act of voting lightly," Gov. Perry
said. "Today with the signing of this bill, we take a major step forward in securing the integrity of the ballot box and protecting the most cherished right we enjoy as citizens."SB 14 requires a voter to show as a valid form of photo ID, either a
driver's license, US military ID card, US citizenship certificate that contains a photograph, US passport, or Texas concealed handgun license. The bill creates a free election identification certificate, with a photograph, for registered voters who need
a photo ID.
The bill also increases the penalty for voting illegally to a second degree felony, and increases attempted illegal voting to a state jail felony. Voters who fail to show a photo ID at the polling place may cast a provisional ballot.
Source: Press release on signing of bill; Texas Voting Record SB14
May 27, 2011
On Gun Control:
Oppose open carry of holstered handgun
House Bill 910 authorizes a person who is licensed to carry a handgun to openly carry a holstered handgun. This open carry legislation allows individuals with a CHL license to carry their guns openly, without concealment, in a holster in any location
that CHL holders were previously able to carry concealed weapons. There are close to 900,000 CHL holders in Texas, and the state has agreements whereby permit holders from over 40 states may also carry handguns in Texas.
Any private businesses seeking to prohibit open carry within their establishments must abide by strict signage requirements that some within the business community consider onerous.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 20-11-0 on May/29/15; passed House 102-43-1 on May/29/15; State Rep. Sylvester Turner voted NO; signed by Governor Greg Abbott Jun/13/15.
Source: Texas Gun Sense on Texas legislative voting records: HB910
May 29, 2015
Page last updated: Sep 02, 2025