• Madeline Lewis •
• Originally published January 13, 2009 at 11:39 p.m., updated January 13, 2009 at 11:39 p.m.

AUSTIN - The start of the 81st legislative session was a busy one for Victoria-area legislators on Tuesday.

State Senator Glenn Hegar introduced the state's first legislature doctor of the session and state Representative Geanie Morrison watched as a new speaker of the house was elected by acclamation.

Neither legislator expects the session to have a quick start because committee assignments need to be made and several members are planning to attend next week's inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama in Washington, D.C.

Hegar, a Republican from Katy, introduced Robert Youens of Weimar as the Legislature's doctor of the day. A different Texas doctor serves in that position every day the Legislature is in session.

"The doctor has to give up the day of practice and offer his services," said Lisa Craven, Hegar's chief of staff.

Earlier in the day, Hegar, whose district includes the Victoria County area, met other senators in caucus and they elected a new president pro tempore, state Sen. Robert Duncan, a Republican from Lubbock.

This position is awarded on the basis of seniority, not party affiliation. It is largely ceremonial, but the president pro tem takes over the governorship if the governor and the lieutenant governor are unable to serve.

The day was important to Hegar because it gave him the opportunity to meet all his Senate colleagues, he said.

"Some of the members have changed," he said. "Some have not. Now that the session has started, they are here to advocate the concerns of their constituents."

In the coming weeks, Hegar intends to file some legislation, including a bill that would allow gun owners to bring handguns to work after complying with a set of requirements that include informing their employer about the gun and leaving it in their car.

"Some are banned by their employees to leave (a concealed handgun) in their vehicle," he said. "It's kind of like people with concealed handguns are being discriminated against."

In the Senate, Lt. Governor David Dewhurst will make the committee assignments.

Hegar, who sat on seven committees during the last legislative session, said it was possible some assignments might change.

"I may change one, but I don't see a holistic change," he said.

In the House, new Speaker of the House Joe Straus, a San Antonio Republican, will make the committee assignments.

Morrison, of Victoria, who is beginning her sixth term in office, said committee assignments could take several weeks to complete.

She will wait for the assignments before filing legislation.

"Until you know who's going to be heading up what committees, there's no reason to file anything," she said.

At the beginning of the senate session, Gov. Rick Perry addressed the 31-member body.

"You probably aren't going to do anything as significant as the work you do in this chamber, for the rest of your life," Perry said.

Prior to the governor's address, about half the Senate members were sworn in, while the other half remained at their desks and looked on. State senators in Texas have four-year terms.

Hegar is beginning the second half of his first four-year term as a senator.

• State Senator Glenn Hegar's committee assignments during the 2007 legislative session:

  Government Organization - vice chair

  Sunset Advisory Commission - vice chair

  Criminal Justice

  Natural Resources

  Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Affairs & Coastal Resources

  Nominations

  Environmental Flows ...

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State Senator Glenn Hegar's committee assignments during the 2007 legislative session:

Government Organization - vice chair

Sunset Advisory Commission - vice chair

Criminal Justice

Natural Resources

Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Affairs & Coastal Resources

Nominations

Environmental Flows Advisory Group

State Representative Geanie Morrison's committee assignments during the 2007 legislative session:

House Committee on Higher Education - chair

Education Committee of the National Council of State Legislatures - co-chair.

Economic Development

Higher & Public Education Finance, Select

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