If passed, HB43 seeks to amend Chapter 169 of Texas Occupations Code in order to give physicians the authority to prescribe medical cannabis (as opposed to low-THC cannabis) to patients when a physician determines that medical cannabis is a medically necessary treatment.. Both HB4519 & SB2003, if passed, also seek to amend Section 2154.202(g) of the Texas Occupations Code in order to permit fireworks sales to the public beginning June 14 and ending at midnight on June 19 (Juneteenth), as well as five days before Labor Day and ending at midnight on Labor Day. The person possesses a product that purports by the products label to contain a consumable hemp product that is authorized under state or federal law; The product contains a controlled substance or marihuana, other than the substances extracted from hemp in the concentrations authorized by law; and. The new law will end license suspensions due to non-payment of traffic fines, while making affordable payment plans available (at 2% of a person's monthly income or $25/month, whichever is greater). In 2017, Texas passed a law banning drivers from electronic messaging via a portable wireless communication device (i.e., a phone) while operating a motor vehicle. A number of California's new laws for 2021 are efforts to root out systemic . This bill also seeks to disallow ride operators from simultaneously operating more than one amusement ride at a time. If passed, SB585 would allow alcohol retailers to sell beer and wine (containing 17% or less alcohol by volume) for off-premise consumption on Sundays between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. The bill would amend Chapter 1952 of the Texas Insurance Code to (among other things) restrict insurers and adjusters from: HB1119 seeks to amend Chapter 601 of the Texas Transportation Code to establish the Texas Uninsured Vehicle Enforcement Program, which would use automatic license plate reader systems to help law enforcement agencies identify uninsured motor vehicles. Also in response to the widespread electrical outages experienced during the catastrophic winter storm in February of 2021, senator Judith Zaffirini has introduced legislation which seeks to require the implementation of weatherization standards for electric utilities in Texas. If passed, the bills would requirethe Public Utility Commission of Texas to, by rule, develop a process for obtaining emergency reserve power generation capacity as appropriate to prevent blackout conditions in the state. If passed, HB1073 would require daycare centers to place video recording equipment in each area of the facility (excluding bathrooms) occupied by children who are two years of age or younger, and to record any time children who are two years of age or younger are present in the area. BothHB393 & SB592 seek to amend Chapter 47 of the Texas Penal Code to expand upon exceptions to the definition of a gambling bet for purposes of criminal offenses. The parent(s) of a child who is involved in an alleged incident. HB2067 also states that Confederate Heroes Day, which currently falls on the same date, would be removed from the list of official state holidays. HB2434 goes a bit further, requiring that board members (as well as the CEO) must live and work in the state.. Jan. 1, 2021 5:20 AM PT. Strongly condemn racism against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders; and, Call on state law enforcement officials, working with federal and local officials, to investigate and prosecute all credible reports of hate crimes and incidents and threats against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Texas; and. Many cities in Texas currently have hands-free ordinances on the books, but if passed, HB86 would effectively make these local laws unenforceable. If passed, SB616 seeks to further lay the legal groundwork for casinos to operate in the state, including administration, licensure, fees, standards, inspections, and more. If passed, the bills seek to amend Article XVI of the Texas Constitution by adding that the state, acting under the exemption provisions of the Uniform Time Act of 1966, is exempt from the provisions of that law that establish daylight saving time. If passed, HB3056 would amend Subchapter A, Chapter 711 of Texas Health and Safety Code to add a section entitled Prohibiting Billboards on Cemetery Property. It would state that a person may not erect or maintain a billboard on cemetery property, and that a cemetery organization may not enter into a contract or lease authorizing a billboard on cemetery property. Here's what you need to know. Any bills in this list which have passed both the house and senate (or which have already been signed into law) have been updated below, and well continue to update this page as more bills are signed into law over the coming weeks. Texas law currently prohibits the consumption of alcoholic beverages during certain hours in a public place. The amount billed by the medical or health care provider. Temporary Event Authorizations. If passed, HB563 states that each law enforcement agency in Texas shall adopt a detailed written policy requiring peace officers employed by the agency to intervene to stop or prevent another peace officer from using excessive force against a person suspected of committing an offense, if an ordinary, prudent peace officer would intervene under the same or similar circumstances.. HB2808, HB3370 & HB3494, on the other hand, seek to do away with variable rate energy plans for residential customers entirely. HB19 would effectively give trucking companies room to sidestep important safety precautions that demonstrably reduce the likelihood of a preventable crash, and instead shift the blame solely onto their drivers. For equipment containing an electronic security lock or other security-related function, any special documentation, replacement part, or tool needed to disable and reset the lock or function when disabled in the course of diagnosis, maintenance, or repair of the equipment. HJR100 & SJR55 both propose a constitutional amendment relating to the right to own, hold, and use any mutually agreed upon medium of exchange (including Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies). LANSING - Over 73,000 people across Michigan whose driver's licenses were suspended for certain infractions can get back on the road as a new law takes effect Friday. Today, we figured wed highlight some of these new proposed laws and explain exactly what they mean in simple terms. For more information on the current license structure, fees and more, visit the following pages and resources: Copyright 2023 Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. The officer reasonably believes it is immediately necessary to protect the officer or another person from the use of unlawful deadly force by the driver of the vehicle; and. The bills do not allow betting on any youth sports (those involving participants under 18 years old), orin the case of HB1121on any college sports games involving one or more Texas teams. HB54 seeks to prohibit law enforcement departments in Texas from contracting with television crews to create reality shows. The person to be arrested or attempting to escape after arrest possesses a deadly weapon; and. Excerpt from the bill: Whereas, whether its pecan pie, apple pie, blueberry pie, or pot pie, a pie is an occasion for celebration and delight, and the people of Kyle are making this beloved dish a special focus of their identity as a community.. Emphasize conflict de-escalation and the use of force in a manner proportionate to the threat posed and to the seriousness of the alleged offense; Mandate that deadly force is only to be used by peace officers as a last resort; and. At any time in which a child who is unable to swim (or is at risk when swimming) has access to a body of water, the organization shall: HOAs (AKA property owners associations) in Texas generally have a lot of leeway when it comes to enforcing restrictive covenants. By Jackeline Luna , Maggie Beidelman. Each of the Joint Resolutions listed above propose an amendment to the Texas constitution authorizing the legislature to legalize wagering on professional and collegiate sporting events in the State of Texas. Histotechnology is the science of detecting tissue abnormalities that indicate diseases such as cancer. The attorneys at Chambers Law Office have been helping clients with a suspended driver's license reinstate their driving privileges for nearly a decade, and now changes in Indiana law are making it easier for clients to get valid. For more information on the current license structure, fees and more, visit the following pages and resources: TABC License and Permit Types. If passed, SB750 seeks to prohibit operators of sexually oriented businesses (nightclubs, bars, restaurants, or similar commercial enterprises that provide for an audience of two or more individuals live nude entertainment or live nude performances) that do not hold an alcohol permit from allowing a person to: Operators of these establishments (or their agents) who violate this law would be subject to a Class A misdemeanor. It would also amend Section 38.15 of Texas Penal Code (interference with public duties) to add an affirmative defense to prosecution if the conduct engaged in by the defendant consisted only of filming, recording, photographing, documenting, or observing a peace officer, if before or while engaging in the conduct, the defendant obeyed any reasonable and lawful order by a peace officer to change the defendants proximity or position., HB1757 also seeks to amend Section 542.501 of Texas Transportation Code (willfully failing or refuse to comply with a lawful order) to state that the law does not apply to an order or direction to cease filming, recording, photographing, documenting, or observing a peace officer while the officer is engaged in the performance of official duties, although this does not prohibit a peace officer from giving the person a reasonable and lawful order or direction to change the persons proximity or position relative to a peace officer who is engaged in the performance of official duties., Lastly, HB1757 would also amend Chapter 2 of Texas Code of Criminal Procedure to state that if during the performance of the peace officers official duties a peace officer makes a video or audio recording of the officers interaction with a person, the peace officer must immediately disclose to the person that the officer is recording the interaction and the method by which the officer is making the recording, except if the peace officers interaction with a person occurs as part of an ongoing criminal investigation or if making the disclosure immediately would be unsafe, unrealistic, or impracticable.. Opponents often argue that scholarships are the only form of compensation they should receive. If passed, HB477 would allow the Texas Lottery Commission to award to applicants not more than nine casino gaming operator licenses as follows: HJR102 & HB2257, if passed, would allow casino gaming operated by appropriately licensed persons at locations in this state that are within 200 miles of the Gulf of Mexico, but with no set limit on the number of licenses awarded (although the legislature may designate the counties in which a casino gaming operators license may be issued). See our Carry of Firearms page for more info on this new law. One license in each of the counties of Galveston, Jefferson, and Nueces; Three licenses in Bexar and Harris Counties; Consulting with infectious disease experts; Preventing and minimizing injury and damage caused by a pandemic; A prompt and effective response to a pandemic; Identifying areas and populations particularly vulnerable to the occurrence of a pandemic; Communicating with governmental and private entities to facilitate coordination and collaboration for the efficient and effective planning and execution of a pandemic response plan; Organizing federal, state, and local pandemic response activities; Earning compensation for the use of the student athletes name, image, or likeness when the student athlete is not engaged in official team activities; or. While unlikely, if HB1359 (AKA the Texas Independence Referendum Act) is passed, the 11/02/2021 ballot would include the following nonbinding referendum question: Should the legislature of the State of Texas submit a plan for leaving the United States of America and establishing an independent republic?. Among other things, HB833 also states that deadly force is only to be used by peace officers as a last resort, and that before using force, officers must attempt to de-escalate the situation and issue a warning that force will be used. Section 11.179 of the Texas Education Codecurrently allows school districts to adopt a policy allowing the consumption, possession, and sale of alcoholic beverages at an event held at a performing arts facility owned by the district (if leased to a nonprofit organization for an event not sponsored or sanctioned by the district, and held outside of regular school hours). According to the bills author, Lyle Larson, The cost to run the Legislature would be the same, and we would be light years ahead from an effectiveness and efficiency standpoint.. The bill also applies to distillers and brewers from out-of-state who wish to ship liquor and beer directly to consumers in Texas. This bill seeks to disallow cities, counties and municipalities from enforcing more-restrictive laws or regulations relating to the use of wireless communication devices (i.e., phones) while operating a motor vehicle. With a two-year interim gap, states like Texas often have to wait well over a year to respond to new federal laws or make other timely policies. Greg Abbott signed House Bill 25, which eliminated the straight-ticket voting option (the option for voters to check one box to cast a ballot for every candidate from a single political party) starting in the year 2020. Payments must be made to customers by December 15, 2021. If passed, HB1490 seeks to amend Chapter 311, Subchapter A of Texas Health and Safety Code to state that hospitals in Texas shall disclose the hospitals cash price for each health care service regularly provided by the hospital. This disclosure must be made by posting the prices on the hospitals website (or in writing on request if the hospital does not have a website). Retailers are authorized to sell beer for on-premise consumption between 10:00 a.m. and noon if the beer is served to a customer in conjunction with the service of food. Both SB438 & HB1992, if passed, seek to amend Section 151.3565(b) of Texas Tax Code in order to list face masks, disposable gloves, and disinfectant cleaning supplies as emergency preparation items in order to exempt them from sales and use taxes during Texas Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday (which begins at 12:01 a.m. April 25 and ends at midnight April 27). Drivers would still be permitted to use dedicated GPS devices, dash cams, and (if 18 or older) hands-free communication devices. Appropriate commission, department, or law enforcement personnel as part on an investigation related to suspected abuse, neglect, or a licensing standard violation. Failure to Appear. If passed, HB501 would effectively raise the caps on noneconomic damages from $250,000 to upwards of $350,000. Consent must be given in a manner that indicates the customer understands that they are enrolling in a variable rate plan, and the electric provider shall provide notice that the plan includes variable rates in an easily readable font and type size. OR EMAIL US BELOW. Suspending licenses cuts economic growth. In Texas, fireworks are only permitted to be sold to the public during certain periods of the year (i.e., between June 24 through July 4; December 20 through January 1; May 1 through May 5). If passed, SB419 seeks to again increase this limit from $20,000 to $50,000. If passed, SB128 seeks to amend Section 662.003(b) of the Texas Government Code (a list of official Texas state holidays) to add Celebration of Suffrage Day in honor of the centuries-long struggle to bring the right of suffrage to all Americans. If passed, HB2828 seeks to provide one-time cash payments (or credits) of $250, provided by state funds, to residential and commercial customers of municipally owned utilities, electric cooperatives, and retail electric providers in the ERCOT power region. Currently, under Texas law, a district judge may issue an order for the installation and use of a mobile tracking device if an authorized peace officer submits an affidavit which states the facts and circumstances that provide a reasonable suspicion that criminal activity has been, is, or will be committed; and the installation and use of a mobile tracking device is likely to produce information that is material to an ongoing criminal investigation of that criminal activity. Each of the above proposed bills seek to amend Chapter 2 of Texas Code of Criminal Procedure in order to add a policy requiring law enforcement officers in the state to intervene in order to prevent another peace officer from using excessive force. Element JWID is undefined in URL. Reinstating Your License. If passed, HB476 seeks to expand the use of the fund for veterans assistance to allow the Texas Veterans Commission to make grants to provide pro bono legal services to veterans, active duty members of the United States armed forces, and members of the state military forces. HCR32, if passed, would designate Missouri City, TX as the official Hip-Hop Capital of Texas for the next 10 years. HB809 seeks to allow the possession, use, cultivation, distribution, transportation, and delivery of medical cannabis for medical use by patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These signs read Please Dont Drink and Drive followed by In Memory Of and the name(s) of the victim(s). SB1737 seeks to amend Section 544.007 of Texas Transportation Code in order to allow cyclists and motorcyclists to proceed through a traffic-actuated red light if the traffic-control signal fails to register the motorcycle or bicycle. HB390 aims to establish a human trafficking awareness and prevention training program for employees of commercial lodging establishments (i.e., hotels, motels, inns, etc). The 87th Texas Legislature began on Jan. 12, 2021 and officially concluded on May 31st, 2021 (although Gov. It would also allow an Indian tribe recognized by the United States government under federal law to operate slot machines or casino gaming on its Indian land within this state, According to the bill, the goal is to impose a tax on the casino gaming revenue (10% of revenue from table games and 25% of revenue from slot machines) in order to foster economic development and job growth and to provide tax relief and funding for education and public safety programs.. Interestingly though, if voters decide to observe daylight saving time year-round instead, it would only go into effect if the United States Congress enacts legislation that becomes law that authorizes the State of Texas to observe daylight saving time year-round.. Tela Mange . Affirm the sanctity of human life and the importance of treating all persons with dignity and respect. Promote awareness among the public regarding how the office may be contacted, the purpose of the office, and the services the office provides. Similar bills have been introduced this year in Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah, and Virginia. Any billboards erected on cemetery property under a contract or lease entered into before the effective date of this Act would have to be dismantled or removed from the cemetery on the expiration date of the existing contract or lease between the cemetery organization and the billboard owner or lessee. Among other things, the bills (if passed) would allow a court to: If passed, both SB209 & HB1980 seek to outlaw nondisclosure agreements, confidentiality agreements, or other agreements between an employer and employee which prohibit the reporting of sexual assault and sexual harassment to local or state law enforcement agencies or any state or federal regulatory agency. The force used is proportionate to the threat posed and to the seriousness of the alleged offense; The force used does not present a serious risk of injury to any person other than the actor or the person against whom the force is used; and. If passed, HB2067 seeks to amend Section 662.003(b) of the Texas Government Code to add COVID-19 Heroes Day in honor of the frontline workers, essential personnel, and all Texans who sacrificed during the pandemic. If the above joint resolutions do pass, SB471 and HB1405 seek to further lay the groundwork for conducting the referendum, as well as implementing changes to Section 312.016 of Texas Government Code based on the results of the vote. Normally in a motor vehicle accident, if a passenger files a Personal Injury Protection (PIP) claim against the owner/operator of a vehicle they were riding in, the insurance company is entitled to an offset/credit/deduction equal to the amount they paid out. Authorize force to be used by officers only after attempts to de-escalate a situation have failed. If passed, HB3481 seeks to add Rosa Parks Day as an official state recognition day in order to honor Rosa Louise McCauley Parks for her courageous act of refusing to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama, bus to protest segregation which helped launch the civil rights movement in the United States. If approved, Rosa Parks Day would fall on the 1st day of December. The tt Snt passed a new law on suspended license in California. The bill also states that it is an affirmative defense to prosecution if: If approved, this act will take effect on 09/01/2021. The lawyer also admitted to setting up a fake email account to help her falsely . This would include the installation of automatic license plate reader systems on appropriate infrastructure owned by this state or a political subdivision of this state (including traffic signals, highway signs, bridges, and overpasses). The fee depends on the offense leading to the suspension. HB1199 & HB1274, if passed, would also amend Section 504.010 of the Texas Transportation Code to state that a person is entitled to operate on a public highway a passenger car or light truck that displays only one license plate if the plate is attached at the rear of the vehicle, and that the department shall issue only one license plate for attachment at the rear of a passenger car or light truck for which the plate is issued.. The bill would also require that these vehicles display a distinctive insignia (issued by the department) on the windshield for validation of that authorization. If an organization applies for a license to operate a casino, a local option election shall be held in the county. If passed, HCR66 seeks to have the 87th Legislature of the State of Texas: Excerpt from the bill: Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of hate crimes and incidents of hate directed at Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs), with the use of terms such as Chinese virus, Wuhan virus, and kung-flu perpetuating this disturbing escalation..