Dan Patrick announced that he will be introducing a bill known as the Star Spangled Banner Protection Act (SB4). Dan Patrick says he doesnt expect a push to legalize sports betting in Texas to go anywhere in this years legislative session. 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. SB4 seeks to amend Subtitle F, Title 10 of Texas Government Code in order to add a section titled Agreements With Professional Sports Teams. If passed, the bill would prohibit governmental entities from entering into agreements with professional sports teams that requires a financial commitment by this state or any governmental entity unless the agreement includes: If passed, HB1758 seeks to amend Chapter 423 of Texas Government Code in order to make it a Class A misdemeanor to operate an unmanned aircraft that is equipped with a chemical dispensing device, an explosive weapon, an improvised explosive device, or a firearm.. HB307 seeks to amend Section 481.111 of the Texas Health and Safety Code to expand on defenses to possession of certain consumable hemp products containing a controlled substance or marijuana. May subject the team to debarment from contracting with this state. 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. 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. ALR Program. Similar to SJR13 (above), SJR30 and HJR78 both propose a constitutional amendment which would authorize a statewide referendum allowing voters to indicate a preference for observing standard time year-round or observing daylight saving time year-round (rather than switching back and forth). 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.. HB558 seeks to amend Section 724.012 of the Texas Transportation Code to state that a peace officer shall require the taking of a specimen of the persons blood if: Now passed, this law will take effect on 09/01/2021. HB2434 goes a bit further, requiring that board members (as well as the CEO) must live and work in the state.. 50 percent of all amounts recovered by the injured individual through a cause of action, judgment, or settlement. This law notably only applies to drivers reading, writing, or sending electronic messages, and does not address various other actions like browsing the internet, entering an address into Google Maps, scrolling through a music playlist, etc. 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.. According to the bill, Any law enforcement department that employs peace officers may not authorize a television crew to film peace officers while acting in the line of duty for the purpose of creating a reality television show.. The Texas Compassionate Use Act (first passed in 2015) already allows physicians in Texas to prescribe low-THC cannabis to patients diagnosed with epilepsy, seizure disorders, multiple sclerosis, spasticity, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, autism, terminal cancer, or an incurable neurodegenerative disease., If passed, HB1233 seeks to amend Sections 169.002 and 169.003 of the Texas Occupations Code in order to remove these specific qualifying conditions. If passed, any and all insurance claim release agreements made in exchange for money or other consideration will no longer be enforceable unless the contract is in writing. The penalty is raised to a state jail felony for a 2nd offense, and to a 3rd degree felony for any additional offenses. Please fill out the form below and let us know how we can help. The arrest precedes a planned Saturday rally by the 70,000-member Facebook group "Michigan Needs and Adjustment." If approved, this holiday would fall on the 16th day of April (her birthday). If passed, HB67 seeks to amend Chapter 202 of Texas Property Code in order to prevent HOAs from the adopting or enforcing any provisions that prohibit or restrict a property owner from installing a swimming pool enclosure that conforms to applicable state or local safety requirements. Call us toll-free at 1-833-720-6090 to discuss your case today for no cost. Similar to HB501 (above), HB243 seeks to adjust the amount of death benefits awarded in workers compensation cases equal the percentage increase (if any) in the Consumer Price Index. The parent(s) of a child who is involved in an alleged incident. Nearly 10,000 bills were introduced in Texas this year. Practicing With Suspended License Brings Disbarment for Texas Attorney The State Bar of Texas attorney discipline list for June includes 22 sanctions meted out against 21 Texas attorneys.. Now passed, this law takes effect immediately. Documentation, replacement parts, and tools, including any updates to information or embedded software, for that equipment or replacement part; and. A peace officer may not assert official immunity as a defense to liability, and the officers governmental unit would also be liable to such a suit under the doctrine of respondeat superior. While similar bills had been introduced in the 82nd and 85th Texas Legislature (in 2011 and 2017, respectively), both failed to pass. Each of the bills listed above seek to change this by amending Chapter 372 of the Texas Transportation Code. The reform would also reinstate the licenses of people who currently have a suspended license due to non-payment of traffic fines. Additionally, officers must ensure that: Similar to the above bills, SB71 seeks to amendChapter 2 of Texas Code of Criminal Procedureto add a section titled Law Enforcement Policy on Use of Force by Peace Officers., If passed, SB71 would require each law enforcement agency in Texas to adopt a detailed written policy regarding the use of force by peace officers employed by the agency. 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). Additionally, the bill would adjust for inflation each subsequent year. The officer arrests the person for an offense under Chapter 49, Penal Code, involving the operation of a motor vehicle or a watercraft; The person refuses the officers request to submit to the taking of a specimen voluntarily; The person was the operator of a motor vehicle or a watercraft involved in an accident that the officer reasonably believes occurred as a result of the offense; and. Here's what you need to know. SB1853 seeks to amend Subchapter H, Chapter 151 of Texas Tax Code in order to temporarily exempt personal protective equipment from sales taxes. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation . SCR9 would designate the City of San Marcos as the official Mermaid Capital of Texas for the next 10 years. No-Win No-Fee | Free Consultations. If passed, HB501 would effectively raise the caps on noneconomic damages from $250,000 to upwards of $350,000. 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. Supporters of the bill said that removing the straight-ticket voting option forces voters to make more informed decisions in individual elections, but opponents claim the legislation disproportionately impacts minority voters. Authorize force to be used by officers only after attempts to de-escalate a situation have failed. HB113 would amend Texas Business & Commerce Code to allow for peer-to-peer car sharing programs (a business platform that connects owners with drivers to enable vehicle sharing for financial consideration) to operate within the State of Texas. 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. Currently, such hospital liens may not exceed: If passed, HB2064 would also add that such hospital liens may not exceed the amount awarded by the trier of fact for the services provided to the injured individual by the hospital, less the pro rata share of attorneys fees and expenses the injured individual incurred in pursuing the claim.. 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). HB442, if passed, would effectively lower the prima facie speed limit of any residential street in Texas (located within in a municipality and not officially designated or marked as part of the state highway system) from 30 miles per hour down to 25 miles per hour. 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. Require that motor vehicles move to another lane (if available) to pass bicycle riders on a roadway. Box 15999 If passed, HB808 seeks to amend Chapter 11 of the Texas Education Code to permit school districts to similarly adopt a policy allowing the sale and consumption of alcohol beverages at a sporting or athletic event held at a stadium or other athletic facility owned by the districtif certain additional conditions are met. New laws affecting TDLR licensees take effect September 1 . Please allow 21 business days for processing. HB1943 seeks to go a bit further by stating that a peace officer may not, while performing an official duty, discharge a firearm at or in the direction of a moving vehicle occupied solely by the driver unless: If the vehicle has one or more passengers, an officer may only discharge a firearm in the direction of the vehicle if and when: HB1943 also states that an offense under this bill would be a felony of the third degree. Citizenship or, if you are not a U.S. Citizen, evidence of lawful presence Texas Residency Identity, and Social Security Number Rudolph W. Giuliani, a former top federal prosecutor, New York City mayor and lawyer to a president, had his law license suspended after a New York court ruled on Thursday that he . The act would also require officers to provide aid immediately to any person who needs medical attention as a result of the use of force by a peace officer, as well as require identification as a peace officer before taking any action within the course and scope of the officers official duties (unless the identification would render the action impracticable). Manage and Report Changes to an Existing License, Texas Responsible Alcohol Delivery Training, Information for Local Government Officials, File a TABC Certification School Complaint, Personal Importation and Ports of Entry FAQs, TABC Sept. 1, 2021 License Consolidation Explained chart (PDF). The bill seeks to establish basic guidelines, outline responsibilities, insurance requirements, record retention policies, and more. If passed, HB904 seeks to amend Section 662.003(b) of the Texas Government Code (a list of official Texas state holidays) to add the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of an even-numbered year (election day) as a state holiday. HB2838 would, however, allow customer outages for more than 12 hours to the extent necessary to supply facilities the commission determines are critical to maintaining public health and safety.. Both HB2232 & SB1013 seek to allow wet counties and cities in Texas the option to hold local elections in order to either prohibit or legalize the sale of liquor for off-premise consumption on Sundays. If passed, HB3296 seeks to increase the monthly salary of any classroom teacher, full-time librarian, full-time school counselor, or full-time school nurse in Texas by an extra $400 for the 2021-2022 school year. If passed, the bills would require the division to prepare and keep current a pandemic response plan, include provisions for: If passed, each of the bills listed above seek to amend Section 62.051 of the Texas Labor Code to raise the minimum wage in Texas. The officer reasonably believes that they are unable to mitigate or prevent the deadly force by the officer moving out of the path of the vehicle. If, during any 12-month period, TxDOT receives 10 or more of these reports for a single intersection, they shall perform a traffic study of that location and take actions determined reasonable and necessary to improve safety at the location. SB 112 simply seeks to change a reasonable suspicion to probable cause to believe (a higher standard). If passed, HB1105 would amend Section 504.010 of the Texas Transportation Code to remove these restrictions, effectively opening up this option to all motor vehicles registered in Texas. Search the Knowledge Base to find a . Texas observes daylight saving time beginning the second Sunday in March, and then reverts to standard time on the first Sunday in November. If voters decide to observe standard time year round, this would go into effect beginning 01/01/2022. While the existing law still permits motorists to read, write, and sending electronic messages while their vehicle is stopped, SB42 also clarifies this section by adding stopped outside a lane of travel.. If passed, they would legalize the possession of limited amounts of marijuana (2.5 ounces) for people 21 and over, while establishing the framework for a retail cannabis industry in Texas. Occupational Licenses. Address the topics of privacy, what constitute a private space, and when and under what circumstances a body camera can or should be turned off. Our firm is dedicated to helping victims and their families seek justice. AUSTIN - More than 30 new state laws that will affect more than 500,000 Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) licensees will go into effect . June 24, 2021. August 24, 2021 . If passed, fees for event tickets made available for sale on a ticket website must be posted on the website in a location easily accessible by ticket purchasers or potential ticket purchasers. 512.463.3208 . If passed, the bill would require law enforcement officers who investigate a right-angle collision at an uncontrolled intersection to file a written report with the Texas Department of Transportation. TABC License and Permit Fees Chart. likely played a role in the crash. If passed, HB1955 seeks to amend Section 9.51 of Texas Penal Code to state that a peace officer is only justified in using deadly force against another when and to the degree the peace officer reasonably believes the deadly force is immediately necessary to make an arrest (or to prevent escape after arrest) if: HB1757 seeks to add additional rules relating to the recording of a peace officers performance of official duties and interactions with the public. Similar to HB36 and HB219 (above), SB128 also seeks to remove Confederate Heroes Day from the list of official state holidays. The training program must be approved by the attorney general, and will include guidance on how to recognize and report human trafficking, how to report suspected human trafficking, and more. Both HB1949 & HB1956 seek to amend Section 2056 of Texas Government Code in order to require the Texas state climatologist to provide to the Legislative Budget Board (for use in the strategic planning of a state agency) a report on projected changes in weather (including adverse impacts), water availability, and climate variability across the state. If the child was under seven (7) years old and died as a result of said injury, the offense is elevated to a third degree felony. A description of the force used by the peace officer; An explanation as to why the degree of force used was necessary; and. The offense would be upgraded to a state jail felony if the victim suffered serious bodily injury.. HB1837 & SB2141 both seek to amend Chapter 2 of Texas Code of Criminal Procedure in order address (and prevent) motorcycle profiling by law enforcement officers. This constitutional amendment would also authorize the legislature to enact a law based on the results of the referendum. The bill not only seeks to set limitations on the amount of damages plaintiffs can seek following a serious 18-wheeler accident, but would also put limitations on what information can be admitted as evidence. HB1517 & HB1518 both seek to amend Chapter 105 of Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code in order to allow hotel bars to extend the hours during which alcoholic beverages may be sold and consumed on premises. The officer reasonably believes it is immediately necessary to protect the officer from unlawful deadly force by the driver of the vehicle by means of the vehicle; and. HB3248 states that adults over the age of 21 could use and possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis, up to 15 grams of cannabis concentrates, as well as cannabis paraphernalia. SCR11 would designate Fort Davis as the official Highest Town in Texas (elevation-wise) for a 10-year period beginning in 2021. If passed, both HB647 & HJR37 seek to allow counties and municipalities to hold a local vote on whether or not to allow gaming devices commonly known as eight-liners (or similar gaming devices) to be legally operated or prohibited within the county or municipality. HB2067 also states that Confederate Heroes Day, which currently falls on the same date, would be removed from the list of official state holidays. The actor is the owner or occupant of the real property over which the unmanned aircraft was operated or the actor received the prior written consent of the owner or occupant of that property; The unmanned aircraft was operated in the course of the actors actual discharge of official duties as a member of the United States armed forces or the state military forces; or. Texas House Bill 1287 (HB 1287) Introduced 01/22/2021 (, Texas House Bill 1674 (HB 1674) Introduced 02/08/2021 (, Texas House Bill 2081 (HB 2081) Introduced 02/23/2021 (, Texas Senate Bill 2106 (SB 2106) Introduced 03/12/2021 (, Texas Senate Bill 17 (SB 17) Introduced 03/11/2021 (, Texas Senate Bill 316 (SB 316) Introduced 01/11/2021 (, Texas House Bill 983 (HB 983) Introduced 01/06/2021 (, Texas House Bill 1102 (HB 1102) Introduced 01/14/2021 (, Texas Senate Bill 298 (SB 298) Introduced 01/07/2021 (, Texas House Bill 1779 (HB 1779) Introduced 02/10/2021 (, Texas House Bill 2662 (HB 2662) Introduced 03/03/2021 (, Texas House Bill 1517 (HB 1517) Introduced 02/02/2021 (, Texas Senate Bill 223 (SB 223) Introduced 11/09/2020 (, Texas Senate Bill 380 (SB 380) Introduced 01/21/2021 (, Texas House Bill 418 (HB 418) Introduced 11/09/2020 (, Texas House Bill 268 (HB 268) Introduced 11/09/2020 (, Texas House Bill 831 (HB 831) Introduced 12/15/2020 (, Texas House Bill 1784 (HB 1784) Introduced 02/10 /2021 (, Texas House Bill 356 (HB 356) Introduced 11/09/2020 (, House Concurrent Resolution 35 (HCR 35) Introduced 02/05/2021 (, Texas Senate Bill 421 (SB 421) Introduced 01/25/2021 (, Texas House Bill 1710 (HB 1710) Introduced 02/09/2021 (, Texas Senate Bill 660 (SB 660) Introduced 02/11/2021 (, Texas House Bill 1891 (HB 1891) Introduced 02/12/2021 (, House Concurrent Resolution 15 (HCR 15) Introduced 12/30/2020 (, House Concurrent Resolution 13 (HCR 13) Introduced 12/07/2020 (, Section 724.012 of the Texas Transportation Code, Subchapter I, Chapter 545 of Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 2 of Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Section 551.352 of the Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 601 of the Texas Transportation Code, Section 504.010 of the Texas Transportation Code, Section 504.002 of the Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 372 of the Texas Transportation Code, Section 201.909 of the Texas Transportation Code, Section 547.605(c) of Texas Transportation Code, Section 544.007 of Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 72 of Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Section 601.072(a-1)(3) of the Texas Transportation Code, Section 41.0105 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Subchapter C, Chapter 1952 of Texas Insurance Code, Chapter 2151 of the Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 341 of Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 28 of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, Chapter 105 of Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, Section 24.07 of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, Section 105.04 of Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, Section 105.06 of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, Section 11.179 of the Texas Education Code, Chapter 487 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 481of Texas Health and Safety Code, Section 481.111 of Texas Health and Safety Code, Section 169.003 of the Texas Occupations Code, Section 481.121 of Texas Health and Safety Code, Article 14.06 of Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Section 481.125 of Texas Health and Safety Code, Section 481.111 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, Subchapter E, Chapter 9 of the Texas Penal Code, Section 542.501 of Texas Transportation Code, first tier coastal or second tier coastal counties, Subchapter C, Chapter 662 of Texas Government Code (recognition days), Section 662.003(b) of the Texas Government Code, Section 2154.202(g) of the Texas Occupations Code, Subchapter C, Chapter 418 of the Texas Government Code, Article I of the Texas Constitution (bill of rights), Subchapter Z, Chapter 51 of the Texas Education Code, Subchapter D, Chapter 38 of Texas Utilities Code, Section 312.016 of Texas Government Code, Chapter 311, Subchapter A of Texas Health and Safety Code, Subchapter A, Chapter 711 of Texas Health and Safety Code, Section 43.357 of Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Section 651 of the Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 436 of Texas Health and Safety Code.