A written verification that the professional sports team will play the United States national anthem at the beginning of each team sporting event held at the teams home venue or other facility controlled by the team for the event; and. From police reform to legalized gambling and alcohol sales to digital license plates, heres a small sampling of the bills filed during Texas 87th legislative session. ALR Program. Did you know that Texas recognizes Confederate Heroes Day (honoring Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, and other Confederate heroes) as an official state holiday? HB443 seeks to require drivers to not only yield, but to stop and yield the right of way.. HB554 & SB1290 both seek to add a section to the Texas Transportation Code outlining rules for motor vehicles when passing pedestrians or bicycle operators on a roadway. The bills also prohibit members, officers, or employees of the commission, the department, or a betting operation from placing any sports bets at all, as well as prohibiting any competitor, coach, trainer, employee, or owner of a team in a sports event, or any referee for a sports event, from placing a bet on one of their events. In 2017, Colten Carney was struck and killed by a motorist while walking to work in Royse City, Texas. If passed, HB1250 seeks to amend Section 662.003(b) of the Texas Government Code to add Selena Quintanilla Prez Day in memory of the contributions to Tejano music of Selena Quintanilla Prez, an award-winning singer and recording artist. Promote awareness among the public regarding how the office may be contacted, the purpose of the office, and the services the office provides. Similar to HB36 and HB219 (above), SB128 also seeks to remove Confederate Heroes Day from the list of official state holidays. 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. Conduct a hearing or other proceeding as a remote proceeding without the consent of the parties (unless the United States Constitution or Texas Constitution requires consent); Allow or require a judge, party, attorney, witness, court reporter, juror, or any other individual to participate in a remote proceeding, including a deposition, hearing, trial, or other proceeding. Set a maximum speed of 15 mph for standing scooters (or 20 mph for seated scooters). If passed, SB757 seeks to allow holders of a distillers and rectifiers permit, a brewers license, or a brewpub license to ship distilled spirits and/or malt beverages directly to consumers in the State of Texas. While similar bills had been introduced in the 82nd and 85th Texas Legislature (in 2011 and 2017, respectively), both failed to pass. 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. Texas Compassionate Use Act currently allows physicians in Texas to prescribe low-THC cannabis to patients suffering from epilepsy, a seizure disorder, multiple sclerosis, spasticity, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, autism, terminal cancer, or an incurable neurodegenerative disease. If passed, each of the bills listed above seek to amend Chapter 28 of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code in order to make these changes permanent. Championed by the California Self Storage Association (CSSA) with . HB928 seeks to amend Chapter 436 of Texas Health and Safety Code to create administrative and civil penalties for food service establishments that sell catfishif the product is not, in fact, catfish as defined under the statute. Similar to HB904 (see above), HB66 seeks to amend Section 662.003(b) of the Texas Government Code (a list of official Texas state holidays) to add every day on which an election, including a primary election, is held throughout the state.. Opponents often argue that scholarships are the only form of compensation they should receive. If passed, HB502 would amend Section 504.010 of the Texas Transportation Code to authorize the department to collect a fee of $50 per year from drivers who do not wish to display a front license plate on their registered vehicle. Excerpt from the bill: For thousands of years, the mermaid has been one of the most striking symbols of humanitys connection with the natural world, and over the past century, this legendary figure has come to represent the city of San Marcos and its special relationship to the water resources of Central Texas.. 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. HB502, HB1199 & HB1274 all seek to allow motor vehicle owners in Texas to display a license plate only on the rear of a motor vehicle. If passed, HB1517 would allow licensed or permitted bars located inside a hotel to extend the hours during which alcoholic beverages may be sold and consumed during special events but only upon request of the chief executive officer of a municipality. The new laws may affect your current driving record. The majority of motor vehicle collisions are caused by acts of negligence. These signs read Please Dont Drink and Drive followed by In Memory Of and the name(s) of the victim(s). 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. SB68, HB2011 & SB1601, if passed, would also require peace officers who witness the use of excessive force by another peace officer to promptly make a detailed report of the incident and deliver the report to their supervisor, as well as the supervisor of the officer who used the excessive force. The bill states that teachers must be paid a monthly salary of at least $7,000, increased by $50 for every prior year of experience (i.e., a teacher with 10 years of experience would have a base monthly salary of at least $7,500, and a teacher with 20+ years of experience would have a base monthly salary of $8,000). If passed, HB2540 seeks to amend Section 547.605(c) of Texas Transportation Code to state that the owner or operator of a passenger car or light truck manufactured after 1967 may not modify the exhaust system (or a part of the system) in a manner that the owner or operator knows or should know will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the motor of the vehicle above that emitted by the muffler originally installed on the vehicle.. By state law, drivers in Texas must carry at least the minimum auto insurance required. No-Win No-Fee | Free Consultations. 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.. 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. 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. If such a local option election does legalize the sale of liquor on Sundays, holders of package store permits in said area may sell, offer for sale, or deliver liquor on Sunday between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Holders of wholesalers permits may sell, offer for sale, or deliver liquor to a retailer anytime on Sunday, and holders of local distributors permits may sell, offer for sale, or deliver liquor to a retailer on Sunday between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Texas blue laws currently state that alcohol retailers may not sell beer or wine for off-premise consumption on Sundays between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and noon. SB42, if passed, would seek to expand on this law by banning all hand-held mobile phone usage while driving (except when necessary to contact emergency services). Similarly, HB3918 seeks to require that all motor vehicle mufflers not emit a sound of more than 95 decibels, measured 20 inches from the tailpipe, while the vehicle is operating in neutral between 3,000 and 5,000 RPM. 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. 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. According to the text of the bill, a person who knows that a child has suffered a serious bodily injury caused by abuse or neglect shall immediately make a report to law enforcement and/or the appropriate licensing agency. 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. 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 passed, both HB36 and HB219 seek to amend Section 662.003(b) of the Texas Government Code (a list of official Texas state holidays) to remove Confederate Heroes Day, which takes place on the 19th day of January. HCR67 seeks to designate April 6 as Tejano Day (an observance that coincides with the date in 1813 when Tejano leaders issued the first declaration of Texas independence) for a period of ten (10) years. 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. 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. In accordance with these rules, an independent organization certified under Section 39.151 for the ERCOT power region shall adopt procedures and enter contracts as necessary to ensure the availability of a defined amount of emergency reserve power generation capacity the organization may call on to prevent blackouts caused by shortages of generated power. Prepare and submit periodic reports that evaluate systemic issues affecting law enforcement agencies in this state to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and each member of the legislature. The person purchased the product from a retailer the person reasonably believed was authorized to sell a consumable hemp product. If passed, SB419 seeks to again increase this limit from $20,000 to $50,000. 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. Occupational Licenses. If passed, the bills would allow defendants to introduce evidence of the reasonableness of the amount charged for medical or health care services provided to the plaintiff, including: If passed, HB903 seeks to amend the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code in order to allow a person with legal custody of a minor to settle a civil claim on the childs behalf (as long as the settlement is $25,000 or less) without the need to appoint a guardian ad litem. Among other things, if passed, the amendment would allow up to four (4) casinos to operate at destination resorts located in metropolitan areas of the state with a population of two million or more (i.e., Houston, San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas-Fort Worth), provided that no more than one (1) casino is located within any one metropolitan area. Jan. 1, 2021 5:20 AM PT. The bill also applies to distillers and brewers from out-of-state who wish to ship liquor and beer directly to consumers in Texas. Many have argued that reality TV shows like Live PD and Cops may encourage some law enforcement officers to use excessive force. August 24, 2021 . 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. 1:38. 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). Now passed, this law will take effect on 09/01/2021, but will not affect the enforceability of any provision in an insurance policy delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed before 01/01/2022. Check out our FAQs page to find quick answers to your questions. Public Information Officer . These daycare facilities shall retain all recorded video required by this act for at least 30 days after the date the video is recorded. Since this time, the noneconomic damages portion of a victims claim have been limited to an amount not to exceed $250,000regardless of whether or not the plaintiff was awarded more in court. HB2808, HB3370 & HB3494, on the other hand, seek to do away with variable rate energy plans for residential customers entirely. If passed, both HB795 & HB1946 would allow municipalities and/or counties in Texas to name portions of a roadway containing high numbers of traffic fatalities as highway safety corridors. Like construction zones, traffic offenses occurring in a designated highway safety corridor would result in fines being doubled. 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. Both SJR13 & SJR68 propose a constitutional amendment which would abolish daylight saving time in Texas. 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. Similar to the bills above, HB616, if passed, seeks to amend Section 481.121 of Texas Health and Safety Code to classify possession of two (2) grams or less of marijuana as a Class C misdemeanor. If passed, a person does not commit an offense involving the possession of a controlled substance or marijuana if: Following the tragic death of Javier Ambler, who died of heart failure in the custody of the Williamson County Sheriffs Office during a recording of the now-canceled Live PD TV show last year, many people have argued that we shouldnt allow policing to become entertainment in our community. If passed, HB1198 seeks to amend Section 662.003(b) of the Texas Government Code to add Sam Houston Day, in honor of one of this states greatest heroes. If approved, this holiday would fall on the 26th day of July. Our attorneys are results-driven and dedicated DWI lawyers who can help you fight the underlying offense causing your license suspension to ensure that you can reinstate your license. The bill also states that officers have a duty to intervene to stop or prevent another peace officer from using force against a person suspected of committing an offense if: Finally, a peace officer who witnesses the use of excessive force by another peace officer must also promptly make a detailed report of the incident and deliver the report to their supervisor. While many people dont know this, digital license plates are already allowed under Texas lawjust not for passenger vehicles. 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. Texas current Move Over / Slow Down law states that motorists who are approaching a stationary emergency vehicle, tow truck, or highway maintenance/construction vehicle must vacate the lane closest to the vehicle if the road has two or more lanes, or to slow down to 20 mph less than the posted speed limit. If passed, SJR12 & HJR69 seek to amend Article VI of the Texas Constitution to allow a person who will be 18 years of age or older on the date of the subsequent general election to vote in a primary election. HB1518, if passed, goes a bit further by allowing a hotel bar to sell or offer for sale alcoholic beverages at any time to a registered guest of the hotel.. HCR12, if passed, would designate the City of Kyle as the official Pie Capital of Texas for the next 10 years. She received a two-year partially probated suspension, effective Feb. 15, in connection with a case where she accepted $1,200 . If passed, HB95 and SB72 would require each law enforcement agency in Texas to adopt a policy which prohibits a peace officer from discharging a firearm at or in the direction of a moving vehicle unless the peace officer discharges the firearm only when and to the degree the officer reasonably believes is immediately necessary to protect the officer or another person from the use of unlawful deadly force by an occupant of the vehicle by means other than by using the moving vehicle to strike any person.. If passed, SB680 seeks amend Section 17.46, Business & Commerce Code (deceptive trade practices) in order to define electricity as a necessity, as well as to outlaw the exorbitant or excessive pricing of electricity during a declared disaster. If passed, the bills seeks to amend Article I of the Texas Constitution (bill of rights) to add Section 35, as follows: The right of the people to own, hold, and use a mutually agreed upon medium of exchange, including cash, coin, bullion, digital currency, or scrip, when trading and contracting for goods and services shall not be infringed. 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. 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, HB4379 seeks to amend Sections 2301.252(a) and 2301.476 of Texas Occupations Code (as well as Section 503.029(a) of the Texas Transportation Code) in order to enable all-electric car manufacturers (e.g., Tesla) to sell their vehicles directly to consumersas long as the manufacturers line-make has never before been sold in this state through an independent franchised new motor vehicle dealership. Montgomery Law is a Dallas-based personal injury law firm focused on getting clients the justice and compensation they deserve. Excerpt from the bill: Whereas the outstanding achievements of Z-Ro and Travis Scott have made Missouri City a very bright spot on the map of hip-hops most vibrant communities, bringing increased recognition of the Lone Star States contributions to this popular genre.. According to HB3248, a 10% tax would be imposed on each sale in this state of cannabis and cannabis products. If passed, SB70 would require every peace officer to submit a detailed report to their law enforcement agency regarding each incident in which the officer uses force, or witnesses another officer use force, against a person suspected of committing an offense. If passed, these bills would establish rules and regulations regarding qualifying patients, a patient registry system, cannabis testing facilities, licensure of dispensing organizations, allowable amounts, taxes, fees, and more. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); CALL OR TEXT MONTGOMERY LAW 24/7 AT (214) 720-6090 SR-22 Insurance Certificates. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation . Temporary Event Authorizations. Characterizing collisions as accidents can send the wrong message, as (by definition) the word may imply that a collision was the fault of nobody in particular. In order to provide funding for this, the bill would appropriate state aid (from the economic stabilization fund) to school districts in an amount equal to the product of $4,000 multiplied by the number of classroom teachers, full-time librarians, full-time school counselors, and full-time school nurses employed by the districtbut only if the bill is approved by a 2/3 vote. 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.
March 11, 2023