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. Many have argued that reality TV shows like Live PD and Cops may encourage some law enforcement officers to use excessive force. 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). Both SJR13 & SJR68 propose a constitutional amendment which would abolish daylight saving time in Texas. 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, the bill would add language requiring tolls to be removed once the costs of acquisition and construction of the project have been paid. 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 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. 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. 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. If passed, these bills would prohibit law enforcement officers from initiating actions (e.g., traffic stops) based, in whole or in part, on an individual operating a motorcycle or wearing motorcycle-related or motorcycle club-related paraphernaliarather than on the individuals behavior or on information identifying the individual as having engaged in criminal activity. As of January 2021, this agreement has been adopted by fifteen (15) states and the District of Columbia. The average amount typically paid or allowed by health benefit plan issuers or governmental payers at or near the time the medical or health care services were provided. These signs read Please Dont Drink and Drive followed by In Memory Of and the name(s) of the victim(s). Reinstatement fees in Massachusetts range from $100 up to $1,200, holders of a driver's license and $100 up to $1,200 for holders of a junior operators license. HB501 seeks to adjust these arbitrary caps equal to any increase or decrease in the consumer price indexwhich measures the average changes in prices of goods and services purchased by urban wage earnerssince September of 2003. Both HB405 and SB57 seek to extend this period from 180 days to one (1) year. HB1071 seeks to allow any party to an action filed in a court in this state to petition the court to authorize a qualified facility dog or qualified therapy animal to be present with a witness who is testifying before the court. 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. Element JWID is undefined in URL. HB2434 goes a bit further, requiring that board members (as well as the CEO) must live and work in the state.. A number of California's new laws for 2021 are efforts to root out systemic . HCR32, if passed, would designate Missouri City, TX as the official Hip-Hop Capital of Texas for the next 10 years. In 2017, Colten Carney was struck and killed by a motorist while walking to work in Royse City, Texas. 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. 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. A description of any attempt that was made by the peace officer to de-escalate the situation before the force was used (if applicable). Nine new 2021 California laws that will affect you 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. The bills outline the path for the commission to form a sports betting program, to enter into contracts, to issue permits for sports betting operations, and much more. Drivers would still be permitted to use dedicated GPS devices, dash cams, and (if 18 or older) hands-free communication devices. Contractor or employee performing job duties relating to the installation, operation, or maintenance of said video recording equipment. Restrict anyone from riding a motorized scooter (gas or electric) on a roadway unless the posted speed limit is 30 mph or less (currently the limit is 35 mph or less). If passed, both HCR35 & SCR21 seek to designate March 10 as Histotechnology Professionals Day for a period of ten (10) years in order to provide an opportunity to educate the public about the field of histotechnology and to give recognition to the vital contributions of histologists.. Governor Abbott has already signaled his backing, and the bills are expected to receive bipartisan support when they comes up for vote. The offense would be upgraded to a state jail felony if the victim suffered serious bodily injury.. Make it a third-degree felony to intentionally or knowingly deactivate, order the deactivation of, or cause to be deactivated a recording device being used during an investigation. The court may authorize this only if the presence of the dog or animal will assist the witness in providing testimony, the party petitioning for the order provides proof of liability insurance coverage in effect for the dog or animal, and the party petitions the court no later than the 14th day before the date of the court proceeding. License and Vehicle Registration Suspension in Texas Texas observes daylight saving time beginning the second Sunday in March, and then reverts to standard time on the first Sunday in November. Dallas Personal Injury Lawyers If passed, SB41 seeks to increase the filing fee for civil lawsuits filed in county court, statutory county court, county court at law, probate court, statutory probate court, or district court in Texas. The measure must now be approved by the State Assembly and be signed by Gov. SB1853 seeks to amend Subchapter H, Chapter 151 of Texas Tax Code in order to temporarily exempt personal protective equipment from sales taxes. 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. 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. The use of force must be terminated the moment the person against whom force is used becomes compliant or is subdued. 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. This includes any licensed or permitted premises (e.g., bars), as well as any street, highway, or park or a common area of a school, hospital, apartment, office building, transportation facility, shop, restaurant, or nightclub. 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. 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. 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. 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. The bill states that A peace officer may not intentionally use a choke hold, carotid artery hold, or similar neck restraint in searching or arresting a person unless the restraint is necessary to prevent serious bodily injury to or the death of the officer or another person.. 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. 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. Two years later, the district attorneys office presented evidence to a grand jury asking that they charge the accused driver with criminally negligent homicide. Currently, Texas law leaves it up to the individual law enforcement officer to decided whether or not to conduct a blood alcohol test on a motorist when they hit a pedestrian. HB934 seeks to modify Section 551.352 of the Texas Transportation Code in order to add additional restrictions on operating motor-assisted scooters within the state of Texas. Box 15999 Gavin Newsom hundreds of bills that he signed into law, including several with major consequences for Californians. The amount of force exceeds that which is reasonable under the circumstances; and. This bill also seeks to disallow ride operators from simultaneously operating more than one amusement ride at a time. Requiring that a vehicle be repaired with a part or product on the basis that its the least expensive part or product available. HB1982, if passed, would amend Chapter 481of Texas Health and Safety Code in order to add a section on medical cannabis prescriptions, which states that medical cannabis may be dispensed to a patient only by a pharmacist licensed under Subtitle J, Title 3, Occupations Code, at a pharmacy licensed under Chapter 560, Occupations Code, under a valid prescription. Nearly 10,000 bills were introduced in Texas this year. Texas blue laws currently state that alcohol retailers may not sell wine or vinous liquor containing more than 17 percent alcohol by volume on Sundays. If approved, this holiday would fall on the 28th day of June. With nearly 10,000 bills filed this year, it can be difficult to keep upespecially when theyre written in confusing legalese. If approved, this holiday would fall on the 19th day of January. HB1980 also seeks to outlaw nondisclosure and confidentiality agreements which prohibit an employee from disclosing to any person, including during any related investigation, prosecution, legal proceeding, or dispute resolution, facts surrounding any sexual assault or sexual harassment committed by an employee of the employer or at the employees place of employment, including the identity of the alleged offender. These policies must: HB833, if passed, goes a bit further than HB562 by requiring that the commission develop and make available to all law enforcement agencies in this state a model policy and associated training materials regarding the use of force by peace officers. According to HB1121, any excess revenue made by the department (exceeding the expenses necessary to operate the platform) shall be deposited to the credit of the foundation school fund. 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. Nine new 2021 California laws that will affect you. If passed, HB2157 seeks to amend Section 662.003(b) of the Texas Government Code to add Womens Equality Day, which would fall on the 26th day of August, as an official state holiday in Texas. Rudy Giuliani's law license suspended for false statements about 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. Texas Attorney Suspended, 20 Others Disciplined This made sense back when the Texas Legislature was first established in 1845 (and lawmakers had to travel to Austin by horse), but not so much anymore. HB1793 seeks to amend Title 10 of Texas Insurance Code in order to prohibit auto insurance companies from obtaining oral releases for claims arising out of property damage or an injury for which an insurer may be liable under an automobile insurance policy. Set a maximum speed of 15 mph for standing scooters (or 20 mph for seated scooters). HB3877 seeks to lower the prima facie speed limit of any urban district street in Texas city with a population greater than 950,000 to 25 miles per hour on a street other than an alley, and 15 miles per hour in an alley. 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. If passed, HB1121, SB736 & HB2070 each seek to lay the groundwork for legalized sports betting in Texas. If passed, SB1012 & HB3138 both seek to require electric providers to obtain a residential customers express consent before enrolling them in a variable rate energy plan. New Lawyer's License Suspended After Sending Letter Falsely Accusing Co-Worker's Husband of Sexual Harassment. MDARD suspended Marlena's food establishment license on Jan. 20, but Pavlos-Hackney refused to close, posting her decision to a large following on multiple Facebook pages. 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. 0:00. On the other hand, HB255 seeks to raise the minimum wage annually based on the consumer price index (called an adjusted minimum wage). Search the Knowledge Base to find a . From police reform to legalized gambling and alcohol sales to digital license plates, here's a small sampling of the bills filed during Texas' 87th legislative session. 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. 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. Restrict motorized scooter usage to bicycle lanes, if and when available. 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. You will need to provide proof of the following to apply for a driver license: U.S. The length of your driver's license suspension will vary depending on the offense. 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.