Obtaining professional representation, including representation by an athlete agent or attorney, in relation to contracts or other legal matters. 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, 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). 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. The driver responsible for the incident was cited with failure to yield, but was never charged. 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. Check out our FAQs page to find quick answers to your questions. 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. Require a peace officer who participates in an investigation to keep a body worn camera activated for the entirety of the investigation. Weight: 11.2 or 14.3 oz. If you feel that we left out an important proposed bill, let us know by commenting below! These daycare facilities shall retain all recorded video required by this act for at least 30 days after the date the video is recorded. This article highlights about 150 different proposed bills, but weve grouped them into several categories. Intimidating, coercing, or threatening a beneficiary or claimant to induce them to use a particular repair person or facility. 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. The bill would also allow liquor to be sold on any other day between the (expanded) hours of 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. Texas blue laws also state that stores may not sell beer on Sundays between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. HB1551, if passed, seeks to amend Section 105.04 of Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code in order to allow beer and wine stores (stores which hold a wine and malt beverage retailers permit or a wine and malt beverage retailers off-premise permit) to sell beer on Sundays between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. The money placed in a minors savings account, trust account, or trust subaccount may not be withdrawn, removed, paid out, or transferred to any person, including the minor, except pursuant to a court order, on the minors 18th birthday, or upon the minors death. If passed, HB4554 seeks to amend Chapter 3101 of Texas Government Code in order to designate Dr. Pepper as the official state soft drink of Texas. 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, SB616 seeks to further lay the legal groundwork for casinos to operate in the state, including administration, licensure, fees, standards, inspections, and more. The tt Snt passed a new law on suspended license in California. While similar to HB1001 and SB327 (which would allow PTSD patients to be prescribed low-THC cannabis), HB1109 seeks to allow veterans with PTSD to apply for a permit in order to purchase medical marijuana from a cultivating or dispensing facility in Texas. 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, 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. 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, 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.. 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. The officer knows or should know that the other officers use of force: Puts a person at risk of bodily injury, as that term is defined by Section 1.07, Penal Code, and is not immediately necessary to avoid imminent bodily injury to a peace officer or other person; and. 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. If approved, this holiday would fall on the 28th day of June. If passed, HB2452 would amend Chapter 2 of Texas Code of Criminal Procedure in order to require each law enforcement agency in the state to adopt a policy prohibiting a peace officer of the agency from making a motor vehicle stop on the shoulder of a controlled access highway.. SJR36 proposes a constitutional amendment authorizing the operation of up to twelve (12) casinos in Texas counties that have approved casino gaming. The chief election official of each member state shall then determine the number of votes, and add such votes together to produce a national popular vote total for each presidential slate. HJR52 seeks to change this by amending Article III of the Texas Constitution to state that the Texas Legislature shall meet every year. 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. Possession of more than two (2) grams and less than two (2) ounces of marijuana would still be a Class B misdemeanor. Similarly, HB2481 seeks to require each provider of generation in the ERCOT power region to implement measures to prepare generation facilities to provide adequate electric generation service during a winter weather emergency. Here's what you need to know. License Changes. SB55 & HB1176, if passed, seek to modify Section 13.001 of Texas Election Code to reflect this change in law. 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 program would collect captured plate data, and permit peace officers to issue citations for failing to maintain financial responsibility. The majority of motor vehicle collisions are caused by acts of negligence. 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.. Both HB99 and HB441 also seek to amend Article 14.06 of Texas Code of Criminal Procedure to state that an officer who is charging a person only with a Class C/B misdemeanor for possession of marijuana may not arrest the person, and shall issue the person a citation instead. Documentation, replacement parts, and tools; and. She received a two-year partially probated suspension, effective Feb. 15, in connection with a case where she accepted $1,200 . 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. 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. 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. 1:38. 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. See our Carry of Firearms page for more info on this new law. 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.. Drivers would still be permitted to use dedicated GPS devices, dash cams, and (if 18 or older) hands-free communication devices. Nine new 2021 California laws that will affect you. 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. This law rvnts th DMV frm automatically undng licenses f drvr' who have not paid r red n urt fr mnr trff vltn due to poverty or low-income. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation . HB3580, if passed, seeks to increase the salary of any classroom teacher in the state to a minimum of $70,000 per year, beginning with the 2021-2022 school year. Offering, communicating, or suggesting in any manner that a particular repair person or facility will provide faster repair times, faster service, or more efficient claims handling than another repair person or facility. SCR20 seeks to have the 87th Texas Legislature recognize the original 1847 Colt Walker pistol as the official handgun of the State of Texas. Under HB477, money generated from the casinos would go toward residual windstorm insurance coverage and catastrophic flooding assistance in those areas. 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. Texas law currently allows for truck accident victims to pursue damages against both the commercial truck driver as well as the transportation company who hired the driverif it can be shown that their negligence (e.g., lax vetting of hired drivers, pushing drivers past their hours-of-service limits, failure to maintain their fleet, etc.) 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.. 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, the Botham Jean Act (as introduced) would: SB 69 seeks to amend Subchapter E, Chapter 9 of the Texas Penal Code in order to add a section regarding prohibited techniques used by law enforcement officers in Texas. If passed, HB3773 seeks to designate September 21 as Alzheimers Awareness Day in order to increase awareness of individuals who are suffering from dementia and to express appreciation to the caregivers of Alzheimers patients for the services and care provided to the patients.. 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. 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). Even if their damages later turn out to be much higher than they initially thought, the insurance company is no longer obligated to pay any additional compensation. 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 bill also seeks to amend Section 481.111 of Texas Health and Safety Code to exempt pharmacists, patients, and cultivators from provisions of this chapter relating to the possession, distribution and delivery of medical cannabis. The person purchased the product from a retailer the person reasonably believed was authorized to sell a consumable hemp product. Under current Texas law, in order for an accident victim to recover compensation through their uninsured or under-insured auto insurance policy, there must first be a judgment or other legal determination establishing the other motorists liability or the extent of the insureds damages. Additionally, the bill would adjust for inflation each subsequent year. 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.. 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. 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. Bring alcoholic beverages onto or possess alcoholic beverages on the businesss premises for the purpose of consumption by the person on the premises. In 2017, Colten Carney was struck and killed by a motorist while walking to work in Royse City, Texas. 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. If passed, HB1519 seeks to remove this restriction entirely. 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. These signs read Please Dont Drink and Drive followed by In Memory Of and the name(s) of the victim(s). If approved, this holiday would fall on the 19th day of January. Emphasize the use of conflict de-escalation techniques; and. 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. 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. If passed, HB3198 would require original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of digital electronic equipment sold or used in this state to make available, on fair and reasonable terms, to any independent repair provider or to an owner of digital electronic equipment manufactured by or on behalf of, sold by, or supplied by the original equipment manufacturer: HB4063, on the other hand, would require original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of electronics-enabled heavy equipment sold or used in this state to make available, on fair and reasonable terms, to any independent repair provider or to an owner of electronics-enabled heavy equipment manufactured by or on behalf of, sold by, or supplied by the original equipment manufacturer: Texas law currently prohibits car manufacturers from directly selling vehicles to customers, and instead encourages automakers to sell via franchised dealerships. 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. Ill be honest I thought we had settled this one a long time ago. 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). Reinstatement fees can be paid in person, unless your suspension paperwork gives directions on how to pay by mail or phone. 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. A new year brings new laws in California. 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). Vehicle registration suspended for driving without insurance. HB3335, if passed, also seeks to amend amend Section 17.46, Business & Commerce Code to include selling electricity at prices at least 200% higher than the market average price for the four quarters immediately preceding a declared disaster as a false, misleading, or deceptive act or practice., SB2075 seeks to amend amend Section 17.46, Business & Commerce Code to include selling electricity at prices at least 300% higher than the average price for the month immediately preceding a declared disaster as a false, misleading, or deceptive act or practice., If passed, each of the above-proposed bills seek to amend Section 39.151 of Texas Utilities Code to ensure that each member of the governing body of the independent organization certified to manage the ERCOT power region (including the CEO) must be a resident of 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). Consume alcoholic beverages on the businesss premises; or. 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 length of your driver's license suspension will vary depending on the offense. Should college student-athletes be paid? 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. Public Information Officer . If passed, SB419 seeks to again increase this limit from $20,000 to $50,000. Here's a . HJR133 & SJR49 both propose a constitutional amendment which would authorize and regulate casino gaming at a limited number of destination resorts and facilities licensed by the (yet-to-be-created) Texas Gaming Commission, as well as authorize sports wagering in the state. SB1345 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, cannabis paraphernalia, as well as the cultivation (for personal use) of not more than 12 cannabis plants in a private residence. Schedule a free case evaluation with our criminal lawyers by calling (254) 220-4225. Medical Evaluation Process. If passed, HB562 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. The use of force must be terminated the moment the person against whom force is used becomes compliant or is subdued. 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. 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). 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. 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. Box 15999 Dan Patrick announced that he will be introducing a bill known as the Star Spangled Banner Protection Act (SB4). 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. NEWS. In 2021 the Legislature's super-majority of Democrats sent Gov. The person to be arrested or attempting to escape after arrest possesses a deadly weapon; and. The lawyer also admitted to setting up a fake email account to help her falsely . Texas observes daylight saving time beginning the second Sunday in March, and then reverts to standard time on the first Sunday in November. Payments must be made to customers by December 15, 2021. To see a full list of the 9,966 bills submitted during Texas 87th Legislature, click here. 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. Texas law currently prohibits the consumption of alcoholic beverages during certain hours in a public place. Many have argued that reality TV shows like Live PD and Cops may encourage some law enforcement officers to use excessive force. The application shall only be approved if a majority of the voters favor the authorization of casino gaming.