A handler who is trained to manage the qualified facility dog or qualified therapy animal must accompany the dog or animal at a court proceeding, and courts may impose additional restrictions during the court proceeding. HB205, if passed, seeks to modify Chapter 2151 of the Texas Occupations Code in order to require that amusement ride operators be trained in the proper use and operation of the ride, and to be at least 16 years of age. HB1609 goes even further by seeking to classify possession of four (4) ounces or less of marijuana as a Class C misdemeanor. Texas Suspended Driver's License & Reinstatement | DMV.ORG In 2021 the Legislature's super-majority of Democrats sent Gov. 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, 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.. 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. HB1574, if passed, seeks to amend Section 201.909 of the Texas Transportation Code to extend the period in which these signs may be posted from two (2) years to ten (10) years. HB3990 seeks to address non-signaled intersections in the state which commonly lead to right-angle (T-bone) crashes. 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. If passed, HB441, HB498 & SB1989 all seek to amend Section 481.121 of Texas Health and Safety Code to classify possession of one (1) ounce or less of marijuana as a Class C misdemeanor, and possession of more than one (1) but less than two (2) ounces of marijuana as a Class B misdemeanor. Element JWID is undefined in URL. HB443 seeks to require drivers to not only yield, but to stop and yield the right of way.. Similar bills have been introduced this year in Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah, and Virginia. The amount billed by the medical or health care provider. 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. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation . This would effectively allow physicians in Texas to prescribe low-THC cannabis to patients diagnosed with any medical condition that produces symptoms, or the treatment of which produces symptoms, that are alleviated by medical use of low-THC cannabis., As mentioned previously, the Texas Compassionate Use Act currently allows physicians in Texas to prescribe low-THC cannabis only to patients diagnosed with epilepsy, seizure disorders, multiple sclerosis, spasticity, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, autism, terminal cancer, or an incurable neurodegenerative disease.. 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. CDL Disqualifications. 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). SB209 also seeks to make any mandatory arbitration agreement covering disputes involving allegations of sexual assault or sexual harassment void and unenforceable. 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. Now passed, this law will take effect on 01/01/2022. 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. Some of the main duties of this office will be to: HB2302, if passed, would make it a Class A misdemeanor for a peace officer in this state to intentionally or knowingly make a false statement in an incident report regarding the commission or investigation of a criminal offense. If passed, HB1178 seeks to amend the heading to Section 481.125 of Texas Health and Safety Code in order to remove all criminal penalties for the possession of drug paraphernalia under the Texas Controlled Substances Act (possession of drug paraphernalia is currently a Class C misdemeanor). 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. 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.. By state law, drivers in Texas must carry at least the minimum auto insurance required. 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. State Bar of Texas | Find A Lawyer Of course this years legislative session wouldnt be complete without a bill proposing the idea of Texas seceding from the United States of America. If you were convicted of a DWI, your license can be suspended: For up to 2 years, if you are 21 years old or older. Dan Patrick announced that he will be introducing a bill known as the Star Spangled Banner Protection Act (SB4). Although spending $666 on average per year may seem like a lot, you will likely spend twice that amount in fines if you skip insurance altogether. 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). Recorded video required by this act will be confidential, and may not be released or viewed by anyone except: If passed, HB1009 would modify Section 261.101 of Texas Family Code to provide a criminal penalty for those who fail to report child abuse resulting in a serious injury. Hospitals often place liens on claims where a victim receives medical services for injuries caused by an accident thats attributed to the negligence of another person. 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. If passed, SB616 seeks to further lay the legal groundwork for casinos to operate in the state, including administration, licensure, fees, standards, inspections, and more. If passed, 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. Gavin Newsom hundreds of bills that he signed into law, including several with major consequences for Californians. August 24, 2021 . HB2367, on the other hand, seeks to amend Section 504.002 of the Texas Transportation Code to state that the department shall allow a vehicle registered under Chapter 502 to be equipped with a license plate that utilizes integrated circuit technology., Many drivers are frustrated with the increasing number of toll-funded highway projects in the state, as well as the fact that our states oldest toll roads still collect fees from drivers even though the road has long since been paid off.. Mailing Address: Texas Department of Public Safety Central Cash Receiving P.O. No government shall prohibit or encumber the ownership or holding of any form or amount of money or other currency.. 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.. While Texas law currently permits alcohol retailers to make deliveries of alcoholic beverages to customers off premises, they cannot deliver alcohol to areas where alcohol sales are illegal (i.e., dry counties). It is important to note, though, that Lt. Gov. Under Texas law, driving while your license is suspended typically does not lead to jail time on the first offense, but could end up costing you more in fines and an even longer suspension. If youre involved in an auto accident, under current Texas law, the other drivers insurance company has no obligation to disclose the limits of their insureds applicable liability policy (the total amount of money available to compensate a victim). If approved, this holiday would fall on the 19th day of January. 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. Proponents often argue that students names and images are used on products and in advertising that brings revenue to the school, and thus should receive a portion of these profits as compensation. SB1737 seeks to amend Section 544.007 of Texas Transportation Code in order to allow cyclists and motorcyclists to proceed through a traffic-actuated red light if the traffic-control signal fails to register the motorcycle or bicycle. 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. HB3248, on the other hand, seeks to allow both counties and municipalities (cities) to do so by order or local ordinance. Please fill out the form below and let us know how we can help. TABC Sept. 1, 2021 License Consolidation Explained chart (PDF) If passed, HB1519 seeks to remove this restriction entirely. 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. 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. 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. If passed, HB43 seeks to amend Chapter 169 of Texas Occupations Code in order to give physicians the authority to prescribe medical cannabis (as opposed to low-THC cannabis) to patients when a physician determines that medical cannabis is a medically necessary treatment.. 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. As of January 2021, this agreement has been adopted by fifteen (15) states and the District of Columbia. Currently, employees in Texas only have 180 days to file a claim for unpaid wages with the Texas Workforce Commission. 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, the bill seeks to amend Chapter 487 of the Texas Health and Safety Code in order to allow physicians to recommend medical cannabis use to qualified individuals, as well as establish rules and regulations regarding the licensure of dispensing organizations. Executive Orders Expired Temporary suspension of all practice agreement requirements Temporary waiver of select practice agreement requirements Currently no action on this issue Full Practice Authority States This map and table below provide links to specific information in the states. ALR Program. 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.. Under current Texas law, even possession of less than 1 gram of marijuana concentrates (e.g., edibles, vape pens, etc.) Truancy. Additionally, the bill would adjust for inflation each subsequent year. 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. Public Information Officer . At any time in which a child who is unable to swim (or is at risk when swimming) has access to a body of water, the organization shall: HOAs (AKA property owners associations) in Texas generally have a lot of leeway when it comes to enforcing restrictive covenants. If passed, HB1590 seeks to amend several sections of Texas Family Code in order to completely remove this exception. 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. If passed, both HB439 and SB151 seek to create a new, lower punishment range for possession and/or delivery of marijuana concentrates. 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. If passed, HB88 (known as the George Floyd Act) seeks to address qualified immunity for police officers by allowing civil lawsuits at the state level for deprivation of rights under color of law, require the use of de-escalation tactics, require officers to intervene if another officer is using excessive force, require officers to provide aid immediately to any person who needs medical attention (including as a result of the use of force), to further define when and why police officers can use nonlethal and lethal force, to ban chokeholds, as well as prevent arrests for misdemeanor fine-only offenses. 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. Notably, the bill would permit the delivery of such beverages to consumers located in dry areas of the state. Arnold Schwarzenegger before it becomes law. If an organization applies for a license to operate a casino, a local option election shall be held in the county. Under new law, unpaid tickets will no longer lead to suspended licenses Temporary Event Authorizations. Texas Attorney Suspended, 20 Others Disciplined Disregarding a repair operation or cost identified by an estimating system, including the systems procedural pages and any repair, process, or procedure recommended by the original equipment manufacturer of a part or product. 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 provision providing that failure to comply with the written verification required by Subdivision (1) for any team sporting event at the teams home venue or other facility: Immediately subjects the team to any penalty the agreement authorizes for default (including requiring the team to repay any money paid to the team by this state or any governmental entity or classifying the team as ineligible to receive further money under the agreement); and. The person to be arrested or attempting to escape after arrest possesses a deadly weapon; and. By Heather Navarro Published December 27, 2021 Updated on December 28, 2021 at 1:46 pm 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. Texas abortion clinics turning away patients as strict new law takes effect Each of the above bills, if passed, seek to amend several sections of Texas Election Code to reimplement the straight-ticket voting option. Documentation, replacement parts, and tools, including any updates to information or embedded software, for that equipment or replacement part; and. According to the bill, the comptroller shall determine the adjusted minimum wage on December 1 of each year by increasing the adjusted minimum wage for that calendar year by the percentage increase, if any, in the consumer price index for the 12 months preceding that date. 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. If passed, HB1781 seeks to amend Section 43.357 of Texas Parks and Wildlife Code in order to allow the holder of a valid deer breeders permit to engage in the business of breeding breeder deer via cloning. Allow motorized scooters to be ridden on sidewalks. HB1404 seeks to amend Chapters 711 and 716 of Texas Health and Safety Code,as well as Section 651 of the Texas Occupations Code in order to permit the use of alkaline hydrolysis cremation (AKA bio-cremation, resomation, aquamation, green cremation, flameless cremation, or water cremation) with regard to human remains. The parent(s) of a child who is involved in an alleged incident. The bill would also 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. If passed, HB928 would define the term catfish as any species of the scientific family Ictaluridae. The term does not include any species of the scientific genus Pangasius, family Claridae or family Siluridae, including Swai fish (fish similar to catfish). 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. Affirm the sanctity of human life and the importance of treating all persons with dignity and respect. If passed, the bills would define a public place as any place to which the public or a substantial group of the public has access. HB2808, HB3370 & HB3494, on the other hand, seek to do away with variable rate energy plans for residential customers entirely. Each of the bills listed above seek to change this by amending Chapter 372 of the Texas Transportation Code. 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. 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. The amount of force exceeds that which is reasonable under the circumstances; and. Both SB207 & HB1617 seek to amend Section 41.0105 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code to provide additional limits on recovering economic damages (e.g., medical expenses) in civil cases. Let's take a look at some of the more-interesting ones. 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. 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. 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). SB70 seeks to amend Chapter 2 of Texas Code of Criminal Procedure to add a section titled Use of Force Reporting.. 0:00. 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. 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.. Requiring that a part or product be purchased from any vendor or supplier on the basis that the part or product is the least expensive part or product available. 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. If passed, schools, preschools, kindergartens, nursery schools, day camps, or youth camps must determine whether a child is able to swim or is at risk when swimming, and provide the owner or operator of the body of water a written or electronic disclosure that clearly identifies each child who is unable to swim or is at risk when swimming. Here's a . Employees who make a good faith report of a suspected act of human trafficking may not be disciplined, retaliated against, or otherwise discriminated against by their employer. This bill also seeks to disallow ride operators from simultaneously operating more than one amusement ride at a time. If approved, this holiday would fall on the 16th day of April (her birthday). 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. SB435 & HB2271 both seek to amend Subchapter C, Chapter 418 of the Texas Government Code in order to add a section on Texas Pandemic Response Plan.. Failure to Appear. TABC License and Permit Fees Chart. June 24, 2021. License Changes. If passed, the bills would: While its true that the Texas Transportation Code already requires drivers to yield the right of way to pedestrians lawfully using a crosswalk (marked or unmarked). If approved, the sign may remain posted for a period of two (2) years. Texas Driving on a Suspended License Laws - TX Suspended License 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. 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. 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. In a clear knee-jerk reaction to the revelation that Mark Cuban decided not to have the national anthem played prior to the first 11 Dallas Mavericks regular season home games this season (a decision which has already been reversed), Lt. Gov. 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, 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. Some Texas abortion clinics were already turning patients away even before the state's harsh new abortion law went into effect at midnight. Search the Knowledge Base to find a . 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. HB19 seeks to amend Chapter 72 of Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code in order to shift liability away from transportation companies and onto individual drivers when it comes to 18-wheeler truck accident claims or lawsuits. 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. People who can't work or who lose income due to a suspended license have less money to contribute to the economy and less money to pay off their initial fines and fees leaving them saddled with court debt for years. HJR52 seeks to change this by amending Article III of the Texas Constitution to state that the Texas Legislature shall meet every year. Among other things, the bill states that public, private, and independent institutions of higher education (i.e., colleges and universities) may not adopt or enforce a policy, requirement, standard, or limitation that prohibits or otherwise prevents a student athlete participating in an intercollegiate athletic program at the institution from: SCR7 seeks to have the 87th Texas Legislature designate the Bowie knife as the official state knife of Texas. The Texas Driver's Handbook is available online to help you qualify for a Texas driver license.