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. These policies must provide peace officers employed by the agency with explicit guidelines for the use of force that ensure that force will only be used against a person in a manner proportionate to the threat posed by the person.. Nine new 2021 California laws that will affect you HB585 seeks to classify possession of two (2) ounces or less of marijuana as a Class C misdemeanor (lowered from Class B), as well as lowering the charges for possession of four (4) ounces or more of marijuana from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class B misdemeanor. The operator of the bicycle or motorcycle must come to a full and complete stop at the intersection, exercise due care as provided law, and may only proceed through the intersection when it is safe to do so. Dan Patrick says he doesnt expect a push to legalize sports betting in Texas to go anywhere in this years legislative session. 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. Clarify that mistake of fact could be raised to negate the legally required mental state of mind of the person using deadly force at the instant in time they choose to use that force. 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. Restrict motorized scooter usage to bicycle lanes, if and when available. 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. License Changes | TABC - Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission With nearly 10,000 bills filed this year, it can be difficult to keep upespecially when theyre written in confusing legalese. If passed, both HJR51 & SJR66 propose an amendment to Article I of the Texas constitution which states that no person shall be held in slavery or involuntary servitude in this state for any reason, including as a punishment for a crime.. 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. Opponents often argue that scholarships are the only form of compensation they should receive. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. AUSTIN - More than 30 new state laws that will affect more than 500,000 Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) licensees will go into effect . Temporary Event Authorizations. Of course this years legislative session wouldnt be complete without a bill proposing the idea of Texas seceding from the United States of America. A new year brings new laws in California. If approved, this holiday would fall on the 28th day of June. $999. As of 2021, Texas law no longer requires people to have a license to carry (LTC) in order to carry a handgun in most public places. If passed, HB3325 & SB1945 both seek to amend several sections of Texas Transportation Code (as well as portions of Texas Business & Commerce Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, Penal Code, Education Code, Family Code, Government Code, Insurance Code, and Occupations Code) in order to replace the word accident (when used to describe a motor vehicle collision) with the word crash.. 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. 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. Currently, there is no specific penalty for turning off a camera during an investigation. 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. HB2434 goes a bit further, requiring that board members (as well as the CEO) must live and work in the state.. Review complaints received by the office regarding the use of force by peace officers of law enforcement agencies, conduct investigations, and (when necessary) request the district or county attorney to bring actions against an agency in order to institute reforms regarding their use of force practices. Failure to Appear. 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, 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.. If passed, both HB1001 and SB327 seek to amend Section 169.003 of the Texas Occupations Code to allow physicians in Texas to also prescribe low-THC cannabis to patients diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Please fill out the form below and let us know how we can help. 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). Consume alcoholic beverages on the businesss premises; or. Each of the bills listed above seek to lay out the groundwork for legalizing and regulating the cultivation, manufacture, distribution, sale, testing, possession, and use of cannabis and cannabis products in Texas. Public Information Officer . If you feel that we left out an important proposed bill, let us know by commenting below! 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. 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. 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. How to Apply for a Texas Driver License While unlikely, if HB1359 (AKA the Texas Independence Referendum Act) is passed, the 11/02/2021 ballot would include the following nonbinding referendum question: Should the legislature of the State of Texas submit a plan for leaving the United States of America and establishing an independent republic?. This bill seeks to disallow cities, counties and municipalities from enforcing more-restrictive laws or regulations relating to the use of wireless communication devices (i.e., phones) while operating a motor vehicle. If passed, SB1345 seeks to give individual counties in Texas the choice of whether or not to legalize recreational marijuana by local election. Vehicle registration suspended for driving without insurance. 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. Violations of this Act (which are not remedied) would result in administrative penalties of not less than $25,000. Nearly 10,000 bills were introduced in Texas this year. Let's take a look at some of the more-interesting ones. If passed, the bill would: The bill also seeks to allow counties and municipalities to further restrict the speed at which a person may operate a motor-assisted scooter, the locations a person may operate a motor-assisted scooter, locations a person may park a scooter, a minimum age requirement, higher civil and criminal penalties for traffic law violations, as well as the requirement that riders wear a safety helmet. Arnold Schwarzenegger before it becomes law. 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. The person entering into the settlement agreement on behalf of the minor must complete an affidavit or verified statement that attests that to the best of the persons knowledge, the minor will be fully compensated by the settlement, or that there is no practical way to obtain additional amounts from the party entering into the settlement agreement with the minor. 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. Require a peace officer who participates in an investigation to keep a body worn camera activated for the entirety of the investigation. The amount of the hospitals charges for services provided to the injured individual during the first 100 days of the injured individuals hospitalization; or. Today, we figured wed highlight some of these new proposed laws and explain exactly what they mean in simple terms. SCR20 seeks to have the 87th Texas Legislature recognize the original 1847 Colt Walker pistol as the official handgun of the State of Texas. Reinstating Your License. The length of your driver's license suspension will vary depending on the offense. Bring alcoholic beverages onto or possess alcoholic beverages on the businesss premises for the purpose of consumption by the person on the premises. 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 voters decide to observe standard time year round, this would go into effect beginning 01/01/2022. Length: 7" or 9". 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. If passed, HB2067 seeks to amend Section 662.003(b) of the Texas Government Code to add COVID-19 Heroes Day in honor of the frontline workers, essential personnel, and all Texans who sacrificed during the pandemic. Two years later, the district attorneys office presented evidence to a grand jury asking that they charge the accused driver with criminally negligent homicide. The officer reasonably believes it is immediately necessary to protect the officer or another person from the use of unlawful deadly force by the driver of the vehicle; and. Affirm the sanctity of human life and the importance of treating all persons with dignity and respect. This article highlights about 150 different proposed bills, but weve grouped them into several categories. 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. Element JWID is undefined in URL. Rudolph W. Giuliani, a former top federal prosecutor, New York City mayor and lawyer to a president, had his law license suspended after a New York court ruled on Thursday that he . 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. 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, 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. Each of the four joint resolutions above propose an amendment to the Texas constitution which states that the legislature by law shall authorize and regulate the possession, cultivation, and sale of cannabis for medical use in this state., These three bills seek to amend Chapter 487 of the Texas Health and Safety Code in order to lay the legal groundwork for medical marijuana sales in Texas. Promote awareness among the public regarding how the office may be contacted, the purpose of the office, and the services the office provides. 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. 2 : select ContactID AS ID, CDCJudgments 3 : from cc_Contact_Sanction_TX 4 : where JWID = <cfqueryparam value ="#URL.JWID#" cfsqltype="CF_SQL_numeric" maxlength="9"> 5 : </cfquery> 6 : Check the ColdFusion documentation to verify that you are using the correct syntax. The annual $50 fee will be deposited into the state highway fund. 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. 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. Occupational Licenses. 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. 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 approved, this holiday would fall on the 19th day of January. If passed, HB1757 would amend Section 37.09 of Texas Penal Code in order to make it a criminal offense for a peace officer (or another employee of a law enforcement agency) to alter, destroy, or conceal another persons audio, visual, or photographic recording of a peace officers performance of official duties without obtaining that other persons written consent. 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. 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. What to Do if Your Driver's License is Suspended in Texas? The Lisa Torry Smith Act (HB2081 & SB1055) seeks to provide greater protection for pedestrians by amending Subchapter I, Chapter 545 of Texas Transportation Code to add a section on motor vehicle accidents involving pedestrians or other vulnerable road used within an area of crosswalk., If passed, the bills would make it a Class A misdemeanor to cause bodily injury to a pedestrian or a person operating a bicycle, motor-assisted scooter, electronic personal assistive mobility device, neighborhood electric vehicle, or golf cart while negligently operating a motor vehicle within the area of a crosswalk. 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. HB832, if passed, would require officers to intervene if the use of force by another peace officer violates state or federal law, puts any person at risk of bodily injury (unless necessary to avoid imminent harm to a peace officer or other person), or is not required to apprehend or complete the apprehension of a suspect. The training program must be approved by the attorney general, and will include guidance on how to recognize and report human trafficking, how to report suspected human trafficking, and more. The bill not only seeks to set limitations on the amount of damages plaintiffs can seek following a serious 18-wheeler accident, but would also put limitations on what information can be admitted as evidence. 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. Both SJR13 & SJR68 propose a constitutional amendment which would abolish daylight saving time in Texas. SB130 seeks to adopt an agreement among the States to elect the President by national popular vote. 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). 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. While our law firm solely focuses on car accidents and personal injury law, well do our best to provide answersor at least point you in the right direction. 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. 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. You will need to provide proof of the following to apply for a driver license: U.S. While many people dont know this, digital license plates are already allowed under Texas lawjust not for passenger vehicles. A peace officer may not assert official immunity as a defense to liability, and the officers governmental unit would also be liable to such a suit under the doctrine of respondeat superior. 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, the State of Texas (and each member state) shall conduct a statewide popular election for President and Vice President of the United States. For more information on the current license structure, fees and more, visit the following pages and resources: Copyright 2023 Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. 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. HB3141 seeks to require those who sell or resell tickets for a concert or other event in this state (including the operator of a ticket website) to disclose all fees charged in connection with the sale of a ticket for the event. The tt Snt passed a new law on suspended license in California. Contractor or employee performing job duties relating to the installation, operation, or maintenance of said video recording equipment. 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. All rights reserved. 1:38. If passed, HB1590 seeks to amend several sections of Texas Family Code in order to completely remove this exception. NEWS. Right to repair refers to government legislation that is intended to allow consumers the ability to repair and modify their own consumer electronic devices, where otherwise the manufacturer of such devices requires the consumer to use only their offered services. If passed, a bet under Texas law will not include any offer of a prize, award, or compensation to the participants in a fantasy or simulated game or contest which is determined by the accumulated statistical performances of the individual athletes on a participants fictional sports team.. 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. For 1 year, if you are under 21 years old and: An additional 180 days, if you don't complete an Alcohol Education Program. 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. Our firm is dedicated to helping victims and their families seek justice. Each of the above bills seek to amend Chapter 2 of Texas Code of Criminal Procedure in order to add a section regarding law enforcement policies on discharging a firearm at a moving vehicle. This fee (which increases to $50 in some cases) does not apply to a suit filed by any governmental entity or to a suit for delinquent taxes. The program would collect captured plate data, and permit peace officers to issue citations for failing to maintain financial responsibility. 50 percent of all amounts recovered by the injured individual through a cause of action, judgment, or settlement. The offense would be upgraded to a state jail felony if the victim suffered serious bodily injury.. Emphasize the use of conflict de-escalation techniques; and. Under new law, unpaid tickets will no longer lead to suspended licenses For accounts that were closed after February 19, 2021, a payment of $250 must be sent to the former account holder. A number of California's new laws for 2021 are efforts to root out systemic . No-Win No-Fee | Free Consultations. 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. Suspensions & Reinstatements. New Lawyer's License Suspended After Sending - New York Law Journal HB54 seeks to prohibit law enforcement departments in Texas from contracting with television crews to create reality shows. Texas Attorney Suspended, 20 Others Disciplined If passed, HB1121, SB736 & HB2070 each seek to lay the groundwork for legalized sports betting in Texas. 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, HB505 seeks to amend Section 2154.202(g) of the Texas Occupations Code in order to also permit fireworks sales to the public beginning five days before Labor Day and ending at midnight on Labor Day (in a county in which the commissioners court of the county has approved the sale of fireworks during the period). Search the Knowledge Base to find a . If the victim simply says yes to any such settlement, under Texas law, theyve legally settled their claim. If passed, HB1490 seeks to amend Chapter 311, Subchapter A of Texas Health and Safety Code to state that hospitals in Texas shall disclose the hospitals cash price for each health care service regularly provided by the hospital. This disclosure must be made by posting the prices on the hospitals website (or in writing on request if the hospital does not have a website). 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.