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, 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. August 24, 2021 . Strangely, the text of HB1980 states that this would not apply to a negotiated settlement agreement or administrative action.. There is a substantial risk that the person to be arrested or attempting to escape after arrest will cause death or serious bodily injury to the actor or another if the arrest or apprehension is delayed. HB215, if passed, seeks to amend several sections of Texas Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and Government Code in order to effectively abolish the death penalty in Texas. The commissioner shall set the rate of the adjustment no later than November 1st of each 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. 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.. Nearly 10,000 bills were introduced in Texas this year. Dan Patrick announced that he will be introducing a bill known as the Star Spangled Banner Protection Act (SB4). The person possesses a product that purports by the products label to contain a consumable hemp product that is authorized under state or federal law; The product contains a controlled substance or marihuana, other than the substances extracted from hemp in the concentrations authorized by law; and. Texas observes daylight saving time beginning the second Sunday in March, and then reverts to standard time on the first Sunday in November. Emphasize the use of conflict de-escalation techniques; and. 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. If passed, HB1519 seeks to remove this restriction entirely. If passed, HB3056 would amend Subchapter A, Chapter 711 of Texas Health and Safety Code to add a section entitled Prohibiting Billboards on Cemetery Property. It would state that a person may not erect or maintain a billboard on cemetery property, and that a cemetery organization may not enter into a contract or lease authorizing a billboard on cemetery property. Arnold Schwarzenegger before it becomes law. The amount paid, the amount that would have been paid, or the amount likely to be paid for the medical or health care services by a health benefit plan, workers compensation insurance, an employer-provided plan, Medicaid, Medicare, or another similar source available. If passed, a person does not commit an offense involving the possession of a controlled substance or marijuana if: Following the tragic death of Javier Ambler, who died of heart failure in the custody of the Williamson County Sheriffs Office during a recording of the now-canceled Live PD TV show last year, many people have argued that we shouldnt allow policing to become entertainment in our community. If you feel that we left out an important proposed bill, let us know by commenting below! It would also amend Section 38.15 of Texas Penal Code (interference with public duties) to add an affirmative defense to prosecution if the conduct engaged in by the defendant consisted only of filming, recording, photographing, documenting, or observing a peace officer, if before or while engaging in the conduct, the defendant obeyed any reasonable and lawful order by a peace officer to change the defendants proximity or position., HB1757 also seeks to amend Section 542.501 of Texas Transportation Code (willfully failing or refuse to comply with a lawful order) to state that the law does not apply to an order or direction to cease filming, recording, photographing, documenting, or observing a peace officer while the officer is engaged in the performance of official duties, although this does not prohibit a peace officer from giving the person a reasonable and lawful order or direction to change the persons proximity or position relative to a peace officer who is engaged in the performance of official duties., Lastly, HB1757 would also amend Chapter 2 of Texas Code of Criminal Procedure to state that if during the performance of the peace officers official duties a peace officer makes a video or audio recording of the officers interaction with a person, the peace officer must immediately disclose to the person that the officer is recording the interaction and the method by which the officer is making the recording, except if the peace officers interaction with a person occurs as part of an ongoing criminal investigation or if making the disclosure immediately would be unsafe, unrealistic, or impracticable.. If a person with such knowledge knowingly fails to make a report, theyre subject to a state jail felony. Should college student-athletes be paid? 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. Authorize force to be used by officers only after attempts to de-escalate a situation have failed. 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 lawyer also admitted to setting up a fake email account to help her falsely . An employee who is involved in an alleged incident. 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. SJR36 proposes a constitutional amendment authorizing the operation of up to twelve (12) casinos in Texas counties that have approved casino gaming. If passed, HB501 would effectively raise the caps on noneconomic damages from $250,000 to upwards of $350,000. For more information on the current license structure, fees and more, visit the following pages and resources: Copyright 2023 Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. 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. Under HB477, money generated from the casinos would go toward residual windstorm insurance coverage and catastrophic flooding assistance in those areas. Length: 7" or 9". 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. 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. Both HB4519 & SB2003, if passed, also seek to amend Section 2154.202(g) of the Texas Occupations Code in order to permit fireworks sales to the public beginning June 14 and ending at midnight on June 19 (Juneteenth), as well as five days before Labor Day and ending at midnight on Labor Day. On the other hand, HB255 seeks to raise the minimum wage annually based on the consumer price index (called an adjusted minimum wage). Appropriate commission, department, or law enforcement personnel as part on an investigation related to suspected abuse, neglect, or a licensing standard violation. 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). HB804 seeks to amend this law so that the insurer is only entitled to an offset/credit/deduction if and when they have paid out the full amount of the applicable liability policy limits. Click the links below if youd like to jump to a specific section: If you have questions or concerns, please leave a comment at the bottom of this page. 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. Currently, Texas law states that possession of two (2) ounces or less of marijuana is a Class B misdemeanor. 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. The most versatile suppressor in the Banish line, the Banish 30 works with all of your rifle calibers from .17 to .30 caliber magnums. If passed, HB1955 seeks to amend Section 9.51 of Texas Penal Code to state that a peace officer is only justified in using deadly force against another when and to the degree the peace officer reasonably believes the deadly force is immediately necessary to make an arrest (or to prevent escape after arrest) if: HB1757 seeks to add additional rules relating to the recording of a peace officers performance of official duties and interactions with the public. License suspensions undermine public safety. SB68, HB2011 & SB1601, if passed, would also require peace officers who witness the use of excessive force by another peace officer to promptly make a detailed report of the incident and deliver the report to their supervisor, as well as the supervisor of the officer who used the excessive force. The bill 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. The new laws may affect your current driving record. 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, 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.. HB554 would also allow motorists to cross over to the left of pavement striping within a designed no-passing zone in order to safely pass a pedestrian or cyclist. While many people dont know this, digital license plates are already allowed under Texas lawjust not for passenger vehicles. HB2728 seeks to amend Subchapter C, Chapter 662 of Texas Government Code (recognition days) to declare January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in order to commemorate the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and to honor the millions of victims of the Holocaust. 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. Public Information Officer . In 2017, Gov. The amount of force exceeds that which is reasonable under the circumstances; and.