Texas Legislation

Texas House Bill 667 proposes that public schools offer halal food options in their breakfast and lunch programs. This would ensure that students who follow halal dietary practices have access to meals that meet their religious requirements.

Texas House Bill 669 aims to create a database listing employers who have been penalized for not paying wages or have been convicted of wage theft-related crimes. This database would help ensure transparency and accountability regarding wage payment practices in the state.

Texas House Bill 670 allows local taxing authorities, except school districts, to set limits on property taxes for homes owned by disabled or elderly individuals and their surviving spouses. This means that these groups could see a cap on how much their property taxes can increase, potentially providing financial relief. The bill aims to make housing more affordable for these vulnerable populations.

Texas House Bill 671 aims to regulate how local governments, such as cities and counties, can use public funds for lobbying activities. The bill seeks to restrict these entities from using taxpayer money to influence legislation or government decisions at the state or federal level. It may also address other related activities that involve public funds.

Texas House Bill 672 proposes to regulate how political contributions can be used by prohibiting their use to pay civil penalties or fines levied by the Texas Ethics Commission. This means politicians and political groups would not be allowed to use donated funds to cover costs associated with ethical violations.

Texas House Bill 673 aims to make certain first responders eligible for workers' compensation benefits if they suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to their job. This bill recognizes the mental health challenges faced by first responders and seeks to provide them with the necessary financial support for their mental health treatment.

Texas House Bill 674 aims to increase the penalties for individuals who commit crimes while trying to avoid law enforcement checkpoints or evade arrest or detention. This bill seeks to make such offenses more serious by enhancing the punishment associated with them.

Texas House Bill 676 allows the use of drones to locate and retrieve wildlife that has been wounded or killed. This bill aims to make it easier for hunters to find and recover animals after a hunt using modern technology.

Texas House Bill 679 allows local communities to hold elections to decide whether to permit the sale of certain alcoholic beverages on Sundays. This bill gives local voters the power to choose if they want to change existing restrictions on Sunday alcohol sales.

Texas House Bill 680 requires law enforcement agencies to implement policies for mandatory drug and alcohol testing of peace officers who are involved in incidents that result in injuries or deaths. This measure aims to ensure accountability and transparency in situations where the actions of officers are in question.

This bill proposes changes to the policies and procedures of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. It focuses on improving service plans and assessments conducted after a child is removed from their home. The aim is to enhance the department's processes in handling child welfare cases.

Texas House Bill 682 proposes to establish new criminal offenses related to the sale of firearms at gun shows. The bill aims to regulate transactions at these events to ensure compliance with state laws. It introduces penalties for violations to enhance public safety.

The bill proposes to change how public schools in Texas are funded by using average enrollment numbers rather than attendance figures. This means funding would be based on the total number of students enrolled, not just those attending on a given day. The goal is to provide a more stable and predictable funding model for schools.

Texas House Bill 684, sponsored by Philip Cortez, aims to regulate contracts that allow the use of cameras at traffic signals to catch drivers running red lights. It addresses how these contracts are authorized and managed, potentially affecting the use of photographic enforcement systems across the state.

Texas House Bill 686 requires political committees to include specific disclosures in their political advertising. This means that any political ad produced by these committees must clearly state who is behind the ad. If a committee fails to comply, they may face civil penalties.

The bill proposes the creation of a pilot program aimed at preventing bullying in public schools across Texas. It seeks to implement strategies and initiatives that address and reduce bullying incidents, providing a safer environment for students.

Texas House Bill 688 proposes that individuals with intellectual disabilities should not be eligible for the death penalty if they commit a capital offense. The bill aims to align the state's legal practices with considerations for intellectual disabilities in the justice system.

Texas House Bill 689 proposes to increase the criminal penalties for certain crimes committed on public transportation vehicles. This means that if someone commits an offense while on a bus or train operated by a public transportation system, they could face harsher legal consequences than they would otherwise.

Texas House Bill 690 aims to make it a criminal offense to possess or smoke tobacco inside or on the grounds of certain state-owned buildings. This bill seeks to enforce stricter regulations on tobacco use in designated public areas to promote a healthier environment.

Texas House Bill 691, introduced by Representative Vikki Goodwin, proposes changes to the state's minimum wage requirements. The bill aims to increase the minimum wage to provide higher earnings for workers in Texas.

Texas House Bill 692 requires public schools, including open-enrollment charter schools, to notify parents if there is no nurse assigned to the school during all instructional hours. This ensures that parents are aware of the absence of medical personnel during school hours.

Texas House Bill 693 proposes changes to how school districts calculate average daily attendance for full-day prekindergarten programs. This adjustment aims to ensure that districts providing these programs receive appropriate funding based on attendance figures.

Texas House Bill 695 aims to regulate how certain facilities within buildings used as polling places or early voting locations can be utilized. This bill could specify guidelines or restrictions on what activities or services can occur in these areas during election periods.

The bill proposes waiving entrance fees for state parks and fees for hunting and fishing licenses for certain first responders living in Texas. This means eligible first responders would not have to pay these fees, making it easier and more affordable for them to access outdoor recreational activities.