How new laws on guns, education, abortion and more will impact Texans

More than 650 new laws will go into effect in Texas September 1, while several others have already been enacted. The list of laws going in the books Wednesday includes allowing people to carry handguns without permission or training, requiring police to keep their body cameras on during the investigation, strengthening the state power grid, and opening hours for to extend alcohol sales on Sundays.

And the Texan legislature is not ready yet, as redistribution and other issues are likely to be dealt with in at least one other special session later. The 87th Legislature has already completed its 140-day biennial ordinary session and one special session. The ongoing second overtime session must end on Sunday at the latest.

Constitutional wearing

Starting Wednesday, Texans 21 and older can legally carry a pistol in public without a license or training. Most of the attention has been focused on how the new law eliminates the requirement to obtain a license to carry anyone who is not prohibited by other state and federal laws from possessing a weapon. However, other provisions include that carrying a firearm while drunk is a criminal offense and that records of anyone convicted of illegal gun possession prior to September 1 can be deleted. In addition, peace officials can disarm a citizen at any time if they believe it is necessary to protect that person, officers, or others.

Other new gun laws allow guests to store firearms in their hotel rooms, legalize the possession and manufacture of gun silencers, and make Texas a second amendment protection state by protecting residents from new federal gun restrictions.

Choose

The focus of much action (and inaction) in Austin has been on Republican-backed electoral laws that GOP leaders say are needed to improve security and fight fraud that Democrats claim doesn’t exist. The final passage emerges after a conference committee worked out the differences between the House and Senate versions. Then it goes to Governor Greg Abbott for his signature. It bans 24-hour and drive-through voting, which is popular with colored communities, extends protection to election observers, and adds new requirements for assistants helping disabled Texans vote.

But some electoral laws have already been passed and will go into effect Wednesday, including a law prohibiting voters from registering with a PO Box as an address. Another allows the foreign minister to refuse funds to the electoral roll if they do not remove certain people from the register.

Abortion Restrictions

The new Heartbeat Bill prohibits abortions as soon as a fetal heartbeat is detected – about six weeks after pregnancy, before many women know they are pregnant. According to the Center for Reproductive Rights, at least 85% of abortions in Texas are performed after six weeks. The law is already facing legal challenges and opponents hope that courts will put it on hold and ultimately overturn it. In the second special legislative period, which must end by Sunday, further abortion restrictions are sought. In addition, a “release law” will come into effect that would ban abortions in the state in 30 days if the US Supreme Court Roe v. Wade is reversing the 1973 Texas legal case that legalized abortion nationwide.

education

The heated debate over “critical racial theory” continues in the current special session long after lawmakers finalize a bill that will come into effect September 1 to prevent certain concepts related to race and racism from being allowed in Texas Classrooms are discussed. Conservatives pushed this legislation through against passionate objections from educators who say the new law will make it difficult for them to teach about America’s true past and present. The law faces likely legal challenges. The Republicans are not deterred and are calling for additional laws that go further to “get rid of” theory in schools. Several other states have passed similar laws and initiated lawsuits.

police

Bo’s law, also known as the Botham Jean Act, requires police officers to keep their body cameras on during the entire investigation they are involved in. a black man, was shot dead in his home by off duty officer Amber Guyer who thought he was a burglar.

Among other new policing laws are a ban on the deliberate use of strangle arms by peace officers and another that increases penalties for those convicted of making or supplying fentanyl. Bills have also been passed increasing penalties for obstructing roads for road racing or reckless driving displays, and allowing the confiscation and confiscation of civil assets from vehicles used in road racing. The punishment is also increased for protesters blocking roads and obstructing emergency vehicles.

Electricity supply

Legislators worked to draft laws to protect consumers and improve electricity reliability after power outages and billing debacles that arose from the winter storm in February. Laws that go into effect Wednesday require a public annual review by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and prohibit the sale of wholesale power plans to residential customers. Corresponding laws, which came into force immediately at the beginning of this year, require changes in the board and management of ERCOT and require the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to enact new weathering rules in order to improve service reliability in severe weather. In addition, additional structural changes to the PUC were necessary.

Alcohol sales

A new law that goes into effect this week and is popular with many consumers will extend beer and wine sales over the weekend. Previously Texans couldn’t legally buy beer and wine until noon on Sundays, but now they can buy it from 10 a.m. to midnight. Selling spirits in shops is still prohibited on Sundays. Also popular is a law allowing restaurants to permanently sell take-away alcohol after the state temporarily allowed it in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. This law went into effect immediately in May when Abbott signed it.

COVID-19

While Abbott has extensively looked at the state’s response to the coronavirus through regulation, lawmakers have also taken some action. A new law prohibits government agencies or officials from issuing orders that “close or close places of worship”. Another prohibits any company in Texas from asking for so-called “vaccine passports” or vaccine information.

Medical marijuana

The state’s medical marijuana program is expanding to include patients suffering from all forms of post-traumatic stress disorder or cancer when prescribed by a doctor. Proponents failed to expand the program to people with chronic pain.

Star-Spangled Banner Protection Act

Another new law with strong ties to Dallas is the Star-Spangled Banner Protection Act, which requires every professional sports team with contracts with the state government to play the national anthem before each game begins. It became a priority for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick after Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, decided to stop playing the anthem for the team’s games earlier this season. Following Kuban’s move, which initially went largely unnoticed by the public, the NBA issued a statement informing the public that the anthem would be played before all games, and the Mavericks followed suit.

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