New laws in Texas on Sept. 1: what you need to know

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Six hundred and sixty-six new Texas laws will go into effect this Wednesday. Debated, passed and signed during the 87th Texas legislature, these laws include changes in public safety, health care, and K-12 education.

Not all bills signed during the regular session will take effect on September 1st. Some bills went into effect as soon as they were signed. For example, the Senate Bill 968, which banned “vaccine passports” in Texas, became law when Gov. Greg Abbott signed it in June. Other bills, such as one reviewing negotiations on eminent domains between landlords and businesses, will become law on January 1, 2022.

The legislature is currently in its second special session, which Abbott called primarily to advance the GOP-supported vote restriction bill. Lawmakers are debating other issues, including changes to the bail system and limits on transgender jeans to compete on school sports teams. At least one more special session will be called this fall to address redistricting.

In the meantime, here’s a list of the new laws you need to know:

Texas Budget 2022-2023: SB 1 provides nearly $ 250 billion in Texas, with notable funds earmarked for public higher education. Abbott’s command line vetoed the part of the budget that finances the Texas legislature and the people who occupy it, but lawmakers can restore funding during the second special session this summer.

Transport without permission: House Bill 1927 allows jeans 21 years of age or older to carry handguns without training or license as long as they are not legally barred.

Abortion restrictions: SB 8 prohibits abortion only at six weeks of pregnancy. Instead of enforcing the government, individuals can sue abortion providers or people who help abort after an ultrasound can detect what lawmakers defined as a heartbeat of the fetus. Embryos at this stage of development do not have a heart. Medical and legal experts say the solid benchmark for Republican lawmakers is the movement of electrical pulses that stimulate muscle cells in a tube that will eventually become part of the heart. Abortion providers are suing to block the law. In addition, HB 1280 would ban abortion in Texas 30 days after any potential U.S. Supreme Court decision overturned Roe v. Wade.

Medical marijuana expansion: People with any type of cancer or post-traumatic stress disorder now have access to low-THC cannabis for medical purposes. HB 1535 is an extension of the Texas Compassionate Use Program, which allows people with conditions such as epilepsy and autism to access medical marijuana.

Reduction of barriers in SNAP: SB 224 simplifies access to the supplemental nutritional assistance program for the elderly and disabled with a fixed income. Eligible individuals may waive enrollment interviews and have a shorter application process.

Financing of the “Project 1836”: HB 2497 establishes a “Project 1836” committee to produce patriotic Texas history materials, which will be distributed through channels, such as when people receive driver’s licenses. The name of the initiative reflects “Project 1619,” a New York Times publication that examines the history of the United States since the arrival of enslaved people.

Curricular changes in social studies: HB 3979 limits teachers to discussing current events and systemic racism in class. The bill also prevents students from receiving class credits to participate in civic engagement and prohibits the teaching of the “1619 Project”.

“Star Banner Protection Act”: State-funded professional sports teams are required to play the national anthem before the matches scheduled in SB 4.

Reduction of pre-K class sizes: Early childhood education classes already have a maximum limit of 22 students, the same maximum size as other primary school classes, according to SB 2081.

Retirement accounts for new state employees: SB 321 enrolls new state workers hired after September 1, 2022 in a cash balance plan, which deposits a percentage of a worker’s annual compensation into retirement accounts and is similar to a 401 retirement account ( k). Currently, employees have retirement accounts with defined benefits based on previous job position and salaries.

Protection of companies against liability for car accidents: HB 19 requires drivers of commercial vehicles (including Ubers, Lyfts, and delivery trucks) to be held judicially responsible for causing a traffic accident that causes injury or death before filing a case against their employer.

Active feature alert system: HB 103 creates Texas ’active shooter alert system, which will notify jeans around an active shooting scene via their phones. The system can be activated at the request of local authorities.

Police Corps Cameras: HB 929 requires police officers to keep body cameras turned on throughout the active investigation. The law is named after Botham Jean, who was fatally shot in his apartment while eating ice cream by a Dallas police officer in 2018.

Prohibition of unnecessary police suffocations: Police officers are now prohibited from using forts or excessive forces during arrests, unless necessary to prevent injury to officers or spectators in accordance with SB 69. Officers who witness rapes are required to report the incident.

Online voting tracking system: HB 1382 creates an online tracking system for email voting and applications for email voting. The system will be headed by the Texas Secretary of State.

Punish cities that cut police budgets: If municipalities with more than 250,000 inhabitants reduce their police budget, HB 1900 allows the state to financially punish cities by reducing sales tax revenues and avoiding rising property taxes.

Crime penalty for blocking emergency vehicles: HB 9 will block access to a hospital or emergency vehicle with the lights and sirens of a state prison offense. The bill was passed in response to the arrest of protesters for blocking ambulances during the Black Lives Matter protests last summer.

How to criminalize homeless camping: HB 1925 makes camping in unapproved public places a felony that carries a fine of up to $ 500. Cities cannot opt ​​for the ban.

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