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. 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. The new law will end license suspensions due to non-payment of traffic fines, while making affordable payment plans available (at 2% of a person's monthly income or $25/month, whichever is greater). Dan Patrick announced that he will be introducing a bill known as the Star Spangled Banner Protection Act (SB4). A new year brings new laws in California. Medical Evaluation Process. Let's take a look at some of the more-interesting ones. Some of the main duties of this office will be to: HB2302, if passed, would make it a Class A misdemeanor for a peace officer in this state to intentionally or knowingly make a false statement in an incident report regarding the commission or investigation of a criminal offense. Currently, Texas law states that possession of two (2) ounces or less of marijuana is a Class B misdemeanor. 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. Suspended Michigan drivers will have licenses reinstated under new law List: New Laws in California in 2022 - NBC Los Angeles The 87th Texas Legislature began on Jan. 12, 2021 and officially concluded on May 31st, 2021 (although Gov. If passed, both HB36 and HB219 seek to amend Section 662.003(b) of the Texas Government Code (a list of official Texas state holidays) to remove Confederate Heroes Day, which takes place on the 19th day of January. If passed, any and all insurance claim release agreements made in exchange for money or other consideration will no longer be enforceable unless the contract is in writing. Under HB1117, once a toll road is paid off, the road would become part of the state highway system and must be maintained by the commission (or shall continue to be maintained by the entity operating the project if certain criteria is not met). Similar bills have been introduced this year in Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah, and Virginia. 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.. HB929 (known as the Botham Jean Act or Bos Law) seeks to clean up ambiguous guidelines in Texas castle doctrine law, to clean up language regarding mistake of fact when used as a legal defense, as well as to standardize police body cam policy and increase police accountability and transparency with regard to body worn cameras. At the time of the arrest, the officer reasonably believes that as a direct result of the accident any individual has died, will die, or has suffered serious bodily injury. Requiring that a part or product be purchased from any vendor or supplier on the basis that the part or product is the least expensive part or product available. 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. Banish 30. 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. If passed, HB827 seeks to amend Chapter 372 of the Texas Transportation Code in order to prohibit toll project entities (or private entities that operate a toll project) from disclosing information on the speed at which a vehicle is operated on the toll project to a law enforcement agency for the purpose of proving an offense under Subchapter H, Chapter 545 (speed restrictions). is an automatic felony charge. If passed, the bills would requirethe Public Utility Commission of Texas to, by rule, develop a process for obtaining emergency reserve power generation capacity as appropriate to prevent blackout conditions in the state. If, during any 12-month period, TxDOT receives 10 or more of these reports for a single intersection, they shall perform a traffic study of that location and take actions determined reasonable and necessary to improve safety at the location. The bill, if passed, would also set the legal groundwork for licensing cultivators and dispensaries, manufacturing practices, safety testing, and more. 1:38. 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. 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. The bills also prohibit members, officers, or employees of the commission, the department, or a betting operation from placing any sports bets at all, as well as prohibiting any competitor, coach, trainer, employee, or owner of a team in a sports event, or any referee for a sports event, from placing a bet on one of their events. It is important to note, though, that Lt. Gov. HB3990 seeks to address non-signaled intersections in the state which commonly lead to right-angle (T-bone) crashes. The Texas Driver's Handbook is available online to help you qualify for a Texas driver license. Suspended License Driving with a suspended license is a misdemeanor in Texas. Texas Compassionate Use Act currently allows physicians in Texas to prescribe low-THC cannabis to patients suffering from epilepsy, a seizure disorder, multiple sclerosis, spasticity, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, autism, terminal cancer, or an incurable neurodegenerative disease. HB113 would amend Texas Business & Commerce Code to allow for peer-to-peer car sharing programs (a business platform that connects owners with drivers to enable vehicle sharing for financial consideration) to operate within the State of Texas. Now passed, this law will take effect on 09/01/2021, but will not affect the enforceability of any provision in an insurance policy delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed before 01/01/2022. This law notably only applies to drivers reading, writing, or sending electronic messages, and does not address various other actions like browsing the internet, entering an address into Google Maps, scrolling through a music playlist, etc. Restrict motorized scooter usage to bicycle lanes, if and when available. If passed, HB3198 would require original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of digital electronic equipment sold or used in this state to make available, on fair and reasonable terms, to any independent repair provider or to an owner of digital electronic equipment manufactured by or on behalf of, sold by, or supplied by the original equipment manufacturer: HB4063, on the other hand, would require original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of electronics-enabled heavy equipment sold or used in this state to make available, on fair and reasonable terms, to any independent repair provider or to an owner of electronics-enabled heavy equipment manufactured by or on behalf of, sold by, or supplied by the original equipment manufacturer: Texas law currently prohibits car manufacturers from directly selling vehicles to customers, and instead encourages automakers to sell via franchised dealerships. However, Texans are still able to get a license to carry after the new law takes effect. 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. Gavin Newsom hundreds of bills that he signed into law, including several with major consequences for Californians. State Bar of Texas | Find A Lawyer The new laws may affect your current driving record. If passed, HB555 seeks to expand on this law by applying it to additional types of stationary vehicles adjacent to a highway, such as utility service vehicles and vehicles used exclusively to transport municipal solid waste or recyclable material. Many cities in Texas currently have hands-free ordinances on the books, but if passed, HB86 would effectively make these local laws unenforceable. Our attorneys are results-driven and dedicated DWI lawyers who can help you fight the underlying offense causing your license suspension to ensure that you can reinstate your license. If passed, SB70 would require every peace officer to submit a detailed report to their law enforcement agency regarding each incident in which the officer uses force, or witnesses another officer use force, against a person suspected of committing an offense. If passed, HB1131 seeks to add additional restrictions on certain insurance practices related to the repair of a motor vehicle following an accident and/or property damage claim. By Chloe Atkins. It would also require policyholders who receive a written request for policy information from a claimant to disclose the name of their insurance company and type of coverage provided by their insurer. With nearly 10,000 bills filed this year, it can be difficult to keep upespecially when theyre written in confusing legalese. Appropriate commission, department, or law enforcement personnel as part on an investigation related to suspected abuse, neglect, or a licensing standard violation. If passed, both HCR35 & SCR21 seek to designate March 10 as Histotechnology Professionals Day for a period of ten (10) years in order to provide an opportunity to educate the public about the field of histotechnology and to give recognition to the vital contributions of histologists.. A handler who is trained to manage the qualified facility dog or qualified therapy animal must accompany the dog or animal at a court proceeding, and courts may impose additional restrictions during the court proceeding. How to Apply for a Texas Driver License Payments must be made to customers by December 15, 2021. Should college student-athletes be paid? Suspensions & Reinstatements. If passed, HB2540 seeks to amend Section 547.605(c) of Texas Transportation Code to state that the owner or operator of a passenger car or light truck manufactured after 1967 may not modify the exhaust system (or a part of the system) in a manner that the owner or operator knows or should know will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the motor of the vehicle above that emitted by the muffler originally installed on the vehicle.. 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. Here's what you need to know. Normally in a motor vehicle accident, if a passenger files a Personal Injury Protection (PIP) claim against the owner/operator of a vehicle they were riding in, the insurance company is entitled to an offset/credit/deduction equal to the amount they paid out. Check out our FAQs page to find quick answers to your questions. Express its support for public and private efforts to eradicate anti-AAPI racism in all its forms. If passed, SB 1385 seeks to amend Subchapter Z, Chapter 51 of the Texas Education Code in order to add a section titled Compensation and Professional Representation of Student Athletes Participating in Intercollegiate Athletic Programs.. By state law, drivers in Texas must carry at least the minimum auto insurance required. 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. By Heather Navarro Published December 27, 2021 Updated on December 28, 2021 at 1:46 pm Occupational Licenses. If passed, the bill would require law enforcement officers who investigate a right-angle collision at an uncontrolled intersection to file a written report with the Texas Department of Transportation. 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.. HB1404 seeks to amend Chapters 711 and 716 of Texas Health and Safety Code,as well as Section 651 of the Texas Occupations Code in order to permit the use of alkaline hydrolysis cremation (AKA bio-cremation, resomation, aquamation, green cremation, flameless cremation, or water cremation) with regard to human remains. If passed, SB41 seeks to increase the filing fee for civil lawsuits filed in county court, statutory county court, county court at law, probate court, statutory probate court, or district court in Texas. Consent must be given in a manner that indicates the customer understands that they are enrolling in a variable rate plan, and the electric provider shall provide notice that the plan includes variable rates in an easily readable font and type size. If you feel that we left out an important proposed bill, let us know by commenting below! SB4 seeks to amend Subtitle F, Title 10 of Texas Government Code in order to add a section titled Agreements With Professional Sports Teams. If passed, the bill would prohibit governmental entities from entering into agreements with professional sports teams that requires a financial commitment by this state or any governmental entity unless the agreement includes: If passed, HB1758 seeks to amend Chapter 423 of Texas Government Code in order to make it a Class A misdemeanor to operate an unmanned aircraft that is equipped with a chemical dispensing device, an explosive weapon, an improvised explosive device, or a firearm.. The bill would also require that these vehicles display a distinctive insignia (issued by the department) on the windshield for validation of that authorization. If passed, the bills would: While its true that the Texas Transportation Code already requires drivers to yield the right of way to pedestrians lawfully using a crosswalk (marked or unmarked). The report will be due not later than March 1 of each even-numbered year, and must include a description of the means and strategies for meeting the agencys needs and managing the risks associated with the projected changes in weather, water availability, and climate variabilityincluding the identification of any financial resources that will be needed to carry out those means and strategies. 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. 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). Modular Suppressor ( 7 or 9) Below hearing safe. Many states, including Texas, currently allow minors under the age of 18 to get married if theyve received a court order removing the disabilities of minority (i.e., emancipation). 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. 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. SB209 also seeks to make any mandatory arbitration agreement covering disputes involving allegations of sexual assault or sexual harassment void and unenforceable. If passed, HB3296 seeks to increase the monthly salary of any classroom teacher, full-time librarian, full-time school counselor, or full-time school nurse in Texas by an extra $400 for the 2021-2022 school year. HB442, if passed, would effectively lower the prima facie speed limit of any residential street in Texas (located within in a municipality and not officially designated or marked as part of the state highway system) from 30 miles per hour down to 25 miles per hour. The driver responsible for the incident was cited with failure to yield, but was never charged. Almost every state holds a legislative session every year, but just four statesTexas, Montana, Nevada and North Dakotameet biennially on odd numbered years. Massachusetts Suspended Driver's License & Reinstatement | DMV.ORG 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. If passed, HB904 seeks to amend Section 662.003(b) of the Texas Government Code (a list of official Texas state holidays) to add the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of an even-numbered year (election day) as a state holiday. The amount actually paid for the medical or health care services. Texas Suspended Driver's License & Reinstatement | DMV.ORG HB3248, on the other hand, seeks to allow both counties and municipalities (cities) to do so by order or local ordinance. In 2017, Texas passed a law banning drivers from electronic messaging via a portable wireless communication device (i.e., a phone) while operating a motor vehicle. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); CALL OR TEXT MONTGOMERY LAW 24/7 AT (214) 720-6090 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. Michigan will no longer suspend driver's licenses for issues unrelated to driving safety, such as missed court appointments and unpaid fees. No-Win No-Fee | Free Consultations. Texas abortion clinics turning away patients as strict new law takes effect HJR52 seeks to change this by amending Article III of the Texas Constitution to state that the Texas Legislature shall meet every year. Texas House Bill 1287 (HB 1287) Introduced 01/22/2021 (, Texas House Bill 1674 (HB 1674) Introduced 02/08/2021 (, Texas House Bill 2081 (HB 2081) Introduced 02/23/2021 (, Texas Senate Bill 2106 (SB 2106) Introduced 03/12/2021 (, Texas Senate Bill 17 (SB 17) Introduced 03/11/2021 (, Texas Senate Bill 316 (SB 316) Introduced 01/11/2021 (, Texas House Bill 983 (HB 983) Introduced 01/06/2021 (, Texas House Bill 1102 (HB 1102) Introduced 01/14/2021 (, Texas Senate Bill 298 (SB 298) Introduced 01/07/2021 (, Texas House Bill 1779 (HB 1779) Introduced 02/10/2021 (, Texas House Bill 2662 (HB 2662) Introduced 03/03/2021 (, Texas House Bill 1517 (HB 1517) Introduced 02/02/2021 (, Texas Senate Bill 223 (SB 223) Introduced 11/09/2020 (, Texas Senate Bill 380 (SB 380) Introduced 01/21/2021 (, Texas House Bill 418 (HB 418) Introduced 11/09/2020 (, Texas House Bill 268 (HB 268) Introduced 11/09/2020 (, Texas House Bill 831 (HB 831) Introduced 12/15/2020 (, Texas House Bill 1784 (HB 1784) Introduced 02/10 /2021 (, Texas House Bill 356 (HB 356) Introduced 11/09/2020 (, House Concurrent Resolution 35 (HCR 35) Introduced 02/05/2021 (, Texas Senate Bill 421 (SB 421) Introduced 01/25/2021 (, Texas House Bill 1710 (HB 1710) Introduced 02/09/2021 (, Texas Senate Bill 660 (SB 660) Introduced 02/11/2021 (, Texas House Bill 1891 (HB 1891) Introduced 02/12/2021 (, House Concurrent Resolution 15 (HCR 15) Introduced 12/30/2020 (, House Concurrent Resolution 13 (HCR 13) Introduced 12/07/2020 (, Section 724.012 of the Texas Transportation Code, Subchapter I, Chapter 545 of Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 2 of Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Section 551.352 of the Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 601 of the Texas Transportation Code, Section 504.010 of the Texas Transportation Code, Section 504.002 of the Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 372 of the Texas Transportation Code, Section 201.909 of the Texas Transportation Code, Section 547.605(c) of Texas Transportation Code, Section 544.007 of Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 72 of Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Section 601.072(a-1)(3) of the Texas Transportation Code, Section 41.0105 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Subchapter C, Chapter 1952 of Texas Insurance Code, Chapter 2151 of the Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 341 of Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 28 of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, Chapter 105 of Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, Section 24.07 of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, Section 105.04 of Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, Section 105.06 of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, Section 11.179 of the Texas Education Code, Chapter 487 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 481of Texas Health and Safety Code, Section 481.111 of Texas Health and Safety Code, Section 169.003 of the Texas Occupations Code, Section 481.121 of Texas Health and Safety Code, Article 14.06 of Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Section 481.125 of Texas Health and Safety Code, Section 481.111 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, Subchapter E, Chapter 9 of the Texas Penal Code, Section 542.501 of Texas Transportation Code, first tier coastal or second tier coastal counties, Subchapter C, Chapter 662 of Texas Government Code (recognition days), Section 662.003(b) of the Texas Government Code, Section 2154.202(g) of the Texas Occupations Code, Subchapter C, Chapter 418 of the Texas Government Code, Article I of the Texas Constitution (bill of rights), Subchapter Z, Chapter 51 of the Texas Education Code, Subchapter D, Chapter 38 of Texas Utilities Code, Section 312.016 of Texas Government Code, Chapter 311, Subchapter A of Texas Health and Safety Code, Subchapter A, Chapter 711 of Texas Health and Safety Code, Section 43.357 of Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Section 651 of the Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 436 of Texas Health and Safety Code. HB554 & SB1290 both seek to add a section to the Texas Transportation Code outlining rules for motor vehicles when passing pedestrians or bicycle operators on a roadway. Even if their damages later turn out to be much higher than they initially thought, the insurance company is no longer obligated to pay any additional compensation. 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. She received a two-year partially probated suspension, effective Feb. 15, in connection with a case where she accepted $1,200 . These policies must: Both HB562 and HB833 seek to amend Chapter 2 of Texas Code of Criminal Procedure to add a section titled Law Enforcement Policy on De-escalation and Proportionate Response.. While the existing law still permits motorists to read, write, and sending electronic messages while their vehicle is stopped, SB42 also clarifies this section by adding stopped outside a lane of travel.. Under HB477, money generated from the casinos would go toward residual windstorm insurance coverage and catastrophic flooding assistance in those areas. For 1 year, if you are under 21 years old and: An additional 180 days, if you don't complete an Alcohol Education Program. MDARD suspended Marlena's food establishment license on Jan. 20, but Pavlos-Hackney refused to close, posting her decision to a large following on multiple Facebook pages. The Texas Compassionate Use Act (first passed in 2015) already allows physicians in Texas to prescribe low-THC cannabis to patients diagnosed with epilepsy, seizure disorders, multiple sclerosis, spasticity, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, autism, terminal cancer, or an incurable neurodegenerative disease., If passed, HB1233 seeks to amend Sections 169.002 and 169.003 of the Texas Occupations Code in order to remove these specific qualifying conditions. 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. 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.