Capitol building in Austin, Texas.
Ahhh, September. One of my favorite months – the earth is turning, temperatures are cooling down (sort of), and we’re getting our first new look at what our Texas legislators have been busy doing up in Austin! What’s among the new laws? Let’s take a look.
First there is that new DWI law whereby, under certain strict conditions, officers may now take a blood sample of a DWI suspect without consent (please see “Suspected DWI: Can the cops take my blood, even if I say no?”)
Texas Residential Construction Commission, created in 2003, is shutting its doors. It was intended to address post-construction issues, but the agency itself was besieged by problems.
Looking to graduate? No more health class or technology applications classes. Watch for more changes as the educational gurus battle out the textbooks (ie "intelligent design" v evolution).
For drivers: HB 537 Now everybody must wear a seatbelt! Also, no under-fives riding on a motorcycle.
SB 61 Any child younger than 8 years less than 4 feet tall, must be restrained in an approved child passenger safety seat. Fine: no more than $25 for a first offense and $250 for a second offense.
HB 55 Can't use a cell phone or wireless communication device in a school zone unless it's a hands-free device.
HB 2730 DWI with a child passenger = an automatic driver's license suspension for first-time offenders and an increased suspension period for repeat offenders.
HB 2012 Two new punishment classifications: a Class B Misdemeanor if a person drives with a suspended license and without insurance; and a Class A Misdemeanor if said person has an accident and someone is seriously injured or dies.
HB 2730 All applicants under age 18 must take the driving skills exam to receive a driver's license. Also requires a provisional driver's license (under 18) or instruction permit to expire on an individual's 18th birthday.
HB 339 increases the total hours of behind-the-wheel driving instruction a teen receives from 14 to 34.
SB 328 allows DPS to suspend a minor's driver's license if they fail a breath or blood alcohol test while operating a watercraft.
Senate Bill 2 (SB 2) was passed to reauthorize five state agencies that some feared would "disappear" under the state's Sunset laws: the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Texas Department of Insurance, Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation, Texas Racing Commission, and Office of Public Insurance Counsel. These agencies will be reconsidered by the legislature during the next Regular Session in 2011.
House Bill 1 (HB 1) will allow TxDOT to issue the $2 billion in bonds already approved by voters for highway improvement projects. HB 1 prohibits any of the money from being used to convert a free road into a toll road, but it would not prevent the money from being used to add toll lanes to free roads (got that?).
Read and track even more exciting laws at Texas Legislature Online.
Did you know our Texas Legislature meets every two years, convening on the second Tuesday in January of every odd-numbered year? These biennial sessions are limited to 140 days. The governor also has the power to call “special sessions” as he deems necessary, which cannot exceed 30 days.
As always, the new laws took effect September 1, 2009, though some come with grace periods.
For more info: This list is not intended to be exhaustive. More at Texas Legislature Online.
Finding changes to a bill in the Texas Legislature
Comments
This article is an excellent illustration of an important but overlooked public-policy issue -- the need for an efficient and effective system of mass transit or public transportation. The legislature has lost sight of the forest for the trees. Most of the laws that you mentioned above will make the lives of Texans more complicated; a good mass-transit or public-transportation system would make Texans' lives easier.
Excellent comment Frank! Houston, Texas, are you listening?!
The Texas Legislature should get off thier butts and let legalized gambling as in (slot machines, blackjack and such)come to Texas. Do you know how much money Texas is loosing to other states that have legalized gambling? ( A hell of a lot of money that should stay in Texas!They already have horse racing, and the people that do it(Gambling)are going to do it regardless if it's in Texas or not so why not keep the money in Texas?
I second Tommy!!
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