Bill Analysis

BILL NAME SESSION ANALYSIS
SB 568 87(R) - 2021 SB 568 would revise Penal Code with respect to punishment for certain sexual offenses against a child. The bill would create a third degree felony offense for hindering the investigation or prosecution of certain sexual offenses against a child. A person 17 years of age or older will have committed this offense if the person both fails to report a sexual offense against a child and attempts to hinder the investigation or prosecution of the...Read More
SB 1572 87(R) - 2021 SB 1572 would require the deputy early voting clerk’s signature or initials on the back of early in-person ballots.  Automated signatures would not count towards this requirement.  Any unsigned ballots could not be made available to voters. The secretary of state would not be allowed to modify or waive the requirements of this bill.Read More
SB 1372 87(R) - 2021 SB 1372 would require an independent firm evaluating a public retirement system's investment practices and performance, as required by current law, to disclose any conflict of interest, the nature of a relationship with a retirement system the firm is evaluating, and any remuneration the firm receives for the service other than the service fee charged to a retirement system for evaluating it.SB 1372 would require the State Pension...Read More
SB 1253 87(R) - 2021 SB 1253 would require the Department of Public Safety to issue a license to carry a handgun to each applicant who meets all the eligibility requirements and submits all the application materials, regardless of whether the applicant may legally carry a handgun without a license in this state. This is essentially a contingency bill to require DPS to continue processing license to carry applications and issuing licenses...Read More
SB 1018 87(R) - 2021 SB 1018 would permit a signature verification committee or early voting ballot board, upon receipt of a defective early voting ballot, to return the ballot to the voter by mail if they believe the defect can be corrected before the polls close. The committee or board would also inform the voter that they may appear in person to either correct the defect or request to cancel their application to vote by mail if the defect cannot be corrected...Read More
SB 1112 87(R) - 2021 SB 1112 would prohibit any election official from suspending existing requirements for accepting early voting ballots by mail. An election official who violates the prohibition would commit a Class A misdemeanor criminal offense.Read More
SB 1079 87(R) - 2021 SB 1079 would require the Department of Family and Protective Services to publish a monthly report, by the 15th of each month, containing detailed information related to a lengthy list of specific issues related to the services and responsibilities of the department, including information regarding child protective investigations, family-based safety services, conservatorship services, residential child care licensing, staffing in statewide...Read More
SB 839 87(R) - 2021 SB 839 would regulate the sale of electricity to electric vehicles via charging stations, requiring each charging station to be registered. The bill would allow the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation to periodically, or in response to a complaint, inspect a charging station. The commission would be allowed to determine the fee structure required to administer the provisions of this bill.SB 839 would also...Read More
SB 802 87(R) - 2021 SB 802 requires, among other things, that before an abortion is performed, except during an emergency, the physician who is to perform the abortion shall confirm the pregnant woman received a pre-abortion resource access assistance offer in addition to consent requirements.Read More
SB 1628 87(R) - 2021 SB 1628 would require the Executive Commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission to develop and implement a uniform process for the ombudsman to receive and resolve complaints against the Department of Family and Protective Services throughout the state.Read More
SB 1233 87(R) - 2021 SB 1233 would require the Texas Military Department to study certain Texas military forces facilities to determine each facility's preparedness for natural disasters. The Department would be required to identify enhancements needed to improve each facility's disaster preparedness. The Department must report its findings to the legislature not later than December 1, 2022. Read More
SB 500 87(R) - 2021 SB 500 would create a new criminal offense for a person who operates a boarding home facility without a permit in a county that requires county permits. The offense would be a Class B misdemeanor.Boarding home facilities furnish lodging to three or more persons with disabilities or elderly persons who are unrelated to the owner by blood or marriage; and provides community meals, light housework, meal preparation, transportation, grocery...Read More
SB 617 87(R) - 2021 SB 617 would clarify the law with respect to food sales at farmers markets to stipulate that the present $100 cap on farmers market food permits applies to all food producers, not just farmers. This would prevent local authorities from charging exorbitant permit fees to farmers market vendors who sell food products but are not farmers. The bill would also give permit holders recourse to bring action against a governmental entity that...Read More
SB 967 87(R) - 2021 SB 967 would apply to public health orders imposed on more than one individual, animal, place, or object. Such a public health order issued by a health authority would expire on the eighth day following the date the order is issued unless before the eighth day the order is extended by majority vote of the appropriate governing authority. Read More
SB 984 87(R) - 2021 SB 984 would require each trauma service area regional advisory council to collect from each hospital within their area the de-identified health care data necessary for this state and the area to effectively plan for and respond to public health disasters in this state. This data would be required to be provided to the Department of State Health Services and made publicly available via the council's website or providing the data in writing...Read More
SB 1696 87(R) - 2021 SB 1696 would establish and maintain a system to coordinate the anonymous sharing of information concerning cyber attacks or other cybersecurity incidents occurring in district schools or open-enrollment charter schools in this state. Read More
SB 248 87(R) - 2021 SB 248 would require retailers who sell e-cigarettes or vapes to apply for a permit to sell these goods. Applications for such a permit would require a fee.  Retailers would also be penalized for violating the stipulations of this bill. Selling e-cigarettes or vapes without a permit would become a Class A Misdemeanor.Read More
SB 29 87(R) - 2021 SB 29 would require school district and open-enrollment charter school students who compete in University Interscholastic League athletic events to compete in events designated for the student's biological sex. Students would be prohibited from competing in a UIL event designated for the student's opposite biological sex. The bill would make an exception for girls, allowing them to join a boys team if, and only if, there is no...Read More
SB 968 87(R) - 2021 SB 968 represents a reorganization of the way Texas responds to statewide and regional public health disasters and emergencies. The provisions of this bill would provide a more targeted approach relative to the status quo. Major provisions of the bill include:SB 968 would require the Department of State Health Services to serve as the preemptive authority and coordinate statewide or regional efforts to protect public health. SB 968...Read More
SB 1675 87(R) - 2021 SB 1675 would prohibit any official or political subdivision from amending or suspending early voting by mail procedures unless specifically allowed to do so by statute. A narrow exception would be created in the case of a declared disaster.Read More