Texas Governor Greg Abbott has recently been signing bills left and right, some making waves in major headlines while others fly under the radar.
Over the last week or two, the Governor has signed at least nine different bills into law, most of which go into effect on September 1, 2021.
Let’s take a look.
Medical Marijuana Law Expansion
On Tuesday, the Republican Governor signed HB 1535 into law to expand the state’s medical-marijuana program.
It adds all forms of cancer and post-traumatic stress disorder to the list of qualifying conditions. It doubles the amount of THC allowed in marijuana products from half percent to 1%.
The law goes into effect on September 1.
Gun Laws Loosened
Last week, the Tatum Report introduced you to the bill Governor Abbott signed, allowing Texans to carry a handgun without a license or official training.
The ceremonial bill signing is occurring at 11 am CT, along with other gun-related legislation.
House Bill 1927 eliminates the requirement for Texas residents to obtain a license to carry handguns if they’re not prohibited from possessing a gun under state or federal law.
The law goes into effect on September 1.
Places of Worship Remain Open No Matter What
Also, on Tuesday, Gov. Abbott announced he signed a law prohibiting government agencies or public officials from closing places of worship. Many churches and similar establishments were forced to close their doors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new legislation will allow them to keep their doors open no matter what.
The law goes into effect on September 1.
Texas Sovereignty
The Governor announced another signing via Twitter. “I just signed a Resolution asserting Texas sovereignty under the 10th Amendment over all powers not granted to the federal government by the U.S. Constitution.
The resolution officially notifies the president and congress to cease acts of encroaching upon the powers of states.”
The law goes into effect on September 1.
I just signed a Resolution asserting Texas sovereignty under the 10th Amendment over all powers not granted to the federal government by the US Constitution.
The Resolution officially notifies the President & Congress to cease acts of encroaching upon the powers of states.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) June 15, 2021
Power Grid Preparations to Avoid Outages
Some Texas residents were upset that the Governor wasn’t addressing the upcoming possible energy crisis this week because they missed the bill issued last week.
On Tuesday, June 8, Governor Abbott signed into law two bills meant to improve the state’s primary power grid and change the governance of the agency that operates it.
The legislation written and finalized during the session addresses key areas for improvement, such as the “weatherization” of power generators to prepare them for extreme weather, while ignoring other initiatives advocated by experts, such as providing direct aid to storm-affected consumers.
Senate Bill 3 calls for upgrades to power generators and transmission lines to make them more resistant to severe weather. The Texas Railroad Commission and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), according to Abbott, will inspect the facilities. Failure to weatherize may result in penalties of up to $1 million.
“Everything that needed to be done was done to fix the power grid in Texas,” Abbott said at a press conference.
The 1836 Project for Patriotic Education
This bill establishes “the 1836 Project” to promote “patriotic education” and increase awareness of Texas values.
“To keep Texas the best state in the nation, we can never forget WHY our state is so exceptional,” tweeted the Governor.
He also claims that any “newcomer to Texas” who obtains a driver’s license will receive a pamphlet outlining “all of Texas’ rich history as well as the principles that make Texas… Texas.”
Supporters of the bill say that it also benefits those who have moved to Texas from other states and are unfamiliar with Texas history.
Filed by Representative Tan Parker, HB 2497 creates the Texas 1836 Project, a nine-person advisory committee that will serve two-year terms to promote and expand education, including “the presentation of the history of the State’s founding and foundational principles, examination of how Texas has grown closer to those principles throughout its history and explanation of why commitment to those principles is beneficial and justified.”
The law goes into effect on September 1.
To keep Texas the best state in the nation, we can never forget WHY our state is so exceptional.
I signed a law establishing the 1836 project, which promotes patriotic education & ensures future generations understand TX values.
Together, we'll keep our rich history alive. pic.twitter.com/4yZuygS2yX
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) June 7, 2021
College Athletes Can Now Sell Their Names for Profit
The bill will allow college athletes in the state to earn compensation for the use of their name, image, and likeness. Texas became the 19th state to pass such landmark legislation.
“I’m thrilled to hear that Gov. Abbott signed the Texas NIL bill into law,” said Rep. Matt Krause, who sponsored the bill in the House along with Rep. Jim Murphy. “This legislation will ensure Texas college athletes receive fair compensation for their efforts and prowess on the field, court and everywhere they display their talents.”
Texas is just one of many states that have changed their laws to allow college athletes to be paid “fair market value” for their services and the use of their name, image, and likeness. Athletes could be compensated for anything from promotional appearances to product endorsements to autograph sessions and training sessions.
The law goes into effect on July 1.
Anti-Vaccination Passport
This legislation prohibits businesses and government entities from requiring proof of vaccination in the state.
“Texas is open 100 percent and we want to make sure that you have the freedom to go where you want without limits,” Abbott said in a Twitter video. “Vaccine passports are now prohibited in the Lone Star State.”
“No business or government entity can require a person to provide a vaccine passport or any other vaccine information as a condition of receiving any service or entering any place.”
Under the new legislation, Texas businesses that require their customers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 will be denied state contracts and may lose their licenses or operating permits.
The law is effective immediately, as of June 7.
Critical Race Theory Banned In Schools
Rounding out our list is the ever-popular hot topic of Critical Race Theory (CRT) in schools.
Governor Abbott is following suit with many Republican governors in the banning of CRT.
This House Bill 3979 signed into law includes a list of founding documents that Texas students must be taught. It also contains a list of additional historical documents written by people of color and women that House Democrats had added.
It mandates that students be taught “the history of white supremacy, including but not limited to the institution of slavery, the eugenics movement, and the Ku Klux Klan, and the ways in which it is morally wrong.”
Students are not permitted to receive credit or extra credit for participating in civic activities such as political activism or lobbying elected officials on a specific issue.
The law goes into effect on September 1.
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