Texas Senate

Subject: Banning CRT in Higher Education, Senate Bill 16 (SB 16)

• Author: State Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola)
• TFR Position: Support
• Background: SB 16 seeks to ban the use of Critical-Race Theory (CRT) from institutions of higher education by prohibiting faculty from compelling or attempting to compel students to adopt a belief that any race, sex, ethnicity, or social, political, or religious belief is inherently superior to any other race, sex, ethnicity, or belief. Public institutions of higher education should be focused on creating environments where students are equipped for participation in the workforce and society while also respecting intellectual diversity. For these reasons, TFR supports SB 16.

Subject: Removing Judges Who Refuse to Follow Texas Law, Senate Bill 21 (SB 21)

• Author: State Sen. Joan Huffman (R-Houston)
• TFR Position: Support
• Background: SB 21 seeks to expand the State Commission on Judicial Conduct (SCJC) and the Texas Legislature’s ability to examine judicial decisions that have immediate effects on public safety and individual liberties. With this expansion, SCJC would be better situated to remove judges who refuse to follow Texas law. For these reasons, TFR supports SB 21.

Subject: Ban on Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying Statewide, Senate Bill 175 (SB 175)

• Author: State Sen. Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston)
• TFR Position: Support
• Background: SB 175 seeks to ban the practice of taxpayer-funded lobbying statewide and ensures that taxpayer money is not used for dues to associations that lobby the legislature. Taxpayer-funded lobbying is an immoral practice that more often than not pits lobbyists against the best interest of taxpayers. SB 175 is a legislative priority of TFR.

Subject: Medical Freedom, Senate Bill 426 (SB 426)

• Author: State Sen. Angela Paxton (R-McKinney)
• TFR Position: Support
• Background: SB 426 seeks to allow patients the ability to access medication and treatment for off-label use from a doctor, which would treat COVID-19 and obtain care from physicians without outside interference. For these reasons, TFR supports SB 426.

Subject: Border Security, Senate Bill 602 (SB 602)

• Author: State Sen. Brian Birdwell (R-Granbury)
• TFR Position: Support
• Background: SB 602 grants U.S. border Patrol agents law enforcement powers for state criminal offenses (same as Texas peace officers) to arrest and conduct search and seizure for any offense under both Texas and federal law, even outside designated locations such as a port of entry. SB 602 seeks to address the border crisis productively. For this reason, TFR supports SB 602

Subject: Transparency for Taxpayers, Senate Bill 767 (SB 767)

• Author: State Sen. Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound)
• TFR Position: Support
• Background: SB 767 would require a fee schedule of new and increased fees to be included on a municipality’s budget page (similar to current requirements when proposing new property tax rates). SB 767 would require a separate vote by the city council to approve the use of the revenue raised by the new or increased fees and require the municipality to designate an individual who can provide a comprehensive list of all municipal fees to a person upon request. SB 767 would also for anyone to register for an email notification about proposed new or increased fees. All of the aforementioned requirements would increase transparency for Texas taxpayers. For these reasons, TFR supports SB 767.

Subject: Transparency for Taxpayers, Senate Bill 821 (SB 821)

• Author: State Sen. Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville)
• TFR Position: Support
• Background: SB 821 seeks to require the Sunset Advisory Commission to evaluate whether a state agency sells personal data, to whom it is sold, the purpose for which it is sold, the dollar amount the agency receives for the sale, and the statute that authorizes the agency to sell the data. In turn, SB 821 would require the Sunset Advisory Commission to then recommend prohibiting the practice unless the commission identifies a compelling state interest justifying the sale. SB 821 would increase transparency for Texas taxpayers. For these reasons, TFR supports SB 821.

Subject: Expanding the Cottage Food Industry, Senate Bill 829 (SB 829)

• Author: State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham)
• TFR Position: Support
• Background: SB 829 seeks to encourage food resiliency by advocating for Texans’ ability to provide for themselves and their communities. SB 829 would expand cottage food production operations lowering regulations. For these reasons, TFR supports SB 829.

Subject: Senate Bill 929 (SB 929)

• Author: Transparency for Businesses and Taxpayers, State Sen. Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound)
• TFR Position: Support
• Background: SB 929 seeks to require the governing body of a municipality or a zoning commission to provide written notice to property owners and occupants of each public hearing regarding any proposed adoption of or change to a zoning regulation or boundary that could result in a current conforming use of a property becoming a nonconforming use. SB 929 would also establish the compensation that the owner or lessee of property with a nonconforming use is entitled to receive if the nonconforming use is required to cease operation due to being a nonconforming use. SB 929 would increase transparency and accountability in favor of Texas businesses and taxpayers. For these reasons, TFR supports SB 929.

Subject: Senate Bill 1017 (SB 1017)

• Author: State Sen. Brian Birdwell (R-Granbury)
• TFR Position: Support
• Background: SB 1017 seeks to prevent political subdivisions from adopting or enforcing any regulation that prohibits or restricts the use, sale, or lease of an engine based on its fuel source. SB 1017 would also prohibit political subdivisions from enacting regulations that would limit access to an energy source or that result in the effective prohibition of a wholesaler, retailer, energy producer, or related infrastructure that is necessary to provide access to a specific energy source. SB 1017 seeks to preempt onerous regulation. For these reasons, TFR supports SB 1017.

Texas House of Representatives

None

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