The 87th Texas Legislature convened at noon on Tuesday, January 12, 2021, following a year that was like no other. When the prefiling period began on November 9, 2020, there was the usual flurry of activity as senators and representatives introduced legislation that could potentially shape the lives of those living in the State of Texas. As to be expected following a contentious election year, both nationally and on the state and local levels, it is not surprising that many of the introduced bills seek to reinstate the practice of straight-ticket voting, to allow for electronic voter registration, to limit the distribution of mail-in ballot applications, and to make greater provisions to accommodate voters who are unable to enter a polling place. It is no surprise that a number of firearm-related bills have been filed as well, including those that concern background checks in connection with private firearm transfers, regulation of firearm suppressors, and the carrying or possessing of a firearm by a school marshal. Other bills of interest include the expansion of Medicaid eligibility to certain persons under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the expansion of the medical marijuana program, an increase in the state’s minimum wage, air conditioning requirements at facilities operated by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, and several police and criminal justice reforms provided for in the George Floyd Act.
In addition to these “high-profile” bills, there are also several introduced bills that could, if passed, influence family and housing laws and court administration. We’ve only highlighted a few of the thousands of bills that have been introduced, so feel free to visit Legiscan to see the entire list or the Texas Legislature Online to look for and search legislation.
Family Law
SB 286 – Relating to suits affecting the parent-child relationship and the calculation and enforcement of child support.
HB 395 - Relating to extreme risk protective orders; creating criminal offense –See also HB 164, SB 110, and SB 84.
HB 567 – Relating to the procedures and grounds for terminating the parent-child relationship, for taking possession of a child, and for certain hearings in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship involving the Department of Family and Protective Services – See also SB 190.
HB 630 – Relating to the requirement that a court interview certain children in chambers on issues regarding conservatorship and residence in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship.
HB 756 – Relating to a suit for possession of or access to a child by a grandparent.
HB 850 – Relating to the issuance of a protective order by default.
HB 853 – Relating to possession of and access to a child less than three years of age.
HB 865 – Relating to spousal maintenance.
HB 867 – Relating to the issuance of a qualified domestic relations order for the payment of spousal maintenance and child support obligations.
Housing
SB 265 – Relating to the prohibition of housing discrimination on the basis of a person’s source of income and to the enforcement of that prohibition.
HB 628 – Relating to prohibiting an increase in the rent of a tenant residing in a development supported with a low income housing tax credit allocation.
HB 875 – Relating to the prohibition of housing discrimination on the basis of age or certain housing needs and to the enforcement of that prohibition.
HB 1012 – Relating to access to residence or former residence to retrieve certain personal property.
Court Administration
HB 890 – Relating to remotely conducting depositions, hearings, and other proceedings in juvenile court.
HB 970 – Relating to prosecutorial transparency.
We also appreciate the effort of the author of HB 371 to designate the day after the Super Bowl as a state holiday. It’s not such a frivolous bill as it would appear, considering that last year, 17.5 million workers were expected to miss work the Monday after the big game. We hope that this means that there is a Houston Texans-Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl in the near future. That would definitely be worthy of a state holiday.