Status of Bills Attacking Local Control

Big Government Index Status of bills attacking local control

Updated June 1, 2015

There will be no vote taken in the Texas Legislature on “local control.” But votes will be taken on dozens of bills that would chip away, issue by issue, at the ability of communities to solve their own problems in their own way.

Each week, TML will update the status of these big government bills that would consolidate power at the state level and overrule local decision making.

Limits city regulation of oil and gas drilling.

DetailStatus
BillSB 1165
AuthorsFraser | Campbell | Eltife | Lucio | Seliger
CommitteeEnergy Resources
StatusMay 4, 2015 S HB 40 was laid out in lieu of SB 1165.


Cities can’t regulate the temperature of raw milk products.

DetailStatus
BillHB 91
AuthorsFlynn | Rodriguez, Eddie | White, James | King, Susan
CommitteePublic Health
StatusMay 25, 2015 Left pending in Senate committee


Cities can’t adopt any regulation that would interfere with the right to produce agricultural products.

DetailStatus
BillHB 132
AuthorsFlynn | White, James
CommitteeUrban Affairs
StatusFebruary 12, 2015 H Introduced and referred to committee


Cities can’t use cameras for traffic light enforcement.

DetailStatus
BillHB 142
AuthorStickland
CommitteeTransportation
StatusApril 30, 2015 H Pending in committee


DetailStatus
BillHB 3817
AuthorElkins
CommitteeTransportation
StatusMarch 23, 2015 S Introduced and referred to committee


DetailStatus
BillSB 1340
AuthorHuffines | Bettencourt | Birdwell | Burton | Campbell
Creighton | Estes | Hall | Kolkhorst | Lucio | Nelson
Perry | Taylor, Larry | Urest
CommitteeTransportation
StatusMarch 27, 2015 S Removed from hearing on April 1, 2015

 

Limits what a police officer can do when inquiring about nationality or immigration status.

Detail
Status
BillHB 154
AuthorJohnson
CommitteeState Affairs
StatusFebruary 9, 2015 H Introduced and referred to committee


DetailStatus
BillSB 160
AuthorRodriguez
CommitteeVeteran Affairs and Military Installations
StatusJanuary 27, 2015 S Introduced and referred to committee


Any officer attempting to enforce certain federal laws commits a crime punishable by fine and jail time.

DetailStatus
BillHB 165
AuthorLarson
CommitteeSelect on State and Federal Power Responsibility
StatusMay 8, 2015 H Sent to the Calendars Committee

 

Cities can’t adopt regulations on electric stun guns, knives or personal defense sprays.

DetailStatus
BillHB 172
AuthorsStickland | Rinaldi
CommitteeHomeland Security and Public Safety
StatusMarch 24, 2015 H Left pending in committee


Cities can’t adopt regulations prohibiting the refusal to lease property because of source of income. 

DetailStatus
BillHB 738
AuthorLarson
CommitteeUrban Affairs
StatusFebruary 26, 2015 H Introduced and referred to committee


DetailStatus
BillHB 2909
AuthorsSpringer | Burkett | Larson
CommitteeUrban Affairs
StatusMay 12, 2015 H Set on Calendar


DetailStatus
BillSB 267
AuthorsPerry | Hall | Huffines
CommitteeBusiness and Commerce
StatusMay 30, 2015 Sent to the Governor


Cities can’t prohibit use of propane tanks on residential property.

DetailStatus
BillHB 748
AuthorIsaac
CommitteeBusiness and Industry
StatusMay 14, 2015 H Set on Calendar


Cities can’t adopt regulations related to knives.

DetailStatus
BillHB 905
AuthorFrullo
CommitteeHomeland Security and Public Safety
StatusMay 29, 2015 Sent to Governor


Cities can’t prohibit open carry of guns on city-owned or city-leased property.

DetailStatus
BillSB 17
AuthorEstes
CommitteeState Affairs
StatusMay 5, 2015 H Referred to House Committee


DetailStatus
BillSB 346
AuthorEstes
CommitteeState Affairs
StatusFebruary 9, 2015 S Removed from committee hearing


Cities can’t use cameras for traffic light enforcement.

DetailStatus
BillHB 1131
AuthorsElkins | Herrero
CommitteeTransportation
StatusApril 30, 2015 H Left pending in committee


DetailStatus
BillSB 340
AuthorHuffines
CommitteeTransportation
StatusFebruary 2, 2015 S Introduced and referred to committee


Cities can’t hire lobbyists.

DetailStatus
BillHB 1257
AuthorShaheen
CommitteeGeneral Investigating and Ethics
StatusApril 9, 2015 H Left pending in committee


DetailStatus
BillSB 1862
AuthorBurton
CommitteeState Affairs
StatusMay 4, 2015 S Left pending in committee


Cities can’t enforce certain ordinances on tree removal.

DetailStatus
BillHB 1442
AuthorWorkman
CommitteeBusiness and Industry
StatusApril 28, 2015 H Left pending in committee


Cities can’t adopt ordinances that create a protected class or prohibit discrimination on a basis not contained in state laws.

DetailStatus
BillHB 1556
AuthorMiller
CommitteeUrban Affairs
StatusMarch 9, 2015 H Introduced and referred to committee


Cities can’t enforce any federal law that the Legislature finds is in violation of the state constitution.

DetailStatus
BillHB 1751
AuthorSimpson
CommitteeState and Federal Power Responsibility
StatusApril 30, 2015 H Left pending in committee


Cities must regulate short-term rental units like commercial lodging establishments.

DetailStatus
BillHB 1792
AuthorSpringer
CommitteeUrban Affairs
StatusMay 5, 2015 H Sent to Calendars Committee


Cities can’t prohibit any practice that is not unlawful under state law.

DetailStatus
BillHB 1911
AuthorsLeach | Smithee | Shaheen | White, James | Laubenberg
CommitteeUrban Affairs
StatusMarch 11, 2015 H Introduced and referred to committee


Cities can’t adopt plastic bag ordinances.

DetailStatus
BillHB 1939
AuthorRinaldi | Springer
CommitteeUrban Affairs
StatusMarch 16, 2015 H Introduced and referred to committee


DetailStatus
BillSB 1550
AuthorHall
CommitteeBusiness and Commerce
StatusMarch 23, 2015 S Introduced and referred to committee


Officers can’t take DNA, skin samples, blood samples, etc. unless there is specific, explicit state statutory authority or the person gives written consent.

DetailStatus
BillHB 1983
AuthorLaubenberg
CommitteeGovernment Transparency and Operation
StatusApril 8, 2015 H Not heard in committee


DetailStatus
BillSB 628
AuthorTaylor, Van
CommitteeBusiness and Commerce
StatusFebruary 23, 2015 S Introduced and referred to committee


Cities can’t put “duty to defend” in a contract with architects and engineers if there is indemnification.

DetailStatus
BillHB 2049
AuthorDarby
CommitteeLicensing and Administrative Procedures
StatusMay 27, 2015 Sent to the Governor


DetailStatus
BillSB 799
AuthorEltife
CommitteeGovernment Transparency and Operation
StatusApril 14, 2015 S Left pending in committee


Police officer commits a crime if officer seizes a firearm under federal laws if there is no state law allowing it, with certain exceptions.

DetailStatus
BillHB 2269
AuthorMetcalf
CommitteeHomeland Security and Public Safety
StatusMay 14, 2015 H Set on Calendar


DetailStatus
BillSB 229
AuthorCreighton
CommitteeState Affairs
StatusJanuary 28, 2015 S Introduced and referred to committee


Railroad Commission can prevent a city from enforcing an ordinance that conflicts with commission regulations.

DetailStatus
BillHB 2855
AuthorsDarby | Paddie | Dale
CommitteeEnergy Resources
StatusMarch 16, 2015 H Introduced and referred to committee


Constitutional amendment - cities can’t burden in any way the exercise of religion unless there is a compelling governmental interest and it is the least restrictive means.

DetailStatus
BillHJR 55
AuthorVillalba
CommitteeState Affairs
StatusMarch 3, 2015 H Introduced and referred to committee


DetailStatus
BillHJR 125
AuthorKrause
CommitteeState Affairs
StatusMarch 23, 2015 H Introduced and referred to committee


DetailStatus
BillSJR 10
AuthorsCampbell | Perry | Taylor, Van
CommitteeState Affairs
StatusFebruary 2, 2015 S Introduced and referred to committee


Cities can’t adopt a policy, rule or order that prohibits the enforcement of state or federal laws related to immigration.

DetailStatus
BillSB 185
AuthorPerry
CommitteeBorder Security
StatusMay 22, 2015 S Placed on Senate Calendar


Cities can’t prohibit, require, discourage or encourage a bidder on a public project from entering into or adhering to a collective bargaining agreement.

DetailStatus
BillSB 303
AuthorHancock
CommitteeBusiness and Commerce
StatusFebruary 2, 2015 S Introduced and referred to committee


DetailStatus
BillHB 996
AuthorParker, Tan
CommitteeEconomic and Small Business Development
StatusMay 11, 2015 S Referred to Senate Committee


Cities can’t adopt any regulations that aren’t expressly authorized by state law.

DetailStatus
BillSB 343
AuthorHuffines
CommitteeState Affairs
StatusFebruary 2, 2015 S Introduced and referred to committee


Cities can’t enforce any federal firearms laws that are not also state laws.

DetailStatus
BillSB 438
AuthorsHall | Kolkhorst | Perry | Estes
CommitteeState Affairs
StatusFebruary 9, 2015 S Introduced and referred to committee


Cities can’t prohibit fracking.

DetailStatus
BillSB 440
AuthorBurton
CommitteeNatural Resource and Economic Development
StatusFebruary 9, 2015 S Introduced and referred to committee


DetailStatus
BillSB 720
AuthorBurton
CommitteeNatural Resources and Economic Development
StatusMarch 2, 2015 S Introduced and referred to committee


Cities can’t enter into agreements, contracts, accept money from or grant money to any organization accredited by the United Nations to implement policy that originated in Agenda 21.

DetailStatus
BillSB 445
AuthorHall
CommitteeState Affairs
StatusFebruary 9, 2015 S Introduced and referred to committee


DetailStatus
BillHB 1654
AuthorHuffines
CommitteeInternational Trade and Intergovernmental Affairs
StatusMarch 9, 2015 H Introduced and referred to committee


Police officers can’t use stun guns or tasers to subdue students at school or school activities unless the student has a weapon.

DetailStatus
BillSB 625
AuthorHinojosa
CommitteeEducation
StatusApril 30, 2015 S Left pending in committee


Cities can’t use cameras for traffic light enforcement.

DetailStatus
BillSB 714
AuthorHall
CommitteeTransportation
StatusMay 22, 2015 H Vote failed in committee


Cities can't enforce ordinances that conflict with or is inconsistent with requirements specified by TCEQ

DetailStatus
BillSB 1288
AuthorEstes
CommitteeNatural Resources and Economic Development
StatusMarch 18, 2015 S Introduced and referred to committee

Cities can't enforce a smoking ordinance on a business that gets 20% of its revenue from cigars or tobacco.

DetailStatus
BillSB 1537
AuthorBurton
CommitteeState Affairs
StatusMarch 23, 2015 S Introduced and referred to committee


Cities can’t adopt licensing that is more stringent or inconsistent with state law. 

DetailStatus
BillSB 1673
AuthorHuffines
CommitteeState Affairs
StatusMarch 23, 2015 S Introduced and referred to committee


Cities can’t prohibit first responders from carrying concealed handgun while on duty. 

DetailStatus
BillSB 1684
AuthorHuffines
CommitteeState Affairs
StatusMarch 25, 2015 S Placed on Calendar


DetailStatus
BillHB 3496
AuthorSchofield
CommitteeHomeland Security and Public Safety
StatusMarch 18, 2015 S Introduced and referred to committee


Cities can't regulate small honey production operations.

DetailStatus
BillSB 1766
AuthorCreighton
CommitteeAgriculture, Water, and Rural Affairs
StatusMay 29, 2015 Signed by the Governor


DetailStatus
BillHB 3764
AuthorMetcalf
CommitteeAgriculture and Livestock
StatusApril 22, 2015 H Recommended for Local and Consent Calendar


Cities can’t take adverse action against a person based on that person’s sincerely held religious belief that marriage is between one man and one woman.

DetailStatus
BillSB 1799
AuthorTaylor, Larry
CommitteeState Affairs
StatusMarch 24, 2015 S Introduced and referred to committee


DetailStatus
BillHB 3602
AuthorsBell | Springer
CommitteeState Affairs
StatusMarch 23, 2015 H Introduced and referred to committee


Cities can't enforce ordinances and charter provisions that conflict with state law.

DetailStatus
BillSB 1806
AuthorEstes
CommitteeState Affairs
StatusApril 30, 2015 S Left pending in committee


Cities can't enforce any regulation relating to any aspect, facility or phase of the pipeline industry.

DetailStatus
BillHB 3044
AuthorDale
CommitteeEnergy Resources
StatusMarch 23, 2015 H Introduced and referred to committee


Cities can't regulate anything within jurisdiction of the Railroad Commission. 

DetailStatus
BillHB 3217
AuthorDale
CommitteeEnergy Resources
StatusMarch 23, 2015 H Introduced and referred to committee


Cities can't regulate business activities of a state license without express authority under state law. 

DetailStatus
BillHB 3263
AuthorGuillen
CommitteeUrban Affairs
StatusApril 21, 2015 H Left pending in committee


Preempts cities from adopting construction standards for RV parks and campgrounds.

DetailStatus
BillHB 3266
AuthorGuillen
CommitteeCulture, Recreation and Tourism
StatusMay 6, 2015 H Sent to Calendars Committee


Cities can’t penalized or withhold benefits including tax exemptions, government contracts, grants or licenses from organizations or people because they have religious belief that a marriage is between one man and one woman.

DetailStatus
BillHB 3567
AuthorsSanford | Krause | Miller, Rick | Keough | Riddle
CommitteeState Affairs
StatusMay 14, 2015 H Set on House Calendar

 

Cities can't require licensing for occupations unless expressly authorized by state. 

DetailStatus
BillHB 3713
AuthorSchaefer
CommitteeUrban Affairs
StatusMarch 24, 2015 H Introduced and referred committee


Cities can’t prohibit gun shows in facilities owned by them. 

DetailStatus
BillHB 3866
AuthorIsaac
CommitteeUrban Affairs
StatusMay 12, 2015 H Withdrawn from Local Calendar


Cities can’t provide water or electric service to a federal data collection and surveillance agency. 

DetailStatus
BillHB 3916
AuthorStickland
CommitteeState Affairs
StatusMarch 23, 2015 H Introduced and referred to committee


Cities can't regulate firearms. 

DetailStatus
BillHB 4061
AuthorWhite, James
CommitteeHomeland Security and Public Safety
StatusApril 20, 2015 H Reported favorably from committee


Cities can't adopt ordinances, rules and regulations of a city relating to employment. 

DetailStatus
BillHB 4070
AuthorShaheen
CommitteeUrban Affairs
StatusMarch 25, 2015 H Introduced and referred to committee


Cites can’t adopt rule, order or policy that prohibits enforcement on federal immigration law. 

DetailStatus
BillHB 4117
AuthorFallon
CommitteeState Affairs
StatusMarch 23, 2015 H Introduced and referred to committee

Relates to city regulation of oil and gas drilling, and represents a compromise agreement.

DetailStatus
BillHB 40
AuthorDarby | Keffer | King, Phil | Thompson, Senfronia | Oliveira
CommitteeEnergy Resources
StatusMay 18, 2015 Signed by Governor with immediate effective date