-Lemonade stands
It seems strange that a child's lemonade stand would be shut down for breaking the law, but it's happened. That will soon be a thing of the past. Children under the age of 18 will be able to sell non-alcoholic beverages on private property without fear of prosecution.
- Minimum age for tobacco sales
This one is pretty cut and dry -- you'll have to be at least 21 years old to purchase or consume or possess tobacco products. This includes cigarettes, e-cigarettes and all other tobacco products.
- Increased fines/fees for drivers
This repeals the Driver Responsibility Program, which will allow hundreds of thousands of Texans who've had their licenses suspended to reinstate them, and increases state fines for traffic and intoxicated drivers violations. State traffic fines will increase from $30 to $50 and intoxicated driver fines will increase as well:
- $3,000 for the first conviction within 36 months;
- $4,500 for a subsequent conviction within 36 months; or
- $6,000 for a conviction if it was shown that the person's alcohol concentration level was 0.16 or more
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission will give permits to qualifying beer and wine retailers so that the retailers can make alcohol deliveries. "The bill would not authorize the holder of a brewpub license to deliver alcoholic beverages directly to ultimate consumers for off-premise consumption at a location other than the licensed premise.
- School marshals
This increases the number of school marshals a campus can appoint. School's can "appoint to one marshal per 100 students in average daily attendance, or for a private school, one marshal per 100 students enrolled.
- Hazing
This redefines hazing to be more inclusive of certain actions. Namely, the consumption of alcohol. The law also gives immunity from civil and criminal liability to anyone who voluntarily reports a hazing incident in certain situations.
- Hunting/fishing license
If you forget your paper license at home you no longer have to worry. You can show proof of license on your phone via the Parks and Wildlife Department website or a photo of the license. Texas requires anyone 17 years of age or older to have licenses and permits in order to go freshwater or saltwater fishing in public waters.
-Brass Knuckles
Starting Sept. 1, it will be legal to carry brass knuckles, clubs and self-defense wild kat keychains, sometimes referred to as kitty keychains.( Wish I had a set a knuckles years ago, got Mattison's attention....Never mind would have ruined a set of knuckles. And he would have said, " Did the bell ring?")
-Breast milk
Mothers, who already have the right to breastfeed in public, now have the protected right to express breast milk, or pump, in public as well.
-Public Comment
Local government entities can no longer limit public comment to the end of public meetings. A new law ensures that every member of the public who wants to speak to a public meeting agenda item can address it at the beginning or during the discussion of the item, and members of the public cannot be blocked from criticizing a governmental body. The new law does not apply to the state Legislature.
-Nekkid Photos
It will also be a misdemeanor to text or email unwanted lewd and sexual photographs.
These are just some of the 820 new laws passed by the Texas Legislature. They become law, Sept. 1, 2019.
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