Only a handful of new Texas laws went into effect on New Year’s Day.
These measures address judicial issues, the franchise tax, pediatric extended-care centers, and motorcycle requirements.
House Bill 62 bars a Texas judge from having a significant interest in a business that might own, operate or manage a private correctional or rehabilitation facility — a measure meant to prevent conflicts of interest.
Section 14 of House Bill 500, which deals with a $1 million revenue exemption for the franchise tax, is now law, allowing for tax credits for certified rehabilitation of certified historic structures. The rest of House Bill 500 took effect January 1st of last year.
Under House Bill 3152 created four trial courts, the final two the 442nd District Court in Denton County and the 450th District Court in Travis County are both slated to open in 2015.
Senate Bill 492 sets new licensing requirements and safety standards for prescribed pediatric extended-care centers, that provide Medicaid-eligible children up to age 20 to receive medical care. As of last Thursday, a person needs a license to own or operate such a center — and a license for each separate facility owned.
The last part of, “Malorie’s Law” (HB3838) took effect January 1st. This law requires motorcycles that carry more than one person to have handholds and foot pegs for the passenger. The law is named for Malorie Bullock, a nineteen year old from Sherman who was killed in a motorcycle accident near Campbell, TX in 2010. The Texas A&M-Commerce student was riding on the back of a motorcycle when she was killed. Most of the law had already gone into effect and also bans passengers from riding on the back of a motorcycle unless the bike is specifically designed to carry more than one person.
The final piece of Senate Bill 426 takes effect on January 15, 2015. This bill amends a law on home visits to allow specialists deliver services in the homes of at-risk families.
Nearly a dozen laws went into effect back on September 1, 2014. These dealt with House Bill 5 which increased the number of career and technology education courses offered; House Bill 1245 which allows personnel of criminal defense attorneys to participate in continuing education that is already funded for judges, prosecuting attorneys and their personnel and other court personnel; House Bill 1318 dealt with attorneys appointed to represent youth and indigent Texans; the consolidation of some state boards; helping veterans with higher education; among others.
The 84th legislative session begins January 13th in Austin, Texas.