2025 Legislative priorities

AGAINST

SB 1059

"Relating to the authority of the governing body of a home-rule municipality to submit a proposed charter amendment to the voters for approval if application of the provisions of the amendment would be contrary to state law."

This bill would allow city officials to deny a charter amendment initiative from being placed on the ballot even though it has received enough signatures of support from city voters and invokes the right of a home-rule city to self-govern. For example, passing the decriminalization or de-prioritization of arrests for low-level marijuana possession, which a judge has already supported as legal to do for home-rule cities in court.

SB 781

“Relating to certain files maintained by a law enforcement agency regarding certain employees of the agency.”

This bill would prohibit a law enforcement agency from releasing information contained in an officer/deputy’s employment record to another agency or individual requesting this information. This includes their disciplinary records, meaning that transparency projects such as copthedata.com could no longer be updated to track and provide officer suspension and misconduct records to the public.

HB 2486

“Relating to certain files maintained by a law enforcement agency regarding certain employees of the agency.”

The identical bill to SB 781 in the Texas House of Representatives. This is often a method in case the same bill doesn’t make it out of one arm in the legislature, then it has a chance of making it out a second time under a different bill number.

HB 2097

“Relating to deputy sheriff civil service appeals of certain sheriff's department actions.”

This would allow a deputy who is appealing a suspension of 3 days or more, or a termination, to take the appeal to an outside hearing examiner instead of the civil service commission already in place for such appeals. Remember that broad discretion given to outside arbitrators is what led to San Antonio Police Department having one of the highest rehire rates for fired officers in the nation from 2017-2021- some even being rehired multiple times before being terminated a final time.

HB 2098

"Relating to applicability of the civil service system for municipal firefighters and police officers and sheriff's departments."

This would end the ability of city voters to opt in or out of Chapter 143 for municipal firefighters and police officers or Chapter 158 for county sheriff’s departments. It would be automatic for municipalities or counties with a certain population size, rather than allowing voters to decide how they would like their local law enforcement to be governed and organized, including disciplinary measures for bad officers.

HB 2197

Would extend murder charges to all involved in facilitating abortion, including those who terminate their own pregnancies.

We stand against criminalizing the healthcare of pregnant persons or healthcare providers for providing necessary care. This dangerous bill, if passed, will lead to further reproductive healthcare providers leaving our state, more maternal fatalities in Texas, and will set a dangerous precedent for other states to follow suit.

HB 1554

"Relating to a political subdivision's authority to use public money in the provision of legal services for individuals unlawfully present in the United States."

This would make any Immigrant Legal Defense Funds that exist in counties or cities illegal.

HB 2566

"Relating to to the enforcement of state and federal immigration laws by state agencies, local entities, and peace officers; creating a civil penalty."

This would mandate that an officer has a duty to investigate a person’s immigration status if they fail to provide identification even when detained on reasonable suspicion of an offense.

HB 403

"Relating to housing and placement of inmates and children according to biological sex."

This would require that adult or juvenile inmates be placed in the housing facility according to their sex at birth. This can be dangerous for transgender individuals, especially if they have transitioned or are in the process of doing so. Not only does it violate their civil rights, but puts them at physical risk of sexual harassment, discrimination, and even sexual assault or rape.