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44INAROW
05-30-2007, 09:48 AM
etc - some waiting approval, some passed, some failed.......

***not intended to be a political post, just thought I'd post some information today :)

PASSED, SIGNED INTO LAW BY GOV. RICK PERRY
May 29, 2007 - Posted at 12:00 a.m.
Castle Doctrine:
Allows Texans to defend themselves with deadly force in their homes, cars and workplaces.

Firearms in Disaster:
Prohibits law officers from confiscating firearms and ammunition during a state of disaster, such as a hurricane, except in cases of a clear threat.

Elderly Drivers:
Requires Texans ages 85 and older to renew their drivers' licenses and pass a vision test every two years.
Handgun Records:

Reclassifies as nonpublic records the state licenses granted to residents to carry concealed handguns.

PASSED, HEADED TO TEXAS VOTERS

Cancer Research:
A proposed constitutional amendment allowing the state to borrow up to $3 billion over the next decade to fund cancer research aimed at finding a cure.

Recorded Votes:
A proposed constitutional amendment requiring the Texas House and Senate to record individual lawmakers' votes on final passage of bills.

PASSED, BECOMING LAW WITHOUT SIGNATURE

Cervical Cancer Vaccine:
Blocks state officials from following Gov. Rick Perry's order requiring the vaccine against the human papillomavirus for sixth-grade girls. The vaccine protects against strains of the sexually transmitted virus that cause most cases of cervical cancer.

HIV Testing:
Expands HIV testing in the state prison system to establish mandatory testing of inmates when they report to prison.

PASSED, VETOED BY GOVERNOR

Ex-convicts Voting:
Would have required the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to notify former inmates of their eligibility to vote.

PASSED, AWAITING ACTION BY GOVERNOR

Sex Offenders:
Imposes a possible death penalty for sex offenders who are twice convicted of raping children under 14.

Marriage Fee:
Increases the Texas marriage license fee from $30 to $60 but waives the fee and a 72-hour waiting period for couples who take a premarital education course.

Toll-road Moratorium:
Freezes most new privately financed toll road projects for two years.

Search Warrants:
Allows judges to seal some search warrant information from the public for up to 60 days.

Tourist Train: Creates the Texas State Railroad Authority, intended to keep an East Texas tourist train running between Palestine and Rusk by allowing the venture to be leased to a private operator.

Sudan Sanctions:
Requires state pension funds to divest from companies doing business with Sudan, where more than 200,000 people have been killed and 2.5 million been chased from their homes since 2003 because of civil strife.

Violent Dogs:
Makes dog owners whose pets attack people subject to a third-degree felony with possible prison time of two to ten years and a possible $10,000 fine. If the victim dies, the charge could become a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Friendly Dogs:
Calls for the state to assist in plans for the humane evacuation, transport and temporary sheltering of pets during times of disaster, such as a hurricane.

Under God:
Adds the words "under God" to the Texas pledge of allegiance.

TYC overhaul:
Puts an executive commissioner in charge of the Texas Youth Commission for two years. Improves staff-to-inmate ratios, creates new investigative powers to check abuse claims and prohibits courts from sending youths to state lockups for misdemeanors.

Bible Classes:
Allows high schools to offer elective Bible courses.

Religious Expression:
Provides Texas students greater freedom to express their religious views on school campuses by treating students' religious viewpoints in class assignments the same as secular expression.

Strip Club Fee:
Charges strip club patrons a $5 admission fee, with money going to help sexual assault victims.

Replacing TAKS:
Replaces the state's high-stakes high school exit exam, known as the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills, with end-of-course tests.

FAILED

Smoking Ban:
Would have banned smoking in workplaces and many other public places statewide.

Voter ID:
Would have required voters to show photo identification or two other forms of ID, not just a voter registration card.

Texas Lottery Sale:
Would have sold the state lottery to a private firm for at least $14 billion and used the proceeds for cancer research, education and health insurance, a proposal made by Gov. Rick Perry.

Casino Gambling:
Would have created full-scale destination resort casinos in major cities and some coastal tourist spots.

Race Track Slots:
Would have allowed video slot machines, known as video lottery terminals, at horse and dog race tracks.

Indian Gambling:
Would have allowed limited casino gambling on the state's American Indian reservations.

Shield Law:
Would have created limited immunity for journalists from revealing their confidential sources in court cases.

Abortion-Ultrasound:
Would have required doctors to perform ultrasounds on pregnant women seeking an abortion.

Drunk Driving Checkpoints:
Would have allowed police to set up checkpoints to see whether motorists exceed the legal blood-alcohol level for driving.

UIL-Private Schools: ***glad this one failed****
Would have allowed private schools into the Texas public school athletic league.

Covenant Marriage: **I don't understand this one***
Would have allowed couples applying for a marriage license or couples already married to designate theirs a "covenant marriage," making divorce more difficult.

crzyjournalist03
05-30-2007, 11:56 AM
I like most of these laws!

shankbear
05-30-2007, 12:09 PM
A covenant marriage is one where the couple agree to undergo counseling and wait longer than the normal 60 days before the divorce could become final. They have this in Louisiana as well as the regular civil marriage.

luvhoops34
05-30-2007, 12:50 PM
I thought we could always use deadly force in our homes or autos?