AUSTIN, Texas (May 5, 2017) – Yesterday, the Texas House unanimously passed a bill that would facilitate the establishment and operation of the Texas Bullion Depository; helping to undermine the Federal Reserve’s monopoly on money. Rep. Giovanni Capriglione (R-Keller) introduced House Bill 3169 (HB3169) in March. The legislation includes various provisions for the operation and administration of…
AUSTIN, Texas (May 3, 2017) – Last week, a Texas House committee passed a bill that would modestly reform the state’s asset forfeiture laws. However, it also closes a federal asset forfeiture loophole in most situations. Rep. Terry Canales (D-Edinburg) prefiled House Bill 344 (HB344) last fall. The legislation would make it more difficult for the…
AUSTIN, Texas (May 3, 2017) – Last week, the Texas Senate passed a bill that would effectively end all state government cooperation with refugee resettlement. The move would significantly hinder refugee resettlement in the Lone Star State. Sen. Donald Huffines (R) and Sen. Bob Hall (R) prefiled Senate Bill 260 (SB260) last fall. The legislation…
AUSTIN, Texas (May 1, 2017) – Last week, a Texas House committee unanimously passed a bit that would expand the Texas “Right to Try” law, setting the foundation to nullify in practice some Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules that deny access to experimental treatments by patients with severe chronic diseases. Rep. Tan Parker (R-Flower…
Whether that's good policy or bad policy for Texas is up to Texas. But it's a decision for Texas, not Washington D.C.
AUSTIN, Texas (April 25, 2017) – Yesterday, a bill that would effectively prohibit so-called “sanctuary cities” that refuse to help enforce some federal immigration laws passed the Texas House. Sen. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) filed Senate Bill 4 (SB4) along with 19 cosponsors. The legislation would ban localities from adopting policies that prohibit or restrict local agents…
AUSTIN, Texas (April 25, 2017) – Last week, a Texas House committee passed a proposed state constitutional amendment that would authorize the legislature to exempt precious metals held in the Texas Gold Depository from ad valorem taxation. Passage of the amendment would take another step toward the everyday use of gold and silver in financial…
AUSTIN, Texas (April 10, 2017) – A Texas bill to prohibit state expenditures on enforcement of any federal action not authorized by state law has received a committee assignment. This legislation would set the stage to effectively block some federal laws in the Lone Star State. Rep. Valoree Swanson (R-Spring) introduced House Bill 2808 (HB2808)…
AUSTIN, Texas (April 4, 2017) – A bill introduced in the Texas Senate would establish gold and silver as legal tender in Texas. Passage of the bill would create currency competition in the state and serve to undermine the Federal Reserve’s monopoly on money. Sen. Bob Hall introduced Senate Bill 2097 (SB2097) on March 10.…
AUSTIN, Texas. (Apr. 4, 2017) – A a Texas House committee has approved a bill to decriminalize marijuana possession. Final passage into law would take a big step toward nullifying federal cannabis prohibition in practice in the state. Rep. Joseph Moody (D-El Paso), along with 38 bipartisan co-sponsors, introduced House Bill 81 (HB81). The legislation…