New Texas Laws Now in Effect

Highlights 

It took some time, but a set of new laws and rules passed by the Texas Legislature in 2023 went into effect on Sept. 1, the Houston Chronicle reported. Prominent among these are the SCOPE Act, or Securing Children Online Through Parental Empowerment Act, which tightens restrictions for online users younger than 18.

Under the SCOPE Act, users must register their age on social media and other websites. Minors are prohibited from making purchases from those sites, which are also required to filter and block certain material. Examples include content that promotes suicide or bullying, as well as trafficking and other forms of exploitation.

Violators could be fined up to $10,000 per incident.

One of the bill’s co-authors defended its intent.

“Testimony from parents and children in committee gave graphic examples underscoring how desperately we need to better protect kids online,” state Rep. Shelby Slawson, R-Granbury, wrote. “The SCOPE Act will do just that.”

Others don’t agree. The nonprofit Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression sued the state on Aug. 16, challenging the government restrictions.

“While these efforts to protect young people are well-intentioned, they lack perspective,” the lawsuit states.

Another measure that took effect Sept. 1 updates qualifications for family violence shelters that provide lodging and care for domestic abuse victims in order to receive state funding. Criteria now includes providing direct services, establishing a referral service for victims, and having been in operation at least a year.

Eliminating Property Taxes Would Require Massive Funding 

Eliminating the state’s property taxes is high on the wish list of some Republican lawmakers. They received a reality check last week when state budget officials said doing so would require the state to produce $81 billion each year to cover the costs of public schools, as well as the revenue now received by cities, counties and special taxing districts through property taxes.

The Texas Tribune reported that Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick directed the Legislative Budget Board to tally the costs of replacing property tax revenue, which funds teacher salaries, law enforcement and many other government functions. Eliminating the tax likely would require a massive increase in sales tax rates – something that appears highly unlikely.

State Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, is Patrick’s chief lieutenant on property taxes. He noted $81.5 billion is “a huge amount of money to be able to replicate.”