FOUNDERSPAC

Angela Paxton

This bill eliminates the expiration of a provision in state law which requires school districts to obtain parental consent in order for a student to receive instruction on human sexuality. This requirement had been set to expire August 1, 2024. Support is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Parents' Rights Section 105: "Sexual Education". "We demand the State Legislature pass a law prohibiting the teaching of sex education, sexual health, or sexual choice or identity in any public school in any grade whatsoever, or disseminating or permitting the dissemination by any party of any material regarding the same. Until this prohibition goes into effect, sexual education shall only utilize sexual risk avoidance programs and promote abstinence outside of marriage. Before a student may be provided with human sexuality or family planning instruction, the district must obtain the written consent of the student’s parent or guardian [Opt-In status]."

Strengthening Parental Rights in Education by Prohibiting Discussion of Sensitive Issues Surrounding Human Sexuality without Parental Consent.

This bill amends the public information request system by allowing government agencies to withhold information that it makes a good faith determination is exempt from public disclosure. This is intended to reduce the amount of attorney general decisions requested and reduce the response time for information requests, with appeals of decisions to withhold information permitted. The bill also allows the attorney general to fine any governmental entity $1,000 for submitting a bad faith request for an opinion, and an additional $500 each day until the requested information is provided to the requestor. Support is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Government Operations Section 230: "Government Authority". "We believe any government authority that has the ability to levy a tax or fee or to appraise property on the people should be accountable to those who pay the taxes via the electoral process, from the local level to the federal level."

Strengthening Government Accountability and Transparency by Reforming the Public Information Request System to Quicken Response Times and Reduce Bad Faith Requests.

This bill provides greater legal clarity to ensure doctors can prescribe certain off-label drugs without facing any disciplinary actions from the state's professional licensing board. The bill is largely in response to physicians prescribing hydroxychloroquine sulfate and ivermectin to treat COVID-19 infections. Support is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Healthcare Independence Section 142: "Right to Try". "We urge the Texas State Legislature and Governor to enact laws that protect patients’ and their doctors’ rights to have access to experimental or off-label medications and procedures that can potentially be lifesaving or improve quality of life without the Medical Board, Pharmacy Board, or Hospital Boards Interfering."

Strengthening Medical Freedom by Preventing Licensing Boards from Taking Actions Against Doctors for Prescribing Off-Label Drugs to Treat Conditions Such as COVID-19.

This bill amends the licensing requirements for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) technicians by establishing an alternative pathway to become licensed. The bill recognizes completion of a career and technology education program at a public school or institution of higher education as satisfying the certification training program requirements for licensure. The bill also provides for a waiver of any renewal fee and reduction in the number of required continuing education hours for technicians who provide instruction in a career and technology education program. Support is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Markets and Regulation Section 39: "Licensing". "We call upon the Texas Legislature to review all Texas Department of Licenses and Regulations (TDLR), business/professional licensing programs, and associated licensing for the purpose of abolishing or removing as many as reasonably possible and repealing those laws, rules, and regulations."

Reducing Employment Barriers and Expanding Competition Through an Alternative Licensing Pathway for HVAC Technicians.

This bill, the Restricting Explicit and Adult-Designated Educational Resources (READER) Act, prohibits school libraries from purchasing or possessing material that is harmful, sexually explicit, or "pervasively vulgar or educationally unsuitable." The bill also requires vendors to issue ratings for sexually explicit materials and schools must obtain parental consent before students may check out such materials from a school library. Support is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Parents' Rights Section 106: "Inapporpriate and/or Harmful Content". "We request that the Texas Legislature pass legislation that requires Texas schools and libraries to filter inappropriate and/or harmful content, such as pornography, for minors. Operators of adult sex entertainment businesses and venues, adult entertainment of any kind, including Drag Queen Story Hour, shall not be part of educational programming in public schools, libraries, or any other taxpayer-funded program for children."

Protecting K-12 Students from Pornographic Content by Prohibiting the Sale or Distribution of Obscene Materials to Public Schools.

This bill imposes a series of new insurance mandates requiring automobile insurance policies offered in the state provide coverage for original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts as opposed to less costly aftermarket parts. The bill applies to all policies covering vehicles 36 months old or newer. Additionally, the bill forbids policies from restricting the repair facility or persons performing repairs. Oppose is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Markets and Regulation Section 41: "Reduce Business Regulations". "We believe that .. businesses should be minimally regulated at all levels". 

Hiking Automobile Insurance Premiums by Imposing New Mandates which Require Usage of OEM Parts for Vehicle Repairs.

This bill makes it easier for movie production companies to receive a grant under the moving image industry incentive program by reducing the percentage of production crew, actors, and extras who must be Texas residents from 70% to 55%. Oppose is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Opposition to Market-Distorting Tax and Fiscal Subsidies Section 97: "Special Funds". "We urge the Texas Legislature to abolish the Special Events Trust Fund program, the Texas Enterprise Fund, and the Moving Image Industry Incentive Program."

Worsening Cronyism by Making it Even Easier for Woke Hollywood Production Companies to become Enriched through Taxpayer Subsidies.

This bill allows public higher education institutions (state colleges and universities) to adopt policies which allow for the termination of tenured faculty for reasons such as "professional incompetence" or "conduct involving moral turpitude". Support is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Higher Education Section 131: "Tenure". "We support abolishing the system of tenure in academia and advocate replacing it with a merit-based system for teacher retention."

Ensuring Colleges and Universities can Remove Poor-Performing Professors by Restricting the Use of Tenure.

This bill provides for the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund, created this legislative session via a constitutional amendment, to be used to purchase land "for the creation and improvement of publicly accessible state parks." The state budget included $1 billion in funding for this purpose. The state is currently tasked with managing and maintaining over 13 million acres of land under its control. Oppose is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Land Use Section 222: "Property Rights". "Property ownership and free enterprise, the foundation of our collective wealth, must not be abridged nor denied by government. We support legislation to protect these bedrock rights. Areas of concern are: .. nationalization of land".

Further Growing Government's Unsustainable Land Holdings through a $1 Billion Centennial Parks Conservation Fund Program.

This bill increases penalties on individuals who knowingly engage in vote fraud, such as voting more than once in an election or impersonates another person when submitting a ballot. Under the bill, the penalty is increased from a Class A misdemeanor to a Felony of the Second Degree, which can carry a 2 to 20 year prison sentence. Support is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Elections Section 242: "Fair Elections Procedures". "We support: Felony status for willful violations of the election code and increasing penalty for voter fraud from a misdemeanor back to a felony."

Strengthening Election Integrity by Increasing the Penalty for Knowingly Engaging in Voting Fraud.

This bill serves as the enabling legislation for constitutional amendment HJR 3. Through this bill and the constitutional amendment, a $3.4 billion research endowment is created for Texas State University, Texas Tech University, the University of Houston and the University of North Texas. The funds for the bill will come from the state's Economic Stabilization Fund, commonly referred to as the "rainy day" fund. Oppose is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Spending Restraint Section 86: "Higher Education Spending Control". "We support freezing public spending on State higher education until waste and administrative costs are reduced." "We oppose the use of the Economic Stabilization Fund (Rainy Day Fund) to expand government. Use of the Economic Stabilization Fund shall be limited to its intended purposes of preventing tax increases during economic downturns and responding to unforeseen disasters."  

Raiding the State's Rainy Day Fund to Channel over $3.4 Billion in Additional Funding to Woke Universities.

This bill provides that a person who sells or leases a vehicle weighing at least 6,000 lbs. is not liable for not retrofitting the vehicle with equipment, or selecting certain equipment, that was not required under federal regulations when the vehicle was manufactured or sold. Support is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Courts, Prosecution, Restitution Section 184: "Frivolous Lawsuits". "We support further reform to discourage frivolous lawsuits. We oppose the abusive use of class action lawsuits and any law that allows government agencies to collect lawyer fees from the plaintiff when they win but not have to pay the plaintiff fees when they lose."

Protecting Truck Rental Companies from Frivolous Litigation for Not Retrofitting Trucks with Safety Equipment Upon their Sale.

This bill places certain limitations on the ability of cities to limit the height of buildings. The bill applies to highly populated cities such as Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin and Forth Worth and only in cases where buildings are at least 50 feet from a lot line. Support is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Markets and Regulation Section 38: "Municipal Preemption". We encourage the Legislature to preempt local government efforts to interfere with the State’s sovereignty over business, employees, and property rights. This includes but is not limited to burdensome regulations on short-term rentals, bags, sick leave, trees, and employee criminal screening."

Strengthening Property Rights by Limiting Certain Overreaching Building Height Restrictions Imposed in Densely Populated Areas.

This bill allows cities which have a municipal street sales tax to call an election to authorize the tax for a period of 8 to 10 years if a majority of voters approved the tax in the last 2 elections. In most cities, the duration of the tax is limited to 4 years. Additionally, the bill expands the permitted uses of the tax to include not only maintenance and repair of streets and sidewalks, but now also water, wastewater, or stormwater systems located under a city street. Oppose is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Spending Restraint Section 75: "Government Spending and Taxation". We believe in the principles of constitutionally limited government based on federalist principles. To this end, we encourage our elected officials at all levels of government to work to reverse the current trend of expanding government and the growing tax and debt burdens placed on “We the People.” Government spending is out of control at the federal, state, and local levels, and action is needed to reduce spending, and therefore taxation, at all levels. 

Reducing Government and Fiscal Accountability by Allowing Municipal Tax Levies to Continue for up to 10 Years (Previously 4 Years) without Voter Approval.

This bill provides that businesses with revenue up to $2.47 million are not required to pay any franchise tax (previously $1 million). Additionally, those businesses are no longer required to file a tax information report. Support is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Spending Restraint Section 82: "Repeal Taxes". "We support abolishing the following: Business franchise taxes."

Expanding Economic Growth by Increasing the Franchisee Tax Exemption from $1 Million to $2.47 Million.

This bill prohibits local governments across the state from imposing any ordinances which directly regulate greenhouse gas emissions, with the state given exclusive regulatory authority. As a result, the bill would preempt local regulations that restrict greenhouse gas emissions. Support is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Energy and Environment Section 57: "Environment". "We oppose environmentalism that obstructs legitimate business interests and private property use, including the regulatory taking of property by governmental agencies. We support the defunding of “climate justice” initiatives, the abolition of the Environmental Protection Agency, and repeal of the Endangered Species Act."

Protecting Against Local Government Overreach by Ensuring Only the State Can Regulate Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

This bill prohibits local governments from enacting any ordinances which bans or restricts the sale or use of an engine based on the type of fuel used. Additionally, the bill prevents localities from banning any energy source infrastructure (such as gas stations). Support is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Transportation Section 63: "Freedom to Travel". "We oppose the Biden Infrastructure and Green Energy Plan that threatens our freedom to travel, imposes a federal mileage tax, as well as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) or other social justice policies on Texas taxpayers and drivers. We oppose anti-car measures that punish those who choose to travel alone in their own personal vehicle, and oppose any measure to impose “road diet” mandates designed to shrink auto capacity and/or intentionally clog vehicle lanes to force deference to pedestrian, bike, and mass transit options (whose users do not pay gas tax)."

Protecting Consumer Choice by Preventing Localities from Imposing any Ordinance which Restricts or Bans Gas-Powered Engines or a Source of Energy.

This bill authorizes El Paso County to issue bonds (debt) to be repaid by higher sales or property taxes in order to finance the construction of recreational facilities, if approved by voters. Oppose is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under School Finance and Property Taxation Section 92: "Bonds Create Bondage". "We urge the Texas Legislature to amend the Texas Election Code to require bond issues be approved by a 2/3 majority of those voting and only if 20% of all registered voters in the district cast ballots. Taxpayer standing must be established to allow taxpayers to hold government entities accountable.  

Authorizing El Paso County to Indebt Taxpayers to Construct Recreational Facilities.

This bill prohibits local governments from enacting any ordinances which require a firearm owner to obtain liability insurance for "damages resulting from negligent or willful acts involving the use of the firearm." Support is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Citizen Rights Section 32: "The Right to Keep and Bear Arms". "State and Federal Legislatures shall: Nullify any gun laws that violate the 2nd Amendment or rights of due process."

Protecting Second Amendment Rights by Preventing Localities from Imposing Liability Insurance Mandates on Firearm Owners.

This bill earmarks $1.54 billion in state funds to continue construction of barriers along the Mexico border. Additionally, the bill provides $40 million for State Troopers to patrol Colony Ridge which has high levels of illegal immigrants. Support is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Border Security and Immigration Section 256: "Border Security Funding". "We expect both the Texas Legislature and the United States Congress to make a priority of allocating funds to effectively secure the border through whatever means necessary, including but not limited to barriers, a border wall, and/or fence everywhere along the border where it is feasible and useful, as well as personnel and technology over land, sea, and air. Texas shall seek repayment from the Federal Government for expenses incurred in securing the border."

Restoring Law and Order by Earmarking $1.54 Billion in State Funds to Construct Barriers Securing the Mexico Border.

This bill prohibits estheticians and cosmetologists from administering injections such as Botox, which they are currently permitted to do under a physician's authority. Oppose is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Markets and Regulation Section 41: "Reduce Business Regulations". "We believe that .. businesses should be minimally regulated at all levels". 

Restricting Competition by Prohibiting Estheticians and Cosmetologists from Injecting Botox.

This bill prohibits localities from issuing bonds (debt) to purchase or lease tangible personal property if the property will no longer be useful before the debt matures. According to the bill's sponsor, local debt reached $417 billion in fiscal year 2022. Support is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under School Finance and Property Taxation Section 92: "Bonds Create Bondage". "We urge the Texas Legislature to amend the Texas Election Code to require bond issues be approved by a 2/3 majority of those voting and only if 20% of all registered voters in the district cast ballots. Taxpayer standing must be established to allow taxpayers to hold government entities accountable."

Protecting Taxpayers by Prohibiting Localities from Issuing Bonds (Debt) to Purchase Personal Property that has a Lifecycle Expected to Expire Before the Bond Matures.

This bill allows retired judges who have a handgun license to carry a firearm into restricted places, such as courthouses, schools, and polling locations. Support is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Citizen Rights Section 32: "The Right to Keep and Bear Arms". "State and Federal Legislatures shall: Recognize the right of License to Carry holders to carry anywhere off-duty or retired law enforcement can carry."

Strengthening Self-Defense and Public Safety by Authorizing Retired Judges to Carry a Firearm into Courthouses and Other Restricted Places.

This bill allows the state's attorney general to prosecute certain crimes, including election, bribery, abuse of office, human trafficking, and abortion-related offenses, if a local prosecutor refuses to prosecute the case. Under the bill, when law enforcement agencies report probable cause to a local prosecutor for these offenses, they must also provide the information to the attorney general, who may prosecute the case if the local prosecutor does not prosecute the case within six months. The bill is largely in response to localities across the nation whose prosecutors (typically receiving financial support from George Soros) refuse to enforce or prosecute certain categories of crime. Support is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Courts, Prosecution, Restitution Section 183: "Court Accountability". "We believe district attorneys have a duty to seek justice for victims of all forms of crime and oppose policies that systematically decline to prosecute crimes."

Strengthening Law and Order by Permitting the State Attorney General to Prosecute Certain Crimes if Local Prosecutors Refuse.

This bill establishes a new health insurance mandate relating to "biomarker testing" which is applicable to all private policies offered in the state and Medicaid. Specifically, the bill requires all policies to cover biomarker testing to diagnose, treat, manage, or monitor a person's disease or condition if the test is supported by "medical and scientific evidence." Oppose is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Government-funded Health Programs Section 149: "Medicaid Reform". "We support Medicaid block grants to the states and returning Medicaid to its original purpose to be a temporary assistance program. We oppose any further expansion of Medicaid."

Increasing Health Insurance Premiums by Mandating All Policies Provide Coverage for Biomarker Testing.

This bill is largely targeted towards online providers of clear orthodontic aligners such as SmileDirectClub. Under the bill, clear aligners (which are similar to braces) are now classified as a "medical device" and can't be provided to an individual unless they undergo an in-person examination by a dentist, receive dental x-rays, and are provided a prescription for their usage by a dentist. SmileDirectClub was forced into bankruptcy and shutdown on December 21, 2023. Oppose is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Markets and Regulation Section 41: "Reduce Business Regulations". "We believe that .. businesses should be minimally regulated at all levels". 

Expanding Government Power in the Orthodontics Industry to Shutdown Competition by Online Providers of "Clear Aligners" such as SmileDirectClub.

This bill updates the Residential Construction Liability Act to provide additional liability protections for contractors. Under the bill, contractors are not liable for residential construction defects unless actual physical damage occurs, part of a building is unable to be used for its intended purpose, or there is a verifiable danger to the residents. Contractors are also not liable for damages that result from a failure to provide timely notice of a defect. The bill also amends various provisions related to lawsuits arising from construction defects, such as allowing contractors additional time to make a settlement offer. Support is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Courts, Prosecution, Restitution Section 184: "Frivolous Lawsuits". "We support further reform to discourage frivolous lawsuits. We oppose the abusive use of class action lawsuits and any law that allows government agencies to collect lawyer fees from the plaintiff when they win but not have to pay the plaintiff fees when they lose."

Reducing Frivolous Litigation by Updating the Residential Construction Liability Act to Limit Liability and Provide Clarifications.

This bill directs the Public Utility Commission to provide a method to establish an "annual energy savings goal" of 1% for each electric utility by 2030. This is in addition to the existing energy efficiency goals and programs. Oppose is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Energy and Environment Section 53: "Utilities". "We support free-market solutions for providing resilient and reliable utilities."

Hiking Electricity Rates by Imposing a 1% Annual Energy Savings Goal by 2030 on all Utility Companies.

This bill establishes 10-year mandatory minimum sentences for individuals convicted of human smuggling and 5-year mandatory minimum sentences for operating a stash house (10 years if in an area subject to a declared state of disaster). The bill also enhances penalties for property damage that occurs as a result of concealing or harboring a person in the country illegally from a misdemeanor to a third-degree felony (2-10 years in prison). Support is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Courts, Prosecutions, Restitution Section 187: "Human Trafficking Jurisdiction". "The Texas Legislature shall pass legislation granting the Texas Attorney General full concurrent jurisdiction over multi-jurisdictional cases, to be limited specifically to those cases involving human trafficking."

Strengthening National Security and Law and Order through 10 Year Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Human Trafficking.

This bill prohibits public institutions of higher education (colleges and universities) from funding or operating any Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Office. Furthermore, the bill bans institutions from conducting diversity trainings or asking prospective job applicants to provide diversity statements. Support is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Higher Education Section 129: "Fund and Support Western Civilization Instruction, Defund Political Correctness". "Like Hillsdale College, we agree that state universities “should value the merit of each unique individual, rather than succumbing to the discriminatory trend of so-called social justice and multicultural diversity. We oppose using public funds for homosexuality, transgender, or diversity-equity-inclusion centers."

Protecting Taxpayer Funds from Being Utilized for Politicized "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" (DEI) Offices at Public College Campuses.

This bill prohibits faculty at public colleges and universities from advancing critical race theory (CRT) by compelling students to conform to a belief that one person is inherently superior to another based on characteristics such as race, sex, ethnicity, or beliefs. Colleges and universities are required to fire any faculty member who violates this provision. The bill provides that institutions must instead be focused on "intellectual inquiry and academic freedom" and "intellectual diversity." Support is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under American Identity Section 112: "American Identity". " We reject Critical Race Theory as a postMarxist ideology that seeks to undermine the system of law and order itself and to reduce individuals to their group identity alone. We support legislation to remove this ideology from government programs, including education involving race, discrimination, and racial awareness."

Protecting Students from Forced Acceptance of Critical Race Theory (CRT) at Public Colleges and Universities.

This bill is designed to curb illegal immigration by allowing the Governor to establish an interstate compact for border security with any interested states for the purpose of sharing intelligence and resources to build a physical wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Support is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Border Security and Immigration Section 256: "Border Security Funding". "We expect both the Texas Legislature and the United States Congress to make a priority of allocating funds to effectively secure the border through whatever means necessary, including but not limited to barriers, a border wall, and/or fence everywhere along the border where it is feasible and useful, as well as personnel and technology over land, sea, and air. Texas shall seek repayment from the Federal Government for expenses incurred in securing the border."

Strengthening National Security by Creating an Interstate Compact for Border Security to Help Combat Illegal Immigration and Human Trafficking.

This bill prohibits local governments from imposing any additional regulations which restrict or delay eviction proceedings. Support is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Markets and Regulation Section 38: "Municipal Preemption". " We encourage the Legislature to preempt local government efforts to interfere with the State’s sovereignty over business, employees, and property rights. This includes but is not limited to burdensome regulations on short-term rentals, bags, sick leave, trees, and employee criminal screening."