Texas Government Law Blog
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Are you ready to “Leave Meeting”? Governor Abbott says in-person open meetings are back (for now)
Governor Abbott temporarily suspended some requirements of the Texas Open Meetings Act due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But those suspensions end on September 1, 2021, and all governmental bodies must return to complying with the statute as written. That means the end of...
How to become a brewer—without owning a brewery
Thinking about turning your beer brewing hobby into a business? Taking the plunge can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars—you’ll need space, equipment, and raw materials, not to mention license and permit fees, insurance, labor, and marketing costs. If you want to...
Can I be charged a fee for records requested under the Texas Public Information Act?
Governmental bodies in Texas are required to produce public information upon request—but they don’t have to do it for free. Charges for the production of public information must be calculated according to rules established by the attorney general. If you think you’re...
How do I start a distillery in Texas?
Craft distilling is a heavily regulated—but booming—industry. Obtaining a Distiller’s or Rectifier’s Permit from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission will allow you to manufacture distilled spirits in Texas. You’ll also need to comply with Texas law regarding...
How can I get public information from ERCOT?
Attorney General Paxton ruled in May 2021 that ERCOT is not required to release information to the public under the state’s open records law. If you can’t obtain information from ERCOT directly, you may be able to obtain the same information from PUC, the state agency...
Fort Knox for Texas: Comptroller Hegar to Administer only State-owned Gold Depository
In 2015, the Texas Legislature passed HB 483, creating the country’s first state-owned precious metals depository—the Texas Bullion Depository. Rather that burying your gold in the backyard, you can store it in a secure facility that is about 30 miles north of Austin...
Google, you can drive my car: New laws will expand use of autonomous vehicles in Texas
Autonomous vehicles have arrived in Texas, and they’re here to stay. In March 2021, the City of Arlington, Texas launched a small fleet of on-demand autonomous vehicles that can be booked using an app. Arlington, once known as the largest U.S. city without a public...
“Texas is open 100%”—Governor Abbott Signs Vaccine Passport Ban
On June 7, 2021, Governor Greg Abbott signed into a law a bill (SB 968) that, among things, prohibits governmental entities in Texas from issuing COVID-19 vaccine passports or other standardized documentation to certify the person’s COVID-19 vaccination status to a...
Mixed success for alcohol to-go, gambling, weed, and crypto bills in 87th Regular Session
The 2021 regular session of the Texas Legislature has come to an end, after 140 days of deal-making, drama, and dysfunction. According to data from the Texas Legislature Online, the number of bills introduced and passed during the 2021 regular session was down from...
Texas Legislature passes bill to shield businesses from pandemic-related lawsuits
In his State of the State speech on February 1, 2021, Governor Greg Abbott designated five emergency items for the 2021 legislative session. One of these emergency items was civil liability protections for individuals, businesses, and healthcare providers that...
Twitter Blocked by Federal Judge: @TXAG #CID Authority Affirmed
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sent Twitter a Civil Investigative Demand (“CID”) on January 13, 2021, after it banned former President Trump from its platform following the storming of the U.S. Capitol. The Twitter CID, which sought internal communications and the...
Pour One Out for Walmart v. TABC: Retailer ends federal lawsuit challenging Texas liquor law
Ever wondered why you can’t buy liquor at Walmart, Costco, or CVS in Texas? Texas is the only state in the nation that prohibits publicly traded companies from holding a “package store permit” (i.e., a permit to sell liquor), although such companies are allowed to...