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Membership
Through our Emgage Action Texas chapter, we are here to provide you updates in real-time on our legislative priorities, engagement with the Texas State Government regarding the initiatives most important to our community, advocacy efforts, as well as the most crucial legislation we’re tracking in Texas.
We are here to be your one stop shop to stay up-to-date on the multitude of legislative actions taking place in the Texas Government, while letting you know how YOU can stay politically engaged.
Defending Civil Rights and Fighting the Growing Influence of Hate Groups
Supporting Health Equity and Access to Maternal Health
Defending the Human Rights and Liberties of All
Fighting Climate Change and Mitigating its Effects
Supporting Criminal Justice Reform and Accountability for Police
Protecting Voting Rights and Access to Voting
Supporting Immigration Reform and Easier Pathways to Citizenship
Supporting Education Reforms
Protecting the Rights of Muslim Americans in Texas
Supporting Public Safety Measures for Texans
UPDATED: 03/31/2023
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
Last Action: On March 7, 2023, read for the first time and referred to House State Affairs Committee.
HB 1882 title: Designation of certain religious holy days as optional holidays
Summary: House Bill 1882 is part of a bipartisan bill package called the “Religious Freedom Agenda.” HB 1882 calls on the expansion of the number of optional state holidays to include holy days of a larger variety of faiths, such as Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, All Saints Day, Diwali, Eidal-Adha, Eid al-Fitr, Passover, Vaisakhi, Vesak, or Good Friday.
Primary Sponsors: Salman Bhojani (D), Jacey Jetton (R), Lacey Hull (R), Suleman Lalani (D), Tom Oliverson (R)
Last action: On March 14, 2023, considered in public hearing and left pending in House Public Education Committee.
HB 1883 title: Relating to the administration of assessment instruments on religious holy days.
Summary: House Bill 1883 is part of a bipartisan bill package called the “Religious Freedom Agenda.” House Bill 1883 will ensure that state-mandated exams in Texas, like the STAAR test, aren’t scheduled on religious holy days.
Primary Sponsors: Salman Bhojani (D), Charles Cunningham (R), Alma Allen (D), Gina Hinojosa (D), Jacey Jetton (R)
Last Action: on March 7, 2023, read for the first time and referred to Juvenile Justice & Family Issues Committee.
HB 1884 title: Relating to persons authorized to conduct a marriage ceremony.
Summary: House Bill 1884 is part of a bipartisan bill package called the “Religious Freedom Agenda.” House Bill 1884 will establish marriage parity so that anyone from any faith in Texas can be married by their religious leader.
Primary Sponsors: Salman Bhojani (D), Briscoe Cain (R), Joe Moody (D), James Talarico (D), Jeff Leach (R).
PUBLIC SAFETY
Last Action: On March 14, 2023, read for the first time and referred to House Select Committee on Mass Violence Prevention and Community Safety.
HB 3089 title: Relating to requiring a national instant criminal background check in connection with private firearm transfers
Summary: Coming soon.
Primary Sponsors: Suleman Lalani (D)
MATERNAL HEALTH
Last Action: On March 14, 2023, read for the first time and referred to House Select Committee on Statewide Health Care Costs
HB 2873 title: HB 2873 Relating to a strategic plan for improving maternal health, including the consolidation and repeal of certain planning and reporting requirements.
Summary: Develop and implement a strategic plan for improving maternal health outcomes under programs administered by the state that provide services to women during and following a pregnancy. The strategic plan must include strategies for:
Primary Sponsors: Donna Howard (D)
CIVIL RIGHTS
Last Action: On March 13, 2023, read for the first time and referred to House Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee
HB 2521 title: Relating to the prohibition on the use of a neck restraint by a peace officer during a search or arrest
Summary: The use of neck restraints during search or arrest is prohibited. A peace officer may not intentionally use a choke hold, carotid artery hold, or similar neck restraint in searching or arresting a person unless:
Primary Sponsors: Senfronia Thompson (D)
UPDATED: 03/31/2023
DISCRIMINATION
Last Action: On March 2, 2023, considered in public hearing, testimonies taken in committee, and left pending in Senate State Affairs Committee.
SB 147 title: Relating to the purchase of or acquisition of title to real property by certain aliens or foreign entities
Summary: SB 147 prohibits the following from purchasing or otherwise acquiring title to real property in this state:
Primary Sponsors: Lois Kolkhorst (R)
VOTING RIGHTS
Last Action: On March 15, 2023, received from the Senate to the House
SB 2 title: Relating to conduct constituting the criminal offense of illegal voting; increasing a criminal penalty
Summary: A person commits an offense if the person knowingly votes or attempts to vote;
Primary Sponsors: Bryan Hughes (R)
Percentages based on the following chronological benchmarks for a bill: filed (10%), heard in committee (20%), passed out of committee (30%), passed in one house of state legislature (60%), passed in both houses of state legislature (90%), and signed into law (100%).
S.B 147 – a discriminatory, anti-immigrant, and unconstitutional bill that aims to ban citizens from Iran, China, Russia, North Korea, even if they are US citizens or permanent residents, from purchasing or acquiring property in Texas.
