Latest News about Texas Personal Injury Law / Cases

Interesting Texas Laws | New Texas Laws | Texas Injury Attorney

Posted on May 04, 2010

During this 2009 legislative session, lawmakers passed all kinds of laws. All of these laws went into effect September 1.

Some new laws came into effect regarding internet safety and online activities. SB 689 requires sex offenders to provide their email address when they register, and restricts internet usage for registered sex offenders.

In an effort to protect internet users, HB 2003 makes online harassment a third degree felony. This is defined by using the name of another person to create a webpage or post on a commercial social networking site like Facebook or Myspace with the intent to harm, defraud, intimidate or threaten.

For those who like to purchase wine online or anywhere from a winery, HB 1084 now makes it legal to have up to nine gallons delivered to a residence per month instead of the previous three gallons. 36 gallons a year is the maximum amount one can receive.

Neighborhood Electric Vehicles, or NEVs, such as golf carts or other small, electric vehicles, are now allowed on roads with a speed limit of 45 mph, thanks to SB 129. Previously they were only allowed on 35 mph roads. These vehicles can also drive in preferential lanes, and drivers and passengers are not required to wear helmets.

Thanks to the monstrous actions of people like Michael Vick, Texas has taken note of the dangerous and cruel practice of dog fighting. Dog fighting equipment is now illegal and considered contraband that is subject to forfeiture under SB 554. Dog fighting itself is now also subjected to elevated penalties. Dog fighting equipment can include things such as breeding stands, syringes for medicating injured dogs, and dog fighting rings.

The legislature has obviously taken note of the current debate about illegal aliens, and has put a law in place to dissuade drivers from the practice of bringing aliens concealed in their truck across the border. Now transporting, concealing, or harboring an alien requires a lifetime disqualification of a commercial driver's license under HB 2730, rather than the previous suspension.

No tanning for the younger folks: new driver's license laws aren't the only way teens will be affected. Thanks to HB 1310, teens under the age of 16 ½ will have to use natural sunlight outside to get a tan, as they are no longer allowed to use tanning facilities. Teens between 16 ½ and 18 must get their parents to come to the tanning salon in person and give permission for their child to tan there.