Topic Talk: The 84th Texas Legislature The following is an excerpt from latest House Research Organization Focus Report. Click here to view the report in full. The Texas Legislature will consider a wide variety of topics when it convenes in regular session on Jan. 13, 2015. Among other prominent issues, lawmakers are expected to consider proposals to modify taxes, … [Read more...] about 84th Texas Legislature
Legislature
Employment Law Update: Drug Testing Employees, Applicants
By Vanessa A. Gonzalez Under the 14th Amendment incorporation doctrine, local government employers cannot violate rights guaranteed to their employees under the U.S. Bill of Rights. Drug testing, specifically urine sample testing, implicates privacy issues and constitutes a search.1 The Fourth Amendment protects citizens from illegal searches. The basic question courts … [Read more...] about Employment Law Update: Drug Testing Employees, Applicants
Legislative Interim Studies
Lt. Gov. Releases Charges, More to Come Because of the limited time that the Texas Legislature is in session, in-depth studies of important issues often are conducted by committees during interims. Generally, the lieutenant governor specifies interim charges for Senate committees, and the speaker of the house specifies interim charges for House committees. Most interim … [Read more...] about Legislative Interim Studies
What does the Recent Supreme Court Ruling in Shelby County v. Holder Actually Mean for Texas Counties?
By Robert T. Bass Allison, Bass & Associates, L.L.P. On June 25, 2013, the Supreme Court issued a long-awaited opinion on the Voting Rights Act, codified at 42 U.S.C.A. 1973. The case was filed by Shelby County, Alabama, seeking a declaratory judgment that Sections 4 and 5 of the Voting Rights Act were facially unconstitutional, and further sought a permanent … [Read more...] about What does the Recent Supreme Court Ruling in Shelby County v. Holder Actually Mean for Texas Counties?
Important 2014 Primary Election Dates
MARCH 4, 2014 • Primary Election First day to file for a place on the primary ballot for precinct chair candidates. September 10, 2013 First day to file for all other candidates for offices that are regularly scheduled to be on the Primary ballot (as well as for offices for unexpired terms that have occurred after August 24, 2012). November 9, … [Read more...] about Important 2014 Primary Election Dates