MOMS

Charles Perry

This bill makes it a state crime to cross the Texas-Mexico border between ports of entry. The bill authorizes the Texas police to arrest illegal migrants and makes the crime a Class B misdemeanor carrying a punishment of up to 6 months in jail. Repeat offenders could face a second-degree felony. Support is Moms for America's position as ensuring public safety and national defense is arguably the most important role of government. Failure to secure our nation's border not only has catastrophic implications on the ability to maintain law and order, but also creates countless other issues ranging from welfare to the education system.

Restoring Law and Order by Authorizing Texas Police to Arrest Illegal Immigrants Crossing the Border from Mexico to Texas.

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 Moms for America's position as James Madison and our nation's other founding fathers understood that the right to keep and bear arms is a crucial individual liberty and protects the citizenry against a tyrannical government. This measure provides an additional layer of protection for individuals to exercise their Second Amendment rights without being unduly restricted by government.

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

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 Moms for America's position as this bill protects economic growth by ensuring regulatory certainty and combatting local government overreach. While some may argue this bill undermines "local control", our founding fathers only recognized three entities within the U.S. Constitution - federal government, state government, and the individual. It is not the role for any level of government to unduly infringe the rights of individuals, therefore making preemption measures, such as this bill, necessary.

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

This bill imposes a series of new regulations on automobile dealerships pertaining to vehicle financing. For example, the bill imposes price controls which prevent a dealership from charging a customer a higher sales price if a buyer utilizes a third-party lender or offers cash. The bill is primarily directed at dealerships which offer discounts or condition vehicle sales on financing through preferred lenders. Oppose is Moms for America's position as this government intrusion into the private sector infringes the freedom of dealerships to set their own sales policies. Ultimately, these price controls drive up consumer costs by limiting the ability of dealerships to offer discounts and incentives. Texas joins only Massachusetts (arguably the most liberal legislature in the nation) in introducing these new government mandates.

Imposing Price Controls and New Government Mandates on Automobile Dealerships Pertaining to Vehicle Financing.

This bill prohibits state and local governments from imposing COVID-19 vaccine or mask mandates or from ordering private businesses or public or private schools to close for the purpose of stopping the spread of COVID-19. The bill does contain some exceptions for jails, hospitals, and other facilities where other rules conflict. Support is Moms for America's position as this measure helps protect individual liberties by ensuring it is individuals - not government - making the medical decision on whether or not to receive a vaccination against COVID-19. Additionally, the bill protects against overreaching government mandates related to masks and shutdowns.

Protecting Individual Liberties by Prohibiting Government-Imposed COVID-19 Vaccine or Mask Mandates.

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 Moms for America's position as this bill helps protect individual liberties as well as automotive freedom. While some may argue this bill undermines "local control", our founding fathers only recognized three entities within the U.S. Constitution - federal government, state government, and the individual. It is not the role for any level of government to unduly infringe the rights of individuals, therefore making preemption measures, such as this bill, necessary.

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

This bill, the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation Act, provides select businesses which meet certain investment thresholds and job requirements with property tax exemptions. Under the bill, businesses will receive tax exemptions ranging between 50% and 75% for a period of 10 years, and a 100% tax exemption during the construction phase. Oppose is Moms for America's position as all state and local tax codes should be constructed in a broadly applied manner with as low of rates as possible for everyone. This and other tax cronyism schemes merely dilute the tax base which results in higher taxes on all other individuals and products to make up for the lost revenue. The free market (by lowering taxes for all businesses) can provide much greater returns on investment than this central planning by politicians.

Expanding Cronyism and Enriching Government-Favored Corporations through a New Property Tax Exemption Scheme.

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 Moms for America's position as this bill reduces government and fiscal accountability by weakening the ability for voters to properly scrutinize the usage of the funding and need for the taxation.

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 establishes a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence if a firearm was used to commit a very serious crime. Examples include felony offenses committed in the first, second or third degree such as murder, human trafficking, burglary, sexual assault, or kidnapping. Support is Moms for America's position as ensuring public safety and protecting property rights serve as essential components of government. Unfortunately, this bill is especially necessary due to many so-called criminal justice "reforms" which have led to skyrocketing crime rates and are being advanced in state legislatures by George Soros and other radical-left billionaires through their funding of advocacy organizations on both sides of the political aisle.

Strengthening Law and Order by Imposing 10-Year Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Serious Firearm Felonies.

This bill establishes the Rural Pathway Excellence Partnership Program to "expand opportunities for underserved students to succeed in school and life while promoting economic development in rural areas." The bill provides up to $5 million in funding annually for rural school districts to partner on college and career pathway programs, with districts receiving outcome bonuses based on whether a student is considered economically disadvantaged. Oppose is Moms for America's position as taxpayers in urban areas should not be forced to subsidize educational programs for individuals who choose to locate in rural or other portions of the state.

Forcing Taxpayers to Pay up to $5 Million Annually for a New Rural College and Career Pathways Program.

This bill prevents public colleges and universities within the state from taking certain actions against student organizations due to their membership policies surrounding sincerely held beliefs. Support is Moms for America's position as the bill helps strengthen free speech and assembly rights as protected under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Protecting Free Speech and Assembly on Public College Campuses by Ensuring Student Organizations Can Set Membership Policies Based on their Sincerely Held Beliefs.

This bill contains several provisions related to the release of individuals charged with felonies. Most significantly, the bill prohibits the release of a defendant on their own recognizance (no bond required) if they are charged with certain offenses, such as manufacture or delivery of fentanyl, terroristic threats, or unlawful possession of a firearm. Additionally, a magistrate may not release a defendant charged with a felony unless the defendant appears before the magistrate and the magistrate has considered the public safety report, which includes the defendant's criminal history. The bill also allows prosecutors to appeal a bail amount as being insufficient if a defendant is charged with a felony and is already out on bail for another pending felony. Support is Moms for America's position as ensuring public safety and protecting property rights serve as essential components of government. Unfortunately, this bill is especially necessary due to many so-called criminal justice "reforms" which have led to skyrocketing crime rates and are being advanced in state legislatures by radical-left billionaires through their funding of advocacy organizations on both sides of the political aisle.

Strengthening Law and Order by Ensuring Bail is Imposed for Most Felony Offenses.

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 Moms for America's position as each and every health insurance mandate or price control on co-payments prevents an individual from selecting a plan with just basic or customized coverages to fit their specific needs. As a result, health insurers are forced to only offer costly plans loaded with coverages that most individuals do not need. This can result in lower-income or younger individuals choosing to purchase no insurance plan at all due to the high cost.

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

This bill increases the penalty for tampering with a retail gas pump to steal fuel by making it a felony of the third degree. The bill is largely in response to organized criminal groups which have figured out how to disrupt fuel dispenser pulsers and as a result gain unlimited access to fuel. Support is Moms for America's position as protecting property rights and ensuring public safety serve as essential components of government. Unfortunately, this bill is especially necessary due to many so-called criminal justice "reforms" which have led to skyrocketing crime rates and are being advanced in state legislatures by George Soros and other radical-left billionaires through their funding of advocacy organizations on both sides of the political aisle.

Strengthening Law and Order by Increasing Penalties for Tampering with a Gas Pump to Steal Fuel.

This bill creates both the "Texas Space Commission" and the Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium to promote innovation in the space, aeronautics, and aviation industry. The new entities are expected to require the hiring of at least 10 additional state employees at an estimated cost of $3.4 million over the next two years. Oppose is Moms for America's position as the federal government (National Aeronautics and Space Administration already spends tens of billions of dollars advancing innovation in this field. This new entity is not only unnecessary but will likely enrich select government-favored entities and further distort the private sector and free marketplace. The state must pursue every available avenue to reign in its out-of-control spending, which, when coupled with the over $185 trillion federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.

Growing Government Bureaucracy and Wasteful Spending through the Creation of the Texas Space Commission and the Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium.

This bill generally raises the bar to prosecute organized retail theft by now requiring a person to steal at least $100 of merchandise and be found to have "intent for the redistribution of that merchandise into the supply chain" to be guilty. Oppose is Moms for America's position as ensuring public safety and protecting property rights serve as essential components of government. Unfortunately, this bill represents one of many so-called criminal justice "reforms" which have led to skyrocketing crime rates and are being advanced in state legislatures by George Soros and other radical-left billionaires through their funding of advocacy organizations on both sides of the political aisle.

Fueling Lawlessness and Business Closures by Making it Harder to Prosecute and Punish Cases of Organized Retail Theft.

This bill allows any vehicle that is primarily powered by electric to exceed the roadway gross weight limitations by 2,000 lbs. The bill largely benefits electric-powered trucks and buses. Under existing law, natural gas-powered vehicles are able to exceed the roadway weight limit, which this bill also updates to 2,000 lbs. Oppose is Moms for America's position as this bill provides special benefits to government-favored vehicle propulsion systems, while ultimately hiking costs onto taxpayers - primarily gas-powered vehicle owners - through higher roadway maintenance costs. The vast majority of roadway deterioration is caused by heavy vehicles, with the primary source of roadway funding coming from the gas tax.

Promoting Electric Vehicles and Hiking Roadway Maintenance Costs through a 2,000 lbs. Weight Exemption for all Electric-Powered Vehicles.

This bill allows courts to remove district attorneys for misconduct if they refuse to prosecute certain types of crime. The bill is largely in response to cases of "reform-minded" prosecutors that have refused to prosecute crime or uphold the state's abortion laws. Support is Moms for America's position as ensuring public safety and protecting property rights serve as essential components of government. Unfortunately, this bill is necessary to combat many of the so-called criminal justice "reforms" which have led to skyrocketing crime rates and are being advanced in state legislatures by George Soros and other radical-left billionaires through their funding of advocacy organizations on both sides of the political aisle.

Strengthening Public Safety by Allowing Courts to Remove Rogue DAs which Refuse to Prosecute Crime.

This bill prohibits local governments from imposing any additional regulations which restrict or delay eviction proceedings. Support is Moms for America's position as eviction moratoriums and other actions which prevent landlords from reclaiming their property due to tenant non-payment or lease violation restrictions ultimately drive-up rental costs for everyone by exposing landlords to additional risk and expense.

Strengthening Property Rights by Prohibiting Local Governments from Imposing Additional Regulations which Restrict Eviction Proceedings.

This bill bans the sale or use of so-called "grinch bots" designed to automatically make purchases from websites, often in excess of quantity limitations, disguise the identity of the purchaser, or avoid security measures. These "bots" often make online retail purchases online faster and in larger quantities than a user would be able to, usually intended to allow resale of the items at a profit. Oppose is Moms for America's position as the private sector - certainly not state government - is best equipped to handle and create counter-measures for issues surrounding "bots". If issues surrounding "bots" do reach a level where there is a role for government involvement (such as to prevent fraud or theft) then the federal government is much better equipped to handle such online threats that may come from individuals in other states or worldwide.

Growing Government Interference in the Private Marketplace through an Overreaching Ban on "Grinch Bots" for Online Sales.

This bill allows individuals who are not alcohol permit or license holders to sell wine to restaurants, provided the wine is at least 20 years old and still sealed. The restaurant may then sell the wine for on-premises consumption. Support is Moms for America's position as this bill expands consumer choice and individual liberties while also removing an unnecessary restriction on alcohol sales.

Expanding Individual Liberties by Allowing Individuals to Sell Sealed 20+ Year Old Wine to Restaurants.

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 Moms for America's position as maintaining strong safeguards against voter fraud are critical aspects of ensuring free and fair elections, an essential component of democracy under our nation's constitutional republic.

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

This bill expands coverage under Medicaid (government-provided healthcare) by directing the Health and Human Services commissioner to adopt rules to cover home telemonitoring services under the state's Medicaid program. Previously, this was optional if the commissioner determined that such coverage would be "cost-effective and feasible." Oppose is Moms for America's position as this bill further traps individuals into government dependency by growing benefits under the government welfare state. The state must pursue every available avenue to reign in its out-of-control spending, as, when coupled with the over $185 trillion federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.

Growing Government Dependency by Expanding the Medicaid Welfare Program to Now Cover Home Telemonitoring Services.

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 Moms for America's position as all individuals holding positions funded by taxpayers should be held accountable and perform their duties to the standards set by the state. This bill serves as a step in the right direction at restoring some accountability at the state's institutions of higher education, which have largely turned into stages promoting radical social and political agendas.

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

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 Moms for America's position as this bill strengthens property rights and helps empower the free market to make housing truly "affordable" by combatting overreaching zoning regulations which significantly drive-up housing costs.

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

This bill amends provisions related to the delivery of precinct election records to add an additional layer of protection against tampering. If the records are not delivered within 24 hours of the polls closing, the Secretary of State is authorized to "supervise the activities necessary to complete the count, prepare the precinct returns, and distribute the records." Previously, the only option was for a district judge to order the records impounded and supervise the count, preparation of returns, and distribution of records. Support is Moms for America's position as maintaining strong safeguards against voter fraud are critical aspects of ensuring free and fair elections, an essential component of democracy under our nation's constitutional republic.

Strengthening Election Integrity Through Increased Oversight of Ballot Collection.

This bill imposes a series of new regulations which are largely designed to prevent property insurance companies from steering their policy holders to select a contractor favored by the insurer to make the repairs. For example, an insurer is now no longer permitted to waive or reduce a deductible if policy holders utilize a contractor favored by the insurer. Oppose is Moms for America's position as this bill further grows the government regulatory state for the purpose of restricting competition. This protectionist measure merely exposes insurers to higher levels of risk and drives up costs for consumers.

Hiking Consumer Property Insurance Costs by Imposing New Protectionist Regulations on Insurance Deductibles.

This bill establishes a new regulatory framework for electric vehicle chargers under the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Under the bill, most electric vehicle chargers made available to the public for a fee must be registered with the state and are subject to inspections, fee disclosures, and maintenance standards. Additionally, the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation is empowered to establish rules and impose fees to cover administrative costs. Oppose is Moms for America's position as this bill further grows government power and the regulatory state. This measure will increase costs to electric vehicle owners as the fees charged by the commission will be passed along in the form of higher rates and surcharges.

Growing Government to Now License and Regulate Electric Vehicle Charging Devices.

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 Moms for America's position as it is a role for taxpayers to fund K-12 education - not advanced degrees for select individuals who decide to pursue higher education. This bill serves as a step in the right direction to protecting taxpayers and reducing politicalization at state colleges and universities.

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

This bill prohibits children under 18 years of age from receiving sex-reassignment procedures or puberty blockers until they reach the age of consent. Support is Moms for America's position as it is a role of government to protect children from abuse and physical harm. Irreversible decisions such as sex-reassignments should not be made until an individual reaches the age of consent.

Protecting Children Under 18 from Sex-Reassignment Surgeries and Prescriptions with Irreversible Implications Until they are Old Enough to Consent.

This resolution amends the state Constitution to declare that parents have "the right to direct the education of the parent's child." The amendment includes specific rights such as choosing an alternative to public education, access to public school curriculum, textbooks, and library materials, and access to their child's student health records. Support is Moms for America's position as strong parental rights in their child's education is a critical element of a free society.

Strengthening the Integrity of the Public Education System by Establishing a Constitutional Right of Parents to "Direct the Education" of Their Child and Providing Parents a Series of Rights.

This bill enacts an Education Savings Account Program, which allows all students who are eligible to enroll in public K-12 or public prekindergarten to receive funding for educational expenses such as tuition at a private school, textbooks, and tutoring. Support is Moms for America's position as this bill improves educational outcomes for all students by fostering competition and a market in education, which encourages schools to provide the best education so they can attract parents to enroll their child and receive the associated funding.

Improving Educational Outcomes by Expanding School Choice Through an Education Savings Account Program.

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 Moms for America's position as strong parental rights in education are critical to a free society. Parents, not government employees, should be the ones to make decisions over the types and degree of sensitive material that their child views.

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

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 Moms for America's position as colleges and universities should be focused on educating and preparing students for careers, not advancing social and political agendas.

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 Moms for America's position as the promotion of an open-border immigration system places an immense strain on U.S. infrastructure and taxpayer resources, ranging from welfare to the education system, while also creating serious national security and human trafficking issues. Lawmakers should focus on growing the U.S. economy through reforms to the immigration system that both increase the number of skilled individuals who may enter and work in our country and reduce human trafficking across our borders.