Christian Employers Alliance

John Whitmire

The bill prevents localities from imposing additional regulations on farmers and ranchers engaging in agricultural operations. Under the bill, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is directed to develop a list of "generally accepted agricultural practices" that do not pose a threat to public health, which cities also may not prohibit or restrict. Support is the CEA Position as Leviticus 25:10 - "Proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; each of you is to return to your family property and to your own clan.”

Protecting Farmers from Government Overreach by Preventing Local Governments from Imposing Additional Regulations on the Agricultural Industry.

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 the CEA Position as 2 Corinthians 9:7 - “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

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

This bill requires all restaurants to display a "food allergen awareness" poster for employees, with the content to be determined by the Department of State Health Services. Additionally, food education and training programs are now required to include food allergy information, and a food manager certificate examination must include this information. Oppose is the CEA Position as Leviticus 25:10 - "Proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants.

Growing the Regulatory State through an Excessive "Food Allergen Awareness" Poster Mandate on all Restaurants and Food Establishments.

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 the CEA Position as Isaiah 10:1-2 - "Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people.

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

This bill requires an aspiring dietician to now obtain a master's degree, register with a national commission, complete an internship or other accepted training program, and undergo examination to work in the profession. Oppose is the CEA Position as Galatians 5:1 - "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." 

Increasing Employment Barriers and Enriching Certain Educational Institutions by Forcing Dieticians to Obtain Masters Degrees.

This bill requires cities to provide written notification of any proposed zoning change which could cause a non-conforming use for a property owner or business. If the owner is required to close or cease operations, they would be entitled to compensation, such as the loss in market value of the property. The bill is, in part, in response to a case where a shingle factory operating for 80 years was forced to shut down without any compensation. Support is the CEA Position as Proverbs 29:2 - "When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan."

Strengthening Property Rights by Protecting Businesses from Local Zoning Changes.

This bill prohibits localities from issuing bonds (debt) to purchase or lease tangible personal property if the property will no longer be useful before the debt matures. According to the bill's sponsor, local debt reached $417 billion in fiscal year 2022. Support is the CEA Position as Haggai 1:6 - "You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it."

Protecting Taxpayers by Prohibiting Localities from Issuing Bonds (Debt) to Purchase Personal Property that has a Lifecycle Expected to Expire Before the Bond Matures.

This bill, the Medical Freedom Act, expands on the state's Right to Try Act passed in 2015, which applied to individuals with terminal illnesses. Under this bill individuals with a severe chronic disease are also given the "right to try" an investigational drug, biological product, or device that has completed phase one of a clinical trial but is not yet approved by the FDA, if certain conditions are met. The bill also provides protections for doctors and manufacturers by providing legal immunity from any harm or injury that results from using the investigational product and ensures doctors can recommend such products without facing any disciplinary actions from the state's professional licensing board. Support is the CEA Position as Luke 8:43-48 - “And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.” 

Strengthening Individual Liberties and Medical Freedom by Providing the "Right to Try" Experimental Drugs to treat Severe Chronic Diseases.

This bill prohibits local governments from imposing any additional regulations which restrict or delay eviction proceedings. Support is the CEA Position as Leviticus 25:10 - "Proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; each of you is to return to your family property and to your own clan.”

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

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 the CEA Position as Psalm 82:3-4 - “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

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

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 the CEA Position as Deuteronomy 16:18-20 - “Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the Lord your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly. Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent.”

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

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. Texas joins only Massachusetts (arguably the most liberal legislature in the nation) in introducing these new government mandates. Oppose is the CEA Position as Leviticus 25:10 - "Proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; each of you is to return to your family property and to your own clan.”

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

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 the CEA Position as Psalm 82:3-4 - “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

Strengthening National Security by Creating an Interstate Compact for Border Security to Help Combat Illegal Immigration and Human Trafficking.

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 the CEA Position as Acts 4:19-20 - “But Peter and John replied, ‘Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to Him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.’”

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 establishes a specialized "Business Court" to hear cases involving certain business transaction and governance matters, with the judges appointed by the Governor. Judges are required to have at least 10 years of experience practicing complex civil business litigation or business transaction law, or as a judge of a court with civil jurisdiction. Support is the CEA Position as Proverbs 25:8 - “Do not bring hastily to court, for what will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame?”

Improving the State's Business Climate by Creating a Specialized Business Court to Hear Cases and Expedite Legal Proceedings.

This bill eliminates the state's mandatory vehicle safety inspection effective January 1, 2025. As a result, car owners will no longer be forced to annually take their vehicle in for an inspection, however a $7.50 annual fee (the current inspection fee) will still be assessed on vehicle owners. Texas was one of only 13 states which required annual vehicle inspections. Support is the CEA Position as Proverbs 29:2 - "When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan."

Providing Significant Regulatory Relief to Car Owners by Eliminating the State's Mandatory Annual Vehicle Safety Inspection.

This bill establishes a new health insurance mandate which requires most Life policies offered in the state, including Medicaid (government-provided welfare), that cover prescription contraceptive drugs to cover a 3-month initial supply and subsequent 12-month supplies of the drugs. 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. Oppose is the CEA Position as 2 Corinthians 9:7 - “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Hiking Health Insurance Premiums by Mandating Insurance Companies Cover a 12-Month Supply of Contraceptive Drugs.

This bill directs the Public Utility Commission to provide a method to establish an "annual energy savings goal" of 1% for each electric utility by 2030. This is in addition to the existing energy efficiency goals and programs. Oppose is the CEA Position as Galatians 5:1 - "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." 

Hiking Electricity Rates by Imposing a 1% Annual Energy Savings Goal by 2030 on all Utility Companies.

This bill imposes a series of new insurance mandates requiring automobile insurance policies offered in the state provide coverage for original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts as opposed to less costly aftermarket parts. The bill applies to all policies covering vehicles 36 months old or newer. Additionally, the bill forbids policies from restricting the repair facility or persons performing repairs. Oppose is the CEA Position as Oppose is the CEA Position as Leviticus 25:10 - "Proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; each of you is to return to your family property and to your own clan.”

Hiking Automobile Insurance Premiums by Imposing New Mandates which Require Usage of OEM Parts for Vehicle Repairs.

This bill provides for the suspension or removal of judges for "persistent or wilful" violations of the laws relating to setting bail. The bill is largely in response to "reform-minded" judges (typically receiving financial support from George Soros) who refuse to impose bail or set it at low levels. Support is the CEA Position as Deuteronomy 16:18-20 - “Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the Lord your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly. Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent.”

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