Christian Employers Alliance

Eddie Morales

This bill prohibits any state agency from assisting in the enforcement of any federal law or regulation on oil and gas operations unless such action is aligned with state regulation. Support is the CEA Position as Proverbs 29:2 - "When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan."

Protecting the Oil and Gas Industry from Overreaching Federal Climate Change and Environmental Regulations.

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 creates the Texas Energy Efficiency Council within the Public Utilities Commission to, among other purposes, "provide a statewide collaborative approach to promoting energy efficiency" and "make recommendations for improving energy efficiency programs." The bill also has the potential to advance future mandates on property owners, like those passed under SB 2453 this session. 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." 

Expanding Government and Paving the Way for Additional Energy Efficiency Mandates through the Creation of a Texas Energy Efficiency Council.

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 provides $100 million in funding to establish a new state border policing unit made up of commissioned peace officers. Funding is also directed to a number of initiatives designed to boost border security such as detention facility upgrades, temporary border barriers and compensation to certain property owners impacted. Support is the CEA Position as Romans 13:1-4 - “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”

Strengthening National Security and Helping to Combat Illegal Immigration and Human Trafficking Through Additional Border Security Funding and Property Owner Compensation.

The Reynolds amendment #16 to a bill prohibiting children under 18 years of age from receiving sex-reassignment procedures or puberty blockers until they reach the age of consent. The amendment requires the Health and Human Services Commission to contract with local mental health authorities and local behavioral health authorities to provide and pay all costs for mental health services to children who were already receiving treatment or are diagnosed with severe gender dysphoria and prohibited from receiving these procedures. Oppose 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."

Forcing Taxpayers to Provide Mental Health Services to Children Facing "Gender Dysphoria".

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 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.

The Tinderholt amendment #1 to a bill prohibiting public colleges and universities from establishing a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) office. The amendment eliminates language in the bill which forces public institutions to make efforts to reassign employees whose positions will be eliminated due to the bill's prohibition on DEI offices. The amendment also eliminates the requirement that the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board conduct an annual study on the impact of the bill on students, broken down by categories such as race, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Support is the CEA Position as Galatians 3:28 - “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Fighting Back Against Efforts Designed to Weaken the DEI Bill by Forcing Taxpayers to Fund DEI Studies, Retaining DEI Employees, and Delaying Implementation of the Bill.

This bill primarily targets a business model within the optometry industry which has been deployed by Visionworks of America, which is owned by an insurance company called Vision Services Plan (VSP) Insurance Co. The bill prevents VSP from incentivizing its enrollees to utilize the optometry company it owns (Visionworks) through the offering of discounts or other value-added benefits. Other optometry companies have alleged that since VSP owns its own optometry company and can "steer patients" it is provided an unfair competitive advantage in the industry. Oppose 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.

Expanding Government Power to Shutdown Competition within the Optometry Industry.

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, the Music Therapist Licensing Act, requires anyone who wishes to provide "music therapy services" in the state to become licensed, pay a fee, hold a bachelor's degree, and obtain a national certification. The license must be renewed every two years. 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." 

Imposing a Draconian New Licensing Regime on "Music Therapists" which Increases Employment Barriers and Restricts Competition.

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 the CEA Position as Luke 22:36 - “He said to them, ‘But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.’”

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

This bill requires homeowner's, renter's, and condominium owner's insurance policies that include replacement cost coverage to pay 80% of the repair or replacement cost of a claim upfront, minus the deductible. Once documentation is provided showing that the repair or replacement is complete, and any deductible has been paid, the remaining balance is to be paid. While there is a role of government to protect individuals from fraudulent practices, this overreach significantly adds to the already overregulation of the insurance industry, limiting policy options and driving up costs for both businesses and consumers. Oppose is the CEA Position as Matthew 20:13-15 - “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’”

Growing Government Regulation of Property Insurance Through a New Mandate Requiring Payment of 80% of Replacement Value Up Front.

This bill initiates a large release of prisoners within the state correctional system by significantly shortening the sentences of prisoners who committed violent crimes when they were under the age of 18. Under the bill, prisoners who committed first degree felonies as a juvenile must now only serve a quarter of their sentence or 15 years (whichever is shorter) and prisoners who committed capital offenses (sentenced to life in prison) must now only serve 20 years before being eligible for parole. Additionally, the bill establishes certain factors parole boards must consider that are expected to result in earlier releases such as "greater capacity of juveniles for change, as compared to that of adults". Oppose 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.”

Threatening Public Safety through a Mass Jailbreak for Prisoners who Committed Murder and other Violent Crimes as Juveniles.

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 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 creates an additional alternative pathway for electricians to obtain an occupational license. Under the bill, an aspiring electrician may complete a career and technology education program as opposed to the 4,000 hours of training otherwise required. These programs can be offered by public or private schools and colleges and universities. 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.

Reducing Employment Barriers and Expanding Competition through an Alternative Licensing Pathway for Electricians.

The Bryant amendment #3 to a bill relating to teacher retirement benefits. This amendment increases the cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) by an additional 4%. For example, a retired teacher who would receive a 6% COLA under the bill, would now receive a 10% COLA. Oppose is the CEA Position as Luke 22:25 - "Jesus said to them, 'The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors.

Worsening Texas' Unfunded Pension Crisis by Providing Even Greater Unpromised Payouts to Beneficiaries.

This resolution amends the state constitution to authorize counties to grant property tax exemptions to physicians who provide services to indigent patients. The tax exemption may cover up to 50% of the assessed value of a physician's homestead. Oppose is the CEA Position as 1 Samuel 8:10-18 - "He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants... You will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, but the Lord will not answer you in that day."

Increasing Tax Burdens on other Property Owners through a Crony Carveout Providing Physicians a Tax Exemption if they Provide Indigent Services.

This bill reduces regulatory barriers to now allow health insurance companies to incentivize their enrollees to utilize select healthcare providers based on quality and cost. This includes offering enrollees lower deductibles, co-payments or coinsurance. Support is the CEA Position as Luke 10:34-35 - “He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.

Lowering Healthcare Costs by Allowing Insurers to Offer Incentives which Steer their Enrollees towards Providers based on Quality and Cost.

This bill, the Texas Regulatory Consistency Act, prohibits local governments across the state from imposing additional regulations in various fields already regulated at the state level, such as agriculture, labor, and property. The bill also prohibits local governments from enacting any ordinance or rule that conflicts with state law. Support 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."  

Combatting Government Overreach by Prohibiting Local Governments from Imposing Additional Regulations on Certain Sectors.

This bill, the Fiscal Years 2024-2025 Operating Budget, represents a 21.3% increase over the prior budget, and the largest in state history. Some of the major new and increased spending initiatives within the bill include $1 billion for land acquisition for parks (3603.7% increase over the $27 million appropriated in the previous budget), an additional $100 million for the Texas Water Development Board Economically Distressed Areas Program, and $45.9 billion for business and economic development (25.8% increase). Oppose is the CEA Position as 1 Samuel 8:10-18 - "He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants... You will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, but the Lord will not answer you in that day." Democratic lawmakers who opposed the bill for not containing even greater levels of spending were recording as opposing the Biblically-Based Position.

Fueling Out-of-Control Spending Through a $321.3 Billion Budget (21.3% Increase) with Countless Provisions that Further Grow the Size and Scope of Government.

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