Christian Employers Alliance

Josey Garcia

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 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 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 requires localities to review the costs, benefits, and risks of their existing zoning regulations, building codes, development permits, and other land regulations. Localities are required to hold a public hearing and must repeal or amend certain regulations that interfere with new housing construction or existing housing development. Additionally, before adopting or modifying a land development regulation, localities must issue an impact statement analyzing the effects of the regulation. The regulation may only be modified or adopted if, among other requirements, the regulation does not negatively impact housing costs. Support is the CEA Position as Proverbs 29:2 - "When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan."

Combatting Government Overreach by Requiring Localities to Review their Zoning Rules to Reduce Regulatory Burdens.

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.

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 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.

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.

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 resolution amends the state constitution to prohibit the legislature from imposing any tax based on the wealth or net worth of an individual or family. Support 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.

Protecting Economic Growth through a Constitutional Amendment Prohibiting Implementation of any "Wealth Tax".

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 the CEA Position as Proverbs 29:2 - "When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan."

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

This bill changes the way the "no-new-revenue tax rate" is calculated by referencing the Texas Education Code. This new calculation will result in a higher rate (ultimately higher taxes) by including other funding within the formula. Oppose is the CEA Position as Luke 16:10-11 - "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?"

Hiking Property Taxes by Gaming the Calculation of the "No-New Revenue" Property Tax Rate.

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 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 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, 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.

This bill allows most businesses subject to state licensing requirements to sue localities to prevent the enforcement of local regulations that are more stringent than state regulations or that can be shown to "result in an adverse economic impact." Support is the CEA Position as Exodus 1:17 - "The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live.

Protecting Against Overreaching Local Regulations by Allowing Businesses to Sue to Block Enforcement.

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 prohibits localities from requiring property owners to pay a "tree mitigation fee" in order to remove an Ashe juniper tree on their property. The bill also ensures that localities can't impose any ban which prevents the removal of the tree. 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.

Strengthening Property Rights by Allowing the Removal of Ashe Juniper Trees Without Property Owners being Forced to Pay into a Tree Fund.

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 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.”

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

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 authorizes a greater range of local taxing entities to provide tax freezes for seniors or individuals with disabilities. Previous law only provided school districts, counties, municipalities and junior college districts with the ability to provide a freeze, while this bill expands the authority to all local taxing units. Oppose is the CEA Position as Proverbs 10:4 - “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.”

Increasing Property Tax Burdens by Implementing a "Freeze" for Certain Older Individuals which Merely Shifts Burdens onto other Property Owners and Masks Underlying Spending Problems.

This bill provides that businesses with revenue up to $2.47 million are not required to pay any franchise tax (previously $1 million). Additionally, those businesses are no longer required to file a tax information report. Support 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."

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