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Published: Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Written by Gerald Livingston

There were a lot of new laws enacted during the 2013 legislative session. Most of which would be of little interest to the average individual, but some of them are interesting.

Bills proposed to universally band cell phones while driving were defeated, but under House Bill 347, the current ban with respect to the use of cell phones within a school zone has been extended to include all school property, including carpool lanes and parking lots. Watch out folks you and your youngsters might get into trouble especially if you are caught talking or texting on school property. It would get you in trouble with the law.

Gun rights conservative did not pass their highest priority bill, authorizing concealed handgun license holders to carry their handguns on public colleage campuses, but under Sentate Bill 1907 license holders re now permitted to store their firearms in their located cars when they park on campus, notwithstanding a university's wish to ban weapons outright. This legal permission does not apply to public school, but only to colleages and universities.

Students, teachers, and staff members at Texas public schools are now expressly authorized by House Bill 308 to display "symbols associated iwth traditional holiday celebrations" and to use "traditional holiday greetings" like "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Hanukkah." This probably means one can pass out striped candy canes.

House Bill 1862 makes switchblades legal in Texas for the first time since 1959. This does not apply to minors.

House Bill 912 prohibits Texans from flying their unmanned aerial drones over other Texan's private property to video or photographs them.

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