AUSTIN, Texas (KBTX) -With six weeks left in the regular session, Texas lawmakers are advancing a slate of proposals aimed at public safety, business regulation, and transportation accountability.
One bill drawing attention is House Bill 2844, authored by Rep. Brooks Landgraf, R-Odessa. The measure would establish a statewide licensing system for mobile food vendors, eliminating the need for businesses to obtain separate permits in each city or county.
“I mean, healthy is healthy regardless of whether you’re in Brazos County or Ector County or Midland County,” Landgraf said. “And so we can have one statewide standard for health and safety permits for mobile food trucks. Why not just have one that can be used everywhere, and that way you don’t have to jump through those hoops?”
Landgraf said the change would help small business owners and reduce unnecessary regulation.
Another bill up for public hearing Tuesday is House Bill 5509, which would allow cities to suspend or revoke the occupancy permits of hotels or motels suspected of human trafficking. Under the proposal, a certificate of occupancy could be pulled if local officials have reasonable cause or receive notice from law enforcement of an investigation tied to trafficking offenses.
Lawmakers are also considering House Bill 4207, aimed at penalizing railway companies that block crossings for extended periods of time. The bill would prohibit trains from obstructing public roadways for more than 30 minutes and impose civil fines up to $10,000 per hour for violations.
Supporters say the measure is necessary to ensure access for emergency vehicles and prevent traffic delays in rural communities.
Meanwhile, Senate Bill 1262 continues to move on the Senate floor. The proposal would expand the Texas Education Agency’s authority to include commissioning peace officers for school safety purposes. It also mandates annual school safety audits, increases oversight of emergency preparedness at extracurricular events, and requires biannual safety meetings with county sheriffs.
Kayla Sigue, a Leander ISD student and founder of the Texas Student Council on School Safety, recently testified in support of the measure, urging lawmakers to consider the mental health impacts of school threats.
“Students shouldn’t have to sit in classrooms checking the locks and doors and mentally mapping out escape routes, wondering if help will come,” Sigue said. “I believe that every high school student in Texas has the right to our education, free from the worry of active shooter violence in schools.”
The regular legislative session ends Monday, June 2.
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