Brandon Creighton

This bill increases the penalty for tampering with a retail gas pump to steal fuel by making it a felony of the third degree. The bill is largely in response to organized criminal groups which have figured out how to disrupt fuel dispenser pulsers and as a result gain unlimited access to fuel. Support is the Limited Government Position as protecting property rights and ensuring public safety serve as essential components of government. Unfortunately, this bill is especially necessary due to many so-called criminal justice "reforms" which have led to skyrocketing crime rates and are being advanced in state legislatures by George Soros and other radical-left billionaires through their funding of advocacy organizations on both sides of the political aisle.

Strengthening Law and Order by Increasing Penalties for Tampering with a Gas Pump to Steal Fuel.

This bill allows public higher education institutions (state colleges and universities) to adopt policies which allow for the termination of tenured faculty for reasons such as "professional incompetence" or "conduct involving moral turpitude". Support is the Limited Government Position as all individuals holding positions funded by taxpayers should be held accountable and perform their duties to the standards set by the state. This bill serves as a step in the right direction at restoring some accountability at the state's institutions of higher education, which have largely turned into stages promoting radical social and political agendas.

Ensuring Colleges and Universities can Remove Poor-Performing Professors by Restricting the Use of Tenure.

This bill imposes a series of new regulations which are largely designed to prevent property insurance companies from steering their policy holders to select a contractor favored by the insurer to make the repairs. For example, an insurer is now no longer permitted to waive or reduce a deductible if policy holders utilize a contractor favored by the insurer. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill further grows the government regulatory state for the purpose of restricting competition. This protectionist measure merely exposes insurers to higher levels of risk and drives up costs for consumers.

Hiking Consumer Property Insurance Costs by Imposing New Protectionist Regulations on Insurance Deductibles.

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 Limited Government Position as this bill will help improve the state's legal and business climate by making the legal process more efficient, reducing legal expenses for businesses, and also cut the caseload on other courts.

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

This bill bans the sale or use of so-called "grinch bots" designed to automatically make purchases from websites, often in excess of quantity limitations, disguise the identity of the purchaser, or avoid security measures. These "bots" often make online retail purchases online faster and in larger quantities than a user would be able to, usually intended to allow resale of the items at a profit. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the private sector - certainly not state government - is best equipped to handle and create counter-measures for issues surrounding "bots". If issues surrounding "bots" do reach a level where there is a role for government involvement (such as to prevent fraud or theft) then the federal government is much better equipped to handle such online threats that may come from individuals in other states or worldwide.

Growing Government Interference in the Private Marketplace through an Overreaching Ban on "Grinch Bots" for Online Sales.

This bill creates both the "Texas Space Commission" and the Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium to promote innovation in the space, aeronautics, and aviation industry. The new entities are expected to require the hiring of at least 10 additional state employees at an estimated cost of $3.4 million over the next two years. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the federal government (National Aeronautics and Space Administration already spends tens of billions of dollars advancing innovation in this field. This new entity is not only unnecessary but will likely enrich select government-favored entities and further distort the private sector and free marketplace. The state must pursue every available avenue to reign in its out-of-control spending, which, when coupled with the over $185 trillion federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.

Growing Government Bureaucracy and Wasteful Spending through the Creation of the Texas Space Commission and the Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium.

This bill allows retired judges who have a handgun license to carry a firearm into restricted places, such as courthouses, schools, and polling locations. Support is the Limited Government Position as disarming individuals through pointless "gun control" measures merely make law-abiding citizens targets to criminals who do not abide by the law. And while all law-abiding individuals should be permitted to exercise their Second Amendment rights and defend themselves in these locations, this bill serves as a step in the right direction in helping protect individuals who may be at elevated safety risks.

Strengthening Self-Defense and Public Safety by Authorizing Retired Judges to Carry a Firearm into Courthouses and Other Restricted Places.

This bill, the Property Tax Relief Act, contains several provisions related to property taxes. Most notably, the bill increases the homestead property tax exemption from $40,000 to $100,000. Additionally, the bill enacts a "circuit breaker" provision on the appraised value of real property other than a residence homestead. As a result, the appraised market value of a property is limited to a 1-year increase of 20% plus any new improvements. Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill provides broad property tax relief to homeowners. All state and local tax codes should be constructed in a broadly applied manner with as low of rates as possible for everyone.

Providing Property Tax Relief to Homeowners by Raising the Homestead Exemption to $100,000.

This resolution amends the state Constitution to declare that parents have "the right to direct the education of the parent's child." The amendment includes specific rights such as choosing an alternative to public education, access to public school curriculum, textbooks, and library materials, and access to their child's student health records. Support is the Limited Government Position as strong parental rights in their child's education is a critical element of a free society.

Strengthening the Integrity of the Public Education System by Establishing a Constitutional Right of Parents to "Direct the Education" of Their Child and Providing Parents a Series of Rights.

This bill provides that a person who sells or leases a vehicle weighing at least 6,000 lbs. is not liable for not retrofitting the vehicle with equipment, or selecting certain equipment, that was not required under federal regulations when the vehicle was manufactured or sold. Support is the Limited Government Position as this measure helps protect against frivolous litigation devised by ambulance chasing plaintiffs' attorneys which ultimately drives up costs for businesses and consumers.

Protecting Truck Rental Companies from Frivolous Litigation for Not Retrofitting Trucks with Safety Equipment Upon their Sale.

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 Limited Government Position as like Obamacare and mandates on health insurance, this measure infringes the right for consumers to select less costly insurance offerings. This bill is largely designed to enrich vehicle repair facilities at the expense of higher insurance premiums for owners of newer vehicles.

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

This bill exempts multiple products from the state's sales and use tax, including diapers, feminine hygiene products, maternity clothing, breast milk pumping products, and baby bottles. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as all state and local tax codes should be constructed in a broadly applied manner with as low of rates as possible for everyone. While well intentioned, this measure ultimately dilutes the tax base and shifts tax burdens onto other products and individuals not favored by government. Instead of merely engaging in tax cronyism, lawmakers should work to make all products more affordable for consumers by significantly cutting government spending.

Diluting the Tax Base and Shifting Tax Burdens onto other Products and Individuals through Special Sales Tax Exemptions for Tampons, Menstrual Products and Baby Items.

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 Limited Government Position as this bill provides significant regulatory relief to motorists by no longer being burdened to take their vehicle in for inspection and sometimes sold to perform unnecessary repairs. This bill also helps drive "automotive freedom" by reducing a significant burden for owners of multiple collector vehicles and the likelihood of damage due to the inspection process.

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

This bill directs the PublicUtilityCommission 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 Limited Government Position as this bill unnecessarily drives up electricity costs for families and businesses in order to advance a politicized environmental and climate change agenda.

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

This bill contains several provisions related to the release of individuals charged with felonies. Most significantly, the bill prohibits the release of a defendant on their own recognizance (no bond required) if they are charged with certain offenses, such as manufacture or delivery of fentanyl, terroristic threats, or unlawful possession of a firearm. Additionally, a magistrate may not release a defendant charged with a felony unless the defendant appears before the magistrate and the magistrate has considered the public safety report, which includes the defendant's criminal history. The bill also allows prosecutors to appeal a bail amount as being insufficient if a defendant is charged with a felony and is already out on bail for another pending felony. Support is the Limited Government Position as ensuring public safety and protecting property rights serve as essential components of government. Unfortunately, this bill is especially necessary due to many so-called criminal justice "reforms" which have led to skyrocketing crime rates and are being advanced in state legislatures by radical-left billionaires through their funding of advocacy organizations on both sides of the political aisle.

Strengthening Law and Order by Ensuring Bail is Imposed for Most Felony Offenses.

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 Limited Government Position as 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.

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

This bill, the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation Act, provides select businesses which meet certain investment thresholds and job requirements with property tax exemptions. Under the bill, businesses will receive tax exemptions ranging between 50% and 75% for a period of 10 years, and a 100% tax exemption during the construction phase. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as all state and local tax codes should be constructed in a broadly applied manner with as low of rates as possible for everyone. This and other tax cronyism schemes merely dilute the tax base which results in higher taxes on all other individuals and products to make up for the lost revenue. The free market (by lowering taxes for all businesses) can provide much greater returns on investment than this central planning by politicians.

Expanding Cronyism and Enriching Government-Favored Corporations through a New Property Tax Exemption Scheme.

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. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this government intrusion into the private sector infringes the freedom of dealerships to set their own sales policies. Ultimately, these price controls drive up consumer costs by limiting the ability of dealerships to offer discounts and incentives. Texas joins only Massachusetts (arguably the most liberal legislature in the nation) in introducing these new government mandates.

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

This bill prohibits home-rule municipalities from submitting any climate change charter to voters for approval unless the charter has been approved by the state legislature. This includes any rule or policy statement related to climate change or environmental impact. Support is the Limited Government Position as a number of state and local governments across the country have imposed "clean energy" mandates on utility companies which unnecessarily drive-up consumer costs in order to advance a politized environmental agenda. While some may argue this bill undermines "local control", our founding fathers only recognized three entities within the U.S. Constitution - federal government, state government, and the individual. It is not the role for any level of government to unduly infringe the rights of individuals, therefore making preemption measures, such as this bill, necessary.

Protecting Texans from Politicized Climate Change Agendas by Requiring Municipal Charters on Climate Change be Adopted by the Legislature.

This bill contains a major provision which requires taxpayers to fund "expanded access to broadband services in economically distressed communities". The new spending will unlock additional funds under the federal "Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program" and is expected to provide significant new revenue to Comcast which lobbied for the bill. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the private sector and free market are best equipped to determine where broadband is most needed and which expansion projects are most economically viable. This measure forces taxpayers to enrich woke corporations such as Comcast for infrastructure which may soon be unnecessary due to significant advances in satellite technology from Comcast's competitors such as Elon Musk's Starlink.

Enriching Comcast and other Woke Corporations by Forcing Taxpayers to Provide "Broadband Equity" through a Government Central Planning Scheme.

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 Limited Government Position as this bill serves as an unnecessary employment barrier primarily designed to restrict competition and enrich institutions which provide dietician education and training. Ultimately, the private sector, via certifications, rating systems, and the free market, is much better equipped to provide consumer protection while also ensuring competition and low consumer costs.

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

This bill requires all individuals who provide ridesharing services (through companies such as Uber and Lyft) to undergo annual training on human trafficking awareness and prevention. The training materials provided by rideshare companies must meet a long list of requirements and be approved by the Attorney General. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as while human trafficking is certainly a tragedy which society should work to combat, the solution is not the further expansion of the government regulatory state and imposition of new mandates and costs onto the private sector. A much more laudable approach is for the private sector and companies within to invest and establish their own individual procedures to solve societal problems as opposed to the imposition of one-size-fits all government mandates.

Expanding Government Overreach through New Annual Mandates on Ridesharing Drivers Pertaining to Human Trafficking Training.

This bill provides legal protection from the state's animal cruelty law to individuals participating in the "Trap-Neuter-Release" program. Under the program, stray cats are trapped, evaluated by a veterinarian, vaccinated and sterilized, marked, and then returned to the wild. The program helps humanely control the pet population and reduce the euthanasia of animals. Support is the Limited Government Position as this measure helps empower the private sector to improve the well-being of animals and control the pet population. The program has proven extremely effective and prevented the euthanasia of tens of thousands of animals.

Empowering the Private Sector to Help Humanely Control the Pet Population by Providing Legal Protection for the "Trap-Neuter-Release" Program.

This bill provides rideshare companies (such as Uber and Lyft) with legal immunity from any harm or injury caused by a driver, provided the company has followed all applicable laws, unless a person can show gross negligence by "clear and convincing evidence." Support is the Limited Government Position as protecting business operators from frivolous litigation due to factors outside of their control is critical to ensuring their operation and maintaining low consumer costs.

Reducing Frivolous Litigation by Providing Liability Protections to Rideshare Companies.

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 Limited Government Position as protecting property rights and ensuring public safety serve as essential components of government. Unfortunately, this measure is especially necessary considering the rising crime rates that have resulted from catch-and-release "criminal justice reform" policies which are being advanced in state legislatures by George Soros and other radical-left billionaires through their funding of advocacy organizations on both sides of the political aisle.

Increasing Public Safety by Providing for the Removal of "Reform-Minded" Judges Who Promote Lawlessness by Persistently Failing to Impose Bail.

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 Limited Government Position as ensuring public safety and protecting property rights serve as essential components of government. Unfortunately, this bill is necessary to combat many of the so-called criminal justice "reforms" which have led to skyrocketing crime rates and are being advanced in state legislatures by George Soros and other radical-left billionaires through their funding of advocacy organizations on both sides of the political aisle.

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

This bill prohibits local governments from imposing any additional regulations which restrict or delay eviction proceedings. Support is the Limited Government Position as eviction moratoriums and other actions which prevent landlords from reclaiming their property due to tenant non-payment or lease violation restrictions ultimately drive-up rental costs for everyone by exposing landlords to additional risk and expense.

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

This bill places certain limitations on the ability of cities to limit the height of buildings. The bill applies to highly populated cities such as Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin and Forth Worth and only in cases where buildings are at least 50 feet from a lot line. Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill strengthens property rights and helps empower the free market to make housing truly "affordable" by combatting overreaching zoning regulations which significantly drive-up housing costs.

Strengthening Property Rights by Limiting Certain Overreaching Building Height Restrictions Imposed in Densely Populated Areas.

This bill allows property owners who are required to pay municipal ad valorem taxes to file a complaint if the municipality is not providing any required services, such as police, fire, EMS, trash collection, and water service. A municipality must reply within 60 days and if not providing the services, provide a plan of action to do so. If the municipality continues to fail to provide services, a court may order an election allowing the property owners in the effected area to decide whether to disannex from the municipality. This bill comes after the city of Austin has failed to provide services to certain residents on Lake Austin, despite those residents paying municipal taxes. Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill strengthens government accountability and helps ensure that property owners are protected from being taxed for services which they are not being provided.

Protecting Property Owners from being Taxed by Municipalities for Services which they Are Not Provided.

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 Limited Government Position as this measure represents one of the worst examples of cronyism and utilization of government power to stifle competition. This protectionism merely enriches select businesses and prevents the free market from expanding competition and lowering costs for consumers.

Expanding Government Power to Shutdown Competition within the Optometry Industry.

This bill provides greater legal clarity to ensure doctors can prescribe certain off-label drugs without facing any disciplinary actions from the state's professional licensing board. The bill is largely in response to physicians prescribing hydroxychloroquine sulfate and ivermectin to treat COVID-19 infections. Support is the Limited Government Position as there have been countless reported cases of hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin being effective in treating COVID-19, even though they haven't been approved by the FDA. Additionally, considering the low level of associated risks and side effects of the drugs within this measure, patients and their doctors should have the freedom to make their own medical decisions.

Strengthening Medical Freedom by Preventing Licensing Boards from Taking Actions Against Doctors for Prescribing Off-Label Drugs to Treat Conditions Such as COVID-19.

This bill serves as the enabling legislation for constitutional amendment HJR 3. Through this bill and the constitutional amendment, a $3.4 billion research endowment is created for Texas State University, Texas Tech University, the University of Houston and the University of North Texas. The funds for the bill will come from the state's Economic Stabilization Fund, commonly referred to as the "rainy day" fund. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as any excessive monies within the state's rainy-day fund should be returned to taxpayers through tax cuts, not woke universities. While it is a necessary role for government to provide quality K-12 education - ideally through school choice - college and university-level education should be funded through user fees (i.e. tuition) by those who wish to pursue their selected career path. These enormous costs should not be imposed on individuals who elect to pursue activities other than higher education, such as those who start their own businesses or work in the trades.

Raiding the State's Rainy Day Fund to Channel over $3.4 Billion in Additional Funding to Woke Universities.

This bill is largely targeted towards online providers of clear orthodontic aligners such as SmileDirectClub. Under the bill, clear aligners (which are similar to braces) are now classified as a "medical device" and can't be provided to an individual unless they undergo an in-person examination by a dentist, receive dental x-rays, and are provided a prescription for their usage by a dentist. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this measure represents one of the worst examples of cronyism and utilization of government power to stifle competition under the guise of "consumer protection". This protectionism merely enriches orthodontists and dentists and prevents the free market from expanding competition and lowering costs for consumers. Unfortunately, perhaps due to similar attacks in other states, SmileDirectClub was forced into bankruptcy and shutdown on December 21, 2023.

Expanding Government Power in the Orthodontics Industry to Shutdown Competition by Online Providers of "Clear Aligners" such as SmileDirectClub.

This bill requires the results of early in-person voting to be printed immediately upon the closure of polls on election day. While this action is already required under previous law for in-person voting on election day, the bill is designed to provide clarity that the law also applies to the early voting results as well. Support is the Limited Government Position as maintaining strong safeguards against voter fraud are critical aspects of ensuring free and fair elections, an essential component of democracy under our nation's constitutional republic.

Strengthening Election Integrity by Requiring the Result of Early In-Person Voting to be Printed Immediately Upon the Closure of Polls on Election Day.

This bill prohibits public institutions of higher education (colleges and universities) from funding or operating any Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Office. Furthermore, the bill bans institutions from conducting diversity trainings or asking prospective job applicants to provide diversity statements. Support is the Limited Government Position as it is a role for taxpayers to fund K-12 education - not advanced degrees for select individuals who decide to pursue higher education. This bill serves as a step in the right direction to protecting taxpayers and reducing politicalization at state colleges and universities.

ILA

Brandon Creighton