Bills going into effect on Sept. 1

The 87^th Texas Legislature passed 666 bills during its session that will go into effect on Sept. 1. Here are some of the most important laws and how they will impact residents. A full list of all the laws can be found at capitol.texas.gov under the reports tab.

HB1927: Firearm Carry Act of 2021

Texans over the age of 21 will be able to legally carry a handgun in public without obtaining a state-issued license. The handgun can be carried openly or concealed.

To legally possess a handgun Texans must not have not been convicted in the previous five years of assault causing bodily injury, deadly conduct, terroristic threats or illegally discharging a firearm in a public place or displaying a firearm in a manner calculated to alarm.

Guns are still prohibited in places like schools, courthouses, bars, hospitals and amusement parks. Private business owners can choose to not allow guns to be carried in their establishments.

Anyone caught carrying a handgun in restricted locations are subject to a Class A misdemeanor or third-degree felony if they refuse to leave after being given a notice.

Texas is the 21^st state to pass a Constitutional Carry law, according to Texas.gunowners.org.

HB1518: Beer/Wine Sales on Sunday

Residents will no longer have to wait until noon to purchase beer and wine in stores on Sundays. The new law amends the Alcoholic Beverage Code to expand the hours stores can sell beer and wine on Sunday to 10 a.m. to midnight. The sale of liquor at stores on Sunday is still prohibited.

The law pairs with HB 1024, which passed on May 12, that permanently allows for alcoholic drinks to be sold with pick-up and delivery orders at restaurants.

SB8: Texas Heartbeat Act

This bill makes it illegal for a doctor to perform or induce an abortion on a pregnant woman if a fetal heartbeat is detected. Doctors are required to test for the heartbeat prior to performing or inducing an abortion and a form certifying the detection of the heartbeat must be filled out.

An exception can be made for a medical emergency but not for rape or incest.

The enforcement of the law will not be made by the state. The new law allows private citizens to sue abortion providers or anyone they think assisted a woman in getting an abortion or terminating a pregnancy.

The penalty for breaking the law is no less than $10,000 plus attorney’s fees.

SB 04: Star Spangled Banner Protection Act

Professional sports teams with contracts with the state of Texas will be required to play the National Anthem prior to all sporting events. Failure to comply could result in the team having to repay any money paid to the team by the state or lose the ability to contract with the state in the future.