Legislative Accomplishments: Consumer Privacy & Fighting Antisemitism

This is my third installment on accomplishments in the recent Texas legislative session that adjourned May 31^st.  Much good work has been overlooked.  However, there was also much left undone.  So, when I finish this series, I’ll layout some things I believe the Texas Legislature must accomplish in the special sessions coming later this summer and early fall.

I was excited to carry SB 15 and HB 3257 in the House.  Both pieces of legislation are very critical victories for Texans and even garnered bipartisan support.

SB 15 – Consumer Privacy 

Tired of getting call after call from telemarketers?  This legislation creates new protections for Texans’ personal information contained in the state’s motor vehicle and drivers license records.  SB15 prohibits the unregulated sale of personal information for marketing and should greatly curtail pesky robocalls—-like those on your “extended car warranty.”   

HB 3257 – Fighting Antisemitism 

Texas must lead the nation in combating antisemitism at this very critical time.  Recently, Facebook shut down the Jerusalem Prayer Team page after it was flooded with antisemitic content during the rocket attacks in Israel.  Attacks on Jews and Jewish institutions are now commonly in the news.  HB 3257 adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition on antisemitism for Texas and creates a nine member commission to inform and guide the Legislature on how to combat antisemitism, as well as educate and raise awareness of the Holocaust. 

I’ll continue this series with another installment in just a few days.