Monthly Archives: September 2019
Cities in a Storm: How Cities in Texas Prepare for Protests, Disasters and Disturbances
The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” First Amendment rights are held… Read More »
Maintenance Check: Keeping Your City on Schedule for Required Actions
Most people probably know that cars have a maintenance schedule, which includes things such as oil changes and tire rotations, but did you know that cities have a maintenance schedule, too? State law requires cities to review, renew, renegotiate, or otherwise revisit certain things every so often, usually for the sake of government openness… Read More »
Vaping Lounge, Hookah Bar and Tobacco Sales Regulation by City Ordinance
Many Texas cities have ordinances on their books that regulate or even prohibit shops that sell tobacco and tobacco products. Recently, however, new types of shops have popped up, calling themselves “hookah bars” and “vape lounges.” They have become so popular that Governor Greg Abbott recently signed into law a bill that raises the… Read More »
A Growing Problem: Distinguishing Between Hemp and Marijuana under Texas Law
The laws surrounding hemp and marijuana have become increasingly convoluted in recent years. What’s legal in one state isn’t necessarily legal in another. Then last year, President Trump signed the 2018 Farm Bill into law. The bill legalized hemp products federally and gave the primary authority to the individual States to develop State plans… Read More »