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Texas is set to see the enforcement of 30 new state laws starting Jan. 1, 2024. The laws cover a wide range of topics, but some of the most contentious ones pertain to taxes and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in public universities.

Nineteen of the new laws relate to taxes, with two specifically addressing protests with appraisal review boards. On the non-tax side, one significant law is SB17, which bans diversity, equity, and inclusion offices in public universities and prohibits DEI activities and hiring practices.

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a Republican, stated that the legislation was necessary to fight against perceived divisiveness caused by “the woke left” and called for recruitment based on merit and equal opportunity, rather than what he deemed as “arbitrary quotas based on equity.”

Another notable law allows for the creation of a specialty license plate commemorating the 100th anniversary of Texas’s state song, “Texas, Our Texas,” with proceeds from the sale allocated to the state’s general revenue fund.

Other laws include requirements for property owners’ associations to adopt enforcement policies, provisions for youth diversion strategies for non-traffic misdemeanors, and criminalizing the marketing, advertising, or sale of e-cigarettes that depict cartoon-like characters or target minors with celebrity or food-related imagery.

Additionally, SB1780 revises current law to allow for the online notarization by an online notary public of tangible instruments or electronic documents, with specific provisions for the notarization process.

The implementation of these new laws reflects the priorities and concerns of the Texas Legislature, signaling potential changes in various aspects of public life within the state. Supporters view these laws as necessary steps, while others have expressed concerns about their potential impact. As these laws come into effect, their implications and effects will become more apparent in the coming months.

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