2023S0156-T 02/15/23
By: Lozano H.B. No. 3718
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the authority of the presiding officer of the governing
body of a political subdivision to issue an order closing a business
in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 418, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 184.1086 is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 418.1086. BAN ON COVID-19-RELATED BUSINESS CLOSURES OR
LIMITATIONS. The governing body of a political subdivision or its
presiding officer shall not issue an order, enact an ordinance, or
take any other action having the force and effect of law that would
limit or prohibit any business activity or services in response to
the COVID-19 pandemic.
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to an order issued on or after the effective date of this Act. An
order issued before the effective date of this Act is governed by
the law in effect on the date the order was issued, and the former
law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2023.