By: Olcott H.B. No. 1281
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the jurisdiction and enforcement of certain policies of
certain international organizations.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Title 1, Government Code, is amended by adding
Chapter 3 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 3. INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Sec. 3.001. LIMITATION ON JURISDICTION OF CERTAIN
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS. The World Health Organization, the
United Nations, and the World Economic Forum have no jurisdiction
in this state.
Sec. 3.002. ENFORCEMENT OF CERTAIN RULES OF INTERNATIONAL
ORGANIZATIONS PROHIBITED. (a) This section applies to:
(1) this state, including an agency, department,
commission, bureau, board, office, council, court, or other entity
that is in any branch of state government and that is created by the
constitution or a statute of this state, including a university
system or a system of higher education;
(2) the governing body of a municipality, county, or
special district or authority;
(3) an officer or employee of, or an entity that is
part of, a municipality, county, or special district or authority,
including a sheriff, municipal police department, municipal
attorney, or county attorney; and
(4) a district attorney or criminal district attorney.
(b) Notwithstanding any other law, a person to which this
section applies may not enforce any rule, fee, tax, policy, or
mandate of the World Health Organization, the United Nations, or
the World Economic Forum.
Sec. 3.003. COMPLAINT; ATTORNEY GENERAL ACTION. (a) Any
person residing in the jurisdiction of an entity described by
Section 3.002(a) may file a complaint with the attorney general if
the person offers evidence to support an allegation that the entity
has violated Section 3.002(b). The person must include with the
complaint any evidence the person has in support of the complaint.
(b) If the attorney general determines that a complaint
filed under Subsection (a) against an entity described by Section
3.002(a) is valid, to compel the entity's compliance with Section
3.002(b), the attorney general may file a petition for a writ of
mandamus or apply for other appropriate equitable relief in a
district court in Travis County or in a county in which the
principal office of the entity is located. The attorney general may
recover reasonable expenses incurred in obtaining relief under this
subsection, including court costs, reasonable attorney's fees,
investigative costs, witness fees, and deposition costs.
(c) An appeal of a suit brought under Subsection (b) is
governed by the procedures for accelerated appeals in civil cases
under the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure. The appellate court
shall render its final order or judgment with the least possible
delay.
SECTION 2. 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, 2025.