Bill > HB5082

This bill establishes strict regulations for municipal and county enforcement of drug laws in Texas, preventing local governments from adopting policies that do not fully enforce state and federal drug laws. The legislation requires that municipalities, counties, and their law enforcement entities cannot create, publish, or enforce any policy, ordinance, charter amendment, or regulation that would reduce drug law enforcement. If an entity is found to violate these provisions, they can be subject to significant civil penalties, starting at $25,000 for a first violation and increasing to $50,000 for subsequent violations. Citizens can file complaints with the attorney general if they believe a local government is not fully enforcing drug laws, and the attorney general can seek legal action to compel compliance. The bill also prohibits local governments from placing items on ballots that would reduce drug law enforcement and allows for civil penalties for such actions. Any civil penalties collected will be deposited into the compensation to victims of crime fund, and sovereign immunity is waived for these specific violations. The legislation effectively ensures that local governments in Texas maintain full compliance with state and federal drug laws, with potential financial consequences for non-compliance.

Government Affairs

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB5082