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Yearly Archives: 2021

Constitutional Carry Comes to Texas

By Byron L. Brown |

Independence Day weekend seems like a fitting time to write about a new freedom to be enjoyed by Texans—constitutional carry. The Firearm Carry Act of 2021 becomes effective on September 1, 2021, authorizing most individuals over the age of 21 to carry a handgun without a license. So-called “constitutional” or “permitless” carry may seem… Read More »

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Texas Bans Camping in Public Places

By Brandon Morris |

In recent years, many cities across the country have seen a surge in homeless populations. It is not uncommon to see a tent-city within a city, as many displaced individuals have taken to camping in public places. In large cities across the U.S., small encampments can be seen along public rights of way, under… Read More »

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Abbott’s Border Promise

By Megan J. Mikutis |

Earlier this month, Governor Greg Abbott revealed a new plan to revitalize the campaign promise of former President Donald Trump to build a wall at the Texas-Mexico border. The U.S. Border Patrol and Office of Field Operations has seen a dramatic increase in border encounters with the months of March, April, and May 2021… Read More »

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Community Development Block Grants

By Judith El Masri |

It’s hurricane season here on the Gulf Coast of Texas, and it is unlikely any of us missed NOAA’s prediction of an active hurricane season.   Hurricanes, heavy rain events and flooding are part of living in this part of the U.S. and flooding is a legitimate concern world-wide.  It was announced recently that Houston… Read More »

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What Is This “Funding” Clause and Why Is It Needed?

By Carl R. Allred |

Contracting for goods or services is a normal part of the day-to-day operations of a municipality in Texas. As most City Attorneys already know, there are certain provisions that are required in every contract a municipality in Texas enters into. Some of these provisions can cause confusion and concern for a vendor who is… Read More »

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Rolling in the Deep (Sea)

By Megan J. Mikutis |

As summer heats up, things show up. Recently, news cycles and Facebook feeds seem to have seen an uptick in the number of reports regarding endangered, odd, or record-breaking species being spotted along the country’s rivers and coastlines. Earlier this month, on the Caney Fork River in Tennessee, two friends fly fishing for striped… Read More »

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City Ordinances and Child Safety Zones

By Judith El Masri |

Parenting is a hard job, but most parents do their best to protect their children and keep them safe.  Cities in Texas are interested in the same thing.  Kyle, Texas is in the news because it recently adopted a city ordinance creating child safety zones with an accompanying map of areas prohibiting residency by … Read More »

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HB 3143 and Chapter 312 Tax Abatement Agreements

By Carl R. Allred |

Tax abatement agreements, commonly referred to as 312 agreements, are never easy tasks, and with the recent updates to Chapter 312 of the Texas Tax Code, the job hasn’t gotten any easier. The most notable changes concern notice and public hearing requirements for the 312 agreements and the adoption or updating of the city’s… Read More »

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The Law of the Loo

By Byron L. Brown |

I don’t think about public restrooms much, and I think about the legalities of them even less. However, there have been three specific instances in my life when I have had a reason to assess where the law and the loo intersect. The first was back in my days working retail. I regularly found… Read More »

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When Texting Crosses the Line

By Megan J. Mikutis |

Two Carroll ISD board members charged with violating the Texas Open Meetings Act were indicted by a Tarrant County grand jury for allegedly communicating outside of an authorized meeting. Carroll ISD Board President Michelle Moore and Vice President Todd Carlton face misdemeanor charges of conspiring to circumvent the Texas Open Meetings Act for secret… Read More »

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