Cole Hefner

The Texas House State Affairs Committee held a hearing last Thursday, April 1 on another bill limiting executive overreach. It was HB 1500 by East Texas State Rep Cole Hefner.The bill adds to the list of limitations in the Texas Disaster Act on the executives administering a declared disaster. The limitation added is that the Texas Disaster Act does not:(7) authorize any person to prohibit or restrict the business or operations of a firearms or ammunition manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler, supplier, or retailer or a sport shooting range, as defined by Section 250.001, Local Government Code, in connection with a disaster.Calendars Committee Chair Dustin Burrows (and author of HB 3), State Affairs Chair Chris Paddie, Homeland Security & Public Safety Chair James White, and Resolutions Calendar Chair Ryan Guillen have joint authored along with a host of co-authors.This addition will apply to all future disasters, epidemic, pandemic, or not, and it is a bill that we all should support.Of course, LOTS more limitations on government during emergencies are needed. But, grab what you can get when you can get it! https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=87R&Bill=HB1500