Phelan stood firm on his view of the legislation’s necessity, at one point suggesting that its penalties should be even stricter.
First Amendment
Dade Phelan’s Bill Would Criminalize Political Memes
Courts have routinely struck down laws that regulate political discourse based on content, citing the First Amendment’s strong protections for satire and parody.
Texas Senators Weigh Religious Protections for Public School Employees in Committee
The measures would include protections allowing public school teachers to use students’ biological pronouns and to pray in school.
State Lawmaker Files TLR-Backed Measure Limiting Texans’ Free Speech
A similar measure targeting the state’s anti-SLAPP laws was pushed last session before hitting a roadblock.
Analysis: State Rep. Mano DeAyala Targets Free Speech in Texas
Texas’ anti-SLAPP law protecting citizens from frivolous lawsuits is under threat.
Texas Home School Coalition Warns Lobbying Law Threatens Political Speech
THSC is warning that the Texas Ethics Commission’s actions could severely limit the ability of parents and advocacy groups to engage in the political process.
Pressure Mounts on Supreme Court To Review Texas Ethics Commission’s Speech Regulation
The Texas Ethics Commission has faced increasing scrutiny for what critics call overreach in regulating political speech.
Texas Attorney General Sides Against State Agency in Free Speech Fight
Rather than backing the agency tasked with enforcing Texas lobbying laws, Ken Paxton is arguing that the TEC’s enforcement is unconstitutional and represents a violation of First Amendment rights.
Lawmakers File Measures To Bring Ten Commandments, Prayer to Texas Schools
Both efforts were endorsed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and were listed among his top 25 priorities for the legislative session.
Thousands of Texans Urge Gov. To Prioritize ‘Stop Sexualizing Texas Kids’
Activist Bonnie Wallace’s letter urging Gov. Abbott to fast-track a key Republican Party of Texas legislative priority received more than 6,200 signatures.