The Candid Review: A Blog About Appeals

Mallorie’s: New Year, New Laws

January 1st is often the magic date when last years bills become this years laws. The tiresome work of the 2014 Texas legislators will now become the rules under which 2015 Texas residents conduct themselves. Sometimes these laws are underpublicized, leaving the public unaware of the new codes of conduct. To avoid this result, weve compiled a list of this years newly enacted regulations. Here are the new laws of the land for the Lone Star State:

Mallorie’s Law

In 2010 a 19-year-old young woman was killed during her ride as a passenger on motorcycle. Her name was Mallorie Bullock, and although she wore a state mandated helmet through the ride, she did not survive the crash. The college student was riding as a passenger in Hunt County, Texas back in April of 2010. The New Year will mark the beginning of House Bill 3838, more commonly referred to as Mallories Law.

Legislators and Mallories advocates believed that the helmet simply wasnt enough to prevent serious injury to a passenger on a motorbike. Mallories Law will affect motorcycle riders only with regards to their passengers. New standards are taking effect as of January 1st in an effort to protect future motorcycle passengers from suffering the same fate as Mallorie. Beginning this year passengers will be prohibited from riding on motorcycles unless the passenger seat has both footrests and handholds for the passenger.

The House

Mallories law is probably the only addition that will affect everyday Texans, however there are a few others going into effect this year:

• House Bill 62, relating to a Texas judge or justice who has interest in a business that owns or operates a private correctional or rehabilitative center.
• House Bill 500, relating to the computation of the franchise tax, which includes new exclusions from the tax.
• House Bill 3153, relating to the operation and administration of, and practice in courts in, the judicial branch of state government and the composition of certain juvenile boards.

The Senate

Finally, the Senate passed two bills this past year. One, Senate Bill 1806, pertains to the Harrison County Court at Law. The second, Senate Bill 492, relates to the licensing and regulation of prescribed pediatric extended care centers, providing penalties and imposing fees.

While many eyes and ears were on the federal governments budget act or the Supreme Courts decisions regarding the Affordable Care Act, not everyone has noticed the measures passed by the state governments. Although they often fly under the radar, the acts of our local state governments tend to affect our daily lives just as much, if not more than the federal government.

At Brownstone Law we believe in the importance of educating the public regarding the law; regardless of whether the law is old or new. After all, a law that is intended to protect the public serves little purpose when the public is unaware of its existence. From our family to yours, we wish you a safe and happy New Year!