Texas “Death Star” Law Preempts Local and County Ordinances
1 min read
Published
Aug 24, 2023
Effective September 1, 2023, Texas House Bill 2127 preempts local and county ordinances that conflict with or exceed the requirements of state law.
Opponents have referred to the legislation as the “Death Star” law given its wide-ranging impact on nullifying a number of local laws that impact employers, including fair chance ordinances in Austin and De Soto.
Following HB 2127’s passage, the city of Houston filed a lawsuit against the State of Texas alleging the bill is unconstitutional, void and unenforceable. San Antonio followed in Houston’s footsteps filing a lawsuit challenging the validity of the bill as well.
Employers are encouraged to consult with qualified legal counsel to determine how HB 2127 will impact their employment-related policies and practices.
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