The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - September 23, 2025

Starting point is 00:00:00 Howdy, folks. Today is Tuesday, September 23rd, and you're listening to The Texans Daily Rundown. I'm the Texans Assistant Editor Rob Lauchess, and here is the rundown of today's news in Texas politics. First up, in one of the more highly anticipated Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission meetings, the commissioners took up and approved emergency rules to regulate the sale of hemp derived THC products. The meeting held on Tuesday saw the TABC unanimously adopt emergency rules that will create a 21-year age minimum for retail purchases of hemp-derived THC products, which will immediately go into effect with enforcement beginning on October 1st of this year. Additionally, the rules will mandate an age verification process, with the TABC stating during the hearing that

Starting point is 00:00:57 the penalties, quote, make it clear, end quote, compliance will be upheld at the risk of retailers losing their licenses. Earlier this month, Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order tasking the TABC, along with the Department of State Health Services, with reviewing current state regulations and coming up with a proposed age limit for hemp-derived THC product purchases. Next, a new Texas law prohibiting personal recognizance bonds for certain offenses may conflict with a federal consent decree governing misdemeanor bail in Harris County. And an attorney has warned that judges and magistrates who adhere to the state law could be found in contempt of court and face criminal charges. Texas Senate Bill 9, authored by state Senator Joan

Starting point is 00:01:45 Huffman, took effect on September 1st and added to a list of crimes for which hearing officers may not grant defendants a PR bond, which requires no cash payment. Three of those crimes, unlawful possession of a firearm, violation of a family violence protective order, or making a terroristic threat, are misdemeanors. But misdemeanor bail in Harris County is subject to the terms of a federal consent decree in O'Donnell v. Harris County implemented in 2019. Under the agreement, most misdemeanor suspects must be released on a general order bond and without paying a monetary deposit to ensure their reappearance in court. In other news, a new law requiring the display of donated copies of the Ten Commandments in Texas Public School classrooms is under challenged by yet another lawsuit aiming to prevent its implementation in 14 school districts, following a similar lawsuit's success. State Senator Phil King's Senate Bill 10, which requires public schools to display copies of the King James Bible version of the Ten Commandments in classrooms, if donated by an outside source, was passed during the 89th regular legislative session and signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 20th.

Starting point is 00:03:03 In Cribbs-Ringer v. Kamal Independent School District, filed by 15 self-described multi-faith or non-religious parents and organizations on Monday, plaintiffs argued that SB 10 violates the nation's founding principle of freedom of religion. SB 10 has faced a handful of lawsuits before and after its effective date of September 1st, one of which, Rabbi Nathan v. Alamo Heights Independent School District, was successful in blocking the law in 11 school districts. Also, a Texas man was arrested and charged with making a terroristic threat as a hate crime towards New York State Assembly member and Democratic New York City mayoral candidate Zoran Mamdani through several consecutive voicemails and online messages.

Starting point is 00:03:50 The Plano Man was arrested on September 11th after being indicted on 22 counts by a grand jury on September 4th. He was extradited to Queens, New York on September 17th and was fully informed of his charges the following day. Queen's District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a press release on Thursday, quote, as alleged, the defendant threatened an elected official by leaving a series of increasingly alarming anti-Muslim messages with the office of Assemblyman Zoran Mamdani, end quote. Last but not least, San Antonio Family Association Action is suing the city of San Antonio over its use of transit funds for a bus rapid transit line, known as the Green Line, along San Pedro Avenue, a major thoroughfare through the city.

Starting point is 00:04:38 The lawsuit filed in Bayar County District Court alleges that the city's decision violates the Texas Transportation Code because it gives complete control of revenue generated by a new transit funding tax increase to via Metropolitan Transit Transit Authority. SAFA also argues that the city's decision violates the Texas Constitution and the city's own charter because it delegates its decision-making power over how tax revenue is used to an unelected body. via's board of directors. Thanks for listening. To support the Texan, please be sure to visit the texan. News and subscribe to get full access to all of our articles, newsletters, and podcasts.

The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - September 23, 2025

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