Three bills that prohibit cities from regulating how an employer distributes benefits, healthcare, and paid leave, and which also contain provisions that could threaten the enforcement of local nondiscrimination ordinances, are slated to be heard by the Texas House State Affairs Committee on Wednesday, May 1. The three bills (SB 2485, SB 2486, and SB…
LGBTQ Advisory Committee Challenges City’s Neutrality on Senate Bill 15
The Mayor’s LGBTQ Advisory Committee is challenging the City of San Antonio’s “neutral” stance on Senate Bill 15, a measure currently under consideration in the Texas Senate which would prohibit the local regulation of private employers. On its face, SB 15 would prohibit cities from requiring that private companies offer paid sick leave and other…
A Fight Over Paid Sick Leave is Turning Into a Fight Over LGBTQ Non-Discrimination Ordinances
A now-erased provision in Senate Bill 15 explicitly said a potential new state law would not supersede local non-discrimination ordinances. Without that language, many LGBTQ advocates fear Texans could be exposed to some discriminatory employment practices. By Alex Samuels, Texas Tribune What started as seemingly simple state legislation hailed as good for Texas businesses is…