By: Schaefer H.B. No. 2097
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to government authority to require a person to wear a mask
  or personal protective equipment during a disaster.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 418.012, Government Code, is
  redesignated as 418.012(a) and amended by adding Subsection (b) to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 418.012.  EXECUTIVE ORDERS. (a) Under this chapter,
  the governor may issue executive orders, proclamations, and
  regulations and amend or rescind them. Executive orders,
  proclamations, and regulations have the force and effect of law.
         (b)  The governor may not issue an executive order,
  proclamation, or regulation that requires a person to wear a mask or
  personal protective equipment unless expressly provided by
  statute.
         SECTION 2.  Section 418.108, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (j) to read as follows:
         (j)  A local official may not issue an executive order or
  proclamation that requires a person to wear a mask or personal
  protective equipment unless expressly provided by statute.
         SECTION 3.  The change in law made by this Act applies to
  executive orders, proclamations, and regulations that are
  currently in effect, or go into effect on or after the effective
  date of this Act.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2021.