Texas Law Limits Local Government Authority, Sparks Legal Tensions

Texas implemented the Texas Regulatory Consistency Act in 2023, commonly referred to as the "Death Star" law, which prohibits local governments from enacting ordinances that exceed state regulations in multiple sectors including business, commerce, and labor. An appeals court recently upheld this legislation despite challenges from local government officials who questioned its constitutionality. The Texas Public Policy Foundation has now warned Dallas that 133 of its ordinances may violate this law, potentially leading to litigation.