Several new state laws take effect Sept. 1

Several new Texas laws take effect Sept. 1, bringing changes that could affect consumers, schools and businesses across the state.  The new measure include rules for electronics repairs, special education funding, the use of gold and silver for purchases and tighter oversight of solar companies.

House Bill 2963, known as the right-to-repair bill, requires electronics manufacturers to make certain parts, tools and repair manuals available to independent repair shops and consumers.  The law does not apply to all products.  Medical equipment and video game systems are excluded, and companies are not required to disclose trade secrets.

Senate Bill 568, shifts special education funding from a system based on the total number of qualifying students to one based on the intensity of services a student receives during the school year.  The law also adds stricter reporting requirements.

House Bill 1056, allows gold and silver to be used as legal tender in Texas under specific rules.  People who own gold or silver may deposit it in the Texas Bullion Depository and use a debit card tied to those holdings for purchases.  However, businesses are not required to accept gold or silver as payment.

Senate Bill 1036 requires solar companies and salespeople to register with the state.  It also requires companies to carry insurance, use licensed contractors for installations, obtain required permits and utility approvals, and comply with consumer protection and lending laws.  The law includes penalties for companies that do not follow the rules.

The measures take effect Sept. 1, and Texans may begin seeing changes in repair options, school funding systems, payment methods and solar sales practices in the months ahead.