Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

News

Texas Senate approves measure to impose statewide ban on homeless encampments

Texas Senate has voted in favor of banning homeless encampments statewide – as the problem worsens in such cities as Austin, the state capital.

The measure would make camping in unapproved public areas a Class C misdemeanor with a maximum $500 fine.

The House passed the measure earlier this month. And the Senate this week approved the bill 28-3 but with two amendments, which must be approved by the lower chamber before the final version can be sent to GOP Gov. Greg Abbott for his signature.

If Abbott signs the measure into law, police will have to redirect homeless people to local resources like a shelter or non-profit organization “before or at the time” they issue a citation, according to Click2Houston.



The proposal comes after Austin lifted a similar ban just two years ago and as a result has experienced significant homelessness problems. A study by the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition found that an estimated 3,160 people experienced homelessness around the Austin area.

Earlier this month, Austin reinstated the ban when 57% of residents voted in support of bringing back the law that helped get people off the streets. With the statewide ban likely to become law, no cities would be able to opt-out.


“Having people live under bridges is not humane. Having people experience all of their bodily functions out in public is not humane,” Democrat state Sen. José Menéndez said. “It’s not right.”

Loading

Advertisement
Comments

You May Also Like

Democrats

In a stunning admission, Democrat Senator Chris Van Hollen has confirmed that U.S. taxpayers footed the bill for his recent trip to El Salvador,...

Democrats

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) has denied a request from Democratic Representatives Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) and Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) to use committee...

Politics

On April 18, 2025, President Donald Trump posted a photo on his social media platform, Truth Social, claiming it depicted the knuckle tattoos of...

Democrats

Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges of wire fraud and theft concerning a program receiving federal...

COVID

The Trump administration has unveiled a revamped version of COVID.gov, reorienting the site to focus on what officials call the “true origins” of the...

Politics

In a defiant stance, El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele has refused to return Kilmar Abrego García, a Maryland resident mistakenly deported by U.S. authorities,...

Politics

In a recent meeting at the White House, President Donald Trump and Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele expressed strong opposition to transgender women participating in...

China

Silicon Valley, CA — Billionaire investor and tech entrepreneur Chamath Palihapitiya is making waves after voicing strong support for former President Donald Trump’s tariffs...

Advertisement
Back