new state laws

These measures touch nearly every aspect of life, from education and healthcare to public safety, property rules and support for first responders. With so many changes coming at once, Texans can expect a variety of noticeable impacts on their daily lives.

Under the new laws, which will go into effect on Sept. 1, counties across Texas will have more power to stop the sale of dogs and cats in outdoor spaces.

Drivers will still need an emissions test in some counties to get their registration sticker.

House Bill 900 seeks to rid school libraries of inappropriate books by requiring book vendors to rate materials. A legal challenge says the law is too vague and broad.

Independent voting rights advocates will likely try to spread the word.

Other new laws include transparency for long-term care facilities and trademark protections for restaurants.

More than half of about 1,200 bills state lawmakers passed in 2015 become law September 1. Among them: One law allows doctors to be paid for seeing…