Discussion continue over masks and vaccines in various venues across the state. HillCo will continue to monitor developments.
Spotlight on Mask Discussions
- On August 15th, the Texas Supreme Court stayed court rulings in Bexar and Dallas Counties which blocked GA-38 prohibitions on mask mandates in both counties. Governor Abbott has asked for mandamus relief to enforce compliance with the GA-38 prohibition. Both cases are currently pending before the court.
- On August 13th, a Travis County District Judge granted three temporary restraining orders allowing mask mandates for Harris County and Brownsville, Crowley, Edinburg, Edcouch-Elsa, Hidalgo, La Joya, Lasara, Pharr-San Jaun-Alamo ISDs, among others. The State petitioned the Texas Supreme Court for a stay and a mandamus order to enforce the mask mandate prohibition, but the Texas Supreme Court denied the petition on August 19th.
- AG Paxton published and has been updating a list of non-compliant local government entities, including the counties and ISDs involved in lawsuits and others.
- In the August 19th Public Health Guidance, the Texas Education Agency stated, “mask provisions of GA-38 are not being enforced as the result of ongoing litigation” and noted further guidance would be issued after the court cases are resolved.
- Disability Rights Texas filed a lawsuit on August 17th alleging that executive order GA-38 prohibits school districts from enacting accommodations for students with disabilities and requested a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction on August 18th. The case is pending before U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas.
Spotlight on Vaccine Discussions
- On August 19th, AG Paxton filed suit against San Antonio ISD following a staff vaccination mandate issued on August 16th. San Antonio ISD Superintendent Pedro Martinez issued a clarification on August 20th, noting that he “would not compel any staff member to be vaccinated until the vaccines are fully approved by the FDA.”
- The Food and Drug Administration fully approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine on August 23rd.
