By BARBARA GREEN
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During the 85th Texas Legislative Session 1,252 new laws were passed and many went into effect on Sept. 1.
Their subjects are vast from allowing $1 million lottery winners to remain anonymous to the ban on texting and driving across the state.
You can now carry a sword, but you can’t operate a drone over a sports venue or jail.
Many of these new laws affect only a small niche group, but there are others that will touch each citizen. Here is a roundup of some of the new laws.
Ban on texting
and driving
The ban on texting and driving will apply to every motorist on Texas highways. House Bill 62 prohibits drivers on public roads from using a wireless communication device, cell phone, to read, write or send an electronic message while operating a motor vehicle.
Texting and driving will be punishable by a fine of $25-$99. It climbs to $100-$200 for subsequent offenses.

Read all about the new laws effective on Sept. 1 in the weekend News.