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State Sen. Don Huffines' Senate Bill 343 is arguably the most sweeping of the bunch, prohibiting cities from implementing any laws that are "more stringent" than state statute. </p><p>Shortly before he took office, Gov. Greg Abbott gave the cause a boost, criticizing the "patchwork quilt" of local rules and regulations that could turn Texas into California.</p><p>The lawmakers behind the proposals say they are simply looking to enforce certainty and conformity. Their critics, however, are crying hypocrisy, pointing out many Republicans have campaigned on reducing the influence of Austin in citizens' lives, not increasing it. </p> <p class="update-time">Updated: March 17, 2015</p> <section class="related-legislation"> <header> <h5 class="sub-section-header">Relevant Legislation</h5> </header> <ul class="sans"> <li><a href="/web/20150517065730/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB539/">HB 539</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150517065730/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB540/">HB 540</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150517065730/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB738/">HB 738</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150517065730/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB1442/">HB 1442</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150517065730/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB1472/">HB 1472</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150517065730/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB1556/">HB 1556</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150517065730/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB1736/">HB 1736</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150517065730/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB1748/">HB 1748</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150517065730/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB1911/">HB 1911</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150517065730/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB1939/">HB 1939</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150517065730/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/SB267/">SB 267</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150517065730/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/SB343/">SB 343</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150517065730/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/SB360/">SB 360</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150517065730/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/SB440/">SB 440</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150517065730/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/SB484/">SB 484</a></li> </ul> </section> </section> <section class="related-content"> <header> <h5 class="sub-section-header">Story Timeline</h5> </header> <ul class="story-timeline"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150517065730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/10/housing-bill-brings-local-control-debate-focus/">Housing Bill Brings Local Control Debate Into Focus</a> <p class="pub-date">March 10, 2015</p> </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150517065730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/06/texas-bill-would-allow-statewide-permits-uber-lyft/">Paddie's Lyft-for-Hire Bill Runs Uber Cities</a> <p class="pub-date">March 6, 2015</p> </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150517065730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/25/lawmaker-files-bill-could-stop-proposed-bullet-tra/">Lawmaker's Bill a Silver Bullet to Stop Train</a> <p class="pub-date">Feb. 25, 2015</p> </li> </ul> </section> </section> <section class="share-box"> <p class="sub-text">Share this issue: <a 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