Good morning, 

Here is the Texas Minute for Monday, August 8, 2022.

– Brandon Waltens 

• The Dallas-area gay bar that hosted a drag show for children is under investigation by Comptroller Glenn Hegar for failing to pay fees associated with being a sexually oriented business.
   

• In June, the Dallas gay bar Mr. Misster was put in the spotlight after hosting a “Drag the Kids to Pride” event, in which scantily clad men dressed as women danced provocatively in front of young children. The children were encouraged to stuff dollar bills in the dancers’ underwear. In the background, a neon sign reading “It’s not gonna lick itself!” flashed in the background.
   

• The scene looked less like a traditional Sunday family event and more like a strip club—only instead of being age-restricted, young children were encouraged to attend.
   

• Citizens noted that, under Chapter 102 of the Texas Business Code which defines “sexually oriented businesses,” the bar would be required to remit a $5 per patron tax to the comptroller. Additionally, the statute says that minors under the age of 18 are not allowed in the business.
   

• “Nude,” as defined in the Texas Business Code, does not only refer to being entirely unclothed. It also applies to performers who are “clothed in a manner that leaves uncovered or visible through less than full opaque clothing … any portion of the genitals or buttocks.”
   

• Images circulating from this performance clearly show some performers displaying their buttocks to the audience. And, as a bar, Mr. Misster has a liquor license and sells alcohol.

• Chris Hopper, the president of the Texas Family Project, called on Comptroller Glenn Hegar to act. "Any good parent knows that a drag show is no place for a child and that any bar or restaurant that holds an event of this type must be held accountable to the law."
   
• State Rep. Bryan Slaton (R-Royse City) agreed: "Texans deserve better." He reaffirmed his commitment to filing legislation to ban drag shows for children during the next legislative session. 
   
• Austin Attorney Tony McDonald put it simply: "The comptroller needs to send these folks a bill.”

• On Friday, Glenn Hegar responded to citizen concerns, saying his office has been investigating the bar and that he too has been "disturbed" by images of the event. 
   
• "As a father, I take this matter especially seriously and am committed to ensuring my agency does everything in its power to ensure this establishment as well as others are fully compliant with Texas law." –Glenn Hegar
   
• The comptroller explained there is a specific process for determine whether a business is subject to paying the sexually oriented business fee, and a determination will be made soon.
   
• “I’m grateful that comptroller has taken such swift action on this important issue threatening Texas families. We look forward to seeing this investigation run its full course.” –Chris Hopper, Texas Family Project

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The districts displayed here should reflect those recently redrawn by the Legislature. Though the new lines do not take representational effect until 2023, they will appear on the 2022 ballot. Please note that your incumbent legislator and/or district numbers may have changed.