A new Texas bill would grant Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office the ability to allow or disallow local initiatives. Texas House Bill 540 was introduced by Representative Phil King, and would require any referendum or ballot initiative in one of Texas’ home-rule charter cities to be reviewed by the attorney general’s office. The Attorney General’s office would decide if the local initiative violates “the Texas or federal constitution, a state statute, or a rule adopted as authorized by state statute.” The bill is aimed at combating local initiatives such as bans on genetically engineered foods, and fracking.