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Texas Lawmakers Struggle on Hemp-Derived THC Agreement Before Special Session Ends
With the Texas Legislature nearing its anticipated sine die for the second special session on Wednesday, questions over the future of hemp-derived THC remain unresolved, leaving many to wonder whether the issue is going to be reignited or go up in smoke. In the expected final hours of the second special session, Gov. Greg Abbott,
THC, Property Tax Reform in Limbo as Texas Legislature Scrambles for Agreement Before Sine Die
The Texas Legislature — its leadership, its membership, and its staff — is weary and frazzled as this second special session of 2025 winds to a close. But with the end in sight, the typical mad dash to pass everything possible runs up against significant existing disagreement over pending legislation on THC, property taxes, and
Texas Lottery Transferred to TDLR After Legislative Battle Over Couriers, Alleged ‘Criminal Conspiracy’
As of September 1, the Texas Lottery Commission (TLC) is now under the jurisdiction of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). The agency has undergone a tumultuous saga involving state lawmakers, investigations, and accusations about its alleged scandalous operations. Back in 1991, Texas voters approved the creation of a state lottery, and in
New Texas Laws from 89th Session Face Legal Challenges
Lawsuits are being lobbed at a handful of the 835 laws that went into effect in Texas on Monday as well as their potential counterparts, in order to prevent them from being implemented. Issues that were broached during the 89th regular session spanned school choice, a ban on taxpayer-funded abortion travel, required age verification on
Texas House and Senate Again at Loggerheads Over Property Tax Reform
Just when it seemed the Texas Legislature’s latest property tax reform proposal was over the finish line, it was pulled back toward the brink. The Texas House rejected the conference committee report for Senate Bill (SB) 10 on Thursday by a 60 to 71 vote, in which Democrats and the right flank of the Republican
Texas School Districts Craft Policies on Library Book Approval, Children’s Access Under New Law
A new Texas law shifts book approval for public school libraries from librarians to school boards and establishes that “parents are the primary decision makers regarding a student’s access to library material.” Senate Bill (SB) 13 was passed during the 89th Legislative Session and signed by Gov. Greg Abbott on June 20. × This page
GOP Candidates for North Texas Senate District Spar Over DEI, Casino Gambling
The two Republican candidates vying to fill the vacant seat for Texas Senate District (SD) 9, vacated by Kelly Hancock who is now serving as the Acting Comptroller of Public Accounts, sparred over several issues, including over events dating back to 2020 at a recent forum. Leigh Wambsganss and John Huffman, both residents of Southlake,
Here’s the Top Bills That Become Texas Law on September 1
The Texas Legislature was busy during the 89th Legislative Session, with more than 830 bills set to go into effect on September 1, many of which were priority issues for both the upper and lower chambers. While members are just days away from wrapping up the second special session of the 89th Session, addressing issues
Texas House Approves Bill Allowing Civil Enforcement of Chemical Abortion Pill Ban
Legislation establishing civil penalties for the production and distribution of chemical abortion pills is close to becoming state law after passing the Texas House on Thursday night. State Rep. Jeff Leach (R-Plano) successfully carried the Texas Woman and Child Protection Act, which curbs the production and distribution of chemical abortion pills in Texas through civil
Texas ‘Bathroom Bill’ Separating Private, Publicly-Funded Spaces by Biological Sex Close to Becoming Law
Legislation separating publicly-funded private spaces, such as bathrooms, by biological sex is close to becoming Texas law after unsuccessful runs in previous legislative sessions. The Texas House of Representatives took up the Texas Women’s Privacy Act, dubbed “bathroom bill” by opponents, on Thursday afternoon and debated for over four hours before passing it on second
Texas Legislature Approves Bill Replacing STAAR Test with New Three Assessments
House Bill (HB) 8 has successfully passed through both chambers of the Texas Legislature, following Gov. Greg Abbott’s special session charge to eliminate the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) Test. Abbott has been a proponent of eliminating the STAAR test as far back as 2023, with the Legislature trying and failing to
Texas Lawmakers Give Harris County Sheriff, Constables Control of Deputy Contract Program
State lawmakers gave final approval to legislation Wednesday night that will give the Harris County sheriff and constables control of a unique program under which law enforcement can contract with school districts and neighborhoods for extra patrols. Although the program provides half of all patrols in the unincorporated portions of the sprawling county, for the
