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Texas Sheriff-Federal Official Immigration Enforcement Partnership Bill Sent to Governor
The conference committee report for Senate Bill (SB) 8 passed in the Texas House on Sunday, seeking to enhance cooperation between state and federal law enforcement agencies in order to enforce immigration law. The bill was co-authored in the upper chamber by Sens. Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) and Joan Huffman (R-Houston) and was carried in the
Texas Medical Cannabis ‘Compassionate Use Program’ Expansion Bill Heads to Abbott’s Desk
A bill aimed at expanding the availability and accessibility of Texas’ medical cannabis program is headed to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk, following revisions to earlier legislative efforts that had encountered various obstacles. The conference committee report for House Bill (HB) 46 underwent a number of changes and rewrites in the weeks leading up to its
2025 Texas Legislative Session Ends After Passing Education Funding, School Choice, THC Ban
The 89th Legislative Session will come to a close Monday after 140 days in Austin full of policy fights over education, the Texas Lottery, infrastructure, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products, and the state budget. This legislative session began on January 14 with an intense, brutal fight over the House speakership that left more questions than answers about
Texas House, Senate Clash Over Judicial Pay Amendment Concerning Lawmaker Retirement Pensions
This legislative session had room for one more bit of fireworks before sine die, when the Texas Senate voted for a bill to raise judicial pay but stripped House language that untied their own pensions from the salary increase. The issue of a judicial pay raise — which judges haven’t been since 2013 — has
Bill Strengthening Human Trafficking Protections Against Massage Parlors Passes Texas Legislature
Legislation cracking down on human traffickers in massage parlors passed the Texas House of Representatives as the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) issued its 43rd closure of such a facility — thanks to legislation passed in the 88th Legislative Session. Senate Bill (SB) 2167 by state Sen. Angela Paxton (R-McKinney) requires massage therapists
Attorney General Paxton Makes Final Push for Legislature to Re-establish Prosecutorial Powers
Few issues in recent election cycles have energized Republican voters more than the fight against election fraud. And no one in Texas government has wielded that issue more effectively in political fashion than Attorney General Ken Paxton — using it to take down rivals, reshape the state’s highest criminal court, and now make a last-minute
Texas Lawmakers Approve Eviction Reforms, Crack Down on Squatters
Both chambers of the Texas Legislature have approved eviction reforms prioritized by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick that will make it easier to remove “squatters” who unlawfully occupy a property without the owner’s consent. Under the reforms now headed to the governor’s desk, owners may file an affidavit to prove their ownership and that occupants are
GOP Priority Legislation Dies in Texas Legislature Following Constitutional Deadlines
The Texas Legislature has passed over 1,000 bills this session, many of them top-level priorities, but some notable bills perished at deadlines in both chambers — including two conservative priorities dealing with public libraries. Both the Texas House’s and Senate’s final third reading deadlines were Wednesday at midnight, the point at which they could no
Texas House Passes Conference Report on Hostile Nation Land Ownership Bill, Including Visa Changes
The Texas House has given its approval to the conference committee report on Senate Bill 17, which incorporates modifications to the bill’s original text and amendments that were adopted during its passage through both the House and Senate. The bill, aimed at prohibiting individuals and entities from federally designated adversarial countries from purchasing land in
Kiln It: Concrete Plants, Microchip Manufacturers Fight in Closing Days of Texas Legislative Session
A mid-size county north of Dallas became a battlefield within the Texas Legislature between the typically mundane industries of cement and semiconductors. Last year, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick visited Grayson County for a town hall with residents who are upset about a prospective 600-acre cement kiln near 140-person Dorchester. Following this, Patrick wrote a letter
Texas Legislature Passes Law to Overhaul Process for Removing Local Officials From Office
One of the most powerful provisions in Texas law for holding local public officials accountable will be revised, after legislation by state Rep. Pat Curry (R-Waco) garnered a supermajority of support in both chambers to become law. House Bill (HB) 2715 amends Chapter 87 of the Texas Local Government Code, which until now has provided
‘Jocelyn’s Law’ Denying Felony Bail to Illegal Immigrants Fails in Texas House
The Texas House rejected a proposed amendment to the state constitution that would have mandated the detention of illegal immigrants charged with certain felony crimes, as most Democrats voted against the measure over its potential effect on minority communities. Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 1 by Sen. Joan Huffman (R-Houston) was labeled “Jocelyn’s Law” in honor
