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Texas Medical Cannabis ‘Compassionate Use Program’ Expansion Bill Passes Senate
After lengthy negotiations and compromises, state lawmakers reformulated a bill concerning the Texas Compassionate Use Program (TCUP) that ultimately passed late Tuesday night. A committee substitute to House Bill (HB) 46 was presented before members of the Senate, but only after details were hammered out between leaders of the upper chamber and the House. ×
Automatic Denial of Bail for Certain Violent Crimes Narrowly Fails in Texas House
A proposed amendment to the Texas Constitution that would have mandated the detention of suspects charged with certain violent crimes failed to garner the two-thirds majority vote in the House on Tuesday, leaving the measure dead for the 89th Regular Legislative Session. “I personally believe it’s unconstitutional, because this says if you’re a second-time offender
Bill Adding NRA to Texas Major Events Program Delayed in House After Democratic Opposition
A bill to add the National Rifle Association (NRA) to the Texas Major Events Reimbursement Program faced pushback on final passage in the Texas House this week, with critics arguing it misfires by equating the NRA with other major political or economic events already on the list. Senate Bill (SB) 1718 was presented for final
State Lawmakers Approve Judicial Pay Raise, New Transparency and Accountability Standards
The Texas House gave bipartisan approval to legislation already approved in the Senate that will increase pay for judges for the first time in a decade, while adding new transparency, efficiency, and accountability requirements and changing the composition of a state judicial oversight board. “Members, this is a big bill, and it’s one that your
Ban on Child Sexual Abuse NDAs Passes Texas Legislature, Heads to Governor’s Desk
Legislation prohibiting non-disclosure agreements (NDA) in cases of child sexual abuse has passed both chambers in the Texas Legislature and is headed to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk. Rep. Jeff Leach (R-Plano) carried House Bill (HB) 748, rendering NDAs void and enforceable when involving minor victims of sexual abuse — a method frequently used by
Permanent Daylight Saving ‘Texas Time’ Bill Heads to Abbott’s Desk
Legislation establishing Daylight Saving Time (DST) year-round in Texas, given federal authorization — ending the biannual clock changes — is on its way to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk after passing the Texas Senate. The upper chamber voted out House Bill (HB) 1393 by Rep. Will Metcalf (R-Conroe) on Thursday with 27 votes in favor and
$2.5 Billion Water Infrastructure Deal, Additional 10-Year Annual $1 Billion Struck in Texas Legislature
The 2025 Legislature will land the plane on a historic water session, allotting $2.5 billion in not-itemized infrastructure spending with a 50-50 split between new supply and fixing existing infrastructure in the 10-year annually dedicated funding. From the very beginning, state leaders hailed this as the “water session,” emphasizing the need to jumpstart the construction
$2.5 Billion Water Infrastructure Deal, Additional 20-Year Annual $1 Billion Struck in Texas Legislature
The 2025 Legislature will land the plane on a historic water session, allotting $2.5 billion in not-itemized infrastructure spending with a 50-50 split between new supply and fixing existing infrastructure in the 20-year annually dedicated funding. From the very beginning, state leaders hailed this as the “water session,” emphasizing the need to jumpstart the construction
Texas House Approves ‘New Hollywood’ $300 Million Film Tax Incentive Program
Legislation allotting $300 million in tax incentives per biennium for the film industry in Texas is one step closer to being signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott, after passing the Texas House on Monday — following Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s initiative and prodding from A-list celebrities. The Texas Moving Image Industry Program
School Prayer Times and Classroom Ten Commandments Legislation Pass Texas Legislature, Head to Abbott
Bills allowing a formal time of prayer in schools and requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms passed the Texas Legislature and are now headed to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk, after failed attempts by lawmakers in previous legislative sessions. Senate Bill (SB) 10 by Sen. Phil King (R-Weatherford) and SB 11 by Sen.
Texas House Passes Texas Sheriffs-ICE Immigration Enforcement Contract Bill
A bill to increase cooperation between Texas sheriffs and federal authorities in order to better enforce immigration law was given approval by state House members this week. Senate Bill (SB) 8, coauthored in the upper chamber by Sens. Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) and Joan Huffman (R-Houston) and carried in the House by Rep. David Spiller (R-Jacksboro),
‘Making Texas Healthy Again’ Nutritional Education, Labeling Bill Advances in House
A floor fight over the future of food in Texas consumed the lower chamber Sunday, as lawmakers dug into a flurry of amendments to Senate Bill (SB) 25. Sen. Lois Kolkhorst’s (R-Brenham) “Making Texas Healthy Again” bill faced mounting opposition and debate over the course of the evening as members offered various changes to the
