State 945
Texas Legislature Removes ‘Education Exception’ for Pornography, Sexual Performance of a Child
State lawmakers have voted to remove an exception in Texas law that effectively allowed adults to give obscene material to children or elicit the sexual performance of a child if done for “educational” or other purposes. “It’s absolutely ridiculous that I stand before you with these sections of Chapter 43 of the penal code still
House Conservatives Press Leadership for Action on Texas GOP Priorities
A group of conservative members in the Texas House who’ve voiced organized criticism of the status of bill movement in their chamber pushed for advancement of GOP priority legislation in a press conference ahead of the chamber’s first deadline in mid-May. The group of around a dozen legislators held a press conference next to the
Texas House Committee Approves New Version of Senate THC Ban
The potential prohibition on certain consumable hemp products containing THC in Texas has raised significant concerns from lawmakers and the public, and now the Texas House has passed a committee substitute that makes significant changes to the original language of the Senate’s priority bill. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has made “Banning THC in Texas” a
Texas House Passes Phelan Bill Requiring Disclosure of ‘Deepfakes’ in Political Advertising
Legislation requiring the disclosure of altered images in political advertising, and providing for punishments including up to a year in jail, passed the Texas House — spearheaded by the chamber’s former speaker, Rep. Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont). House Bill (HB) 366 passed on third reading on Wednesday by a 102 to 40 vote, with every “nay”
Ban on ‘Traveling’ Housing Finance Corporations, Which Awarded 100 Percent Tax Exemptions, Passes Texas House
The Texas House overwhelmingly passed a limited reform bill that prohibits Housing Finance Corporations (HFC) from awarding 100 percent tax exemptions to properties outside of their jurisdictions, but a bill carrying additional reforms remains pending in the House Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs. Under the Texas Local Government Code, HFCs may grant apartment owners and developers
Texas House Committee Considers Expanding Requirements for Non-Citizens Seeking In-State Tuition
The Texas House Committee on Higher Education considered a bill this week to tighten requirements and expand liabilities for students who are “not a citizen or permanent resident” in the U.S. and are seeking in-state tuition at a Texas university. House Bill (HB) 232, authored by Rep. Cody Vasut (R-Angleton), narrows the eligibility for resident
Texas Lottery Commission Bans Online Ticket Sales Through Courier Service
The Texas Lottery Commission (TLC) has unanimously voted to ban lottery couriers in the state from selling tickets online amid growing criticism of the commission itself. “The Texas Lottery Commission (TLC) decision to approve a ban on lottery couriers is the most recent in a series of actions that have undermined the accountability and credibility
‘Life of the Mother Act’ Clarifying Texas Abortion Law Passes Senate Unanimously
The Life of the Mother Act, clarifying the state’s abortion laws, has passed the Texas Senate with alterations that rallied more unity behind the bill after a committee hearing revealed tense disagreements within both the pro-life and pro-choice camps surrounding the legislation. Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola) carried Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s legislative priority as Senate
Texas House Gives Unanimous Approval to ‘Uvalde Strong Act’
The Texas House passed legislation regarding the emergency response failures that led to 19 schoolchildren and two teachers being murdered in Uvalde elementary school shooting in May 2022. Named the “Uvalde Strong Act,” House Bill (HB) 33 by state Rep. Don McLaughlin (R-Uvalde) tasks the Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM) with designing a uniform
12 of 100 ‘Worst of the Worst’ Criminal Illegal Aliens Arrested by Texas ICE
A dozen of the White House’s (WH) newly-published list of 100 of “the worst of the worst criminal illegal immigrants” arrested since President Donald Trump took office in January were apprehended by Texas branches of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In a news release titled “In the First 100 Days, the Trump Administration Has
Texas Lottery Commission Faces New Lawsuit Amid State Scrutiny
The ongoing Texas Lottery saga involving retailers, couriers, and winners continues to generate debate, media coverage, and political backlash in the state. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has been at the forefront of the issue, doing on-the-ground deep dives into different lottery courier services and the alleged issues surrounding them. Most recently, he posted a video
House Bill Would Fine Museums Up to $500,000 a Day for Displaying ‘Obscene Material’
House Bill 3958, filed by Rep. David Lowe (R-North Richland Hills), proposes to amend Chapter 402 of Texas Government Code to fine museums that display material in violation of certain sections of Texas Penal Code up to $500,000 per item per day the material is displayed after being found in violation. Under the bill, the
