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Death Star 2.0: Proposal Filed in House to Beef Up Texas’ 2023 Local Government Preemption Law
Two years ago, the Texas Legislature fought it out over a sweeping new field preemption law colloquially named the “Death Star bill” — and now State Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) hopes to add to its prohibitions with new legislation. The Texas Regulatory Consistency Act, first called the “Death Star bill” by critics before that name
Legislation Proposed to Reduce Electricity, Energy Waste in Texas Facilities
New legislation by state Sen. Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills) would create a state board designed to plan for the waste that comes with Texas’ growing energy footprint. Hancock’s Senate Bill (SB) 2455 would establish the Texas Energy Waste Advisory Committee made up of seven officials that includes the heads of the Public Utility Commission
Bill ‘Requiring Local Law Enforcement to Assist the Federal Government’s Deportation Efforts’ Discussed in Senate Committee Hearing
President Donald Trump issued an executive order (EO) in January titled “Protecting the American People Against Invasion,” which set forward a comprehensive immigration enforcement strategy, including directing federal agencies to strengthen border security, increase deportations, and enforce stricter immigration policies. Now, a priority piece of legislation in the upper chamber of the Texas Legislature seeks
Texas Senate Pairs Judicial Pay Increase with Increased Transparency, Accountability for Judges
The Texas Senate overwhelmingly approved a pay increase for judges across the state Thursday, but with added accountability and transparency requirements that include strengthening the state’s judicial oversight commission. Sen. Joan Huffman’s (R-Houston) Senate Bill (SB) 293 expands the definition of official misconduct to include judges and magistrates who engage in “persistent or willful” violations
Patrick Adds ‘Life of the Mother’ Act, Taxpayer-Funded Abortion Travel Ban to Senate Priorities
Among Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s top 40 priorities during Texas’ 89th Legislative Session are two abortion-related bills: the “Life of the Mother” Act clarifying the state’s current abortion laws and interpretation of its exceptions, and “Stopping Taxpayer-Funded Abortion Travel.” Patrick released the last 15 of his priorities of his agenda that includes a plethora of
Senate Priority Bill Would Create ‘Homeland Security Division’ Within Texas Department of Public Safety
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick released the second half of his priority bills for the upper chamber on Thursday, and included on the list is a piece of legislation to enhance coordination and operations related to homeland security, border security, and critical infrastructure protection. Senate Bill (SB) 36, authored by Sen. Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound), proposes
Texas House Mulls Wildfire Response Package After 2024 Panhandle Disaster
The Smokehouse Creek wildfire torched more than one million acres of Panhandle land one year ago, and now legislators have a package of reforms that hope to prevent that runaway blaze from happening again. In February 2024, warm temperatures, a dry spell, and high wind conditions combined to make much of the Panhandle a tinderbox.
Texas Bill Would Keep State National Guard From Active Combat Duty Without Congressional Authorization
Several state governments across the country have introduced legislation to prevent the deployment of National Guard troops in overseas conflicts, and now a Texas bill has been filed to do the same. House Bill 930, introduced by Rep. Briscoe Cain (R-Deer Park), seeks to impose stricter requirements on the activation of the Texas National Guard
From Zero to 60: Texas Legislature Bill Filing Deadline Arrives
Texas’ 89th regular legislative session has seen 60 days pass since its start in January — swinging open the door for increased speed and ensuing chaos, as the window for bill filing closes and floor debates over legislation commence. The Texas Constitution, which entirely dictates the procedures of the legislative session and its calendar, permits
Texas House DOGE Committee Grills TASB on Profitable Purchasing Cooperative
Representatives from the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) purchasing cooperative grappled with answering questions during a Texas House committee hearing Wednesday, with some lawmakers lambasting the taxpayer-supported nonprofit over the group’s profits and lobbying efforts. × This page requires Javascript. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Releases Second List of Texas Senate Priorities
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has released the second round of priority bills for the Texas Senate, featuring measures on issues such as banning lottery couriers, the Life of the Mother Act, and preventing squatting, among others. The list of bills includes: × This page requires Javascript. Javascript is required for you to be able to
Border Security, Police Recruitment, Illegal Entry Penalties Discussed in Texas House Committee Hearing
Law enforcement, border security, and federal agency cooperation were all topics of discussion in the Texas House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing this week as lawmakers and witnesses discussed various bill proposals. Col. Ron VanderRoest of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department appeared before the committee to discuss the “two phases”
