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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 […]
North Texas Naturalized Citizens Indicted for Immigration Fraud, RICO Violations
Two North Texas residents, along with a law firm and business, were indicted by a federal grand jury in Dallas last week for engaging in a scheme to fraudulently obtain entry into and immigration status in the United States on behalf of persons who were not citizens. Abdul Hadi Murshid, age 39, and Muhammad Salman […]
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 […]
Mia Hall, Daryl Davis Compete in Fort Worth City Council Place 6 Runoff
The two candidates looking to fill the Fort Worth City Council District 6 seat being vacated by Jared Williams, Mia Hall and Daryl Davis, are in a runoff election after neither got 50 percent of the votes cast in the May 3 election. On May 27, the two candidates participated in a virtual candidate forum […]
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 […]
