State 977
Texas Bill Shielding Unsubstantiated Police Complaints from Public View Fails as Special Session Closes
A bill that would have protected some portions of police personnel files from disclosure under the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA) failed to pass after the Senate dropped amendments approved by the House, including one that referenced the 2022 school shooting in Uvalde. House Bill (HB) 15 by state Rep. Cole Hefner (R-Mt. Pleasant) sought […]
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Acquires More Land for New Park in Uvalde County
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is expanding the number of state parks available for Texans to visit and enjoy the outdoors by acquiring 1,720 acres in Uvalde County near Garner State Park. The new park, which will be named Bear Creek State Park, was purchased for $33.5 million and will be developed using […]
Texas Legislature Moves on Penalties to Dissuade Future Quorum Breaks
One of the last things the Texas House did before adjourning sine die on Wednesday night was to adopt rules changes that enact new punishments for future quorum breaks, along with a prohibition on fundraising during them. There are two primary things Republicans have done in response to the latest Democratic quorum break, the second […]
Abbott Directs Texas DPS to Enforce English Proficiency for Commercial Truck Drivers
Commercial truck drivers in Texas must read and speak English proficiently in order to obtain or maintain their licenses, per a new directive from Gov. Greg Abbott to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). In response to an executive order (EO) issued by President Donald Trump in April, Abbott directed the DPS to ensure […]
State Sen. Brandon Creighton Named Sole Finalist for Texas Tech System Chancellor
State Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) has been named the sole finalist to become the next Texas Tech University (TTU) System chancellor and chief executive officer. “The Texas Tech University System has a proud history and limitless potential,” said Creighton. × This page requires Javascript. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium […]
Texas Universities Replace Faculty Senates with Regent-Supervised Advisory Councils in Compliance with New Law
Texas universities are making policy changes to comply with Senate Bill (SB) 37, one of many bills that took effect September 1, which changes faculty senates into advisory councils and gives final authority on curriculum and degree programs to boards of regents appointed by the governor. SB 37 author state Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) said […]
Second Special Session of 2025 Closes as Texas House and Senate Adjourn Sine Die
The Texas Legislature has concluded the second called special session of the 89th Legislature, wrapping up a chaotic three weeks of hashing out hot-button issues in the dust of a Democratic quorum break. The second special session was called by Gov. Greg Abbott on August 15, immediately after the conclusion of the first one. It […]
THC Deal Between Governor, Legislature Falls Through Before Second Special Session Ends
Gov. Greg Abbott’s special session agenda item tasking the Texas Legislature with addressing hemp-derived THC in Texas will not be resolved before the end of the session. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick made the announcement on social media that “after long discussions” with the other members of Texas’ “Big Three” — Abbott and House Speaker Dustin […]
Texas Lawmakers Struggle on Hemp-Derived THC Agreement Before Special Session Ends
With the Texas Legislature nearing its anticipated sine die for the second special session on Wednesday, questions over the future of hemp-derived THC remain unresolved, leaving many to wonder whether the issue is going to be reignited or go up in smoke. In the expected final hours of the second special session, Gov. Greg Abbott, […]
THC, Property Tax Reform in Limbo as Texas Legislature Scrambles for Agreement Before Sine Die
The Texas Legislature — its leadership, its membership, and its staff — is weary and frazzled as this second special session of 2025 winds to a close. But with the end in sight, the typical mad dash to pass everything possible runs up against significant existing disagreement over pending legislation on THC, property taxes, and […]
Texas Lottery Transferred to TDLR After Legislative Battle Over Couriers, Alleged ‘Criminal Conspiracy’
As of September 1, the Texas Lottery Commission (TLC) is now under the jurisdiction of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). The agency has undergone a tumultuous saga involving state lawmakers, investigations, and accusations about its alleged scandalous operations. Back in 1991, Texas voters approved the creation of a state lottery, and in […]
New Texas Laws from 89th Session Face Legal Challenges
Lawsuits are being lobbed at a handful of the 835 laws that went into effect in Texas on Monday as well as their potential counterparts, in order to prevent them from being implemented. Issues that were broached during the 89th regular session spanned school choice, a ban on taxpayer-funded abortion travel, required age verification on […]
