State 977
The Texas Legislature passes an” Ibogaine Research Consortium” to Treat Opioid Addiction.
Legislators approved a bill to start clinical tests of ayahuasca, a psychoactive substance supporters believe is effective in treating opioid addiction during the 89th Congressional session, while discussions on health marijuana and low-dose THC products predominated. In order to obtain U.S. Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) approval for its use in treating opioid […]
The Texas Secretary of State reaches the attorney general with 33 reported noncitizen citizens
After Secretary of State ( SOS ) Jane Nelson gained access to a federal citizenship database used to cross-reference the voter rolls, 33 potential noncitizens who voted in the November 2024 general election will be reported to the Texas Office of the Attorney General ( OAG ). The SOS claimed that they were able to […]
AI, Technology, Social Media Legislation Roundup: Bills Taken Up During 89th Session
In an ever-evolving digital environment, the Texas Legislature took proactive measures during the 89th Legislative Session to pass bills that will work to regulate and oversee the future of artificial intelligence (AI) and technology within the state. To the surprise of some, Gov. Greg Abbott made the announcement during his State of the State address […]
Veto Tracker: Gov. Abbott’s Vetoes from the 89th Legislative Session
Texas law grants Gov. Greg Abbott the power to reject legislation approved by state lawmakers, which requires a two-thirds vote to override. Once the regular session concludes, the governor is allotted a 20-day window to finalize any veto decisions. × This page requires Javascript. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium […]
Here’s a Look at the Status of Dan Patrick’s Texas Senate Legislative Priorities
The Texas Senate succeeded in pushing a majority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s legislative priorities through both chambers during the regular legislative session. Patrick released a list of 40 pieces of priority legislation in the first three months of the year, covering a variety of issues. Here is the status of the Senate priority bills […]
Texas Legislature Finalizes $338 Billion 2026-2027 Biennial Budget
A final deal was struck in the closing days of the 89th Regular Session on a $338 billion biennial budget, the one constitutional requirement of the Texas Legislature each time it convenes for the first five months of every odd-numbered year. The budget is a 1.2 percent increase from what has been spent during the […]
Texas House and Senate Strike Last-Minute Deal on Judicial Pay Raises, Lawmaker Pension Increases
State judges will get their 25 percent pay raise after the Texas House and Senate resolved their differences in a standoff over elected official pension benefits tied to the base judicial salary. Under the deal, judicial base pay will rise to $175,000, and that number will also serve as the basis for lawmaker pensions. However, […]
Rep. Tony Tinderholt Announces Retirement After Six Terms in Texas House
As Texas’ 89th Legislative Session came to a close on Monday afternoon, state Rep. Tony Tinderholt (R-Arlington) announced his retirement from public office after having served for six terms — drawing bipartisan congratulations, support, and gratitude on the House floor. “Arguably, my 12 years here has been one of the more difficult combat zones I’ve […]
Texas Sheriff-Federal Official Immigration Enforcement Partnership Bill Sent to Governor
The conference committee report for Senate Bill (SB) 8 passed in the Texas House on Sunday, seeking to enhance cooperation between state and federal law enforcement agencies in order to enforce immigration law. The bill was co-authored in the upper chamber by Sens. Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) and Joan Huffman (R-Houston) and was carried in the […]
Texas Medical Cannabis ‘Compassionate Use Program’ Expansion Bill Heads to Abbott’s Desk
A bill aimed at expanding the availability and accessibility of Texas’ medical cannabis program is headed to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk, following revisions to earlier legislative efforts that had encountered various obstacles. The conference committee report for House Bill (HB) 46 underwent a number of changes and rewrites in the weeks leading up to its […]
2025 Texas Legislative Session Ends After Passing Education Funding, School Choice, THC Ban
The 89th Legislative Session will come to a close Monday after 140 days in Austin full of policy fights over education, the Texas Lottery, infrastructure, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products, and the state budget. This legislative session began on January 14 with an intense, brutal fight over the House speakership that left more questions than answers about […]
Texas House, Senate Clash Over Judicial Pay Amendment Concerning Lawmaker Retirement Pensions
This legislative session had room for one more bit of fireworks before sine die, when the Texas Senate voted for a bill to raise judicial pay but stripped House language that untied their own pensions from the salary increase. The issue of a judicial pay raise — which judges haven’t been since 2013 — has […]
