31 Days, 31 Ways (2013)

Public schools in which 80 percent or more of the students are eligible for a free or reduced-price meal must offer a free breakfast to all students starting this school year. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story 

This year, Texas joined several other states that ban minors from tanning indoors. Previously, certain minors — those between 16 ½ and 18 — could tan with parental consent. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story 

Offenses like using profanity and fighting have led some Texas public school students to the courtroom. Under a new law, school police officers will not be allowed to charge students for such offenses. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story 

A grant program that focuses on training students in fields like high-tech manufacturing and computer support is undergoing funding cuts as a result of legislation passed during this year’s regular session. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story 

Texans can now rest assured that their bison are protected under the state's agriculture code if they wander off their property. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story 

Lawmakers approved measures in the 83rd legislative session that will affect Texans' medical care. Use this interactive to take a look at 31 ways those new laws will change Texas health policy. This is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story 

For decades, weapons confiscated by Texas police were supposed to be repurposed for law enforcement use or destroyed. Starting next month, some will be available for purchase. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story 

Texas State University-San Marcos will be officially renamed. The new moniker will be the school's seventh since its founding in 1903. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story 

Texas drivers will have to slow down or move over one lane when passing Texas Department of Transportation workers under a new law. This story is part of our monthlong 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story 

Lawmakers, who usually get bogged down in controversy over election laws, managed to pass a mail-in ballot measure that aims to crack down on voter fraud. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story 

The Health and Human Services Commission will create a program to promote the resale of certain equipment that was purchased with Medicaid dollars. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story 

The Legislature ensured that a fund to help poor Texans with their electricity bills went to its intended purpose. But it also agreed to empty the fund by 2017. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story 

Under new training requirements, teachers, administrators and staff will undergo mental health intervention training intended to inform educators about recognizing mental and emotional disorders. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story 

Lawmakers this year approved a bill requiring DNA testing in death penalty cases. Some prosecutors worry more testing could simply delay a guilty defendant’s inevitable conviction. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story 

Lawmakers passed a new set of congressional and legislative maps in their first special session. Redistricting has been a long and contentious process, and it is probably far from over. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story 

About 1,000 Texans work as volunteers for the state-funded Military Veteran Peer Network. The 83rd Legislature recognized their work and is helping the organization grow its ranks. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story 

For the first time since the charter school system was created in 1995, the state education board will no longer play a central role in determining which charter schools get approved. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story 

A few minor ethics measures passed in the 83rd legislative session. But the real story is what didn’t happen. This story is part of our monthlong 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story 

All Texas hospitals with emergency rooms will soon be required to have staff trained in at least basic collection of forensic evidence from sexual assault victims. This story is part of our monthlong 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story 

Motorists in Texas will soon be allowed to use their cellphones to show proof of insurance during traffic stops. Proponents of the legislation say that the law will increase at the efficiency at those stops. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story 

One way that invasive aquatic species like the zebra mussel can spread across Texas waterways is via boats that aren't cleaned. New legislation requires boater education courses to address the importance of cleaning boats. This story is part of our monthlong 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story 

Fewer college students will be required to have meningitis vaccinations, and new rules also make it easier for some students to opt out of the vaccinations. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story 

With new laws increasing the penalties for drivers involved in hit-and-run fatalities or those who fail to stop and render aid, advocates hope there is more incentive for drivers to stay at the scene of accidents. This story is part of our monthlong 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story 

Lawmakers have increased the Commission on State Emergency Services' budget by 33 percent. That will help update its 911 system, which serves 224 of Texas' 254 counties. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story 

After hearing critics take aim at the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners, legislators approved new regulations that they hope will improve the board's efficiency. This story is part of our monthlong 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story 

A new constraint on proxy marriage in Texas — a measure intended to prevent fraud — will have a secondary effect: It will end prison inmates' ability to tie the knot. This story is part of our month-long 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story 

The state’s new Expanded Learning Opportunities Council will be charged with developing a statewide action plan to improve and create extended learning opportunities in public schools. This story is part of our monthlong 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story 

Thousands of untested rape kits are likely to get processed for DNA evidence after state budget writers included $11 million for the effort in the 2014-15 budget. This story is part of our monthlong 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story 

Texans who work in some industries must already take drug tests as a condition of employment. Soon, they will also face them if they lose their jobs and seek unemployment. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story 

Texas' craft brewers are facing the biggest legislative overhaul the industry has seen in 20 years. News laws are letting them expand sales of their products. This story is part of our monthlong 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story 

Under House Bill 5, students entering high school this fall will take 10 fewer state exams than their classmates two years ahead of them. This story is part of our month-long 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story