Bill to end jail time for those too poor to pay fines heads to Texas governor
The bill would allow courts to ask defendants if they are too poor to pay for traffic tickets, fines for other low-level and fine-only offenses or court costs. Full Story
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![Detainees line up to leave the outdoor recreation area at the Travis County Juvenile Detention Center in Austin on June 24, 2013.]()
Credit: Jennifer Whitney for The Texas Tribune -
Short-term rental measure likely dead after conference committee action
A conference committee Saturday voted to strip an amendment that would have blocked cities from regulating short-term rentals like Airbnb, all but killing the measure with less than two days left in the legislative session. Full Story
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![State Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills, chairman of the Business & Commerce Committee, at a hearing on March 9, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
House, Senate OK compromise on bill to soften voter ID law
The House and Senate have approved a compromise on voter ID legislation, sending it to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk. Full Story
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![Voter ID regulations posted at a south Texas early voting location on Oct. 26, 2016.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Political showdown over bathrooms has been years in the making
Well before the current legislative standoff over public accommodations for transgender Texans, the political elements of the "bathroom bill" fight were falling into place. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Speaker of the House Joe Straus on the dais in the House chamber for a joint session memorializing the nation's veterans, on May 27, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Will Straus become Texas' longest-serving House speaker? 7 things to keep in mind
The San Antonio Republican defied threats of a special session and stood his ground on the GOP's battles over bathroom legislation and property tax elections. Now, he's eyeing a sixth term leading the lower chamber. Full Story
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![House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, on May 11, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Lawmakers vote to fund veterinary medicine at Texas Tech
The Texas Tech University's plans for a veterinary school were "on pause" when the legislative session began. But lawmakers voted Saturday to allocate $4.1 million for the project. Full Story
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Credit: Allison Ralston -
Chances of House, Senate agreement on property taxes appear slim
The House adjourned for the day Saturday without appointing conferees to work out its differences with the Senate on property tax legislation. Full Story
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![Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
"Buy American" iron and steel bill gets legislative approval
On Saturday, both chambers approved a "Buy American" iron and steel bill that will expand a provision already in effect for the Texas Department of Transportation and the Texas Water Development Board. The measure now heads to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk. Full Story
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![A construction site in Austin's Warehouse District on May 2, 2017.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune -
Convention of states-related bill hits Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk
A bill outlining the duties and limits of Texas delegates should a convention of states to amend the U.S. Constitution occur is headed to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk for a signature. Full Story
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![People interested in the convention of states process listened to Gov. Greg Abbott speak on Texans' role at the state Capitol on Dec. 6, 2016.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Legislature sends $217 billion budget to Gov. Abbott
Amid increased talk of a special session over other issues, both the Texas House and Senate voted Saturday evening to approve a $217 billion, two-year budget, the only bill lawmakers are required to pass. Full Story
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![House Appropriations Chairman John Zerwas, R-Richmond, and Senate Finance Chairwoman Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound.]()
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Texas House moves to require more abortion reporting data
Health facilities that perform abortions may soon have to release data on complications that arise during and after the procedure — another move by GOP lawmakers to crack down on abortions in Texas. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman / The Texas Tribune -
Texas lawmakers pass bill making attacks on police, judges a hate crime
Under the bill, any crime against either group that results in serious bodily injury would be a first-degree felony, which carries a sentence of up to 99 years or life in prison. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks on the first day of the 85th Legislature on Jan. 10, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Oversized tweets from a Texas trainwreck
It's the last Saturday of the legislative session — a day combining long, boring periods of inactivity with high levels of drama. In other words: perfect for a wandering mind. Full Story
![Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Speaker of the House Joe Straus on the dais in the House chamber for a joint session memorializing the nation's veterans, on May 27, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate sends bill to governor discouraging weather-related lawsuits
A tort-reform bill that would discourage property owners from suing insurers over weather-related claims tentatively passed the Texas Senate on Tuesday. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
Patrick, Straus deadlocked over "bathroom bill"
In dueling press conferences Friday evening, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Joe Straus revealed themselves at an impasse over bathroom regulations that could prompt Gov. Greg Abbott to call a special session. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, left, and House Speaker Joe Straus, right, from dueling press conferences they each held on May 26, 2017.]()
Credit: Cassandra Pollock/Alexa Ura -
Legislature opts to largely maintain cuts of therapy services for disabled children
The House grudgingly voted to accept the Senate's supplemental budget proposal, which would not restore funding for disabled children's therapy services. Full Story
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![State Rep. John Zerwas, R-Richmond, talks with Rep. Tom Craddick, R-Midland, on the House floor April 25, 2017. Zerwas is co-chair of the House/Senate conference committee studying the state budget which had its organization meeting Monday.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Lawmakers say Driver Responsibility Program repeal unlikely this session
A measure to repeal the widely unpopular program made it out of the House but died before hitting the Senate floor. Full Story
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Credit: Callie Richmond for the Texas Tribune -
Audit: Cruz did not properly disclose Goldman Sachs loans in 2012
The Federal Election Commission ruled that U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz improperly disclosed several loans during his upstart 2012 Senate campaign. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Liveblog: Scenes from the final days of the 85th legislative session
Now that the House and Senate have adjourned sine die, take a look back at the sights and sounds of the final days of the Texas legislative session. Here's our live coverage. Full Story
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![Sen. Jose Menendez, D-San Antonio, reacts after his point of order to kill SB 4 the sanctuary city bill is denied during debate on Feb. 7, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas lawmakers considered a lot of bills. Can you spot the real ones?
How close have you been paying attention during the 85th Texas Legislative session? Take this quiz to see how well you can distinguish between real bills and fake ones. Full Story
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![State Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, right, chairman of the House Committee on Calendars, talks with Rep. Trent Ashby, R-Lufkin (seated, left) and Chris Paddie, R-Marshall (center) in a packed room on Sunday, May 21, 2017 at the Capitol.]()
Credit: Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune
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