The latest Texas Legislature news from The Texas Tribune.
Lawmakers delivered Gov. Greg Abbott a long-sought bill to stop local governments from enacting local laws that exceed state law on a number of fronts. Full Story
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The boisterous and outspoken attorney will be matched against two legal icons who will prosecute the attorney general in his upcoming trial before the Texas Senate. Full Story
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Patrick said he had always intended to sign the measure but pulled it aside in response to the House playing “games” at the end of the regular session. Full Story
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The bill would close a long-standing loophole in state law that allows officials to withhold law enforcement records if no one was convicted in a case. The measure was the only bill sent to the Senate that did not get signed and sent to the governor. Full Story
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The governor stands behind his support of the Texas House tax plan despite Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s insistence that the Senate has a better deal for homeowners. Full Story
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At a Texas Tribune event, state Reps. John Smithee and Four Price — who have historically resisted school-choice initiatives — take a wait-and-see approach to a future special session on the issue. Full Story
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Senators have been publicly silent, citing their role as jurors with a weighty decision: whether to remove one of the state’s top Republicans from office. Full Story
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Led by Andrew Murr, a West Texas rancher and lawyer, and Ann Johnson, a former prosecutor, the team of 12 includes 11 with law degrees. Full Story
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Following Paxton’s impeachment on Saturday, Gov. Greg Abbott appointed former Texas Secretary of State John Scott to serve as the state’s top attorney. Full Story
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The Houston-based attorneys are legends in their own right, having participated in numerous high-profile criminal and civil matters. Full Story
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Noncommercial cars in 17 counties will still have to pass an emissions test to obtain a state registration. Full Story
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Always happy to castigate the Texas House, Patrick breaks form to criticize the governor as misinformed and unsympathetic toward homeowners. Full Story
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The defense team includes the agency’s chief appellate lawyer and head of its general litigation division. Full Story
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The House passed a bill without Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s preferred increase to homestead exemptions — then abruptly adjourned for the special session. That basically tells the Senate to take the House bill Gov. Greg Abbott backs or leave it. Full Story
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At least five candidates have already announced their intention to run in the solidly Republican North Texas district. Full Story
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Their dream of passing a bill to improve access to state services for Texans who don’t speak English or Spanish was dashed. Woori Juntos activists fought until the end seeking at least a study of their ideas. Full Story
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Abbott noted many bills that were passed during the regular session, which ended around 6 p.m. Monday, but he added that “many critical items remain” and will require multiple special sessions. Full Story
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The 2023 legislative session started with a $32.7 billion surplus. It was mired in Republican infighting and multiple scandals. Then, the House impeached the state’s attorney general. Full Story
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After negotiations that became tense and public, the House and Senate fell short of delivering on one of the biggest legislative priorities for Republicans in the regular legislative session. Full Story
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Seven Republicans and five Democrats make up the board of managers who will handle the prosecution in the trial. In the Senate, a committee will recommend rules of procedure on June 20. Full Story
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