The latest Texas Legislature news from The Texas Tribune.
On the last day of the regular session of the Texas Legislature, hundreds protested at the Capitol — and Republican state Rep. Matt Rinaldi called ICE on them. He also nearly came to blows with Democratic colleagues. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/05/29/SBProtest-JA-001.jpg)
Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law a measure to regulate ride-hailing companies, establishing a statewide framework to regulate businesses such as Uber and Lyft. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/05/29/Abbott_signs_ride_bill_1_TT.jpg)
As of Sunday night, lawmakers still had little to show for two assignments Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick had given them in the home stretch: property tax reform and a "bathroom bill" that would regulate which restrooms transgender Texans can use. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/05/27/Patrick_Straus_shake_Abbott_smiles_TT.jpg)
Urban Democrats said they opposed the bill because it didn't allow planning regulations for land around military bases. They feared that could lead to development that interferes with the installations' operations. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/05/28/Menendez_filibuster_BD_TT.jpg)
Politicians who make money off government contracts will have to disclose the work under a bill that got final approval in the Legislature Sunday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d5113915df216293c19ff8879d0f5638/BD%20INC%20Giovanni%20Capriglione%20TT%20NYT%202013)
Texas legislators cast final votes Sunday evening on a pair of bills overhauling how the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services works with and finds homes for abused and neglected children. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/05/24/parents_holding_childrens_hands_greenaperture.jpg)
Both the Texas House and Senate approved two measures to combat sexual assault on college campuses. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/01/31/_95I1427_Watson_last.jpg)
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/03/09/HancockTT.jpg)
The House and Senate have approved a compromise on voter ID legislation, sending it to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/10/27/KarnesCity_BD8855.jpg)
House members accused the Senate of playing games with Texans’ health and safety by holding out on legislation that would keep state agencies, including the Texas Medical Board, in existence. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/05/28/Larry_Gonzales_presser_day_139_BD_TT.jpg)
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/05/27/Big_3_TT.jpg)
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/05/14/MMD2.jpeg)
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/04/23/Tech-1.jpg)
The House adjourned for the day Saturday without appointing conferees to work out its differences with the Senate on property tax legislation. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/12/07/BD7_6507Bettencourt.JPG)
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/12/06/_BDE0122_crowd.jpg)
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/04/14/Nelson-Zerwas.jpg)
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
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/05/26/StrausPatrick-presser.jpg)
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/04/25/__BDC4587_Zerwas_.jpg)
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/05/22/Hunter_Calendars_House_LS_TT.jpg)