The latest Texas Legislature news from The Texas Tribune.
A Texas Senate panel considered legislation Tuesday that would require construction companies to give workers mandatory rest breaks — an effort to prevent illnesses and deaths from the sweltering Texas heat. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/05/15/Worker-1.jpg)
An amendment to ban abortion providers from receiving any funds from the state budget passed in the House, but it's unclear how effective it would be in fully defunding groups like Planned Parenthood. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/01/25/Matt_Rinaldi_Race_and_Politics.jpg)
A Texas senator wants to criminalize cyberbullying when it leads to a minor's serious injury or suicide. Critics of the bill say prevention is more effective than punishment. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/04/07/Cyber-BullyA.jpg)
Colleges are asking the state to pare back the state program that offers free tuition to veterans or their children. But key lawmakers in the Texas House don't want to mess with what's being offered to current veterans and their families. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/10/27/ROTC_Cadtes_TAMUK_ES_TT.jpg)
It's hard to know exactly how the Top 10 Percent Rule has impacted diversity at UT-Austin, but data suggests it does boost the school's Hispanic population right now. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/04/10/TxTrib_Campus_031.jpg)
Minors in the state may be required to obtain parental approval before they can join a labor union under a proposal the Texas Senate tentatively approved along party lines Monday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/11/06/Nelson_FlatteringTT.jpg)
The House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee heard testimony for a bill Monday that would penalize people for discharging a firearm without an intended target. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/HandGuns.jpg)
Texas lawmakers on Monday considered changes to the state's election code regarding language interpreters for voters who are not proficient in English, three years after a voter's son was blocked from helping her cast a ballot. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/02/25/6F6A9180.jpg)
A state that wants to grow by freeing economic engines from regulations and taxes is throttling its cities and school districts with regulations and taxes. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/12/13/House-Taxes.jpg)
A Texas House member's proposal would cut $3 million from Gov. Greg Abbott's homeland security budget and give it to victims of human trafficking. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/09/15/12_1.jpg)
After more than 15 hours of debate, the Texas House passed its budget proposal early Friday morning, 131-16. Here's the story in pictures. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/04/06/House_budget_day_LS_TT.jpg)
Nervous to testify before a House or Senate committee? Texas lobbyist Blake Rocap explains how to make your voice heard — even if you can’t make it to Austin. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/04/07/TT-QA-testify-art.jpg)
The state has a Rainy Day Fund with billions of dollars in it, but Texas lawmakers would rather use accounting tricks to balance their next budget. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/04/22/RainyDay-1.jpg)
After 15 and a half hours of debate on hundreds of amendments to the Texas House budget, lawmakers in the lower chamber passed the two-year, $218 billion document, with 131 votes in favor and 16 votes against. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/04/06/Straus_budget_day_LS_TT.jpg)
Several Texas lawmakers have personal or business ties to the Houston and Dallas pension systems, as the Legislature considers bills aimed at fixing both cities' pension problems. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/04/03/_BDD5825x.jpg)
While the Texas House on Thursday voted to defund a controversial economic development program and put the money toward services for vulnerable children, a group of Tea Party Republicans complained about the way the vote was handled. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/04/06/Stickland_Personal_SK.jpg)
The Texas House on Thursday voted unanimously to cut the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission's travel budget and restrict its use of money from outside groups. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/03/22/TABC-1.jpg)
Legislators are considering a bill that would create a commission tasked with determining the fate of Texas’ 13 state supported living centers by 2018. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/02/21/capitol-dome.jpg)
If history is any guide, the Texas House is poised for a long day with its fair share of drama as the chamber takes up a $218 billion budget that has drawn 400 proposed amendments. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/01/04/Texas_House_pre_85.jpg)
More than a dozen bills have been filed this session that would let more two-year colleges offer four-year degrees. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/15/sanjacinto-cc.jpg)