Kelly Hancock

The Texas Senate gave initial approval Wednesday to legislation that would eliminate straight-ticket voting in all elections.

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A tort-reform bill that would discourage property owners from suing insurers over weather-related claims tentatively passed the Texas Senate on Tuesday.

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The Texas Senate could soon debate the "Buffett Bill," a special interest carve-out aimed at giving billionaire Warren Buffett a little relief from protectionist state laws. And the bill that would help electric car maker Tesla Motors? Stalled. 

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Under Senate Bill 451 by state Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills, Texas cities would be prevented from banning short-term rentals and their ability to write ordinances restricting the practice would be narrowed.

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Multiple bills filed in the Texas Legislature are seeking to give certain Texas nurses independence from costly contracts with supervising physicians.

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Only one committee received a new committee chair in the Texas Senate. Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, will chair the Senate Administration Committee. 

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Aides to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, leader of the Texas Senate, say a bill cracking down on sanctuary cities would be fast-tracked in a special session. But so far Gov. Greg Abbott is resisting calls to convene one, meaning any reforms would be put on hold for more than a year.

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The state’s constitutional spending cap will remain untouched this session, and House and Senate leaders are blaming each other for the lack of action on the arcane but politically important measure.

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State Sen. José Rodríguez said Thursday that if the opportunity arises, he plans to filibuster a bill allowing the open carry of handguns in Texas. 

 

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At our 5/28 conversation, state Sens. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills; Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham; and José Rodríguez, D-El Paso, were pessimistic about the possibility of a compromise on the Hazlewood Act.

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At our 5/28 conversation, state Sens. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills; Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham; and José Rodríguez, D-El Paso, discussed whether meaningful ethics reform will pass this session.

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At our 5/28 conversation, state Sens. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills; Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham; and José Rodríguez, D-El Paso, talked about the fate of the open carry bill — and the prospect of a filibuster.

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Full video of my 5/28 conversation with state Sens. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills; Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham; and José Rodríguez, D-El Paso.

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With the clock winding down on the legislative session, Tesla Motors, Uber and Lyft have little to show for the money they spent on high-profile lobbying. As deadlines loom, the bills they were steering appear to have run out of gas.

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The Texas Senate wants to limit growth in the state budget — by adding a fifth spending limit to state law.

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Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Senate Republicans had hoped to amend the Texas Constitution to tighten the state's spending cap. Short of the needed votes, they passed a measure creating a new cap in state law instead.

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The question of whether Attorney General Ken Paxton will be charged in connection with his failure to register with the State Securities Board while soliciting clients for investment firms could now rest in the hands of the Texas Rangers.

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The Senate passed a bill Thursday that would tighten the state's constitutional spending cap and make it tougher for future legislatures to break it. Senate Bill 9, by Sen. Kelly Hancock, passed with a vote of 19-12. 

 

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State contracting has become one of the signature issues of the legislative session, but finding a fix won't be easy.

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