One bill awaiting action by the governor will require freestanding emergency rooms to clearly disclose the in-network health plans they accept and the fees patients may be charged.
Texas Legislature 2019
The 86th Legislature runs from Jan. 8 to May 27. From the state budget to health care to education policy — and the politics behind it all — we focus on what Texans need to know about the biennial legislative session.
Analysis: The Texas Legislature has left Austin. Now what?
Lawmakers are gone, and the legislative season is over. Cue up the 2020 elections!
From property taxes to teacher pay, here’s how the Texas Legislature handled spending priorities
Take a look at how Texas lawmakers reconciled major differences in their proposed two-year budgets, including funding for public schools, teacher salaries, women’s health, prison guard salaries and more.
Analysis: The latest Texas legislative session proves elections have consequences
The marked difference between the 86th Legislature and its predecessors followed an election year that changed politicians’ minds about who deserved their attention.
“The right man at this point in Texas history”: How Dennis Bonnen led the Texas House
Dennis Bonnen gaveled out on Monday with much of the same widespread support in the Texas House that accompanied his unanimous election to the speaker’s gavel in January.
TribCast: Bonus sine die edition
On this week’s bonus TribCast, political reporter Patrick Svitek leads a conversation on what happened — and what’s next — now that the 86th session of the Texas Legislature has adjourned.
Texas law will outlaw minors from buying popular cough medicine
Texas joins 18 other states that have passed similar laws restricting access to over-the-counter cough medicines like Nyquil and Robitussin that include the ingredient dextromethorphan.
Analysis: Do as they say, not as they do
The Texas Legislature did a lot in the 86th regular session, especially if you judge by their spending.
TribCast: It’s sine die time
On this week’s post-legislative session TribCast, Emily talks to Alexa, Aliyya and Emma about the kumbaya legislative session, the details of school finance reform and the fate of (now former) Texas Secretary of State David Whitley.
Through the lens: The 86th Texas Legislature in photos
Take a look back at the 2019 regular legislative session as seen through the lenses of Texas Tribune photographers.

