Abbott’s office did not specify what legislative priorities will be included on the special session agenda and said in an advisory that such items “will be announced prior to the convening of the special session.”
Texas Legislature 2021
The 87th Texas Legislature approved hundreds of new laws during its regular session that ended in May 2021, including a near-total ban on abortions. Lawmakers then returned to Austin for three special sessions aimed at passing additional conservative priorities. Although House Democrats fled the state for weeks, lawmakers eventually passed new voting restrictions. They also approved new political maps and a proposed constitutional amendment that could lower property tax bills.
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The 2021 legislative session is over. Here are the big bills that passed – and the ones that failed
Texas lawmakers filed thousands of bills during the 2021 legislative session. Here are the big bills that passed – and the ones that failed.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Gov. Greg Abbott vetoes funding for Texas Legislature and its staff as punishment for Democrats’ walkout on elections bill
The governor’s move comes after Democrats walked out of the House in the final days of the regular legislative session to block passage of Senate Bill 7, Abbott’s priority elections bill that would have overhauled voting rights in the state.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Texans can carry handguns without a license or training starting Sept. 1, after Gov. Greg Abbott signs permitless carry bill into law
Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and other Republicans who were initially noncommittal about the bill were under immense political pressure this session from conservatives and gun rights advocates, who have long lobbied the Texas Legislature for permitless carry.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Watered-down expansion of Texas’ medical marijuana program signed into law
House Bill 1535 expands eligibility for the Texas Compassionate Use Program to people with cancer and post-traumatic stress disorder. It’s effective Sept. 1.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Analysis: The 2021 Texas Senate, from left to right
Based on the votes they cast during the just-concluded regular session, the author ranks the members of the Texas Senate from most conservative to most liberal.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Las Vegas Sands went all in on legalizing casinos in Texas. Here’s why the multimillion-dollar effort did not make it far this session.
The legislation — which required voter approval — would have brought a monumental expansion of gambling to Texas, which has some of the most restrictive gaming laws in the country.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Analysis: The 2021 Texas House, from left to right
Based on the votes they cast during the just-concluded regular session, the author ranks the members of the Texas House from most conservative to most liberal.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Gov. Greg Abbott said Texas lawmakers would prioritize workers in 2021. But advocates say the working class was largely left behind.
After Texas workers were praised during the pandemic, many thought lawmakers would increase protections or benefits. But advocacy groups say they spent a lot of time playing defense on bills that could hurt workers.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Texas power generation companies will have to better prepare for extreme weather under bills Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law
Senate Bills 2 and 3 are aimed at overhauling the state’s power grid after the devastating winter storm in February and the widespread power outages that followed.