Texas lawmakers are entering the last two weeks of this legislative session, with some of their biggest promises unfilled. Don’t fret: They do a lot of their work only when deadlines loom.
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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Texas Legislature 2021
After sweltering temperatures killed Texas prisoners, lawmakers vote to install air conditioning
The bill approved by the House aims to cool all of Texas’ prisons before 2029. But even if it is signed into law, the lockups will only be air conditioned if lawmakers provide funds for installation.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Time runs out on Texas House bill banning gender-confirmation health care for kids, but another attempt lives on in the Senate
House Bill 1399 would have banned gender-confirmation surgery, hormone therapy and puberty suppression treatments for Texas’ transgender children.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Texas Legislature approves bill to ban residential wholesale electricity plans — the first major winter storm bill sent to the governor
Time is running out on a slate of other bills lawmakers are considering that stem from February’s deadly winter storm.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Texas House adds MLK and Frederick Douglass speeches to bill that would mandate teaching “informed American patriotism”
House Bill 4509 would mandate that students study documents such as the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Federalist Papers. The bill’s author added speeches from Black historical figures after criticism at a hearing last month.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Bill that would ban abortion at six weeks heads to governor’s desk to become Texas law
Gov. Greg Abbott has said he intends to sign the bill.
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Texas Legislature 2021
After Texas House rejects Senate changes, bill allowing permitless carrying of handguns will get hashed out behind closed doors
House Bill 1927 would nix the requirement for Texas residents to obtain a license to carry handguns if they’re not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing a gun.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Despite high rate of teen pregnancies, Texas lawmakers unlikely to expand Children’s Health Insurance Program to cover birth control
Texas ranks ninth in the nation in teen pregnancy. But lawmakers have neglected to pass a bill expanding CHIP to cover contraceptives.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Prospects for many Texas House bills dim if they’re not passed today. Here’s what you need to know.
By midnight Friday, House members have to grant preliminary approval to many bills originated in the lower chamber. There’s likely not enough time to get to them all. But there are ways to revive measures so they still become law.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Analysis: Judge legislators by what gets their attention — and their neglect
As the Texas Legislature rolls into its final two weeks, it’s fair to credit members with what they’ve done. But pay attention to what they ignored.