His approach differs somewhat from past sessions, when Abbott kept legislators in suspense on whether certain hot-button proposals would have his support.
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.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2021
Medicaid expansion for uninsured Texans had bipartisan support, but lawmakers won’t pass it this session
Nothing is truly dead until the session ends. But committee chairs in both chambers have blocked bills from getting hearings, and supporters have dim hopes that Republican leaders will revive it in time.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2021
Protesters who obstruct emergency vehicles could face felony charges under bill passed by Texas House
The bill is in response to nationwide protests against police brutality last year.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2021
Texas House advances bill that would ban homeless encampments in public
The bill still needs final approval by the House — usually a formality after it’s passed in the chamber’s first vote — and then will head to the Senate.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2021
Permitless carry of a handgun in Texas nearly law, after Senate OKs bill
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.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2021
GOP lawmakers want to ban “woke philosophies” like critical race theory in Texas schools
Gov. Greg Abbott has called for expanding the state’s civic education curriculum, but the House and Senate are quickly advancing bills that would restrict the discussion of current events and public policy in the classroom and prohibit critical race theory in public schools.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2021
Texas Legislature advances bills to shield oil and gas from climate initiatives
“Oil and gas is the lifeblood of the Texas economy,” state Rep. Phil King, R-Weatherford, said on the House floor Monday.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2021
Texas Senate bill restricting transgender students’ sports participation stalls in House committee, casting doubts on its fate
The bill would prevent transgender Texas children from joining school sports teams that match their gender identity.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2021
Major corporations come out against proposed voting restrictions in Texas
Dozens of big companies, local businesses and chambers of commerce issued a statement reflecting the biggest pushback yet by the business community against Texas Republican efforts to further tighten the state’s restrictive voting rules.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2021
Bail in Texas could see key changes under House bill, but some lawmakers still see an unequal system
The Texas House on Tuesday approved House Bill 20, one of Gov. Greg Abbott’s emergency items this year, and sent it to the Senate.