Texas Legislature 2023

Featured coverage

The regular 2023 legislative session is over. Here’s how the most consequential bills fared.

by Texas Tribune Staff Updated: June 2, 2023

A look at which bills passed and which failed during the 2023 legislative session. Full Story 

Watch: Live video from the Texas House and Senate

by Chris Essig Jan. 10, 2023

The Texas Tribune is streaming the 2023 legislative session live from the Texas House and Senate chambers. The session runs from Jan. 10 to May 29. Full Story 

Texas Legislature 101: Understanding the state government and how it passes laws

by María Méndez Jan. 10, 2023

Here’s a rundown of how a bill becomes a law, how the Texas Legislature works and the power players who keep things moving under the Pink Dome. Full Story 

Latest coverage

• Texas to deploy buoys to deter Rio Grande crossings, Abbott announces

  by Zach Despart and Patrick Svitek 4 hours ago

  The governor revealed plans for a floating river barrier at a Capitol signing ceremony for six new laws related to border security. The first 1,000-foot section will be set up near Eagle Pass. Full Story 

• Texas lawmakers pull funding for child ID kits after investigation finds little evidence of their effectiveness

  by Jeremy Schwartz, The Texas Tribune and ProPublica June 8, 2023

  Lawmakers were slated to spend millions of taxpayer dollars for the kits but changed course after a series of revelations in a ProPublica and Texas Tribune investigation. Full Story 

• This year, Texas lawmakers zeroed in on existing health care programs, leaving bolder measures by the wayside

  by Stephen Simpson, Eleanor Klibanoff and Karen Brooks Harper June 8, 2023

  Pregnant moms on Medicaid will get health care coverage for a year, patients will get more detailed billing and nurses will get help with school loans. But efforts failed to gain steam for legalizing fentanyl test strips, increasing the pool of mental health professionals who accept Medicaid and expanding Medicaid benefits to more Texans. Full Story 

• With Texas House adjourned, Senate takes bigger swing at border enforcement and human smuggling

  by Uriel J. García June 7, 2023

  Rather than accept the House legislation as is, senators passed their own — more expansive — proposals for border security. But unless the House convenes again, the bills can’t go to the governor’s desk. Full Story 

• New Texas law bans COVID mask, vaccine and shutdown mandates, but some Republicans want more

  by Patrick Svitek June 7, 2023

  The bill, recently signed by Gov. Greg Abbott and set to take effect Sept. 1, does not restrict pandemic rules by private entities. Full Story 

• Texas comptroller certifies new $321.3 billion state spending plan, sends to Abbott’s desk

  by Karen Brooks Harper June 7, 2023

  Before Abbott can review the budget that will direct the state’s spending for the next two years, the comptroller has to certify that it doesn’t spend more money than the state expects to bring in. Full Story 

• “These allegations are completely untrue”: Paxton attorney Tony Buzbee promises vigorous defense in Senate trial

  by Robert Downen and James Barragán Updated: June 7, 2023

  The boisterous and outspoken attorney will be matched against two legal icons who will prosecute the attorney general in his upcoming trial before the Texas Senate. Full Story 

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• After a week’s delay, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick signs bill to increase transparency in public records law

  by Vianna Davila, The Texas Tribune and ProPublica Updated: June 7, 2023

  Patrick said he had always intended to sign the measure but pulled it aside in response to the House playing “games” at the end of the regular session. Full Story 

• Dan Patrick says Senate won’t budge on property tax relief — but there’s no House to negotiate with

  by Karen Brooks Harper and Uriel J. García Updated: June 6, 2023

  Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says the Senate won’t accept a property tax relief bill the lower chamber left behind before adjourning for the special session. A bill targeting migrant smuggling also appears imperiled. Full Story 

• Texas lawmakers closed a background check loophole, but many gun measures failed to pass

  by Alejandro Serrano June 6, 2023

  Legislators passed a bill that requires courts to report certain involuntary mental health hospitalizations to the federal gun background check system. Many other measures that could restrict firearm access got little traction. Full Story 

• Fossil fuels got a boost from lawmakers aiming to fix Texas’ grid, while renewable energy escaped stricter regulations

  by Emily Foxhall June 5, 2023

  The bills will give owners of natural gas power plants incentives to build more capacity, but they don’t go as far as originally proposed to change how electricity is created and sold in the Texas market. Full Story 

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• For higher education in Texas, this year’s session was a mixed bag of interference and investment

  by Kate McGee June 5, 2023

  Texas lawmakers made huge investments in community colleges and created new endowments for public universities. They also banned diversity, equity and inclusion offices and gave themselves more control over university faculty tenure. Full Story 

• Texas bill to increase transparency in public records law left in limbo despite passing Legislature

  by Vianna Davila, The Texas Tribune and ProPublica June 3, 2023

  The bill would close a long-standing loophole in state law that allows officials to withhold law enforcement records if no one was convicted in a case. The measure was the only bill sent to the Senate that did not get signed and sent to the governor. Full Story 

• Gov. Greg Abbott signs legislation barring trans youth from accessing transition-related care

  by Alex Nguyen and William Melhado Updated: June 3, 2023

  Texas joins 17 other states restricting transgender minors from accessing puberty blockers and hormone therapies. Opposing legal groups have vowed to sue to stop the new law from taking effect. Full Story 

• Abbott appointee resigns as chair of power grid regulator

  by Erin Douglas June 2, 2023

  Public Utility Commission chair Peter Lake had spearheaded a plan to help the state’s power grid withstand weather disasters, but the plan lacked support in the Texas Legislature. Full Story 

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• With no deal on property taxes in sight, Abbott hints at multiple special sessions

  by Zach Despart June 2, 2023

  The governor stands behind his support of the Texas House tax plan despite Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s insistence that the Senate has a better deal for homeowners. Full Story 

• Watch a June 15 conversation about Amarillo and the 2023 legislative session

  by Texas Tribune Events Staff June 2, 2023

  State Rep. John Smithee will be among the speakers talking about how Panhandle residents will be affected by state laws passed this year. The conversation will be moderated by Tribune reporter Jayme Lozano Carver. Full Story 

• Ken Paxton impeachment moves to Texas Senate, where conflicts of interest, political intrigue await

  by Patrick Svitek June 2, 2023

  Senators have been publicly silent, citing their role as jurors with a weighty decision: whether to remove one of the state’s top Republicans from office. Full Story 

• No teacher raises. A failed school voucher push. Armed guards. Here’s what changed for public education this legislative session.

  by Brian Lopez June 2, 2023

  Lawmakers sacrificed school funding to block school vouchers, but the issue could be debated again in a special session. Districts will get new funds for school safety, though Uvalde families were ultimately left disappointed with inaction on gun restrictions. Full Story 

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• Climate proposals withered at the Texas Capitol this year

  by Erin Douglas, Emily Foxhall and Alejandra Martinez June 2, 2023

  Proposals to improve energy efficiency failed. Bills that sought to limit greenhouse gas emissions in Texas were ignored, and legislation to block cities from taking action on climate change passed. Full Story