Texas Legislature 2025

Buoyed by the Trump administration's willingness to place restrictions on food assistance programs, Texas moves to limit junk food. Full Story 

Texas is slated to spend $51 billion on property tax cuts over the next two years. Some worry that’s unsustainable. Full Story 

A package of bills aims to better prepare the state to prevent and fight wildfires. Full Story 

Abbott faces pressure from both sides of the aisle. The prohibition was a priority for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, but some hemp farmers and veterans want it killed. Full Story 

House and Senate members agreed that judges needed a pay raise. But they spent the final hours of the legislative session debating whether Texas lawmakers should also benefit from the boost. Full Story 

Tinderholt attributed his decision to retire to his confidence in a new conservative generation of lawmakers and a desire to spend more time with his family. Full Story 

The Legislature wrapped up without the same drama that defined the end of the last two sessions, with state GOP leaders checking off nearly everything on their to-do lists. Full Story 

Texas lawmakers bypassed bills that would have restricted “forever chemicals” in sewage sludge, studied health impacts and banned some uses of PFAS-laced firefighting foams. Full Story 

Texas is poised to lead the country in an initiative to inform denizens of what’s in their food. Food industry experts say it’s going too far. Full Story 

Senate Bill 8 would further expand the state’s role in enforcing immigration laws, long the sole jurisdiction of the federal government. Full Story 

State legislators passed an array of bills this year aimed at reining in the state’s high home prices and rents. Full Story 

The state standardized test has long been criticized for taking instructional time away from teachers and putting unnecessary pressure on students. Full Story 

Local organizations strongly opposed the measure, hosting phone banking events to urge lawmakers to vote against the bill. Full Story 

The goal of the bill, according to the author, was to curb “nuclear verdicts” — ones that award victims $10 million or more. Full Story 

A bill to increase judicial salaries from $140,000 to $175,000 a year stalled amid a disagreement over lawmakers’ own retirement benefits. Full Story 

Ken Paxton sought more power for his office to take up election cases. But lawmakers haven’t agreed on a measure that would give it to him. Full Story 

Tensions flared and the debate turned personal as Republicans said their bill empowered parents and denied predictions that the ban will endanger children. Full Story 

A boost in public school spending, school vouchers, and money for water systems are other highlights of the state budget, which was bolstered by a $24 billion surplus. Full Story 

Research shows cellphones interfere with students' ability to focus in class. Texas would join at least nine other states that ban students from using their phones during the school day. Full Story 

The Legislature has approved a conference committee report that lists sales to certain people from China, North Korea, Russia and Iran as threats to national security. Full Story