House Bill 26 advanced out of the Texas Legislature on Aug. 27, two days after being added to the second special session’s agenda.
Texas Legislature 2025
Texas lawmakers are in Austin for the 89th Texas Legislature’s second, 30-day special session. They are redrawing the state’s congressional map, considering limits on consumable THC products and pushing flood preparedness measures. A first special session ended without successful legislation after House Democrats fled the state to block Republicans’ proposed congressional redistricting map. The regular session ran from January to June and resulted in a new school voucher program, a ban on DEI initiatives in public schools and proposals to increase the state’s water supply.
Posted inPublic Education
Texas educators praise new school cellphone ban
The new state ban took effect on Sept. 1, and Texas’ more than 1,200 public school districts have adopted policies ranging from secure phone pouches to increased monitoring.
Posted inState Government
Texas lawmakers limit use of parent-child reunification therapy in custody battles
Opponents of reunification therapy say it can psychologically harm children, while supporters say it’s unnatural for children to reject parents.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2025
Abbott expected to issue executive order setting age requirements for THC-products, other restrictions
The executive order comes after the Legislature ended a special session without the House, Senate and governor agreeing on restrictions.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2025
Texas Legislature’s long summer ends with Democrats marginalized, Republicans triumphant and unified
Democrats in the Texas House began the year by elevating a new speaker and left Austin relegated to the sidelines in the one chamber that had granted them at least scraps from the table.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2025
In response to failures and grieving parents, Texas lawmakers advance flood bills
Here’s where the proposed laws to address camp safety, flood warnings and emergency response stand in the Legislature.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2025
Proposal limiting Texas city, county property taxes dies in the Legislature
The House refused to back a bill that would apply only to the state’s largest cities.
Posted in
Running Out: Texas’ Water Crisis
Lawmakers fail to pass a bill to end massive water exports from East Texas
The House refused Senate changes allowing exports to continue while the state studies its underground water supply. Lawmakers left the Capitol without reaching a compromise.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2025
Most Texas THC products remain legal after GOP leaders fail to break legislative impasse
Legislators couldn’t reach a last-minute deal to tighten regulations on consumable hemp products.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2025
Texas Legislature ends second special session marked by new political maps, slew of conservative wins
Between cracking down on abortion pills and restricting transgender restroom use, lawmakers also tackled flood safety and the STAAR test. Left untouched: Texas’ hemp industry.