Hey, Texplainer: How does a special session work? And how is it different from the regular session?
82nd Legislative Session
Posted in
Demographics
After Emotional Debate, House Passes Sanctuary Cities Legislation
After hours of contentious and often emotional debate, the Texas House passed HB 12, the controversial “sanctuary cities” legislation. The measure was passed on a 100 to 47 vote just after midnight.
Posted in
Demographics
Sanctuary Cities Bill Still Stuck in House
What will happen next in the debate over the contentious “sanctuary cities” bill is anyone’s guess. As the afternoon bleeds into night, Democrats in the Texas House are still huddling on the floor to discuss their next move.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Amendments Piled Onto Education Finance Bill
Senators today amended an education finance reform bill to allow community college students to carry concealed handguns on campus, increase the cost of cigarettes and allow drastic changes to university administration.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Wentworth Gets a Win for Campus Carry
Sen. Jeff Wentworth is relentless with campus carry, and today, the San Antonio Republican got his way.
Posted in
Guides
Texplainer: Are There Deadlines for Considering Legislation?
Hey, Texplainer: What’s all the talk about deadlines at the Legislature this week? Aren’t there three weeks left in the session?
Posted in
Demographics
Birdwell Tries, Fails to Hike Tuition for Undocumented
An effort by Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, to require undocumented Texas students to pay out-of-state tuition rates sparked emotional debate in the Senate today, and forced Birdwell to pull the measure down.
Posted in
State Government
Senate Adopts Voter ID Report
The state Senate today approved a conference committee report on the voter identification bill that includes changes that would allow citizens to use a new form of documentation to cast their ballots.
Posted in
State Government
Fraudulent Fishermen Could Face Felony
Fraudulent fishermen better reel it in. The Senate passed a bill today to make cheating in a fishing tournament up to a third-degree felony, sending the measure on to the governor.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Senate OKs Concealed Carry for Lawmakers
Texas lawmakers — current and former — may soon be able to pack heat at church, the hospital, a sporting event or even bars.
