After moving at a glacial pace several times this Legislative session, the Texas House on Saturday kicked into high gear and passed measures that could help them avoid a special session.
85th Legislative Session
Posted in
State Government
House backs property tax changes, but leaves out election requirements
The lower chamber responded to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s threats of a special session by moving key legislation — but omitting provisions that he wanted included.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Texas House advances bill that would outlaw bestiality
The state of Texas on Saturday moved one step closer to joining the large majority of states that consider sexual conduct between humans and animals or fowl a crime.
Posted in
Public Education
School lunch bill revived as an amendment; no longer mandatory
After being denied by the House Freedom Caucus multiple times, a measure to let schools give meals to students without money in their accounts was revived as an amendment to another bill.
Posted in
Higher Education
House OKs bills targeting sexual assault on college campuses
The Texas House on Friday approved two measures aimed at combating sexual assault on college campuses across the state.
Posted in
Health care
Texas House approves new abortion restrictions
GOP House lawmakers took a sweeping approach to anti-abortion legislation on Friday, passing a measure that would ban the most common form of second-trimester procedure and change how health care providers dispose of fetal remains.
Posted inState Government
Major ethics reform remains viable in final days of session
With crucial deadlines looming, ethics proposals that include taking pensions from politicians-turned-felons, requiring more disclosure of lawmakers’ business dealings and forcing lobbyists to reveal who they’re wining and dining remain viable.
Posted in
Public Education
Third time not the charm for House rep’s school lunch legislation
Rep. Helen Giddings failed a third time to pass a bill that would prevent school districts from identifying students without money in their school lunch accounts — again when a member of the Freedom Caucus killed it.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
House passes bill requiring students, police learn how to interact with each other
Senate Bill 30 would require the groups to learn about the duties of law enforcement officers, civilians’ rights and proper behavior during interactions.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Texas House sends Sandra Bland Act to governor
The bill would mandate that county jails divert people with mental health and substance abuse issues toward treatment, make it easier for defendants with a mental illness or intellectual disability to receive a personal bond and require that independent law enforcement agencies investigate jail deaths.
