Currently, parents need permission from a justice of the peace or medical examiner to see their deceased child if his or her death occurs outside a hospital or health care institution.
85th Legislative Session
Posted in
State Government
Senate sends bill creating statewide ride-hailing regulations to governor
After a debate among lawmakers over the best way to regulate services like Uber and Lyft, the Texas Senate tentatively backed a proposal that would override local regulations concerning ride-hailing companies.
Posted in
State Government
Lawmakers resume efforts to provide Texans with toll road relief
Amid debate on a routine measure designed to keep the state’s transportation agency in business, House lawmakers on Tuesday renewed their efforts to curb the growing number of toll lanes in the state.
Posted in
Politics
Patrick threatens to force special session over tax, bathroom bills
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick threatened to push for a special legislative session to pass bills to regulate bathroom use for transgender Texans and set new thresholds for when cities and counties must get voter approval for tax rates.
Posted in
Higher Education
Texas budget negotiations turn to higher education as a deal inches nearer
Members of both chambers of the Texas Legislature say they are getting closer to agreeing on a budget. One of the last sticking points? Higher education.
Posted in
Politics
Texas Senate approves ban on straight-ticket voting
The Texas Senate gave initial approval Wednesday to legislation that would eliminate straight-ticket voting in all elections.
Posted in
Politics
Analysis: Patrick takes hostages — and control of legislative session
Amid rumors of a special session, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick put out a short list of bills he wants the House to pass if he’s going to let the Senate advance must-pass legislation. And he appears to have the upper hand in the last days of the session.
Posted in
Economy
Even in Texas, sometimes the billionaires lose
After billionaire Warren Buffett met with Gov. Greg Abbott and other top leaders, a bill to grant him a loophole from protectionist Texas auto laws seemed to be fast-tracked, until Tea Party activists found out about it.
Posted in
State Government
Analysis: The only two reasons the Legislature needs extra time
Rumors of a special session are a normal feature in the last days of a regular session. There’s no emergency that would force a special session, but don’t discount the Texas Legislature’s ability to force one by failing to finish its work.
Posted in
Economy
Canadian officials upset with Republican “Buy American” iron and steel bill
A recent call from Texas lawmakers to “Buy American” iron and steel has upset some northern neighbors worried about the implications such a measure will have on Texas-Canada trade relations.
