The legislation comes after Dallas resident Eve Wiley discovered that her mother’s fertility doctor used his own sperm during an insemination procedure instead of the donor her mother selected.
Joan Huffman
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Electric scooters could soon be kicked off Texas sidewalks, if state Senate gets its way
The upper chamber passed a bill Wednesday that would add several restrictions on the popular, but controversial, machines. The measure would require scooter renters to be at least 16 years old and it would prohibit more than one person from riding at a time.
Posted in
Health care
Texas Senate passes legislation to prevent surprise medical bills with arbitration, mediation
Surprise medical bills happen when out-of-network health care providers and insurance companies can’t agree on the price of a medical treatment, leaving the patient to pick up the amount insurance won’t pay.
Posted in
Health care
Texas could soon increase the legal age to buy tobacco, though active military members might be exempt
Senate Bill 21 passed Tuesday, raising the legal purchasing age for tobacco products from 18 to 21. But its author amended the legislation to exclude active military from the age raise.
Posted in
In Harvey's Wake
Bill would prevent Texans from unknowingly buying homes in areas designed to flood
After Hurricane Harvey inundated the Houston area with rain, scores of homeowners learned too late that their properties were designed to flood. Senate Bill 339 would require sellers to disclose that risk, as well as whether a home has previously flooded.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Texas police made more than $50 million in 2017 from seizing people’s property. Not everyone was guilty of a crime.
Law enforcement leaders say civil asset forfeiture is a necessary tool for fighting crime, but several lawmakers see it as a violation of Americans’ civil liberties. Texas legislators are poised to take up the issue once again in 2019.
Posted in
Texas Elections 2018
Democrats Nathan Johnson and Beverly Powell defeat state Sens. Don Huffines and Konni Burton in Texas midterm
Burton and Huffines were two of three Republican senators in districts where more voters backed Democrat Hillary Clinton over Republican Donald Trump in 2016 or where the president had a narrow winning margin.
Posted inState Government
Analysis: Don’t count your (Democratic) chickens until they’re elected
Texas political eyes are watching for Republican weaknesses and Democratic chances in two or three state Senate districts. But the tables could be turned in a fourth, where Democrats have ruled for ages.
Posted inState Government
Lawsuit claims Texas senator interfered in liquor agency investigation
State Sen. Joan Huffman denies that she tried to influence an investigation into a bar in which she had a financial interest. A fired agent said he was told a state senator tried to kill the probe, but he doesn’t have evidence that Huffman “told anybody to falsify records or delete records.”
Posted in
Texas Elections 2018
In Texas elections, as in schools, participation is part of the grade
Political candidates wanting a major boost from a public education voting bloc last week saw their hopes fall when teachers did not show up to the polls in the numbers they had expected. But educator voting advocates argue their political strength is only growing.