Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has done his best to knock down rumors he might take a job with the Trump administration. That hasn’t stopped talk about what might happen if he leaves his current job.
Kelly Hancock
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Texas Legislature 2019
Texas Senate removes exception that allows abortion after 20 weeks if the pregnancy is unviable
The bill would also prevent what abortion opponents call “discriminatory abortions” — where a woman or a doctor pursues an abortion on the basis of the fetus’ sex, race or disability.
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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.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Sweeping legislation takes aim at shock emergency room bills in Texas
Committee chairs from both chambers unveiled the proposal on Thursday.
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Now on the Books
New law seeks to prevent surprise medical bills from freestanding ERs
A new law requires Texas’ freestanding emergency rooms to more clearly communicate what health insurance networks they’re in, if any.
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Energy
Texas Senate sends bill to governor discouraging weather-related lawsuits
A tort-reform bill that would discourage property owners from suing insurers over weather-related claims tentatively passed the Texas Senate on Tuesday.
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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.
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Economy
Warren Buffett visits Capitol and “Buffett Bill” is born
The Texas Senate could soon debate the “Buffett Bill,” a special interest carve-out aimed at giving billionaire Warren Buffett a little relief from protectionist state laws. And the bill that would help electric car maker Tesla Motors? Stalled.
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Economy
Texas Senate approves bill curbing regulation of short-term home rentals
Under Senate Bill 451 by state Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills, Texas cities would be prevented from banning short-term rentals and their ability to write ordinances restricting the practice would be narrowed.
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Health care
Nurse practitioners again push for independence
Multiple bills filed in the Texas Legislature are seeking to give certain Texas nurses independence from costly contracts with supervising physicians.
