U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, unsuccessfully pushed for similar federal legislation. Abbott’s support comes as Texas intensive care units are filling up with coronavirus patients.
Kelly Hancock
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Texas Legislature 2021
A Texas lawmaker worked with the state restaurant association to draft an alcohol-to-go bill. His wife lobbies for the group.
State Rep. Charlie Geren filed legislation that would let restaurants battered by the coronavirus pandemic permanently sell alcohol to go. The measure already has backing from top state officials.
Posted in
Politics
Advocates say lawmakers largely exempted themselves from Texas’ public records law, prompting calls for a veto
Critics say a bill awaiting Gov. Greg Abbott’s signature would mark an expansion of lawmakers’ ability to wall off their records from public scrutiny.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Analysis: A rumor of a game of succession in the Texas Senate
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.
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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.
