The upper chamber added those changes to a broader bill that must pass for the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to continue functioning. The House has already signaled it would let breweries sell beer to go.
Texas Senate
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Texas Legislature 2019
Texas lawmakers send bill to governor that would eventually outlaw red-light cameras
The legislation includes a provision to allow local governments to continue operating cameras until they finish out any contracts in effect as of May 7.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Texas lawmakers close to sending “born alive” abortion bill to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk
Republicans in the Texas Senate passed the bill Thursday with the support of two Democrats. If the Texas House concurs with minor changes the Senate made to the measure, it will go to the governor.
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Texas Legislature 2019
This Texas bill that opponents say could lead to voter suppression has lost a key bipartisan provision
The controversial and wide-ranging Senate Bill 9 has been pitched as an election security measure, but critics have raised concerns about the effects it could have on marginalized voters.
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Politics
Texas Senate passes religious liberty bill that LGBTQ advocates fear licenses discrimination
The measure moved quickly through the Senate after the LGBTQ Caucus killed a near-identical proposal on a procedural motion last week in the Texas House.
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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 House votes to raise legal smoking age to 21
The bill already passed the Senate but will require another vote in the upper chamber due to minor changes made in the House.
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Texas Legislature 2019
“I’m honestly still stunned that I work here”: Meet the staffers who keep Texas lawmakers in check under the dome
Behind the 181 members of the Texas Legislature, thousands of people work to keep the Capitol humming during legislative sessions. The work isn’t always glamorous, but many view their small roles in helping state government function as an honor.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Analysis: The Texas Legislature’s unexciting, no drama, very humdrum session
Some of the central issues are momentous, but the 86th Texas Legislature has managed — so far — not to lose its temper. That’s out of the ordinary, but for a group of politicians who don’t want to be compared to their federal counterparts, it counts as a kind of success.
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Criminal Justice
Texas Senate passes bill to end the shackling of pregnant women in prison
The bill addresses many of the conditions of the state’s incarcerated women. It would also require the department to offer up to 10 free feminine hygiene products to women each day.
