The legislation includes framework that provides more than $1.6 billion for flood control projects and repairs across the state.
Environment
Coverage of climate, conservation, natural resources, and environmental policy shaping the state, from The Texas Tribune.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Abbott vetoes popular domestic violence bill because of an unrelated provision about radioactive waste fees
The bill would have required domestic violence survivors to be notified when offenders are released on bond. But the Republican governor nixed the legislation over a provision by Democratic state Rep. Poncho Nevárez that would have delayed a West Texas waste facility’s increase in state fees.
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Environment
After delay initiated by U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, Congress finally passes $19.1 billion disaster aid package
The bill includes a provision aimed at forcing the federal government to release more than $4 billion to Texas that Congress allocated to the state more than a year ago.
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Environment
Lawmakers pass bills to better fund Texas parks, historic sites — if voters approve
Advocates have pushed for years to put a constitutional amendment before voters to ensure Texas parks and historic sites get the maximum funding authorized from a sales tax on sporting goods. They have finally succeeded.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Legislation with $1.7 billion for flood control and mitigation projects goes to governor
Lawmakers behind the bills said the legislation will create a more resilient Texas and better prepare the state for storms.
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Environment
Texans in Congress push for release of billions in Harvey aid approved more than a year ago
Texas, Puerto Rico and other communities hit by major natural disasters have been waiting for over a year to receive their shares of $16 billion in grant funding approved by Congress.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Texas House passes bill to spend more than $3 billion to help pay for flood control projects
With the damage from Hurricane Harvey in mind, lawmakers approved two bills aimed at better preparing the state for natural disasters.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Texas farmers could begin growing hemp under legislation gaining steam in both chambers
House Bill 1325 would legalize hemp and hemp-derived extracts like CBD oil as long as they contain no more than 0.3% of tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive element in marijuana known as THC.
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Environment
Judge orders alleged polluter of Skull Creek to stop accepting, disposing of waste
After a day of testimony, lawyers from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office, the Lower Colorado River Authority, and Inland Environmental and Remediation agreed that the company will begin cleaning up its Altair site.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Once again, bills to study the impacts of climate change in Texas have stalled
Democratic state lawmakers filed multiple bills this year to require the state to prepare for a warming planet. None of them have been scheduled for public hearings.
