The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick named the bill one of his legislative priorities after Mark Cuban, the owner of the Dallas Mavericks, stopped playing the anthem before home games. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c80751b531da07d5ab1bfe2968b549d6/SB7%20Beto%20file%2005-08%20EL%20TT%2016.jpg)
Abbott has said he would sign the permitless carry proposal into law. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4c3b35d5836462bce5eed2b9cde6785e/Constitutional%20Carry%20JV%20TT%2002)
The Senate measure would require major counties hold an election before reducing their law enforcement budgets. The House bill would financially punish the state’s larger cities if they cut police funds. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e4f19c22f8d7306e8e173cb5cc5b2c95/APD%20File%20March%2022%20EL%20TT%2013.jpg)
Called a “trigger” law, House Bill 1280 would take effect 30 days after the Supreme Court overturned the Roe decision or after a court ruling or constitutional amendment gave states the authority to prohibit abortions. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/06/27/Anti_Abortion_SCOTUSTT.jpg)
In the days since the federal approval of the shot for their age group, about 6% of Texas children ages 12-15 have gotten a dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/de9b93925735da3603ccad1dd9d374d8/McKinney%20ISD%20Vaccines%20BT%20TT%2011.jpg)
As the end of the regular session approaches, Texas lawmakers — and some of their bills — are running out of time. But there's a special session coming later this year, and maybe — just maybe — another chance for dead legislation. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c79e37f5ddf3f738fb09c4608399f8ce/Senate%20Floor%20Abbott%20Patrick%20JJ%20TT%2006.jpg)
Sen. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, spent years negotiating with industry groups to get new regulations placed on the chemical industry after the ITC fire in 2019. The bill has passed both chambers, but small changes need to be ironed out before it is sent to Gov. Greg Abbott. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c709ea3ba50e9631ede30a60ae9031f2/Deer_Park_fire_REUTERS_TT.jpg)
GOP bills that sought to restrict or punish transition-related health care, like puberty blockers, missed key deadlines. But LGBTQ advocates say the mere specter that such measures could become law does mental health damage to transgender people. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ac31cac631c8dd567edea69302283e8b/House%20Floor%20May%2023%20JV%20TT%2002.jpg)
The Texas House for hours on Sunday debated its proposal to better prepare for extreme weather. The chambers have a little more than a week to wrap up remaining work. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8adf60957743ee765f75f74ea3ed3718/ATX%20Winter%20Storm%20EL%20TT%2014)
The Senate passed House Bill 9, filed in response to last year’s nationwide protests against police brutality, on a 25-5 vote. Gov. Greg Abbott has already indicated his support. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e941c3b4cee9c454ffcb07d941235c23/ATX%20George%20Floyd%20Protest%20DM%2001.jpg)
The bill aims to ban critical race theory in public and open-enrollment charter schools. Supporters say it merely ensures students aren't taught that one race or gender is superior to another. Critics say it limits how race in America is taught. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/353c01141d9b3a9c9393e4d99ab7701d/Mata%20Intermediate%20School%20PYH%20TT.jpg)
Among the bills approved by the Senate Jurisprudence Committee is one that would require police officers to keep their body cameras activated during investigations. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0ba41456e144572a200e77fbf7631e7f/Police%20File%20Emergency%20Tape%20LBS%20TT%2002.jpg)
The Senate Nominations Committee never took up Hughs’ nomination, requiring her to leave office at the end of the legislative session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7f9579fd609537d2fb4bb74a87ec0ac1/Ruth%20Ruggero%20Hughs%20TM%20TTF18%20TT%2001.jpg)
Texas law enforcement agencies have long dealt with troublesome officers who move from one department to another. Transparency bills aim to make their disciplinary records more easily accessible to such agencies. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a0b087dff2fb60f9f3f7a21f90a01ff1/Austin%20Protest%20August%201%20JV%20TT%2002.jpg)
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission will allocate around $2.5 billion in food benefits to all eligible families. School districts will notify families about eligibility by June 2. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/725bebcdd5b6c7705065dd047e2b5d39/Jacobs%20Well%20Elementary%20JV%2010.jpg)
Jobless Texans say they’re desperate to return to work, but they haven’t had any luck when applying to multiple jobs every month. For some, one month isn’t enough time to apply for and find a job. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1cabfad8aede1ba983eb4823b2686e68/Business%20Closures%20EG%20TT%2013.jpg)
The vote comes only weeks after Austin residents voted to reinstate a local public camping ban — two years after it was lifted. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0167a6e07af9439f1e08e49ef82c4df9/Winter%20Storm%20Homeless%20JV%20TT%2001.jpg)
House lawmakers expressed frustration Thursday that some of their priority legislation had not moved in the upper chamber, including a package of health care and criminal justice reform bills pushed by House Speaker Dade Phelan. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/36561e55da4a668b3426ae8a3de805b5/RECOMP%20House%20Floor%20Phelan%20Abortion%20Bill%20%20MG%20TT%2014.jpg)
House Bill 1535 would expand the state’s medical cannabis program to include those with chronic pain, all cancer patients and Texans with post-traumatic stress disorder. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4c23c74dc3a4a883bf00b880d1250101/Medical%20Marijuana%20JV%20TT%2005.jpg)
The governor is turning the dial to "normal," in more ways than one, dissolving pandemic restrictions and minding issues of interest to Republican primary voters. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4ea2c8a3276af4aedd4c1bedf6e880ce/Abbott%20Dallas%20Presser%20CM%20TT%2003.jpg)