The latest Texas Legislature news from The Texas Tribune.
The Legislature passed a bill allowing Texans to carry handguns without a license or training — an expansion of gun rights so divisive Republican leaders in previous years refused to touch it. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4742c2e1fa7f65a8fb29b25d1b72fbff/Handgun%20File%20EL%20TT%2004.jpg)
A governor targeting the Legislature’s budget would be unprecedented in Texas history. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/70790230744dce8536b16b1aa19ed167/House%20File%20May%2028%20EL%20TT%2012)
Lawmakers didn’t succeed in curtailing the governor's power during a disaster, but they did pass bills that prohibit so-called vaccine passports and ban the mandatory closure of churches and gun stores. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/dfa6745787969c3e782a1897b31e4941/Lege%202021%20Opening%20Day%20MG%20TT%2009.jpg)
Since House Democrats staged a walkout that killed Republicans’ priority elections bill for the regular session, the governor and the leaders of the state House and Senate have diverged notably in interviews about how they are approaching the overtime round. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/cc189c9101d387ca5b8fe4bc7dd8209d/Texas%20For%20All%20Vigil%20MM%20TT%2003.jpg)
On this week's episode, Matthew speaks with James, Patrick and Alexa about the wild end to the legislative session and the future of proposed voting restrictions in Texas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b60e78abc89b88f05ffb5afaa4bb79df/TribCast-%20Dems%20Break%20Corum%20June%202.jpg)
All they could get was a temporary win. But the lawmakers said taking the extraordinary measure of breaking quorum in the Texas House was justified by the harm they felt their mostly Black and Hispanic constituents would face under the GOP’s voting bill. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1f8706ec7e574a8c7fcadd924b0b54ec/SB7%20Dems%20Broke%20Quorum%20Presser%20MG%2001.jpg)
The provision deals with the window for early voting on Sundays, and the current version of the bill raised concerns that it would hinder get-out-the-vote efforts by Black churches. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/30da60c84fd388a5b1b43be64119077a/House%20Floor%20Voting%20Bill%20Clardy%20MG%20TT%2016.jpg)
Abbott’s vow came after a Democratic walkout in the House late Sunday night blocked passage of Senate Bill 7, his priority elections bill that would overhaul voting rights in Texas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/452eac0fdc274de9561b3f86fbc12446/House%20Floor%20SB7%20May%2030%20MG%20TT%2020.jpg)
Members celebrated the end of the session, but also acknowledged that they’ll be back sometime soon for at least one special session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/34171bcebfcb955d223228b772e4fa77/Sine%20Die%20May%2031%20MG%20TT%2003.jpg)
“No pay for those who abandon their responsibilities,” Abbott tweeted Monday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/aad3145faabab2c0a3c0cb88c22e0180/House%20Floor%20May%2023%20JV%20TT%2007.jpg)
A session transformed by COVID-19 protocols is giving way to a political cycle already disrupted by the pandemic’s effects on state government. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/512e85d3d808a8e0f88c20fa5490bea4/House%20Floor%20Bell%20JV%20TT%2016.jpg)
House Bill 20 would have made it harder for arrestees to get out of jail without cash and limited charitable bail funds’ ability to post bond for people. Gov. Greg Abbott said bail legislation will be included in a special session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8703658ffc968d74d56cbe205d761390/03%20Bail%20Bonds%20MG%20TT.jpg)
Midnight was the deadline for the House to approve the legislation that would alter nearly the entire voting process, create new limitations to early voting hours, ratchet up voting-by-mail restrictions and curb local voting options. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/daf8694e208e21608d0244e1fcc9acfd/SB7%20Dem%20Broke%20Quorum%20Presser%20MG%2005.jpg)
The proposal’s low bill number signaled it was a priority of new House Speaker Dade Phelan, a Beaumont Republican who referred to the legislation as “the House’s blueprint for pandemic response.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5d6d135a3c4a7f52dcd66c6f971966cc/Odessa%20COVID%20File%20BP%20TT%2003.jpg)
House and Senate negotiators have reached a deal on competing versions of Senate Bill 7. Once both chambers sign off on the agreement, it will head to the governor’s desk before it becomes law. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1423cf78de21d3010e7b4c71d0eddb50/SB7%20Beto%20file%2005-08%20EL%20TT%2008.jpg)
Abbott has the power to veto individual line items he objects to. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/64ab417757535c60e6d2d01b6c11aa41/Lege%202021%20Opening%20Day%20MG%20TT%2004.jpg)
Some conservative lawmakers are worried right now about bills falling to end-of-session deadlines, but several top Republican priorities have either crossed the finish line or are very close. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3f7e8b5e4f86c2e4232ed7612642c193/House%20Floor%20Budget%20Day%202021%20JV%20TT%2004.jpg)
Senate Bill 321 would enroll new state workers in a cash-balance plan — similar to a common 401(k) retirement account — rather than the defined-benefit pension plan that current employees have. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6f4b153bc00bc3d835720dd5deca2216/Senate%20Session%20April%2012%20JV%20TT%2004.jpg)
HillCo lobbyist Rick Dennis did not slip GHB into the drinks of two legislative staffers, an investigation found. But a history of complaints against him for inappropriate behavior raises questions about how seriously the Legislature takes misconduct. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/73ab4e724cc2d48635022287d49ba03a/Texas%20State%20Capitol%20MG%20TT%2001.jpg)
Gov. Greg Abbott responded, "Some are trying to end the game before the time clock has run out. There’s still time remaining for the House and Senate to work together to get important conservative legislation to my desk." Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f51b695617e760fa28a5a8fe75f30f74/Dan%20Patrick%20SB7%20Presser%20EL%20TT%2004.jpg)