The latest Texas Senate news from The Texas Tribune.
House Bill 1927 would nix the requirement for Texas residents to obtain a license to carry handguns if they’re not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing a gun. Texans under current state law must generally be licensed to carry handguns, either openly or concealed. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2296c5100de44ca90e3ce81948aa3b5c/Handguns%20CR%20TT%2001.jpg)
The proposed court would handle some of the state's most high-profile appeals, which are typically handled by the mostly Democrat 3rd Court of Appeals based in Austin. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9cbca4f0c8e29067e2cc1fee7c977b15/Texas%20Supreme%20Court%20MG%20TT%2009.jpg)
The TV and radio ads, which are set to start airing Thursday, make the case that Texas is forfeiting "billions" in tourism dollars to nearby states that allow casinos. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/dfd343c2bbc82245c4e7cd21d4885c7b/Casino%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
An outraged Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick castigated those implying that GOP efforts to restrict Texas voting are racist. But the state has a history of marginalizing voters of color, and many business leaders, voting rights advocates and Democrats see it taking another step down that path. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1ac682888daf6067ad5c445a68e5dab9/Harris%20County%20Early%20Voting%20AM%20TT%2007.jpg)
The number of reported maternal deaths has increased nationwide in recent decades. Health experts and advocates say giving low-income moms Medicaid coverage for a year after delivery, rather than two months, could save lives. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/558bb8d2ebc4fc1b339f4b6aa6c00b6a/Womens%20Health%20Clinic%20CR%20TT%2001.jpg)
The state budget approved by the Texas Senate on Tuesday is just the start: Lawmakers still have to decide what to do with billions in federal COVID-19 relief money. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7991369bbd6208b4195745cad019ba11/COVID%20Highland%20Village%20Elem%20ST%20TT%2011.jpg)
The budget does not factor in over $35 billion in federal aid. Senators said they don't yet know when that money will come in and what strings could be attached. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1d23353ecad184994823444898031f59/Lege%20March%2030%20JV%20TT%2044)
American Airlines and Dell Technologies on Thursday publicly declared their opposition to Republican legislative proposals that would impose new restrictions on voting. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/35ba9fb89b159ce2e2762d2d448ce33f/DFW%20Airport%20IS%20TT.jpg)
Will McAdams has also worked as an aide to three state senators. He must be confirmed by the Senate before taking the position at the Public Utility Commission. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5eac2ae67fdfd9ee7777b037ec3eb66a/Will%20McAdams%20TT.jpg)
Senate Bill 7 is at the forefront of Texas Republicans’ crusade to further restrict voting in the state after last year’s election. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c039b24e5460a3d679c8afc2e4281aaf/Election%20Day%20HTX%20MS%20TT%2022.jpg)
Some experts have raised doubts whether the bill will hold up in court. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b46299514b9b2d78ae1ff6ce8c4a03a2/Big%20Tech%20Social%20Media%20Icons%20IS%20TT.jpg)
Senate Bill 3 would require all power generators, transmission lines, natural gas facilities and pipelines to make upgrades for extreme weather. Its prospects are uncertain in the House, which is scheduled to take up a series of related, standalone bills on Tuesday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/632aefdfaa590166eb4fd8eb523a961d/ATX%20Winter%20Storm%20SF%20TT%2051.jpg)
After some early tension, the Legislature's Republican leaders say they are on the same page with the business that remains. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/51cfc40409095a150dd46b748f405600/House%20Floor%20Phelan%20Jan%2012%20MG%20TT%2011.jpg)
The newly revised number is nearly twice the 57 that state health officials estimated last week and will likely continue to grow. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/584ae4697ae29e0a395a6bc9ceb3b4cc/San%20Marcos%20Winter%20Storm%20JV%20TT%2006.jpg)
The provisions are packaged in one of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s priority measures, dubbed the “heartbeat bill.” Senate Bill 8 would ban abortions as early as six weeks, before many women know they are pregnant. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a7633b101c55f4a6d8153be23f19e3d7/Womens%20Health%20Clinic%20SS%20TT%2006.jpg)
One way to check the political mood when the Texas Legislature is meeting is to watch the state's top three leaders — and how their Wednesday breakfasts are going. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3f7c6a0e37ee3f6afa885d8f0a48d358/House%20Floor%20Phelan%20BD%20TT%2012.jpg)
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said the House "stood for big business" after Speaker Dade Phelan signaled skepticism about reversing billions of dollars in charges for wholesale electricity during last month’s winter storm. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/40dc468edd28f8c5018a4a79722c29c5/ATX%20Snowstorm%20Drone%20MG%20TT%2002.jpg)
Senate Bill 2142, sponsored by state Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, had not even been filed when the day started Monday, but lawmakers suspended their rules to hastily push it through the Senate. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9e985d29598271fb2ccf1b23a3e6e2b8/Senate%20March%20JV%20TT%2028.jpg)
The Texas Senate and House have different rules for their members. But both require members to wear masks, though there are exceptions to when their faces must be covered. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/83ac09d8d8bf475a2d12b66d36be200e/Lege%202021%20Opening%20Day%20MG%20TT%2008.jpg)
The Brazos River Authority appointee, Darren Yancy, faced questions from Democratic senators Monday about his social media activity targeting President Joe Biden and former U.S. Sen. Harry Reid. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2d40f2dace33e2f6ebcca53c6b581352/Capitol%20Health%20Rally%20SS%20TT%20504.jpg)