Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick unveils committee assignments with one Democratic chair
Conservative activists have pushed for legislative leaders to ban Democrats from leading committees. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6e2f64a85fcebf5a243b5b3ccba29531/Senate%20Filibuster%20SP%20TT%2067.jpg)
-
![State. Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, listens to State Sen. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, filibuster against Senate Bill 1 on Aug. 11, 2021.]()
Credit: Sophie Park/The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate votes to take up redistricting again
The redistricting process this year is mostly procedural and is not expected to produce very different results from the most recent process completed in 2021. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/79e590b6dee93ac23d642d09bf635974/Senate%20Floor%20SP%20TT%2001.jpg)
![A woman waits for the Senate to gavel in from the Senate gallery on Aug. 10, 2021.]()
Credit: Sophie Park/The Texas Tribune -
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott joins other key Republicans in supporting repealing the “tampon tax”
Advocates have previously called for repealing the sales tax on products like tampons, sanitary pads and pantyliners. Menstrual products are already tax-free in 24 states. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c347f84cb3ad5e78c856c4373affef40/Tampon%20Tax%20-%20Zoe%20AM%20TT%2012.jpg)
![Eighteen-year-old Zoe Kass holds a handful of menstrual products in the bathroom at her high school in Houston on Thursday, April 28, 2022.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate approves congressional map that draws no new Black or Hispanic districts even as people of color fueled population growth
Texas gained two new seats in Congress based on population growth fueled by people of color. But the Senate’s proposal provides no new majority-Black or majority-Hispanic districts to reflect that growth. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ed94f12a851ac11440629ff45e14e62c/US%20Capitol%20File%20EL%20TT%2001.jpg)
![The U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 21, 2021.]()
Credit: Eric Lee for The Texas Tribune -
Senate approves map cementing GOP dominance in upper chamber, dividing up Tarrant county’s voters of color
Democrats criticized Republicans for “targeting” a North Texas district that had been trending Democratic and for not drawing any new districts where people of color would represent a majority of eligible voters. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/74a14d908f4071d59b5f2ff97e8e0fa4/Senator%20Floor%20Huffman.jpg)
![State Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, speaks to state Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, on his resolution to declare an emergency on the Texas-Mexico border on April 2, 2019.]()
Credit: Emree Weaver/The Texas Tribune -
A year after George Floyd’s murder, only a few of Texas lawmakers’ police reform measures appear likely to become law
Narrowly targeted pieces of Texas’ George Floyd Act — like restricting chokeholds and requiring officers to provide first aid — are expected to pass. But the Act itself and many other related reforms have failed to progress during the legislative session that ends Monday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/34abccb9de1d563bc7337470555482b2/Floyd%20Memorial%20HTX%20AM%20TT%2001.jpg)
![Candles are held up in the air during a vigil for George Floyd at Yates High School in Houston on June 8, 2020.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate approves overhaul of pension plans for new state employees
Senate Bill 321 would also authorize yearly payments to shore up $14.7 billion in unfunded pension obligations. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6f4b153bc00bc3d835720dd5deca2216/Senate%20Session%20April%2012%20JV%20TT%2004.jpg)
![The dome of the Texas Capitol on April 12, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Overhaul to Texas state employee pension plan unveiled and quickly advanced by state Senate committee
Senate Bill 321 would enroll new employees eligible for the Texas Employees Retirement System in a cash balance plan — similar to a common 401(k) retirement account — instead of the traditional, defined benefit pension plan. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/849546a99e564ec3d60a978bba004910/Capitol%20File%20Feb%201%20EL%20TT%2001.jpg)
![The Texas Capitol on Feb. 1, 2021.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Texas lawmakers advancing bail bills that opponents say do little for people stuck in jail because they're poor
Texas courts have long been criticized for keeping people in jail pending trial who can't afford to post bond. Two priority bills this session would change the bail system, but they're primarily aimed at keeping potentially dangerous defendants behind bars. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8703658ffc968d74d56cbe205d761390/03%20Bail%20Bonds%20MG%20TT.jpg)
![Around the Clock Bail Bonds on 10th St. and Nueces in Austin on May 8, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Harris County got rid of cash bail for many people accused of minor crimes. GOP lawmakers want to walk that back.
Recent reforms that let more people accused of minor offenses be released without posting cash bonds appear to be working, new research shows. But Houston area lawmakers want to roll them back. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/98ef4ac71233afb172eb494b70ef0e98/Bail%20Bond%20Signs%20EL%20TT%2004.jpg)
![An Austin Bail Bonds II sign near Interstate 35 on Feb. 5, 2021.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: When mapmaking Texas politicians are smiling and quiet, pay attention
Remaking the state’s political maps — redistricting — is important. One way to tell is that the lawmakers making the maps do their dead-level best to avoid saying anything that might signal their intent. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/311cb7d5c4ced880216604fb0c07ac4e/01_House_Floor_MG.jpg)
![The House floor during the 86th legislative session. Jan. 9, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
After Harvey surprised thousands with unexpected flooding, new law aims to better inform homebuyers
The law, written by Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, requires homeowners to disclose if their properties lie in a flood-prone area or have flooded before. It's an effort to expand notification after many homes unexpectedly flooded during Hurricane Harvey. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/09/21/Debris_pickup_TT.jpg)
![Debris from Harvey flooding is removed from a Port Arthur neighborhood on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Texas raises the legal smoking age, exempting members of the military
Senate Bill 21, authored by Sen. Joan Huffman, a Republican from Houston, made Texas the 16th state to raise the legal smoking age from 18 to 21. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3d49d7a7323bf34bcfbe43972245eeb9/01_UT_Smoking_CR_TT.jpg)
![English student Kristin Miller smokes a cigarette and checks her phone on the South Mall between classes.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond for The Texas Tribune -
Texas governor signs bills to combat human trafficking, aid sexual assault survivors
The bills aim to create a "hostile environment" for human trafficking in Texas and address sexual assault, said Gov. Greg Abbott at a bill signing ceremony Tuesday in Dallas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a6bcec553cdb63c95216690d89260115/Greg%20Abbott%20Sine%20Die%20MKC%20TT.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott during the Texas Fallen Heroes Memorial Ceremony on May 25, 2019]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House passes Senate bill seeking to ensure free speech on college campuses
Senate Bill 18 would require universities to create disciplinary sanctions for students who interfere with free speech activities. It would still allow universities to put restrictions on the time, place and manner of such activities. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/12/09/SPENCER_PROTEST1597_TT.jpg)
![State Troopers in riot gear push protesters away from the building where white nationalist Richard Spencer was speaking at Texas A&M in College Station Tuesday, December 6, 2016.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House passes bill classifying fertility fraud as sexual assault
The legislation comes after Dallas resident Eve Wiley discovered that her mother's fertility doctor used his own sperm during an insemination procedure instead of the donor her mother selected. Full Story
![State Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, speaks to state Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, on his resolution to declare an emergency on the Texas-Mexico border on April 2, 2019.]()
Credit: Emree Weaver/The Texas Tribune -
Electric scooters could soon be kicked off Texas sidewalks, if state Senate gets its way
The upper chamber passed a bill Wednesday that would add several restrictions on the popular, but controversial, machines. The measure would require scooter renters to be at least 16 years old and it would prohibit more than one person from riding at a time. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/da8d0b171322bf3a0296a686c26dbc17/IMG_5255.jpg)
![Motorized scooters on the University of Texas at Austin campus.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate passes legislation to prevent surprise medical bills with arbitration, mediation
Surprise medical bills happen when out-of-network health care providers and insurance companies can’t agree on the price of a medical treatment, leaving the patient to pick up the amount insurance won’t pay. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/640a241cd6dd2dbd83149d9beb714575/Kelly_Hancock_MKC_TT.jpg)
![State Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills, during a February 21, 2018 Interim Committee on Higher Education Formula Funding.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Texas could soon increase the legal age to buy tobacco, though active military members might be exempt
Senate Bill 21 passed Tuesday, raising the legal purchasing age for tobacco products from 18 to 21. But its author amended the legislation to exclude active military from the age raise. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/644e80ef5281f49d14a3ce1c857d66fa/02_UT_Smoking_CR_TT.jpg)
![A student smokes a cigarette on the College of Communication plaza.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond for The Texas Tribune -
Bill would prevent Texans from unknowingly buying homes in areas designed to flood
After Hurricane Harvey inundated the Houston area with rain, scores of homeowners learned too late that their properties were designed to flood. Senate Bill 339 would require sellers to disclose that risk, as well as whether a home has previously flooded. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/10/03/BARKERADDICKSBEFOREAFTER4130_TT.jpg)
![Development encroaching on the north side of Addicks Reservoir in Houston on Sept. 7, 2016.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune