Texas Legislature 2019

Supporters of the bill say it would expand ballot access. But some critics argue that the real goal is to make it tougher for Libertarians to get on the ballot and easier for Green Party candidates to do so. Full Story 

What started as a sweeping religious refusals bill has been significantly watered down as it moves through the Texas Legislature. But LGBTQ advocates still fiercely oppose it, saying it perpetuates hateful rhetoric. Full Story 

Lawmakers filed thousands of bills during the 2019 legislative session. Here's how the big bills fared. Full Story 

School finance, property taxes and the other priorities of the state's top officials are still in play, but some issues are in peril as the Texas Legislature enters the final week of its 86th regular session. Full Story 

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 

Senate Bill 22 bars Texas governments from contracting with abortion providers or their affiliates — even for services like sexual health education and pregnancy prevention initiatives. Full Story 

The legislation includes a provision to allow local governments to continue operating cameras until they finish out any contracts in effect as of May 7. Full Story 

After final Senate approval, the bill will head back to the House, where members will decide whether to accept the changes made in the Senate. Full Story 

The legislation, Senate Bill 9, has several provisions, including one that would make it a felony for Texans who vote when they’re ineligible — even if they do so unknowingly. Full Story 

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has expressed wariness to expanding the Compassionate Use Program, but the bill's Senate sponsor said Patrick helped craft the version that cleared a key hurdle Friday. Full Story 

As lawmakers in Austin work to pass a sweeping school safety bill, many Santa Fe survivors and their loved ones say they’re focused less on what’s happening at the Capitol and more on what can be done to rebuild and uplift their community. Full Story 

Texas lawmakers are wrangling over changes to election law that — depending on your allegiance — would make elections more secure or suppress voting among groups that favor Democrats, the political minority in Texas. The fight's not about you — it's about them. Full Story 

Republicans in the Texas Senate passed the bill Thursday with the support of two Democrats. If the Texas House concurs with minor changes the Senate made to the measure, it will go to the governor. Full Story 

With the damage from Hurricane Harvey in mind, lawmakers approved two bills aimed at better preparing the state for natural disasters. Full Story 

“I don’t think twice about spending the money on those kids, other than it’s unfortunate that I have to do it," one teacher said. Full Story 

The controversial and wide-ranging Senate Bill 9 has been pitched as an election security measure, but critics have raised concerns about the effects it could have on marginalized voters. Full Story 

The bill to end the unpopular program, which adds annual surcharges on top of traffic fines — and prompts the suspension of millions of driver's licenses — is headed for Gov. Greg Abbott's desk. If he signs it, pending surcharges will be dropped. Full Story 

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. Full Story 

In this edition of the TribCast, Alexa talks to Ross, Matthew and Patrick about a legislative session that’s putting some folks to sleep, lawmakers’ report card for Gov. Greg Abbott and what could blow up the kumbaya session in its final days. Full Story 

Legal battles over whether the developer can use eminent domain still loom over the project. Full Story