The latest 85th Legislative Session news from The Texas Tribune.
Texas lawmakers might revive a special prosecuting unit in Travis County — this one only investigating fraud, not corrupt state officials. Full Story
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A House committee on Thursday discussed ethics reforms including measures that would give the public better and more easily accessible information about their elected representatives' potential conflicts of interest. Full Story
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The Senate voted 18-13 Thursday to pass a major private school choice bill, creating two public programs that would subsidize private school tuition. Full Story
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As North Carolina lawmakers voted Thursday to revise that state's "bathroom bill," Texas Republicans pushing a similar measure said they are not backing away from their proposal. Full Story
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A state senator is trying again to reform liquor laws that he argues are anti-competitive and protectionist. Full Story
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Concerns about powdered alcohol have led 34 states to ban or considering banning it. However, both the House and Senate are considering legislation that would regulate the product in Texas. Full Story
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House State Affairs Committee members heard testimony Wednesday afternoon on House Bill 3859, which would allow faith-based organizations to exercise their “sincerely held religious beliefs” when participating as providers in Texas’ child welfare system. Full Story
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“I am absolutely confident that services won’t be compromised," state Rep. John Zerwas, R-Richmond, said of the cuts. Full Story
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The Texas Senate tentatively approved a bill that would change how health providers in the state handle fetal tissue Wednesday. Full Story
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The Texas Senate gave preliminary approval to a bill Wednesday that Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner told the Texas Tribune could unravel the city's hard-fought plan to curb a growing pension crisis. Full Story
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The proposal – which would affect high school students, new drivers and police officers – passed the chamber unanimously and now heads to the House. Full Story
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Baylor University leaders faced strong criticism Wednesday from Texas senators who are pondering whether to require the private university to comply with state open records laws. Full Story
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Two measures that would make it easier for Texans to access guns were up for consideration by the House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee on Tuesday. Full Story
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Immigration and bathrooms took over a good chunk of a floor debate on whether to keep the Texas Railroad Commission functioning until 2029. In the end lawmakers voted unanimously to tentatively send the bill to the Senate. Full Story
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The legislation pushes back against two 2015 Texas Supreme Court rulings that have enabled private companies involved with government contracts to keep parts of those contracts secret. Full Story
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The Texas Senate passed budget that would shift $1.8 billion in public education costs to local taxpayers. Full Story
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The House Public Education Committee voted 10-1 to approve Chairman Dan Huberty's school finance bill, which would mean gains for most, but major losses for some. Full Story
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The top three sources of revenue for Texas public universities are all being targeted for reductions or freezes by federal or state government leaders. Full Story
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As Texas families worry about how they'll afford college for their children, state lawmakers are considering legislation to curb how much higher education costs. Check out this 30-minute documentary from KXAN, Cost and Control. Full Story
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As Paul Storey's execution looms, one juror is asking the Texas Legislature to clarify the jury instructions in death penalty cases, claiming he didn't know he alone could have stopped the sentence. Full Story
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