The latest 86th Legislative Session news from The Texas Tribune.
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d98b7161558f4fe209ba3b9f74e2f451/13%20Senator%20Watson%20Campbell%20MG.jpg)
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/aad1d973e15b1089eaa3e4233666be7b/Santa_Fe_high_School_crosses_2_REUTERS.jpg)
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/febb21e0cdef5c66b4d1ec8938bc1b25/09%20SB9%20Hearing%20Voting%20Fiero%20MG.jpg)
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e82ad23af16d4535c354af75bec97552/05%20Texas%20Born%20Alive%20Presser%20MG.jpg)
With the damage from Hurricane Harvey in mind, lawmakers approved two bills aimed at better preparing the state for natural disasters. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9de00c566a269d1896704e8370bbc9d2/Hurrican%20Harvey%20TG%20TT.jpg)
“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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8c43aab6d06234528b3fc147426865a3/04%20Rena%20Clegg%20Teacher%20JF%20TT.jpg)
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8747b789c698f31681025b7ca0fe7ba6/03%20SB9%20Hearing%20Voting%20Klick%20MG%20TT.jpg)
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8117d14c8e8c0f19f9921e672a1c632c/01%20Dallas%20Police%20Car%20Patrol.JPG)
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/fabd817520ce2d8797e8c608ca187f05/01%20Charles%20Perry%20Senate%20Floor%20JF%20TT.jpg)
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4f225afe653a7521a7598bdbeb9dc369/TribCast%205_15_19%20JF%20TT.jpg)
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has done his best to knock down rumors he might take a job with the Trump administration. That hasn't stopped talk about what might happen if he leaves his current job. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/768b4641b653565711a05b9cff233173/09_Lt._Gov._Dan_Patrick_Senate_Floor_Watson_MG.jpg)
The House Elections Committee on Wednesday night resumed its discussions on a controversial bill pitched as an election security measure but that critics say is a pathway to state-sanctioned voter suppression. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/726ce1d2eb6c92157a3aab2298326e52/Early%20Voting%20Elections%20RZ%20TT.jpg)
Legal battles over whether the developer can use eminent domain still loom over the project. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9d2a2ac8df7d21c97c2b83d7c3f75b32/High%20Speed%20Train%20TT.jpg)
The announcement Tuesday from Comptroller Glenn Hegar came amid lawmakers' closed-door haggling over the two-year budget, which includes funds for public schools and property tax relief. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/df9f4b0216dd71227239db4317020589/Glenn_Hegar_Biennial_Revenue_Estimate_2.jpg)
The bill already passed the Senate but will require another vote in the upper chamber due to minor changes made in the House. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/87bc869a7d4db507aba67713c807c6b5/Smoking%20UT%20Campus.jpg)
When weighing in on issues like property taxes, the main interest group representing cities has encountered skepticism. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/54754df43afed6e52fc3415a1768a50d/01%20Houston%20Skyline%20MG.jpg)
Behind the 181 members of the Texas Legislature, thousands of people work to keep the Capitol humming during legislative sessions. The work isn't always glamorous, but many view their small roles in helping state government function as an honor. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7116958a72017087b881793d5ed865d6/UTD-12-Lead-8.jpg)
The measure, which had yet to advance in the Senate, was swiftly voted out of a surprise committee hearing Monday, days after companion legislation in the House died on the floor. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/457fc361470a539d2323e2e3c006a737/0007%20HB%203809%20Bryan%20Hughes%20JF%20May%2013%20TT.jpg)
A bill aims to lengthen the amount of time people can sue someone who sexually abused them when they were children. But the House stripped language extending the limit for certain entities that may be culpable. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ed1a66c59407d6971d387b27730c3a2a/0091%20HB%203809%20Nassar%20JF%20May%2013%20TT.jpg)
Once knocked as detached, the governor has become more involved in a legislative session hinging on two big-ticket items he's prioritized: school finance and property tax reform. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/fc677105b146688034d7ad163806e7df/01%20Greg%20Abbott%20House%20Floor%20JF%20TT.jpg)