Gov. Greg Abbott has given the Texas Legislature 20 issues to tackle over a 30-day session, everything from bathroom regulations to local tree ordinances. We’re tracking how lawmakers are progressing on each of those issues.
85th Legislative Session
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State Government
As lawmakers try to curb local Texas governments, big-city mayors left out of meetings with Abbott
The governor held the first of three scheduled meetings with Texas mayors on Wednesday — but there’s no word yet on whether he’ll meet with mayors from the state’s five largest cities.
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Criminal Justice
Senate backs bill that would roll back cellphone safety laws in dozens of Texas cities
The Senate on Wednesday gave initial approval to legislation that would roll back local mobile phone ordinances that go beyond the recent statewide ban on texting while driving.
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Public Education
Texas Senate approves teacher bonuses, benefits — but not pay raises
The Texas Senate passed a bill that would provide funding for teacher bonuses and retirement benefits, slashing a controversial provision that would require school districts to increase teacher salaries without additional state money.
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State Government
Senate votes again to advance “bathroom bill”
The Texas Senate backed a bill that would bar some transgender people from using bathrooms that match their gender identity in schools and buildings overseen by local governments. The bill would also nix parts of local nondiscrimination ordinances.
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State Government
Senate gives initial OK to property tax rate elections in cities, counties
The Texas Senate endorsed a bill allowing for property tax rate elections if revenues would exceed 4 percent of what what was taken in the year before. The House is slated to take up that matter and nearly three dozen other property tax and appraisal bills.
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Public Education
Senate approves bills on “private school choice” and school finance study
The Texas Senate backed bills that would subsidize private school tuition and study the state’s school finance system.
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Health care
Texas Senate tackles special session abortion bills
Texas senators tentatively approved bills that would require physicians and facilities to do more detailed reporting on abortions — and fine those who do not comply.
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State Government
House committee debates addressing property tax bill increases from several angles
The House Ways and Means Committee spent hours discussing dozens of bills that collectively go far beyond the upper chamber’s major property tax bill poised to pass this week.
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State Government
Law enforcement comes out against Texas “bathroom bill”
In a news conference Tuesday, big-city police chiefs called on lawmakers to reject the “bathroom bill,” saying the measure is discriminatory and does not keep the public safe.