Texas House committee considers state ban on celebratory gunfire, prohibit guns in group homes
Those gun control measures debated so far include a state ban on celebratory gunfire as well as a bill proposed in response to an autistic man being shot in a Dallas group home.
Those gun control measures debated so far include a state ban on celebratory gunfire as well as a bill proposed in response to an autistic man being shot in a Dallas group home.
Texas House holds hearing on dozens of gun safety bills
Bills limiting access to guns and ammunition are not expected to move forward. Things like requiring safe storage of firearms, background checks and tougher criminal penalties for gun crimes, have traction.
Bills limiting access to guns and ammunition are not expected to move forward. Things like requiring safe storage of firearms, background checks and tougher criminal penalties for gun crimes, have traction.
Texas House committee considers sports betting in the state
The odds of winning in the Senate currently remain a long shot. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick has declared any gambling bill from the House as D-O-A in the Senate, but Leach is not ready to fold.
The odds of winning in the Senate currently remain a long shot. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick has declared any gambling bill from the House as D-O-A in the Senate, but Leach is not ready to fold.
Proposed bill would require hospitals to be notified of violent parolees visiting
The Pokuaa-Flowers Act would require hospitals to get advance notice of people on parole for the most violent crimes and on an ankle monitor who want to go on campus. It’s in response to what happened last October at Methodist Hospital when a man on parole killed a nurse and social worker for a violent offense.
The Pokuaa-Flowers Act would require hospitals to get advance notice of people on parole for the most violent crimes and on an ankle monitor who want to go on campus. It’s in response to what happened last October at Methodist Hospital when a man on parole killed a nurse and social worker for a violent offense.
Texas House passes $12 billion property tax relief package, setting up fight over appraisal cap with Senate
House Speaker Dade Phelan has said tightening the appraisal cap is the best way to cut property taxes, but Senate tax-cut proponents, housing experts and business groups predict the move would have dire consequences.
House Speaker Dade Phelan has said tightening the appraisal cap is the best way to cut property taxes, but Senate tax-cut proponents, housing experts and business groups predict the move would have dire consequences.
SB 30 would direct nearly $3 billion to improve mental health facilities in Texas, build new ones
Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick is backing a Senate bill that would increase funding and access to mental health services.
Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick is backing a Senate bill that would increase funding and access to mental health services.
Proposed bill would increase pension payout for Dallas first responders who die in the line of duty
The Dallas Police and Fire Pension System may be the only one in the state that doesn't provide full pension benefits to survivors of those who die in the line of duty. That may change this legislative session through a bill filed by Dallas Democrat Julie Johnson.
The Dallas Police and Fire Pension System may be the only one in the state that doesn't provide full pension benefits to survivors of those who die in the line of duty. That may change this legislative session through a bill filed by Dallas Democrat Julie Johnson.
Texas House committee discusses border bills
Governor Greg Abbott made border security his top priority in this legislative session, declaring an "invasion" by illegal border crossers.
Governor Greg Abbott made border security his top priority in this legislative session, declaring an "invasion" by illegal border crossers.
Texas Senate passes bills restricting some drag performances around children
The bills have featured harsh opposition, with some drag performers testifying in front of Senate committees. Opponents say the bills violate the First Amendment.
The bills have featured harsh opposition, with some drag performers testifying in front of Senate committees. Opponents say the bills violate the First Amendment.
Bills to expand gambling access in Texas clear House committee
Gaming advocates are pushing to legalize casinos and sports betting in Texas. The committee votes represent more progress than the proposals made last legislative session, when they got hearings in committee but were never voted out.
Gaming advocates are pushing to legalize casinos and sports betting in Texas. The committee votes represent more progress than the proposals made last legislative session, when they got hearings in committee but were never voted out.
Texas bill would allow permanent residents to serve as police officers
Police everywhere are fighting two battles: crime in communities and a shortage of qualified candidates. The chiefs of the biggest cities in North Texas say allowing this group the opportunity to become police could help with the shortage of jailers and officers.
Police everywhere are fighting two battles: crime in communities and a shortage of qualified candidates. The chiefs of the biggest cities in North Texas say allowing this group the opportunity to become police could help with the shortage of jailers and officers.
Bill that would remove sales tax from baby, female hygiene products passes through Texas House
The bill aims to take some of the financial burden off new families by removing the sales tax for crucial baby items, like diapers and formula.
The bill aims to take some of the financial burden off new families by removing the sales tax for crucial baby items, like diapers and formula.
Proposed bills to make Texas power grid more reliable face criticism
Critics have concerns about consumer costs and whether lawmakers are focusing on the right things.
Critics have concerns about consumer costs and whether lawmakers are focusing on the right things.
Educators worried how proposed Texas 'school choice' bill will impact public school pre-Ks
Texas lawmakers have not prioritized establishing pre-K for all students this legislative session, but FOX 4 has learned about a provision in the school choice Bill that would make millions of tax dollars for private school pre-K funding available.
Texas lawmakers have not prioritized establishing pre-K for all students this legislative session, but FOX 4 has learned about a provision in the school choice Bill that would make millions of tax dollars for private school pre-K funding available.
Texans testify before Senate committee on frustrations over illegal border crossings
Texans who live along the southern border testified before the Senate Committee on Border Security to say illegal border crossings are out of control.
Texans who live along the southern border testified before the Senate Committee on Border Security to say illegal border crossings are out of control.
School Choice: Texas lawmakers proposing bringing taxpayer funding to private schools
Any student could qualify to receive $8,000 for private or home school expenses, but two-thirds of the $500 million allotted under the bill would be prioritized for students at poor-performing campuses. The remainder would be available for any student.
Any student could qualify to receive $8,000 for private or home school expenses, but two-thirds of the $500 million allotted under the bill would be prioritized for students at poor-performing campuses. The remainder would be available for any student.
Texas business interests and family values collide as lawmakers debate legalizing gambling
House Bill 1942, written by Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano, would permit regulated sports betting that is already legal in 29 states. House Bill 2843, by Rep. John Kuempel, R-Seguin, would permit casino gambling in Texas.
House Bill 1942, written by Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano, would permit regulated sports betting that is already legal in 29 states. House Bill 2843, by Rep. John Kuempel, R-Seguin, would permit casino gambling in Texas.
Texas Senate passes $16.5 billion package to lower property taxes
The proposals target the taxes homeowners pay and require school districts to lower their tax rates.
The proposals target the taxes homeowners pay and require school districts to lower their tax rates.
Controversial Texas ‘school choice’ bill could help families pay for private school tuition
State senators heard testimony about a controversial "school choice" bill that could give families taxpayer money to pay for private school tuition.
State senators heard testimony about a controversial "school choice" bill that could give families taxpayer money to pay for private school tuition.
Bill discussed that would give Texas teachers $2K or $4K raises, short of what they are asking for
Lawmakers in the Texas Senate discussed a bill Wednesday that would give teachers $2,000 raises across the board, and some teachers whose salaries are below the median would receive $4,000 raises.
Lawmakers in the Texas Senate discussed a bill Wednesday that would give teachers $2,000 raises across the board, and some teachers whose salaries are below the median would receive $4,000 raises.