Two education rallies held outside State Capitol
It was an education centered day for the Texas legislature as two rallies were held outside the State Capitol.
It was an education centered day for the Texas legislature as two rallies were held outside the State Capitol.
Texas Senate bill aims to increase criminal penalties for catalytic converter thieves
Senate Bill 432 would make it a state jail felony for anyone who is found in possession of a stolen catalytic converter. So even if a thief isn't caught in the act, there would still be consequences. The bill does have protections for special circumstances.
Senate Bill 432 would make it a state jail felony for anyone who is found in possession of a stolen catalytic converter. So even if a thief isn't caught in the act, there would still be consequences. The bill does have protections for special circumstances.
Texas lawmakers debate bill to make damaging, disconnecting GPS monitor a crime
Under current law it is only a technical violation, not a crime, to tamper with an ankle monitor.
Under current law it is only a technical violation, not a crime, to tamper with an ankle monitor.
Conservative, liberal groups testify at State Capitol over controversial legislation
Texans on all sides of the political spectrum are making their voices heard when it comes to controversial legislation that has been filed this session.
Texans on all sides of the political spectrum are making their voices heard when it comes to controversial legislation that has been filed this session.
State legislators propose additional changes to improve Texas power grid
State legislators are proposing more changes to Texas's power grid, two years after Winter Storm Uri caused widespread outages. Doug Lewin, president of Stoic Energy, joins FOX 7 Austin's John Krinjak to discuss.
State legislators are proposing more changes to Texas's power grid, two years after Winter Storm Uri caused widespread outages. Doug Lewin, president of Stoic Energy, joins FOX 7 Austin's John Krinjak to discuss.
Lawmakers consider bills targeting transgender Texans
Lawmakers are debating several bills that could affect the lives of transgender Texans.
Lawmakers are debating several bills that could affect the lives of transgender Texans.
Senate passes bill opening door for prosecutors to charge fentanyl distributors with murder
Gov. Greg Abbott and state lawmakers have taken a tough-on-drugs approach to the fentanyl crisis, primarily pushing efforts to increase criminal penalties.
Gov. Greg Abbott and state lawmakers have taken a tough-on-drugs approach to the fentanyl crisis, primarily pushing efforts to increase criminal penalties.
Lawmakers propose energy bill relief for Texans with $4 billion legislation
Texas lawmakers are pushing to set aside nearly $4 billion to bring down electric bills that went up following the 2021 winter storm. Most customers have been paying an extra $20 a month on average since the grid failure two years ago.
Texas lawmakers are pushing to set aside nearly $4 billion to bring down electric bills that went up following the 2021 winter storm. Most customers have been paying an extra $20 a month on average since the grid failure two years ago.
Texas lawmakers propose bills moving away from renewable energy in attempt to shore up power grid
Some Texas senators unveiled plans Thursday to shift the focus away from wind and solar and toward resources like natural gas.
Some Texas senators unveiled plans Thursday to shift the focus away from wind and solar and toward resources like natural gas.
Lawmaker files bill to dissolve, replace Texas juvenile justice system
A state lawmaker says it's time to dissolve the Texas Juvenile Justice Department and switch to treating teens in trouble by focusing on mental health rehabilitation and intervention.
A state lawmaker says it's time to dissolve the Texas Juvenile Justice Department and switch to treating teens in trouble by focusing on mental health rehabilitation and intervention.
Controversial Texas bill aims to give property tax relief to straight married couples with kids
There’s a part of the bill that has many doing a double-take. In order to qualify, the couple must be a man and a woman legally married to each other, neither of whom has ever been divorced.
There’s a part of the bill that has many doing a double-take. In order to qualify, the couple must be a man and a woman legally married to each other, neither of whom has ever been divorced.
Senator Paul Bettencourt files bill to raise ISD homestead property tax exemption
Texas Senator Paul Bettencourt has announced he's filed a bill to raise ISD homestead property tax exemption limits in the state.
Texas Senator Paul Bettencourt has announced he's filed a bill to raise ISD homestead property tax exemption limits in the state.
Texas senator wants better mass shooting training for public safety entities
State Sen. Roland Gutierrez wants the Texas Department of Public Safety to create robust mass shooting response training for all public safety entities after the chaotic response to the Uvalde school massacre delayed medical treatment of victims.
State Sen. Roland Gutierrez wants the Texas Department of Public Safety to create robust mass shooting response training for all public safety entities after the chaotic response to the Uvalde school massacre delayed medical treatment of victims.
Bills filed that would allow Texans to vote on legalizing casinos, sports gambling in November
There is growing bipartisan support toward legalizing gambling in the state of Texas.
There is growing bipartisan support toward legalizing gambling in the state of Texas.
Ranked-choice voting in Texas? One representative wants to make it a reality
A state representative from Austin is looking to transform the way local elections are held, calling to shift to a growing process called ranked-choice voting.
A state representative from Austin is looking to transform the way local elections are held, calling to shift to a growing process called ranked-choice voting.
North Texas mayors team up to lobby for key issues in Texas Legislature
Texas mayors from different political affiliations joined forces in a united voice to lobby the state Legislature on a Zoom call Friday. Some of the mayors also voiced additional concerns.
Texas mayors from different political affiliations joined forces in a united voice to lobby the state Legislature on a Zoom call Friday. Some of the mayors also voiced additional concerns.
Effort to ban Democratic chairs fails in Texas House, but rule passes to penalize future quorum-breakers
State lawmakers approved a new rule that punishes lawmakers who break quorum. It's in response to the last legislative session when most House Democrats went to Washington D.C. in protest of Republican-backed voting restrictions.
State lawmakers approved a new rule that punishes lawmakers who break quorum. It's in response to the last legislative session when most House Democrats went to Washington D.C. in protest of Republican-backed voting restrictions.
Texas universities propose two-year tuition freeze in exchange for nearly additional state funding
As Texas lawmakers consider what to do with an unprecedented $32.7 billion state surplus, leaders of the state’s six largest public university systems are pitching that nearly $1 billion be allocated toward higher education. If lawmakers agree, these university chancellors pledge to hold tuition flat for all undergraduate students for the next two academic years.
As Texas lawmakers consider what to do with an unprecedented $32.7 billion state surplus, leaders of the state’s six largest public university systems are pitching that nearly $1 billion be allocated toward higher education. If lawmakers agree, these university chancellors pledge to hold tuition flat for all undergraduate students for the next two academic years.
Texas Legislature 101: Understanding the state government and how it passes laws
Here’s a rundown of how a bill becomes a law, how the Texas Legislature works and the power players who keep things moving under the Pink Dome.
Here’s a rundown of how a bill becomes a law, how the Texas Legislature works and the power players who keep things moving under the Pink Dome.
88th Texas Legislature: Lawmakers working with record budget surplus
The Texas Legislature reconvened Tuesday with a record amount of revenue for the budget and a record surplus on top of that.
The Texas Legislature reconvened Tuesday with a record amount of revenue for the budget and a record surplus on top of that.