New Texas law has tougher penalties for drivers who hit pedestrians
Senate Bill 1055, the Lisa Torry Smith Act, is named after a Houston-area woman who was struck and killed in a crosswalk nearly four years ago while walking her then six-year-old son to school.
Senate Bill 1055, the Lisa Torry Smith Act, is named after a Houston-area woman who was struck and killed in a crosswalk nearly four years ago while walking her then six-year-old son to school.
Justice Department says it will protect Texans who seek abortions
Attorney General Merrick Garland said the Justice Department would "protect those seeking to obtain or provide reproductive health services" under a federal law known as the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act.
Attorney General Merrick Garland said the Justice Department would "protect those seeking to obtain or provide reproductive health services" under a federal law known as the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act.
Texas lawmakers pass Senate Bill 6, reforming bail system
Prior to the bill’s passage, some courts had released people accused of crimes on personal bonds that did not require money.
Prior to the bill’s passage, some courts had released people accused of crimes on personal bonds that did not require money.
Judge shields Texas abortion clinics from anti-abortion group's suits
A state judge has shielded, for now, Texas abortion clinics from lawsuits by an anti-abortion group under a new state abortion law in a narrow ruling handed down Friday.
A state judge has shielded, for now, Texas abortion clinics from lawsuits by an anti-abortion group under a new state abortion law in a narrow ruling handed down Friday.
Texas Legislature adjourns second special session after passing more of Gov. Greg Abbott’s priorities
The Texas Legislature is expected to return soon for another special session focused on redrawing the state's political maps.
The Texas Legislature is expected to return soon for another special session focused on redrawing the state's political maps.
HB5 would restore funding for state lawmakers’ staff salaries
The Texas House is set to vote on restoring the funding that pays salaries for thousands of state legislative staffers.
The Texas House is set to vote on restoring the funding that pays salaries for thousands of state legislative staffers.
Pro-choice advocates protest abortion law at Texas Capitol
Pro-choice advocates have been fighting this bill since it first was introduced during the regular legislative session.
Pro-choice advocates have been fighting this bill since it first was introduced during the regular legislative session.
Texas State Senators, Tejano Democrats file lawsuit over redistricting
The group says that the results of the decennial Census were delayed because of COVID-19 and only recently published after the conclusion of the 87th Regular Legislative Session.
The group says that the results of the decennial Census were delayed because of COVID-19 and only recently published after the conclusion of the 87th Regular Legislative Session.
Texas Legislature sends sweeping GOP voting bill to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk
The Texas Legislature sent a sweeping rewrite of the state's election laws to Republican Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday, dealing a bruising defeat for Democrats after a monthslong, bitter fight over voting rights.
The Texas Legislature sent a sweeping rewrite of the state's election laws to Republican Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday, dealing a bruising defeat for Democrats after a monthslong, bitter fight over voting rights.
Controversial Texas voting bill set to become law
The months-long partisan fight over voting rules in Texas is now coming to a conclusion. After the House and Senate passed their versions of Senate Bill 1, a compromise was made in a conference committee Monday.
The months-long partisan fight over voting rules in Texas is now coming to a conclusion. After the House and Senate passed their versions of Senate Bill 1, a compromise was made in a conference committee Monday.
Texas House advances new voting restrictions as Democratic hopes of killing the legislation wane
The House is expected to give the bill final approval on Friday, leaving the House and Senate to resolve their differences before the legislation heads to Abbott.
The House is expected to give the bill final approval on Friday, leaving the House and Senate to resolve their differences before the legislation heads to Abbott.
Federal court in El Paso blocks Abbott's migrant transportation order
According to the ruling, Abbott's order violates the Supremacy Clause of the US Constitution because it authorizes DPS to “make and act upon immigration determinations, the province of federal law.”
According to the ruling, Abbott's order violates the Supremacy Clause of the US Constitution because it authorizes DPS to “make and act upon immigration determinations, the province of federal law.”
Texas House Republicans push ahead on voting bill with Democrats returning from D.C.
The Republican-controlled Texas House is expected to vote on election legislation Thursday for the first time since Democrats blocked it in late May by leaving the regular legislative session. Now, in this second special session, the House has a quorum with the return of some breakaway Democrats.
The Republican-controlled Texas House is expected to vote on election legislation Thursday for the first time since Democrats blocked it in late May by leaving the regular legislative session. Now, in this second special session, the House has a quorum with the return of some breakaway Democrats.
Permitless carry in Texas set to begin on September 1
On September 1st, Texas joins more than two dozen states that do not require a state permit to carry a handgun.
On September 1st, Texas joins more than two dozen states that do not require a state permit to carry a handgun.
With a full plate of controversial bills to go, Texas House committee OKs funding for virtual learning
A Texas House committee approved a plan to expand virtual learning. The proposal calls for the state to cover the costs of online learning for most public districts and some charter schools until September of 2023.
A Texas House committee approved a plan to expand virtual learning. The proposal calls for the state to cover the costs of online learning for most public districts and some charter schools until September of 2023.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton cleared by his own office of wrongdoing in bribery allegations
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's own office cleared him of allegations that he accepted bribes.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's own office cleared him of allegations that he accepted bribes.
Texas House to resume work on controversial election bill after meeting quorum
As work in the special session resumes Monday, members of the Texas House will hear from the public about a controversial election bill.
As work in the special session resumes Monday, members of the Texas House will hear from the public about a controversial election bill.
Texas Supreme Court to start hearing cases on Gov. Abbott's mask mandate ban next week
The Texas Supreme Court dismissed a request by Governor Greg Abbott to rule on the case, until it goes through the proper channels first.
The Texas Supreme Court dismissed a request by Governor Greg Abbott to rule on the case, until it goes through the proper channels first.
Texas Supreme Court temporarily allows school mask mandates to remain
The Texas Supreme Court has dismissed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Gov. Greg Abbott’s request that it disallow mask mandates in Texas school districts — albeit on a technicality.
The Texas Supreme Court has dismissed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Gov. Greg Abbott’s request that it disallow mask mandates in Texas school districts — albeit on a technicality.
Quorum break ends as small number of Democrats return to Texas House after 38 days
The return of a handful of Democratic lawmakers abruptly and messily drew to a close one of the few -- and lengthiest -- quorum breaks in modern Texas history.
The return of a handful of Democratic lawmakers abruptly and messily drew to a close one of the few -- and lengthiest -- quorum breaks in modern Texas history.