Texas Border Business
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By The Texas Tribune
And Texas state lawmakers are ending their biennial regular session with a list of Republican priorities to boast of, leading some in the party to declare it the “most conservative session” they can recall.
We’ve recapped some of the session’s legislative highlights below. You can also check out our bill tracker here to see what’s on Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk, what he’s signed into Texas law and what failed. And read all of our Legislature coverage here.
- Voting: In a last ditch attempt to block Senate Bill 7, all Democrats walked off the House floor Sunday night, preventing a vote on the legislation before a fatal deadline. The bill includes provisions to limit early voting hours and curtail local options. On Saturday, President Joe Biden called legislation like SB7 that restricts voting access is “un-American.” Read more.
- Abortion: Abbott this month signed into law Senate Bill 8 that would prohibit abortions in Texas as early as six weeks — before some women know they are pregnant — and open the door for almost any private citizen to sue abortion providers and others. Read more. Last week, House Bill 1280 was also passed by the Legislature, a bill that if signed by the governor would ban abortion in Texas if the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Read more.
- Winter storm: The Texas House and Senate on Sunday approved sweeping legislation to overhaul the state’s power grid following the disastrous and deadly winter storm in February that left more than 4.8 million homes and businesses without electricity for days. More than 100 people died. Read more.
- Critical race theory: The Legislature passed House Bill 3979, limiting how Texas teachers can talk in the classroom about current events and America’s history of racism. It’s now headed to Abbott’s desk. Read more.
- Governor’s power: Texas lawmakers in the House and Senate were unable to find common ground on House Bill 3, which would have given the Legislature more oversight of the governor’s emergency powers during health emergencies. The bill didn’t get final approval and is effectively dead. Read more.
- State budget: The Texas Legislature’s two-year, roughly $248 billion state budget was sent to the governor’s desk after the House advanced the proposal Thursday, completing monthslong negotiations between the two chambers. Read more.
- Guns: A measure that would allow people to carry handguns in Texas without a concealed handgun license was sent to Abbott’s office for his signature. House Bill 1927 passed the Legislature after similar efforts failed in previous sessions. Read more.
- Broadband access: House Bill 5 was sent to Abbott’s office Friday. This measure would aim to incentivize the expansion of broadband internet access to areas across the state by creating the State Broadband Development Office, which would award grants, low-interest loans and other incentives to build out broadband access. Read more.
- Bail changes: House Bill 20, which would keep more people accused or previously convicted of violent crimes in jail before trial unless they can post cash bonds, seemed dead on Sunday after House Democrats walked out of the chamber to block the passage of the GOP priority voting bill. Read more.
- National anthem: Senate Bill 4, also known as the so-called “Star Spangled Banner Protection Act,” was sent to the governor’s office last week. This conservative-backed bill would require any professional sports teams with contracts with the state government to play the national anthem before the start of a game. Read more.
- Churches during disasters: House Bill 1239 was sent to Abbott’s office Friday. This measure would ban public officials from closing churches or other places of worship during a disaster declaration. Read more.
- Homeless encampments: Last week, the Legislature passed House Bill 1925, which would make camping in an unapproved public place a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500. Cities may not opt out of the ban or discourage enforcement of it. Read more.
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