89th Texas Legislature

Now, nine large boxes filled with the product sit in the back of Arneson’s store after a new law banning the sale of THC vape pens went into effect Sept. 1. Although some prepared for the loss in sales, many smoke shops are now exploring new avenues of revenue.

Staff fired from the Texas Funeral Service Commission claim the head commissioner's advocacy for bills in the Texas Legislature presented an allegedly illegal conflict of interest. Legal and political experts say lobbying laws for regulatory agencies aren't so straightforward.

A bill to end Texas’ state-mandate STAAR test is headed for Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk. House Bill 8 replaces the year-end assessment with three shorter tests, but critics say that only increases the burden on students.

Senate Bill 2972 limits “expressive activities” on campuses to certain places and times. A free speech organization is suing on behalf of numerous students and student groups, calling the law unconstitutional.

House Bill 18 would ban lawmakers from raising funds while participating in a quorum break. It would punish such actions by fining lawmakers and their contributors up to $5,000 per donation.

And in 2025, the Texas Legislature’s 89th session was no different. Earlier this year, lawmakers passed Senate Bill 412, which makes changes that could mean criminal charges for educators.

House Bill 35 goes into effect on Sept. 1, creating a new program that aims to connect firefighters and EMS workers across Texas with peer-to-peer mental health support.

New laws range from school vouchers and water infrastructure funding to a ban on city and county-funded abortion travel funds.

House Bill 2038 makes it easier for foreign doctors to get licensed in Texas — but not all are allowed.

Senate Bill 17 will bar people tied to China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia from buying most Texas real estate, including farmland, homes and commercial property.

Democrats say recent changes to the bill give too much power to the TEA and fall short of meaningfully easing the pressures of standardized testing.

Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed a judicial omnibus bill over a section that would have sped up the process of getting criminal charges expunged. The bill passed without that provision Tuesday.