Texas Capitol

State lawmakers and criminal justice experts offer some insight into what drives the lawmaking process in Texas and whether police chases – a phenomenon that killed nearly 100 people in Texas in 2022 – will ever be regulated in the law.

The demonstration is part of a national protest against the conservative plan to enact sweeping change within the federal government. The Texas House and Senate are also in session Wednesday.

The Texas Department of Public Safety closed the Capitol grounds through the weekend in anticipation of the protest. Organizers called the move an attempt to "repress" pro-Palestinian organizing in the state.

The sergeant-at-arms is the chamber’s chief law enforcement officer. She works as liaison between the House and the Texas Department of Public Safety, ensuring the safety of House members and staff.

Sure, the Texas Capitol is open late…but exactly how late? My mission was to arrive around sunset and see how long I could stay before someone asked me to leave.

Rep. Bryan Slaton’s attorney slammed the “outrageous allegations” circulating about his client. The rumors started after Slaton missed Thursday’s budget debate despite filing nearly 30 amendments.

If Senate Bill 14 were to become law, gender-affirming care practices for people under 18 years old would be banned in the state of Texas. This is the second proposal targeting transgender people to receive full approval from the Texas Senate this week.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has embraced Senate Bill 8, which will get its first committee hearing Wednesday. But House Speaker Dade Phelan hasn’t made school choice legislation a priority.

Plenty of bills are still up for debate before the session ends in six weeks.

A native of Pakistan, Bhojani emigrated to Texas in his teens and worked his way up through various jobs. Now, the Democrat is set to represent House District 92.

Independent voting rights advocates will likely try to spread the word.

Other new laws include transparency for long-term care facilities and trademark protections for restaurants.