Texas Senate

Texas lawmakers advanced a bill to change the language in the state's abortion laws in an effort to clarify when doctors are allowed to perform an abortion during a medical emergency. The bill, which passed unanimously in the Texas Senate on Tuesday, is the first time Republican lawmakers have sought to amend the state's ban since Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022.

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.

Matthew McConaughey, who has spent more than three decades as an actor, told the Texas Senate Finance Committee on Monday that one of his only regrets is not making more films in Texas.

A series of Senate bills would solidify and sometimes broaden parental rights in their children’s education.

Senate Bill 10 passed late Wednesday on a party-line vote. Democrats condemned the measure as unconstitutional and a threat to religious liberty.

Petroleum theft is a persistent problem in the state.

Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock asked for higher judicial pay and protections for parents in child custody cases in his first State of the Judiciary address since Gov. Greg Abbott appointed him to the high court's top role.

The Texas House has filed its school voucher bill. The legislation differs in several ways from what the Senate has already passed. The two chambers would have to hash out their differences before sending any legislation to Gov. Greg Abbott for his approval.

Clark Smith, one of five members of the commission, stepped down Friday as lawmakers have raised questions about the role of lottery couriers and agency governance.

The Texas Senate passed a trio of legislation from Sen. Joan Huffman (R-Houston) on Wednesday aimed at tightening rules around bail in Texas. The proposals, which are among Gov. Greg Abbott's top priorities this year, now head to the House for consideration.

The proposal would expand a program that allows districts to award bonuses to educators based on their students’ academic growth.

The marquee proposal would increase the amount of a home’s value exemption from school taxes to $140,000 from $100,000. The legislation must win approval from the House next.