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The Legislature adjourned sine die on June 2nd. While this was the most conservative session in recent history, and the Governor, Lt. Governor, and Speaker remained on speaking terms throughout, several key pieces of legislation died in the final days of the session. The most significant from our point of view was SB 16, which would require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote. In the last week of the session, it became clear that the bill would die in calendars. It remains to be seen whether SB 16 merits a special session in the eyes of the Governor. Read the full update on voting rights and election law here.
Another significant piece of legislation that died in House calendars was SB 2880, which would have prohibited just about anything related to getting a legal abortion, whether by pills through the mail or information about leaving the state and resources to assist women in obtaining a legal abortion. Read the full update on women's health and reproductive rights here.
On the gun safety front, for the third session in a row, the legislature balked at allowing guns in polling locations. Two house bills, one that allowed open carry with a carry permit and another that allowed election judges with permits to carry guns in polling locations, passed the house but died in Senate State Affairs.
A compromise on water infrastructure resulted in a joint resolution, HJR 7, to be voted on by Texas voters in the November election. It would dedicate $1 billion additional state dollars to the Texas Water fund to be allocated on a 50-50 basis between new water sources, including desalinization and likely produced water from oil production, and conservation and infrastructure repair. Some good bills were passed protecting groundwater as well. Read the full update on water infrastructure here.
Public education was the biggest disappointment. SB 2 passed, creating educational savings accounts for students to apply to private school tuition. Additionally, more religion was forced into the classroom. HB 2, the supplemental funding bill, also passed. While historic in size at $8 billion, with every penny allocated, it does not make up for funding losses due to inflation, and it allows schools little flexibility.
The legislature made some incremental but positive changes in the area of child welfare. They passed a bill to create a task force to guide law enforcement and social services in eliminating the root causes of family violence homicide, making it easier for youth who are aging out of foster care to access higher education while also creating more ways to keep families together in troubled times. Read a full update on children's issueshere.
Thank you for your dedication and advocacy through this legislative session. Your voices make a difference!
In League,
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