Houston Chronicle by Cayla Harris, Austin Bureau 5/31/2021
Despite a last-minute showstopper by Democrats, the Republican-dominated Texas Legislature is closing out the legislative session with many of its conservative priorities heading to the governor’s desk.
They included an anti-abortion bill banning the procedure as early as six weeks into pregnancy, now law in Texas after Gov. Greg Abbott signed the measure about two weeks ago. Lawmakers also approved the so-called “constitutional carry” bill allowing Texans to carry handguns in public without a permit, and they shielded businesses from COVID-related lawsuits.
But as the session wound down, some priorities didn’t make it across the finish line. Democrats tanked a massive voting restrictions bill late Sunday after staging a dramatic walkout in the Texas House. Other bills missed key deadlines, including one that would make it harder for those accused of committing violent crimes to bail out of jail, and another that would ban transgender student-athletes from playing on teams aligning with their gender identity.
Here’s a roundup of several key priorities set by Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and House Speaker Dade Phelan. Abbott must sign any bills that have passed the Legislature before they can take effect.
More:
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/2021-Texas-legislative-session-The-bills-that-16215065.php
