Texas Legislature

Barring a veto from Gov. Greg Abbott, these will soon become law in Texas.

Republican state Rep. Brooks Landgraf proposed the ban after a fire at an Odessa area chemical storage facility that allegedly filled a nearby neighborhood with "black sludge." House Bill 3866 is now on Gov. Greg Abbott's desk.

Yesterday was the last day of the 89th Texas Legislature. A bill was approved by the House and Senate to remove challenged books from public school libraries until a decision is made on if they are appropriate. The Texas Newsroom’s Lucio Vasquez reports on another public education bill which missed a key legislative deadline. The bill would have replaced the STAAR test for public schools. Drivers should be aware of temporary road closures and a large number of emergency personnel around Atkins Middle School during its emergency exercise this morning until noon.

The last day of Texas' 2025 legislative session is here. After 140 days at the Capitol in Austin, the Texas Legislature has passed more than 3,400 bills and resolutions. Here's a look at some of the most significant items that — barring a veto from Gov. Greg Abbott — could soon become law.

Dallas and Tarrant counties have confirmed their first mosquito samples positive for West Nile virus this year. KERA’s Katherine Hobbs has tips for Texans to avoid the disease this summer. Experts say Texas could be down to the last minute for getting ahead of a statewide water crisis, and the response from Texas lawmakers has passed just as the legislative session draws to a close.

This week, Texas lawmakers passed a bill which would make it easier for landlords and homeowners to evict squatters. Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider says the final version, heading to Governor Greg Abbott for approval, strikes a balance between protecting property rights and due process for tenants. Lubbock-Cooper ISD was awarded a $50,000 grant for Excellence in Education.

Student athletes would be able to receive a slice of the billions of dollars Texas colleges generate in revenue from their sports teams.

The City of Lubbock and Lubbock Fire Rescue cut the ribbon on the Eric Hill Memorial Station, yesterday. Our reporter Samantha Larned has more from the ceremony. Despite attempts from some lawmakers to abolish the Texas Lottery Commission, the Texas Newsroom's Blaise Gainey reports the state house has instead settled on a bill to move the commission under the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

The House gave its final approval to Senate Bill 11, written by state Sen. Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston), on Friday morning. It passed 88-48.

The Texas House passed Senate Bill 10 on Sunday. It now goes back to the Senate for concurrence before advancing to Gov. Greg Abbott, who is expected to sign it into law.