Legislature prepares to end 87th session with many bills still pending

TEXAS STATE CAPITOL, AUSTIN
EDITOR’S NOTE: By law the Texas Legislature must finish the regular 87th session by May 31, although the Governor may call them back for addition unfinished business. The following Report is a summary submitted by the Republican Caucus, to indicate the progress of the most active legislation in the House.

Deadline Night is over and the fate of House Bills is sealed … or is it?

When the clock struck midnight on Thursday, May 13th, the fate of every House Bill that failed to get a 2nd reading on the House Floor was sealed. While these bills are no longer up for consideration as independent vehicles, the policy ideas contained within still have a chance through Senate bills and the amendment process.

Friday May 14 marks the cleanup period and third reading, where bills may still be amended and face a final record vote before being sent to the Senate. In the past few weeks alone, Texas House Republicans have scored major victories on Pro-Life, 2nd Amendment, Public Safety, and more. To help you catch up with the bills that have passed out of the House, we’ve put together brief summaries on each issue with a link to a full recap of bills passed so far.

If you want to research any of the bills in these recaps, go to https://capitol.texas.gov/Search/BillSearch.aspx

To watch the Deadline Night video, go to https://house.texas.gov/video-audio/chamber/87/

2ND AMENDMENT

Texas is well-known as a pro-2nd Amendment state. Republicans in the Texas House made sure the Lone Star State stays that way this session by passing several priority bills to protect gun rights for Texans. Among those are the widely supported House Bill 1972 to establish permitless carry and House Bill 2622 to make Texas a 2nd Amendment Sanctuary State. Click here for a recap of those bills and more protecting 2A in Texas. For additional details, see link in paragraph four of this article.

ELECTION INTEGRITY

Texans have voiced many concerns over the security of our elections and the legislature has responded with several bills to restore integrity to the process. Take a look at the bills that have cleared the House in an effort to restore trust in the process. For additional details, see link in paragraph four of this article.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM

Both Governor Greg Abbott and House Republicans targeted bail reform as one of the top issues to be tackled by the legislature. The Caucus has also taken up several strong Criminal Justice Reform measures to sharpen the focus of our courts and public safety to better serve Texans. For a look at the criminal justice and bail reform bills passed in the House so far this session For additional details, see link in paragraph four of this article.

PROTECTING LIFE

The Texas House Republican Caucus is leading one of the most-Pro-Life Texas Legislative sessions in state history. From the Texas Heartbeat Act to a pre-ban on abortions, Conservatives have delivered on major victories for two very prominent Pro-Life bills this session.

DISASTER RESPONSE

This session, Texas House Republicans have taken the lead on disaster response policy to prepare for statewide emergencies and strengthen our energy grid against severe weather. For additional details, see link in paragraph four of this article.

HEALTHCARE

Texas Republicans are leading on health care as they continue to tackle consumer rights, pricing transparency, and the most important issue: affordability. This session has featured monumental changes in how we approach access to care by expanding telehealth and using existing programs to help reduce the costs of prescription drugs for Texans in need. For additional details, see link in paragraph four of this article.

PRO-BUSINESS

Texas has the 9th-largest economy in the world and we are committed to keeping Texas strong on business and jobs. Check out some of the key victories in the Texas House to support businesses and help them navigate the recovery phase post-pandemic. For additional details, see link in paragraph four of this article.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Multiple bills addressing public safety have been passed by the Texas House this session. Find more information on these public safety wins. For additional details, see link in paragraph four of this article.

RIGHT TO WORSHIP

In the last year, Texans have seen how quickly the right to worship was shut down by elected officials overstepping their constitutional authority. That’s why House Republicans have fought to ensure the right to worship is never prohibited in the Lone Star State.

PUBLIC EDUCATION

This session, the Texas House has passed multiple public education bills that will play a pivotal role in providing the most efficient and supportive education to our students possible. To see the specifics on these bills, visit our website. For additional details, see link in paragraph four of this article.