Latest news with #89thTexasLegislativeSession
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Texas House newcomers champion causes close to home
AUSTIN (KXAN)–The 89th Texas Legislative Session concluded with 31 new state representatives completing their first 140 days in office, representing more than 20% of the House chamber. Among these freshman lawmakers were Republican Don McLaughlin of District 80 in south Texas and Democrat Lauren Ashley Simmons of District 146 in the Houston area. Each brought distinct backgrounds and legislative priorities to Austin. The freshman class emerged from elections that shifted the House composition to 88 Republicans and 62 Democrats, with Republicans gaining two additional seats. McLaughlin, who previously served as mayor of Uvalde during the tragic 2022 school shooting that killed 19 children and two teachers, focused his legislative efforts on improving law enforcement response protocols. His signature legislation, the Uvalde Strong Act, passed both chambers and awaits Gov. Greg Abbott's signature. 'What I see in this bill, more than anything, is if an agency shows up, all these agencies have been training together, supposed to be meeting together now, so if the first agency on the scene does nothing, the second agency immediately knows what to do, then we won't have that chaos and that indecision that we saw that day at Uvalde,' McLaughlin said in an interview with KXAN's Will DuPree shortly after the session ended. The legislation would mandate annual training exercises between school districts and law enforcement agencies, require crisis response policies and establish reporting requirements for active shooter incidents. McLaughlin acknowledged the painful necessity behind his legislation. 'It's very meaningful. I'm ecstatic over but same token, I'm sad that we had to pass a law like this,' he said. On the Democratic side, Simmons was recognized by her colleagues as Freshman of the Year within the House Democratic Caucus. Despite serving in the minority party, she successfully advanced multiple pieces of legislation, with at least 11 bills bearing her name awaiting the governor's signature and five additional measures she co-authored or co-sponsored set to become law. Her most personal legislative achievement was House Bill 107, which would establish a Sickle Cell Disease Registry in Texas. The measure represents a personal fight for the Houston Democrat. 'My daughter has sickle cell disease. That was a bill I watched very closely. I was in tears when it did not become law, but I just couldn't. I had no idea that I would be in the legislature, and I would be that person that was able to bring that bill back,' Simmons said in an interview with KXAN's Will Dupree. The legislation represents a second attempt after a similar measure was vetoed by Abbott in 2023. Simmons worked to address the governor's previous concerns while maintaining the bill's core purpose. 'We made sure that we address the concerns that came from the governor's office, and so we are very confident with those you know, updates to that bill,' she said. Both lawmakers expressed exhaustion but satisfaction with their first legislative experience. McLaughlin highlighted additional accomplishments including judicial pay raises, bail reform measures and infrastructure improvements for economically distressed border communities in his district. 'You know, I think it was good. I think we had a really good session. You know, did we please everybody? Probably not, but I think we got a lot of good things done for the state of Texas in this session,' McLaughlin said. Simmons emphasized the magnitude of conducting state business for Texas, the nation's second-largest state by both population and economy, within the constraints of a biennial 140-day session. 'Being able to see how much work we're able to do, all the things that we're able to do for not just our individual districts that we represent, but for the millions of people in this state. It's such an honor. It's a heavy task. It's a heavy lift,' she said. The freshman class faced the challenge of learning legislative procedures while advancing their policy priorities. Simmons noted the complexity of the process, saying she 'gained a lot of respect for the process when you see just how many ways a bill can die.' As the session concluded, both representatives expressed commitment to continued advocacy for their constituents. McLaughlin indicated he would closely monitor the governor's action on the Uvalde Strong Act, while Simmons vowed to maintain her opposition to the state takeover of Houston Independent School District, which was extended through 2027. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Newsweek
23-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Texas Pushing Through THC Ban—Here's Who's Exempt
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Texas legislators in both chambers have pushed through a ban on cannabis-derived compounds tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products in the state, which include a range of products including beverages and gummies. Newsweek has reached out to bill's sponsors and an opposition member for comment via email on Friday. Why It Matters Marijuana, which is defined by federal law as having more than 0.3 percent THC concentration, is illegal in Texas. However, hemp, which is a type of cannabis plant with a lower content of THC was legalized in the state in 2019. Legalization of recreational marijuana has broad support in the state, according to a January 2025 poll from the University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs. The survey of 1,200 Texas adults found that more than 60 percent of Texan residents support the legalization of marijuana. The poll has a margin or error of plus or minus 2.38 percentage points. What To Know Senate Bill 3, which passed through the Texas legislature this week, bans "products derived from hemp, including consumable hemp products and hemp beverages and the hemp-derived cannabinoids contained in those products." It bans all products with any concentration, including Delta-8 and Delta-9. These "consumable hemp products" include "food, a drug, a device, or a cosmetic." Products may take any form, such as gummies or edibles, as well as lotions and vapes. It also outlines new permit requirements for retailers, distributors, and other participants. Texas Capitol during opening day of the 89th Texas Legislative Session in Austin, Texas, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. Texas Capitol during opening day of the 89th Texas Legislative Session in Austin, Texas, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. AP Photo/Stephen Spillman People who are found in possession of qualifying products may face fines, while individuals caught distributing could face felony charges and jail time. THC is an $8 billion industry in Texas, and some critics of the bill have warned that this ban will hurt it, instead pushing for safety regulations, age restrictions, and testing requirements instead of a total ban. Only Texas who have been approved for medical marijuana use would be permitted to keep their prescriptions. There has been a recent legislative push to expand the state's limited medical marijuana program, which is being considered in a separate bill. Those who are not formally prescribed THC products, will lose legal access to them if the bill takes effect. What People Are Saying Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said in an X, formerly Twitter, post on May 21: "We cannot in good conscience leave Austin without banning THC, which is harming our children, and destroying Texans' lives and families." Texas Representative James Talarico, a Democrat said on May 22: "Texas Republicans just banned all weed products in the state of Texas — including edibles and Delta 8. The Republican Party once stood for 'liberty' and 'small government.' Now they're the party of control." Texas Hemp Business Council said in a statement: "We are deeply disappointed by the Texas House's passage of [SB3], a bill that dismantles the legal hemp industry and ignores the voices of small businesses, farmers, veterans and consumers across the state who rely on hemp-derived products for their livelihoods and well-being." What Happens Next Texas Governor Greg Abbott has to sign off on the bill in order for it to go into effect, or he could also veto it. As Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has signaled it is one of his top priorities, it is expected to be approved. If it is passed, most of its provisions will take effect on September 1.
