Business and Commerce Bills Passed

Texas’ 85th Regular Legislative Session has come and gone, and 1,211 bills have been signed into law – slightly below previous sessions’ average number of 1,300 – 1,400 bills. This below average number of effective bills is indicative of the challenges of the 85th Regular Session. Many bills died as they failed to reach key…

Governor Abbott Announces Special Session

Governor Greg Abbott today announced a legislative special session that will begin on July 18th, 2017. In his announcement, Governor Abbott identified 20 items that will be included on the special session call. “Considering all the successes of the 85th legislative session, we should not be where we are today,” said Governor Abbott. A special…

85th Legislature Bill Movement Chart

As the 85th Legislature draws to a close, a series of end-of-session deadlines begin to take effect. Below is a list of deadlines that occur next week: Monday, May 8: Last day for house committees to report house bills and house joint resolutions. Tuesday, May 9: Deadline for house to distribute last House Daily Calendar with house…

Legislative Bill Filing Deadline Has Passed

As filing deadline has come and gone, this Legislative Session breaks previous records for the number of bills filed! Total Number of Bills Filed this Session= 6,517 (The House filed 4,273 bills; The Senate filed 2,244 bills) Comparatively, the 84th Session saw 6,276 bills filed and in the previous Session before that (the 83rd) 5,868…