89th Texas Legislature Wrap-Up: Key Bills and Governor Abbott's Decisions

Session Overview

• 🏛️ The 89th Texas Legislature has officially concluded its 140-day session, with over 6,500 bills introduced and just over 300 making it to the finish line.
• ✍️ Attention now shifts to Governor Greg Abbott, who has several key bills awaiting his signature or veto.

Major Legislative Achievements

• 📜 Lawmakers successfully passed significant legislation concerning school vouchers, bail reform, and property tax relief.
• 🤝 Democratic State Senator Molly Cook highlighted that Democrats made a substantial impact on most major bills passed, with her freshman session resulting in eight bills reaching the governor's desk.

Bills Awaiting Governor Abbott's Action

• 🌿 House Bill 46, which seeks to expand the medical marijuana program for conditions like chronic pain and Crohn's disease and allow prescriptions for vapes, is awaiting a decision.
• 🚫 Senate Bill 3, a top priority for Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick that would ban the sale of THC in the state, has also drawn significant attention, with thousands of letters sent urging Governor Abbott to veto it.
• ⚖️ If Governor Abbott does not sign or veto a bill, it automatically becomes law.