Texas House Bills Die at Deadline, But Issues May Resurface

Legislative Deadlines and Bill Status

• ⏰ Midnight Friday marked the crucial deadline for House bills to reach the House floor in Texas.
• 📚 Bills concerning punishments for bookstores, a ban on forever chemicals, and restructuring DART funding did not advance.
• 💡 Despite missing the deadline, these issues are not necessarily dead and could be amended onto other bills.

School Funding and Vouchers

• 🏫 While the voucher bill, a top priority, has passed, school funding remains in limbo.
• 🤝 Columnist Bud Kennedy predicts the Senate, led by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, will use school funding as collateral to negotiate with the House.
• 🎯 Patrick may hold out for priorities like a ban on THC or the Ten Commandments in classrooms.

Special Sessions and Future Legislation

• 🗓️ The Texas legislative session is limited to 140 days, ending on June 2nd.
• ❓ The possibility of a special session looms, which Governor Abbott can call if his priorities are not met.
• ⚠️ Unpassed priorities by June 2nd could prompt the Governor to call lawmakers back for further debate and voting.