During its 2021 regular and three called special sessions, the 87th Texas Legislature enacted 1,097 bills and adopted 10 joint resolutions after considering 7,982 measures filed. This report includes some of the highlights of the session. It summarizes many proposals that were approved and some that were not, and it includes arguments offered for and against each measure as it was debated.
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Texas voters have approved more than 500 amendments to the Texas Constitution since its adoption in 1876, according to the Legislative Reference Library. Two more proposed amendments will be submitted to voters at the election held May 7, 2022.
Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed 20 bills approved by the 87th Legislature during the 2021 regular legislative session. The vetoed bills included 12 House bills and eight Senate bills. This report includes a digest of each vetoed measure, the governor's stated reason for the veto, and a response to the veto by the author or the sponsor of the bill.
In the 1990s, Texas was part of the first wave of states to create a system of publicly funded, privately operated charter schools as an alternative to traditional school districts. Over the past 10 years, charter school enrollment in Texas has increased an average of 12 percent annually. This report examines the 25-year history of charter schools and policy proposals related to their growth and operations.
Texas voters have approved 507 amendments to the state Constitution since its adoption in 1876, according to the Legislative Reference Library. Eight more proposed amendments will be submitted for voter approval at the general election on Tuesday, November 2, 2021.
This report presents an overview of CSSB 1 by Nelson (Bonnen), the proposed state budget for fiscal 2022-23 as reported by the House Appropriations Committee. It highlights some of the significant budget issues, including different proposals for funding individual agencies and programs.
Writing a two-year budget is one of the Texas Legislature's main tasks. During the 2021 regular session, the 87th Legislature will consider a budget for fiscal 2022-23, the two-year period from September 1, 2021, through August 31, 2023. The Texas budget is written and implemented in a two-year cycle that includes development of the budget, passage of the general appropriations act, actions by the comptroller and governor, and interim monitoring.
The Texas Legislature may consider a variety of topics when it convenes in regular session on January 12, 2021, including legislation responding to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on public health, education, and the economy. In addition, lawmakers in 2021 are expected to consider a once-a-decade redistricting process for congressional, state House and Senate, and State Board of Education districts. The pandemic also could impact how legislative business is conducted and the volume of legislation considered. This report highlights many, although by no means all, of the issues the 87th Legislature could consider during its upcoming session.
In recent years the growth of the aggregate industry in Texas, which produces and processes certain construction materials, has brought renewed scrutiny to the way the industry is regulated. This report reviews how the state currently regulates the aggregate industry as well as proposals to revise those regulations, including proposals that could come before the 87th Legislature in 2021.
