Texas Legislature

Going to the grocery store is now a little bit cheaper when buying feminine hygiene products, diapers, baby wipes, baby bottles and more.

HB 1, the state’s next two-year budget, goes into effect on September 1. In addition to appropriating more than $5 billion for border security, lawmakers also passed several bills that expand the state’s border and immigration-enforcement powers.

The law, slated to take effect Friday, would have undone local laws. Houston, San Antonio and El Paso argued it eliminated cities' abilities to govern themselves. The state is expected to appeal.

Starting Sept. 1, limited abortion care will be legal in Texas in two pregnancy circumstances. Getting that through the conservative Texas legislature required "masterful and discreet" lawmaking.

Double billing, rejected automatic payments and expensive late fees are the most frequent complaints about a toll system with different operators and rules across the state.

The Texas Civil Rights Project and the ACLU Texas have filed separate lawsuits against SB12, which goes into effect on Sept. 1.

Lawmakers will give districts $15,000 per campus and $10 per student — an amount district leaders said falls far short of the cost to pay for the salary and equipment needed to outfit an officer.

Federal pandemic relief to hard-hit day care operators is drying up, forcing some providers to close.

Senate Bill 14, which is set to take effect on Sept. 1, bans transition-related care for minors. Parents of transgender kids say it blocks their ability to support their children.

The deal would channel $12 billion to reduce the school property tax rate for homeowners and business properties, increase the homestead exemption, and create a pilot program to reduce taxes on certain residential and commercial properties. The legislation is expected to pass later this week.