Legislation News on Southeast Texas Record

In the Lone Star State, where individualism and self-determination are central to our way of life, the looming specter of Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) reform raises concerns among Texans who staunchly oppose socialist government interference and control. As the debate over healthcare policy unfolds in Congress, lawmakers must promote the principles of limited government and personal freedom by avoiding extreme government controls on our private healthcare system. The proposed changes threaten to restrict PBMs’ ability to negotiate lower pharmaceutical costs and save patients money and oppose our Texan ethos that champions independence and a free-market approach.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott is standing firm in the face of a legal challenge by the Justice Department, which has filed a lawsuit against the State of Texas, questioning the constitutionality of Senate Bill 4.

AUSTIN - With Texas’ 88th Legislative Session winding down, a joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment clarifying that voters must be U.S. citizens will be read for the third and final time today.

AUSTIN – Yesterday, the Texas House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 989 to increase access to biomarker testing, which can help determine the best treatment plan for each patient, a press release states.

AUSTIN - There is still time for SJR 35, which proposes a constitutional amendment clarifying that voters must be U.S. citizens, to be heard in the Texas House of Representatives, says one individual who has been following the joint resolution closely.

AUSTIN - Two Texas bills seeking to expand the authority of the attorney general to pursue antitrust actions have passed the House and were heard by the Senate State Affairs Committee yesterday morning.

AUSTIN - Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) has passed Senate Bill 17, a bill to end divisive Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) offices at Texas public colleges and universities, a press release states.

AUSTIN - A bill seeking to rein in the asserted misuse of public nuisance litigation has been making its way through the Texas Legislature this session.

AUSTIN - A statewide study finds that voters in Texas overwhelmingly support more equitable rules about where adults can purchase ready-to-drink spirit coolers.

AUSTIN - Yesterday, the Texas Senate overwhelmingly voted to approve SJR 35, a joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment clarifying that voters must be U.S. citizens.

AUSTIN - A piece of legislation seeking to eliminate affidavits for medical bills under $50,000 in lawsuits was recently heard by the House Committee for Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence.

AUSTIN - On Monday, the Senate Committee on State Affairs heard testimony on SJR 35, a joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment clarifying that voters must be U.S. citizens.

AUSTIN - A joint resolution filed in the Texas Senate is proposing a constitutional amendment clarifying that voters must be U.S. citizens.

AUSTIN - A piece of legislation that seeks to protect attorneys from being discriminated against by the State Bar of Texas for their religious views and exercising their First Amendment rights is a “preemptive action” addressing “cancel culture,” says the bill's author.

AUSTIN - A bill recently introduced into the Texas Legislature seeks to increase the education requirements for newly elected judges and to also provide more information for voters about judicial candidates.

AUSTIN - The creation of a specialized business court in Texas is among the top 30 priorities for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick for the 2023 legislative session.

AUSTIN - A recently filed bill aims to have all contingent fee contracts sent to the Office of the Attorney General for approval published online.

AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) – A Texas federal judge on Dec. 1 blocked a new state law that targets censorship by Facebook and Twitter.