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April 30, 2025 9:31 PM

With significant changes, Texas House State Affairs votes out SB 3 regulating THC

The committee sub hasn't been made public but per comments in committee tonight: It's substantially different from what they heard before: Allows some stores to still exist, there will be a fee structure / permit for delta nine grown in Texas, a prohibition on deceptive packaging marketing to children, a prohibition on vaped THC, 50% goes to TABC, there’s a tax and cities would be prohibited from having stricter hemp regulations than the state

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April 30, 2025 7:00 PM

After fiery debate the Texas House votes 102 to 40 to advance Phelan proposal for disclosures on AI in political campaigns

Phelan argues that AI generated images and videos used in campaigns need disclaimers to point out to voters that the image was completely made up; Rep. Little and others worry they could be jailed for spreading misinformation

Hard feelings from what was quite possibly the most dishonest Republican primary in this state’s history were laid bare on the Texas House floor Wednesday as former Speaker Dade Phelan won overwhelming approval for his proposed crackdown on the use of misleading AI generated images in political campaigns.

Phelan’s proposal has garnered the attention of the paid activist class and political consultants from coast to coast who have cast it as a “ban on memes.”

But the text of House Bill 366 is much more nuanced, requiring disclosure to voters of the fact that an image or video – like one of Phelan hugging former Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi used against him in the GOP primary last year – was completely false and never happened “in reality.”

To the surprise of no serious Capitol observer, the opposition to the bill came from GOP House members whose campaigns have mainly been bankrolled by Midland and Cisco billionaires who of course happen to also be top allies of Attorney General Ken Paxton, the biggest beneficiary of West Texas’ largesse.

The rest of the story, subscribers only

By Scott Braddock

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April 30, 2025 6:26 PM

John Bash drops out of the race for Texas Attorney General

"Today, I've made the difficult decision to leave the race for Texas AG. On Friday, our family had a health scare that threw into sharp focus how I should prioritize my time right now, and that is not running for office."

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April 30, 2025 3:14 PM

Calendars Chair Hunter tells QR that members should fully expect the first House Saturday calendar on May 10

Of course it's subject to change but Hunter doubts a Saturday calendar will be needed this weekend

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April 30, 2025 12:26 PM

Personal accusations fly in debate over ban on furries

Rep. Talarico accused Rep. Gerdes of subverting public education with allegations that kids are pretending to be animals in schools; Rep. Leach slams Talarico: “I don’t know what he’s running for.”

The fury of over “furries” caused a flurry in the Texas House Public Education Committee overnight.

House Bill 54, also known as the Forbidding Unlawful Representation of Roleplaying in Educational Spaces (FURRIES) Act by Rep. Stan Gerdes bans students from engaging in furry fandom, a subculture where people dress and perform as anthropomorphized animals, in public schools. You may recall that Gov. Greg Abbott pointed to reports of “furries” as he pushed the Legislature to pass his pet project of school vouchers. Carveouts in the Gerdes proposal include holidays like Halloween and it would not apply to students in fifth grade or below and exempts “differently-abled students.” Schools that do not comply would face up to $10,000 in fines for the first violation and up to $25,000 for subsequent violations.

Rep. Gerdes laid out a dire situation as a threat to public schools everywhere.

The rest of the story, subscribers only

By James Russell

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April 30, 2025 12:07 PM

Full video: Rep. Harrison finally shows up for a hearing on his own ESG bill and gets spanked for not knowing what it would do

JCJ Chair Leach, Vice Chair Ann Johnson, and freshman Rep. Paul Dyson ripped Harrison for not understanding his proposal and for tweeting while colleagues were trying to question him on his bill. Thanks to our friends at Lege TV for posting the full video, which is must-watch TV. Check it out below

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April 29, 2025 6:15 PM

Raft of immigration enforcement bills moving through the Legislature

After the governor’s biggest contributor got his way, the issue that most inflames the GOP base and has caused some of the Texas House’s nastiest debates is simmering in the background

A series of bills making their way through the Legislature have immigrants’ rights advocates sounding the alarm on what they say are misguided and dangerous. And now that Gov. Greg Abbott notched the win on vouchers for his Pennsylvania sugar daddy, Republican lawmakers need to show some action on the primary issue that concerns GOP primary voters in this state.

Among the bills up for debate now is a priority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.

The rest of the story, subscribers only

By James Russell

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April 29, 2025 6:12 PM

Lyceum poll shows Texans Want a Shift in Political Discourse

The executive summary is here.

The toplines are here.

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April 29, 2025 4:20 PM

SB 31, the Life of the Mother Act, passes Senate unanimously

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April 29, 2025 4:20 PM

Lottery Commission formally bans third-party courier companies from selling tickets online

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April 29, 2025 11:19 AM

After it was repeatedly delayed, HJR 5 providing funding for Texas State Technical College advances in the House

It got 129 yes votes

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April 29, 2025 10:02 AM

Abbott told Texas House GOP Caucus that Trump will endorse Burrows for reelection as Speaker following voucher vote, per sources

Originally reported by our friend Brad Johnson: "Abbott relayed to the membership that Trump is endorsing everyone who voted for SB 2, including Burrows not just for re-election but also for speaker"

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