Flood Of Bills Proposed For Upcoming Session Of Texas Legislature
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AUSTIN (CBSDFW/AP) - Lawmakers have filed more than 500 bills on the first day to propose legislation before the Texas Legislature reconvenes in January.
Among the frenzy of would-be laws submitted Monday was one prohibiting aborting fetuses with abnormalities after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
Other bills sought to offer pre-kindergarten for all Texas 4-year-olds, cut the franchise tax paid by businesses and exempt the state from daylight saving time.
Anti-cyber bully legislation designed to help teens will be introduced this session. David's Bill focuses on giving schools greater latitude in fighting the problem and promotes collaboration between schools and law enforcement. It was named after Alamo Heights Sophomore David Molak who took his own life in January. The Bill would make cyber bullying minors a misdemeanor.
State Democrats appear to be on a collision course with the Lt. Governor over transgender bathroom rights.
Lt. Governor Dan Patrick calls transgender bathroom rights the biggest issue facing families and schools since school prayer. It's so important it landed 6th on his top ten priorities for 2017. Democratic leaders say they're prepared to fight the issue.
Sanctuary Cities, school choice and voter ID are also on the list of Patrick's priorities, all of which the Democrats vow to fight.
The next session begins Jan. 10.
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