The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - July 23, 2025

Starting point is 00:00:00 Howdy folks, today is Wednesday, July 23rd, and you're listening to the Texans Daily Rundown. I'm the Texans Assistant Editor Rob Lauschus, and here is the rundown of today's news in Texas politics. First up, the Senate State Affairs Committee on Tuesday took up Senate Bill 5, the latest edition of the upper chamber's attempt to address hemp-derived THC products in Texas, this time for the special session. Authored by Senator Charles Perry, who also wrote the THC ban legislation during the regular session, began the hearing by saying the moment, quote, "...feels a little bit like Groundhog Day. Cannabidiol and Cannabagirol, also known as CBD and CBG, along with products like hemp seeds, hemp seed protein powder, and hemp seed oil, would remain legal under SB5.

Starting point is 00:00:56 Next, the University Interscholastic League, the governing body for athletic, academic, and fine arts competitions in Texas public schools will now be required to allow homeschool students to participate in events by default. Under the former law, districts had to opt in to allow homeschool families to participate in UIL programs, but Senate Bill 401 established homeschool participation as standard policy and allows districts to opt out rather than opt in. The bill was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 21st with a September 1st deadline for districts to make the decision. In other news, legislation increasing penalties in Texas for the manufacture and distribution

Starting point is 00:01:38 of chemical abortion pills is expected to be taken up during the special legislative session following national attention surrounding a similar, although ultimately unsuccessful, bill during the regular session. During the regular 89th legislative session, which concluded on June 2nd, Senate Bill 2880 by Senator Brian Hughes was filed and considered, although it ultimately met its end in the House State Affairs Committee. The bill sought to curb the distribution of chemical abortion pills in Texas through private

Starting point is 00:02:08 right of action, additional powers granted to the Texas Attorney General, and liability extended for wrongful death of a preborn child. After Governor Greg Abbott announced the special session on June 21st with a list of priorities that did not include any abortion-related topics, multiple Republican lawmakers and pro-life groups wrote him a letter requesting that he include legislation similar to SB 2880 in his special session call. Also, in response to Governor Greg Abbott's special session call, Texas lawmakers will once again attempt to tackle the thorny issue of taxpayer-funded lobbying in hopes of curtailing the practice.

Starting point is 00:02:47 Senator Mays Middleton and seven other senators authored Senate Bill 12 to prohibit political subdivisions such as cities, counties, or traditional public school districts from hiring or contracting with registered lobbyists for the purpose of lobbying the state government. During the regular session, a similar bill by Middleton took aim at nonprofit associations and organizations such as the Texas Association of School Boards and the Texas Municipal League that collect dues from member governments. The groups provide an array of services that include actively lobbying state lawmakers. That bill sailed through committee on a 10-to 1 vote, but was amended on the Senate floor by Senator Robert Nichols to exclude TASB and similar organizations.

Starting point is 00:03:31 The bill did not receive a hearing in the House State Affairs Committee. In addition, another city in Texas has passed an ordinance outlawing abortions, abortion trafficking, and the transportation and disposal of abortion remains within its city limits. Hooks, a city of about 2,700 in Bowie County, passed the ordinance unanimously on Monday, July 21st. It becomes the 59th sanctuary city for the unborn in the state, according to the initiative's founder, Mark Lee Dixon. Planned Parenthood, which is widely recognized as the nation's largest abortion provider, also closed its in-clinic services at its Tyler location on July 17th. Last but not least, the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country announced during a press conference on Tuesday that its

Starting point is 00:04:19 fundraising efforts to support victims of the flooding disaster earlier this month have topped $60 million, with officials from the organization describing the support as quote, outpouring of love and generosity. The foundation, based in Kerrville and founded in 1982, serves a 10-county region. Its primary mission is to help connect charitable donors with ways to support the community's needs. The group quickly sprung into action after the first deadly flood on July 4th, launching an online portal to help lead relief collection efforts. Thanks for listening.

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The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - July 23, 2025

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