The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - May 30, 2025

Episode Date: May 30, 2025

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Howdy folks, today is Friday, May 30th 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 Texas Legislature has passed over 1,000 bills this session, many of them top-level priorities, but some notable bills perished at deadlines in both chambers, including conservative priorities dealing with public libraries. Both the Texas Houses and Senate's final third reading deadlines were Wednesday at

midnight, the point at which they could no longer pass bills unless four-fifths of the members voted to suspend the Constitution. Some of the bills that perished included a transportation infrastructure overhaul, a prohibition against municipal libraries hosting drag events, and the Death Star 2.0 proposal, which all died in the House on Tuesday night's second reading deadline due to late and low placement on floor calendars. That's generally typical for the lower chamber,

which often gets backed up on pending legislation from the Senate and either deliberately or inadvertently lets bills expire at the deadline. Next, the Texas House has given its approval to the Conference Committee Report on Senate Bill 17, which incorporates modifications to the bill's original text and amendments that were adopted during its passage through both the House and Senate. The bill, aimed at prohibiting individuals and entities from federally designated adversarial countries from purchasing land in the state, is one of the most divisive pieces of legislation this session. During its initial presentation in the lower chamber, there were nearly six hours of debate and arguments before it passed.

During that House floor debate earlier this month, a number of amendments were adopted. lower chamber, there were nearly six hours of debate and arguments before it passed. During that House floor debate earlier this month, a number of amendments were adopted. Most controversial was an amendment from Representative Matt Shaheen that some argued would create a huge loophole in the bill, narrowing the ban to only those not lawfully present but residing in the US at the time of the real estate transaction. In other news, both chambers of the Texas legislature have approved eviction reforms prioritized by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick

that will make it easier to remove squatters who unlawfully occupy a property without the owner's consent. Under the reforms now headed to the governor's desk, owners may file an affidavit to prove their ownership and that occupants are trespassing, and courts must act within 10 to 21 days to address an eviction request. Once the owner's affidavit is verified by a court, law enforcement officers may remove the squatter immediately. The legislation also imposes new criminal penalties and allows owners to recover damages

if a squatter damages or destroys property. For damage to property of between $1,000 and $300,000, occupants may be charged with a second-degree felony, and for charges of $300,000 and above, a first-degree felony. Also, few issues in recent election cycles have energized Republican voters more than the fight against election fraud, and no one in Texas government has wielded that issue more effectively in political fashion than Attorney General Ken Paxton, using it to take down rivals,

reshape the state's highest criminal court, and now make a last-minute push for the legislature to renew his office's authority to prosecute election-related crimes, despite a similar law being struck down in 2021 on constitutional grounds. With the 89th Texas legislature set to adjourn on Monday, June 2nd, lawmakers have only days left to negotiate a conference committee report on House Bill 5138 by Representative Matt Shaheen.

Both chambers must approve the final version of the bill for it to become law. Last but not least, Tarrant County Judge Tim O'Hare Both chambers must approve the final version of the bill for it to become law. Last but not least, Tarrant County Judge Tim O'Hare spoke up in defense of the county redistricting process he recently initiated, saying that it has been his plan all along and that he campaigned on it when he ran for office in 2022. O'Hare told the Texan during an interview, quote, I am fully confident that what we are attempting to do is legal and will pass all federal and state laws or we wouldn't do it. I am hopeful that we will pass a map that will give us a solid three to one majority on the Commissioner's Court which I believe will be better for

everyone in Tarrant County, end quote. O'Hare introduced an item on the agenda in April to hire the Public Interest Legal Foundation for, quote, advice and consulting services regarding redistricting for county commissioners' districts for the upcoming 2026 primary election and 2026 general election. The commissioner's court intends to vote on the maps on June 3rd. Thanks for listening. To support The Texan, please be sure to visit thetexan.news and subscribe to get full access to all of our articles, newsletters, and podcasts.