Court upholds state’s redrawn congressional map
The U.S. Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision to reverse a lower court’s ruling and uphold the mid-decade redrawn congressional map for Texas sent candidates scrambling to file or opt to retire with the filing deadline on Monday, Dec. 8. The map is likely to give Republican candidates wins in up to five congressional districts previously held by Democrats.
The majority on the court agreed that the redistricting was done for partisan purposes, calling it “indisputable,” The Dallas Morning News reported. Those opposing it claim it was redrawn to dilute the voting power of the state’s minorities in Houston, Dallas and South Texas.
Six Texas GOP members of Congress are leaving
At least six Texas Republican members of Congress are retiring or seeking a higher office, the Houston Chronicle reported. The latest to announce his retirement is U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Richmond, one of President Trump’s most ardent backers in that chamber. His brother, Trevor, has announced he plans to run for that seat.
Others planning to leave when their term ends in 2027 include U.S. Reps. Jody Arrington, R-Plainview; Morgan Luttrell, R-Magnolia; Michael Mc-Caul, R-Austin; Wesley Hunt, R-Houston, who is running for the U.S. Senate spot now held by John Cornyn; and Chip Roy, R-Hays County, who is running for Texas attorney general.
‘Bounty hunter’ law targets abortion pills
A new Texas law targeting women accessing abortion pills shipped from out of state allows private citizens to sue out-ofstate abortion pill prescribers, manufacturers and distributors, the Houston Chronicle reported. Each violation could bring with it $100,000 in damages, similar to the enforcement mechanism used in 2021 to ban abortions in the state after six weeks of pregnancy.
The law targets groups that operate outside of Texas and ship abortion pills to people in the state, as well as doctors in states where abortion is still legal who write prescriptions toTexas women. They will now be open to civil liability claims if they “knowingly fail” to prevent their abortion drugs from reaching Texas.
Texas first state to invest in crypto
After passage of a bill last regular session that gives the state comptroller authority to create a publicly funded cryptocurrency reserve, the state has purchased about $5 million of bitcoin, the Texas Standard reported. Backers say crypto has been surging in value for the past five years and the state should get involved, especially with the rapid growth of data mining centers in Texas.
Opponents say crypto is a risky asset with volatile swings.
State’s ‘bathroom bill’ now in effect
Transgender people in Texas will no longer legally be allowed to use multi-stall restrooms that do not match their gender identity at birth, as a new law took effect Dec. 4, the Austin American-Statesman reported. The law applies to all public buildings, as well as public schools and universities.
The bathroom bill passed last September after a decade of failed attempts.
Patrick proposes giving newborns $1,000 each
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has proposed a state program to give every newborn baby in Texas $1,000 invested in the stock market, The Texas Tribune reported. He said the proposal would be a priority during the 2027 legislative session. It mirrors a federal plan created under Trump’s tax and spending bill.
The initiative, if passed by the Legislature, would cost the state around $400 million annually. The money could not be accessed until the child turns 18.
Hemp industry feeling effect of looming ban A nationwide ban on THC, the psychoactive ingredient in some hemp products, is already affecting business owners selling products derived from hemp, according to the Chronicle. But the owners are hopeful they can convince Congress to overturn the ban before it takes effect next November.
A state ban was passed by the Legislature and vetoed by Gov. Greg Abbott. However, by executive order, he has banned minors from buying such products. The hemp industry in Texas is worth anywhere from $5.5 billion to $10 billion, depending on how it is calculated. Approximately 8,000 retailers are scattered around the state.