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Texas Legislature’s 89th Session Wraps Up with Major New Laws Impacting Education, Health, Water, and Crime

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AUSTIN, Texas — Over the course of the 89th Texas Legislature, which lasted 140 days, lawmakers worked diligently, introducing a total of 11,503 bills in both the Senate and House. With the end of the legislative session approaching, Governor Greg Abbott laid down his pen—by June 22, he had signed 1,155 bills into law, vetoing 26 others. Among those, 255 measures were set to take effect immediately, addressing essential issues like education, water management, health services, and public safety. Among the newly signed legislation, House Bill 2081 aims to enhance educational opportunities for students with … Read more

Texas Courts Emerge as Hotspot for Patent Disputes, with Eastern District Taking the Lead

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Marshall, Texas – Patent infringement lawsuits have seen a notable rise in the Eastern District of Texas, defying a national trend of declining cases. According to a report from Lex Machina, U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap handled 795 new patent lawsuits in 2024, significantly outpacing other federal judges in the country. This figure is more than six times that of the next highest judge, U.S. District Judge Alan Albright of the Western District of Texas, who oversaw 124 new patent disputes. Albright’s court, which once saw over 700 cases in 2022, has also faced a … Read more

Texas Judges’ Pay Raises Hinge on Legislative Tug-of-War as Clock Ticks Down

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Austin, Texas—Efforts to secure overdue pay raises for Texas judges have stalled amid contentious debates in the legislature. As the session nears its conclusion, lawmakers find themselves in disputes over proposed changes to their retirement plans, complicating the approval of pay increases aimed at addressing a decade-long stagnation in judicial salaries. Senate Bill 293 proposes a 25% increase in judicial salaries, raising the base pay from $140,000 to $175,000. This proposal has garnered broad support across both legislative chambers and various political parties, labeled as essential for maintaining the integrity of Texas’s judicial system. However, … Read more

Texas DPS Boosts Highway Patrols Ahead of Memorial Day to Curb Unsafe Driving and Save Lives

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BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas — The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is ramping up highway patrol efforts across the state in preparation for Memorial Day weekend. This initiative, which is part of the annual All-American enforcement campaign, aims to curb dangerous driving practices and ultimately reduce traffic-related deaths. The intensified enforcement will run until May 26, focusing on seat belt compliance, restrictions on distracted driving, and adherence to speed limits. This initiative aligns with the national Crash Awareness and Reduction Effort (CARE), which strives to prevent traffic incidents during peak travel times, especially around holidays. … Read more