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Texas lawmakers have advanced a bill that would allow vacant commercial space in large cities to be converted into apartments or mixed-use housing. Meanwhile, the House has passed the “Life of the Mother Act,” legislation intended to clarify when doctors may legally perform medically necessary abortions under Texas’ current ban. Lastly, Rep. Vikki Goodwin has officially entered the 2026 race for lieutenant governor, becoming the first major Democratic challenger to take on Republican incumbent Dan Patrick.

Today’s Insights:

• Texas Lawmakers Advance Bill to Turn Empty Office Space Into Housing
• “Life of the Mother Act” Passes the House, Heads Back to the Senate
• Rep. Vikki Goodwin Launches Bid for Lieutenant Governor

Image Credit: KSST Radio

Texas Lawmakers Advance Bill to Turn Empty Office Space Into Housing

Amid Texas’ growing housing affordability crisis, state lawmakers have advanced legislation that could reshape urban development by repurposing underused commercial properties into residential space. On Tuesday, the Texas House gave final approval to SB 840, which would allow apartments and mixed-use developments to be built in areas currently zoned only for office use in major cities. The measure, authored by Sen. Bryan Hughes, eliminates the need for rezoning, a process often cited by developers as a barrier that inflates housing costs. The bill, which passed the House 106-33, now returns to the Senate for action on House amendments before it can head to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk.

The legislation is limited to Texas cities with populations exceeding 150,000 and located in counties of at least 300,000 residents, targeting urban areas where demand for housing is most acute. SB 840 is part of a broader push by Republican leaders to expand housing supply as a means of reducing prices, following years of rapid population growth and a reported statewide shortage of over 300,000 homes. Other bills in the same legislative package aim to permit smaller homes on smaller lots and allow additional units on single-family properties, though several have yet to receive final legislative approval. While previous attempts to ease zoning restrictions have stalled, SB 840’s passage without debate suggests shifting political momentum and growing public support for measures that allow flexible use of Texas’ aging commercial real estate.

»»» Click Here to View the Passage of Senate Bill 840 «««

Image Credit: Texas Standard

“Life of the Mother Act” Passes the House, Heads Back to the Senate

The Texas House has advanced SB 31, known as the "Life of the Mother Act," which aims to clarify when doctors can legally perform medically necessary abortions under the state’s existing abortion ban. The legislation defines a "life-threatening condition" as one that could cause death, though it does not require the patient to be in immediate danger. Supporters say the bill is intended to remove uncertainty for physicians treating patients in critical situations and standardize language across existing laws. It does not expand abortion access, nor does it provide exceptions for rape or incest.

Under the proposed law, doctors would be shielded from criminal prosecution if an abortion is performed in a medical emergency that risks serious bodily harm. The bill also outlines training requirements for physicians and legal support provisions for those involved in such cases. It previously passed the Senate unanimously before advancing in the House by a 129-6 vote.

Image Credit: Austin American-Statesman

Rep. Vikki Goodwin Launches Bid for Lieutenant Governor

Rep. Vikki Goodwin formally launched her campaign for lieutenant governor on Tuesday. Goodwin, who has served four terms in the Texas House representing a safely Democratic district in Travis County, becomes the first major Democratic contender to declare for the 2026 race. Her announcement marks a significant political move: giving up her legislative seat to take on Republican incumbent Dan Patrick, who has already signaled plans to seek a fourth term and enters the race with more than $33 million in campaign funds. In her launch, Goodwin emphasized priorities such as fully funding public education, expanding access to affordable housing and health care, and investing in clean water and energy, all while criticizing current state leadership for undermining public trust in government institutions.

Though Goodwin has hinted at a statewide bid for more than a year, her entry highlights the steep climb Democrats face in Texas, where no member of the party has won a statewide election since 1994. Patrick, a key figure in the state’s conservative leadership, won reelection by double digits in 2022, and his deep fundraising network poses a significant obstacle for any challenger.

Goodwin’s departure from the House has already triggered movement in her district, with Travis County Democratic Party Chair Pooja Sethi, who also serves as Goodwin’s chief of staff, announcing a campaign to succeed her.

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Beginning with the 2025–2026 school year, Texas high school students will likely be required to complete a dedicated personal finance course to graduate, a move aimed at better preparing youth with essential money management skills; the legislation passed with overwhelming bipartisan support and directs the Texas Education Agency to make accessible, no-cost curricula available. Meanwhile, the Texas House approved Senate Bill 22, a $1.5 billion film incentive program designed to boost local production and economic growth, though it faces criticism from some lawmakers concerned about public spending on private entertainment ventures.

Today’s Insights:

• HB 27 Heads to The Governor’s Desk, Looking to Make Financial Literacy a Graduation Must
• Texas House Passes $1.5B Film Incentive Bill to Grow In-State Productions

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HB 27 Heads to The Governor’s Desk, Looking to Make Financial Literacy a Graduation Must

The Legislature has given final approval to HB 27 by Rep. Ken King, which would require high school students to complete a financial literacy course. Beginning with the 2025–2026 school year, students entering ninth grade will need to pass the standalone course, distinct from the previously combined economics and financial literacy model, to satisfy graduation requirements. The revised curriculum will offer more targeted instruction on essential life skills such as budgeting, credit, savings, loans, and financial planning. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is tasked with supporting implementation by compiling a list of free, open-source curricula that school districts may use. Additionally, the State Board of Education (SBOE) will permit students to fulfill the requirement through an Advanced Placement (AP) course, provided it meets equivalent rigor and content standards.

HB 27 passed the House 140-1 and passed unanimously in the Senate, where it was sponsored by Senator Pete Flores

The final legislation reflected a more structured and prescriptive approach than when it was originally proposed. As filed, the bill would have embedded personal finance more broadly within social studies while encouraging optional electives. As passed by the Legislature, HB 27 establishes personal finance as a separate, standalone course requirement for graduation. The final bill also places a stronger emphasis on curriculum accessibility and cost containment by directing TEA to identify no-cost instructional materials. These changes align with a broader national movement to bolster financial preparedness among students.

Texas House Passes $1.5B Film Incentive Bill to Grow In-State Productions

The Texas House of Representatives voted 114-26 on Monday to approve SB 22, legislation that would allocate $300 million every two years to support film, television, and digital media production within the state. The bill, which now returns to the Senate to consider House amendments, establishes a multi-tiered grant program that awards up to 25% of in-state production spending to qualifying projects. To be eligible, productions must employ a minimum of 35% Texas residents—a threshold that will rise incrementally—and must be approved by the Governor’s Music, Film, Television, and Multimedia Office. Additional incentives are available for projects filming in rural areas, highlighting Texas heritage, employing veterans, partnering with higher education institutions, or completing significant post-production work within the state. The program excludes certain categories such as adult content, political messaging, religious services, and class projects.

Supporters of the measure describe it as a strategic investment in a growing sector that could expand Texas' creative economy, retain local talent, and attract major productions currently drawn to other states with more robust incentives. Critics have expressed concerns over the use of public funds to support private entertainment ventures, arguing the money could be better directed toward other taxpayer priorities. The legislation follows a broader national trend of states increasing film and media incentives to compete for a larger share of domestic production activity, particularly as streaming platforms and independent studios seek cost-effective filming environments.

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🤝 Texas Venture Forum & Gala May 28–29

USLege is headed to the Texas Venture Forum & Gala May 28–29, sponsoring, speaking, and podcasting live from the floor. Join us for the conference and gala at the intersection of tech and government.

Please use code "USLEGE25" for 20% off table/tickets

🎙️Check Out Our Podcast! 🎙️

Bills and Business is your go-to podcast for conversations related to Texas legislation and business. Hosted by Laura Carr, Co-Founder of USLege—an AI-driven legislative tracking software—we bring you in-depth analysis on economic trends, impactful legislation, and key developments shaping Texas business.

Subscribe on Youtube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify for weekly episodes!

🔍 USLege - The Only AI-First Political Tracking Solution ✨

USLege helps you track legislation and find what you need faster from bills, committee hearings, floor debates, and state agency meetings faster.

Say goodbye to tedious tasks!

You can follow USLege on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.

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Governor Greg Abbott is weighing whether to sign SB 3, a bill that would ban all THC products in Texas, sparking intense debate over the future of a thriving hemp industry and its impact on small businesses. In Houston, Abbott signed four key bail reform bills, including SB 9, aimed at tightening pretrial release rules and giving prosecutors more authority to appeal bail decisions, amid strong reactions from crime victims and civil liberties advocates. Meanwhile, the San Antonio mayoral runoff draws national attention as Democrat Gina Ortiz Jones and Republican Rolando Pablos face off in a high-stakes race.

Today’s Insights:

• Abbott Weighs THC Ban as Industry, Advocates Rally Against SB 3
• Bail Reform Bills are Becoming Law
• San Antonio Mayoral Race Gains (Even More) National Attention

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Abbott Weighs THC Ban as Industry, Advocates Rally Against SB 3

Governor Greg Abbott is facing mounting pressure as he considers whether or not to sign SB 3, a measure that would ban all THC products in Texas, including hemp-derived variants that have been legal since the state passed its agricultural hemp law in 2019. That law’s passage ignited a multibillion-dollar industry supporting thousands of small businesses and farmers statewide. While Republican leaders like Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick argue the market lacks regulation and poses risks to children, critics—including veterans groups, industry advocates, and agricultural stakeholders—warn that the legislation would devastate livelihoods and dismantle a thriving sector. The Texas Hemp Business Council has delivered over 5,000 letters and a petition with 120,000 signatures urging a veto. Abbott, who has until June 22 to make a decision, has so far withheld a clear position, stating only that SB 3 is among more than a thousand bills requiring his careful review. Observers across the political spectrum are closely watching the governor’s move, with even seasoned analysts calling the outcome uncertain.

Bail Reform Bills are Becoming Law

Governor Greg Abbott signed four major bail reform measures into law in Houston on Tuesday, marking a significant overhaul of Texas' judicial system. Chief among them is SB 9, which restricts the use of cashless bonds and permits prosecutors to appeal a judge’s decision to grant bail. SJR 5, meanwhile, will go before voters in November as a proposed constitutional amendment to allow judges to deny bail to individuals accused of violent crimes, particularly repeat offenders. At the signing ceremony, Abbott underscored the need for reform, calling it a “travesty” that accused offenders can return to their lives while victims and families are left with permanent losses. Advocacy groups like Crime Stoppers of Houston heralded the legislation as a turning point, emphasizing the bills as promises kept to those affected by violent crime. Crime victims, including Aimee Castillo, whose brother was murdered by a man out on bond—spoke emotionally about the consequences of a system they see as too lenient on repeat offenders.

However, the legislative effort was not without resistance. Two bail ban proposals, including SJR 87, were blocked by Democrats during the session, with critics raising deep concerns about the potential erosion of civil liberties and due process. State Rep. Joe Moody of El Paso warned that expanding pre-trial detention without convictions would exact a heavy toll on individual rights and public resources. In response, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick condemned Democratic lawmakers by name for opposing the measures, urging voters, especially in Harris County, to hold them accountable for what he characterized as a refusal to protect crime victims. Patrick accused these legislators of enabling a system that releases both undocumented and U.S. citizens accused of violent crimes. While Abbott and Patrick pledged to revisit the failed measures, they stopped short of calling for a special session, leaving the fate of additional bail reforms uncertain for now.

San Antonio Mayoral Race Gains (Even More) National Attention

The San Antonio mayoral runoff has emerged as one of the most closely watched political races in Texas, drawing national media, political operatives, and even a documentary film crew. The contest pits Democrat Gina Ortiz Jones, a former congressional candidate and high-ranking military official, against Republican-aligned Rolando Pablos, former Texas Secretary of State. Jones led the initial round of voting in a crowded field, capitalizing on her progressive credentials and appeal among grassroots Democrats.

Pablos, a business attorney with deep ties to the state GOP, has shifted from a business-centered, unity-driven message to an overtly partisan campaign, aligning himself with Trump-era rhetoric and state elected leaders including Governor Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. He has attempted to redefine Jones as an outsider, questioning her ethnicity, military record, and loyalty to San Antonio. His strategy includes rallying conservative voters on the city’s North Side while benefiting from heavy investment by a PAC linked to Abbott and the local police union. This shift underscores the GOP’s growing ambitions in urban, majority-Hispanic areas, which have shown increasing openness to Republican messaging in recent election cycles.

For Jones, the runoff has become a test of whether progressive politics can still thrive in a city long considered a Democratic stronghold but with a political culture often defined by pragmatism and bipartisanship. Though she boasts a compelling personal narrative as the daughter of a Filipina immigrant who rose through the ranks of the U.S. Air Force, she has faced resistance from parts of the city’s business elite and some Democratic leaders. Her criticism of high-dollar downtown projects and her emphasis on expanding social services and public education reflect her broader commitment to equity-focused governance, but they have complicated her relationship with traditional power brokers. Meanwhile, some Democratic voices have expressed concern over the party’s lack of cohesion and the potential consequences of losing a high-profile local office.

The San Antonio Mayoral Election is slated for June 7th

We hope you enjoyed today’s read!

Stay connected with TXLege News on X and LinkedIn!

🎙️Check Out Our Podcast! 🎙️

Bills and Business is your go-to podcast for conversations related to Texas legislation and business. Hosted by Laura Carr, Co-Founder of USLege—an AI-driven legislative tracking software—we bring you in-depth analysis on economic trends, impactful legislation, and key developments shaping Texas business.

Subscribe on Youtube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify for weekly episodes!

🔍 USLege - The Only AI-First Political Tracking Solution ✨

USLege helps you track legislation and find what you need faster from bills, committee hearings, floor debates, and state agency meetings faster.

Say goodbye to tedious tasks!

You can follow USLege on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.