A Texas Republican new to Congress, Brandon Gill has a knack for getting noticed

With a scant legislative record but a lot of face recognition, the representative from North Texas has found a way to make a mark in his first term.
Lawmakers passed bills this session to boost the state power grid but failed to limit renewables
With demand expected to soar, the Legislature passed bills aimed at boosting supply and making the grid more reliable. Bills to impose more regulations on renewables died.
Hundreds gather in Houston and San Antonio to protest immigration crackdowns in workplaces, courthouses

The protests in Texas followed days of unrest in Los Angeles, where President Donald Trump sent National Guard troops in response to demonstrations.
Air Force veteran Gina Ortiz Jones wins runoff race for San Antonio mayor
Jones, who served in the Biden administration, defeated Rolando Pablos, a former Texas secretary of state, in a high-profile, bitterly partisan contest.
Texas Republicans pioneered in-state tuition for undocumented students. Now they’re celebrating its end.

In 2001, Texas Republicans saw expanding college access for certain undocumented students as a way to build an educated workforce. Now, some GOP lawmakers feel only U.S. citizens should receive those benefits.
Texas will begin a summer lunch program in 2027, but only if feds don’t raise costs

The program would give low income families an extra $120 per child for summer lunches, but federal debate about food benefits could endanger the program.
Speaker Dustin Burrows, once tagged as “liberal,” kept skeptics at bay by leaning into a conservative agenda

At the same time, some Democrats acknowledged the Lubbock Republican let them leave their mark on some of the GOP bills they disagreed with.
Texas reined in recreational THC for more medical marijuana this legislative session

Texas passed sweeping changes to cannabis policy, including expanding the medical marijuana program and banning hemp products, while also boosting psychedelics research.
Texas lawmakers pull funding for child identification kits again after newsrooms report they don’t work

For the second time, lawmakers cut funding for kits meant to help find missing kids after ProPublica and The Texas Tribune documented the lack of evidence that the kits work.
Texas bill creating more weekend early voting could boost turnout, but delay election results

A bill headed for Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk may not go into effect until 2027. Election administrators say the changes could create staffing challenges.