May 16, 2013    

Tim Eaton and Mike Ward    

The likelihood of a special legislative session during the summer appeared to grow Thursday, as lawmakers began predicting they will return to Austin in June to address the politically touchy issue of redistricting.

If they come back to affirm the court-drawn legislative district boundaries, as many members predicted, other hot-button issues could also be added to the agenda including: allowing concealed weapons inside college campus buildings; defining common carrier status in pipeline eminent domain disputes; funding windstorm insurance; passing a fetal pain bill banning abortion after the 20th week, and even giving tax cuts.

May 15, 2013    

Christy Hoppe    

AUSTIN — Texas voters will have to continue imposing term limits the old-fashioned way — in general elections.

The House soundly defeated a move Wednesday to restrict the governor and statewide officeholders to two consecutive terms. The proposed constitutional amendment, which would have been decided by voters in November, crashed on a 61-80 vote — miles short of the 100 votes necessary.

May 15, 2013    

Reeve Hamilton    

Updated, May 15, 2:40 p.m.:

After the Senate concurred with amendments in the House, a bill adding restrictions and requirements for regents of the state's university systems is on its way to the governor's desk.

All regents are appointed by Gov. Rick Perry. It remains to be seen if he will allow a bill limiting the power of his appointees to become law or if he will make use of his veto powers.

May 14, 2013    

Jennifer R. Lloyd    

The Texas House gave preliminary approval Monday to a bill whose purpose, according to its House sponsor, Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, is to "clean up" higher education governance.

Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, chairman of the Senate Higher Education committee, had filed the measure during February's ruckus over whether University of Texas System regents had micromanaged or attacked the character of UT Austin President Bill Powers — allegations denied by UT Regents chairman Gene Powell.

May 14, 2013    

Jennifer R. Lloyd    

The Texas House approved a bill Tuesday whose purpose, according to sponsor Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, is to "clean up" higher education governance.

Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, chairman of the Senate Higher Education committee, had filed the measure during February's ruckus over whether University of Texas System regents had micromanaged or attacked the character of UT-Austin President Bill Powers — allegations denied by UT Regents Chairman Gene Powell.

May 14, 2013    

Jim Vertuno    

Texas lawmakers moved to assert more control over state higher education on Monday when the House voted to require that most university regents be appointed while lawmakers are in session, and limit their powers to fire campus presidents.

University system regents are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Lawmakers have become upset with University of Texas regents appointed by Gov. Rick Perry after some board members tried to oust Austin campus President Bill Powers and now want to rein in the regents' powers.

May 14, 2013    

Bobby Blanchard    

A bill that would limit the power of higher education governing boards in Texas by limiting their responsibilities passed in the house Tuesday afternoon.

The bill passed with 134 votes for it and 11 votes against it. Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, sponsored the bill in the house said the it will provide clarity on the power and role of university governing boards. The bill will now make its way to Gov. Rick Perry's desk, where the governor can approve or veto it. Perry appoints all members to public university governing boards.

May 14, 2013    

Andrew Roush    

A bill designed to more strictly define the role of public university regents passed the Texas House of Representatives on third reading Tuesday, the final major vote before heading to Gov. Rick Perry for approval—or veto. Senate Bill 15, authored by Sen. Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) and guided through the House by Rep. Dan Branch (R-Dallas), was amended twice before final passage by a vote of 134-11.

Dubbed the "higher ed clean-up bill" by Branch, Senate Bill 16 reflects this session's tension between legislators and some members of the UT System Board of Regents over alleged "micromanaging" of UT-Austin and "witch hunts" against its president, Bill Powers.

May 13, 2013    

Claire Cardona    

Sen. Kel Seliger's bill to curb the voting power of unconfirmed university governing boards will go back to the Senate for approval of amendments before heading to the Governor's desk where it stands a good chance of being vetoed.

The bill would require regents go through a more rigorous training course taught by either the Higher Education Coordinating Board or the university system and be confirmed by the Senate before voting on personnel and budgetary matters.

It tentatively passed the House by a voice vote, and will have to be voted on again before going back to the Senate for approval of the amendments.

May 13, 2013    

Andrew Roush    

In response to ongoing tensions throughout the legislative session, the Texas House of Representatives passed a bill Monday to more tightly define the role of university regents. The bill, which passed without debate, refines regents' statutory power at public university systems across the state. It now heads back to the Senate, where it originated, for agreement on two amendments before it heads to Gov. Rick Perry to sign into law or veto. Perry has appointed all of the current UT System regents.