On June 1 the 84th Texas Legislature adjourned “sine die.” The Latin phrase, meaning without a specific date to reconvene, is used to end every Texas regular session after its 140 days conclude.
This session will be remembered for its balanced budget that included tax relief for citizens and funds for border security, passage of an open-carry handgun law in public and a concealed-carry law on state universities and community colleges. Legislators also approved the legalization of marijuana extracts for epileptic patients, funding for prekindergarten programs and a resolution to use sales tax revenue to improve state highways.
Among its fiscal initiatives, the state Legislature passed a $209 billion budget that includes funding for public education, health care and $800 million for border security. Legislators also increased the property tax homestead exemption from $15,000 to $25,000, decreased the state franchise tax by 25 percent and approved about $3 billion in bonds to build new public college campus facilities.
The Legislature also addressed education concerns discussed throughout the legislative session. Officials passed legislation allowing concealed handguns on college campuses. If signed into law, publicly funded universities must put the policy in place by Aug. 1, 2016, while private universities may choose to opt out.
