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Texas State Senate moves critical legislation to a final vote

The senate version of the sunset bill passed through second reading in the higher chamber on Wednesday afternoon. The bill that would allow for agencies such as the Texas Medical Board and the state board of social worker examiners to continue operating after September 1, 2017 passed unanimously 31-0.

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By
Matt Briscoe
AUSTIN, TEXAS — The senate version of the sunset bill passed through second reading in the higher chamber on Wednesday afternoon. The bill that would allow for agencies such as the Texas Medical Board and the state board of social worker examiners to continue operating after September 1, 2017 passed unanimously 31-0.

After second reading of the bill the senate adjourned until 12:01 a.m. on Thursday morning to take up a third reading and final passage of the critical bill that led to the special session being called.

The passage of the bill out of the senate will pave the way for more socially controversial bills that should see much more contest within the chamber. those bills could include the so-called bathroom bill anti-abortion laws and school funding. At least two of those bills are hotly contested between the senate and the house.

The engrossed, or final version of the sunset bill is expected to pass the senate without much objection from members. In the house, where it will need to get final approval, the story may end up being much different. The House of Representatives is considering their own version of sunset legislation in committee. A committee vote on that bill is expected shortly.

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