Patrick appointed 12 Republicans and one Democrat to chair the Senate's committees, calling them the "best equipped group of senators in Texas history."
Here's a rundown of some of the bills filed on the first day of pre-filing for the 88th Legislative Session.
A new political action committee funded by Miriam Adelson donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to Texas candidates.
Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) filed an amicus brief with 13 of his Republican colleagues supporting the motion for a rehearing.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Speaker Dade Phelan signaled the third special session could be the last one of the 87th legislature.
Three Senate seats could go to new Republicans in the next election and the lieutenant governor has said who he wants to fill them.
Legislation is expected to go into effect soon to halt a Chinese company’s plans to build a wind farm in Texas after national security concerns were raised.
State party officials currently are not required to resign their post before running for another political office, but newly-passed legislation would close that discrepancy.
"Chubbing" and poor calendar placement left this bill without the chance for a vote by the time the clock tolled midnight.
The perceived clash between the Second and Fifth Amendments made some Democrats hesitant, though a few voted for the bill.
Many Texas parents say public school districts are not providing transparency in the selection of sexual education programs nor full access to approved materials.
“These individuals still can compete, and they can do it under their biological sex,” Perry said before the Senate took a final vote.
