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The Texas legislature has hit the final week of this legislative session.
Working over the weekend ahead of Tuesday’s deadline to pass bills, the Texas House approved legislation to require all county sheriffs operating jails to enter into formal agreements with federal immigration authorities.
The House also approved legislation to abolish the Texas Lottery Commission and reform lottery operations after several scandals hit the agency.
But several bills have stalled, including Jocelyn's Law, named after murdered Houston girl Jocelyn Nungaray. It received support from a majority of House members but failed to reach the two-thirds vote required to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot.
The resolution, carried by State Rep Mitch Little, would have amended the Texas Constitution to require judges to deny bail to individuals accused of violent felonies if they had previously been convicted of or were out on bail for similar crimes at the time of the new offense.
Another bill that is stuck in the pipeline is a $2.5 Billion water infrastructure deal.
Meantime, Governor Greg Abbott signed legislation on Monday which he said makes it "crystal clear" that only U.S. citizens are allowed to vote in elections in the state.