Texas license to carry a handgun could be free if Senate bill becomes law
The bill passed the Texas Senate and now goes to the House.
A general view of the Texas Capitol during the 87th Texas legislature on Friday, May 7, 2021, in Austin. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News)(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
AUSTIN The license to carry a handgun in Texas could soon become optional and free.
The Texas Senate voted Friday to eliminate the $40 license fee in the hopes that more people would sign up for the permit. In addition to the fee, the licensing process currently requires people pass a background check, take a safety class and show they can shoot.
MT Supreme Court rejects AG request to disqualify itself in email case
Court says Legislature `manufactured a conflict
Mike Dennison-MTN News
By: Mike Dennison
and last updated 2021-05-12 18:05:22-04
HELENA â A unanimous Montana Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected a request by Attorney General Austin Knudsen to disqualify all seven of its justices from the case involving its internal documents and alleged bias.
Justice Laurie McKinnon, writing for the high court, said the Republican-led Legislature has âmanufactured a conflictâ by issuing subpoenas to the justices, seeking the documents â and that attacking a court or judge is not sufficient grounds to force them to step down from the case.
Oklahoman
After Oklahoma voters narrowly passed a state question to expand Medicaid, new laws will change the state s initiative petition process.
Gov. Kevin Stitt signed into law bills that will allow for recounts of state questions and require some initiative petitions to include a fiscal impact statement.
The initiative petition process, enshrined in Oklahoma s constitution, allows citizens to push for a statewide vote on an issue. In recent years, Oklahomans have increasingly used the process to circumvent Oklahoma s GOP-led Legislature to implement progressive policies, such as the legalization of medical marijuana, criminal justice reform and Medicaid expansion.
Stitt on Monday signed House Bill 2564, which will allow for automatic recounts of state questions in some situations and give Oklahoma s governor, attorney general or State Election Board secretary the opportunity to seek a recount.