More than 600 new laws signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott went into effect Sept. 1. The new state laws — including one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the country, the right to carry handguns both concealed and openly without a license, changes to election law and a bill allowing restaurants to sell alcohol to go — were passed during the regular session of the legislature, which ended May 31. The House and Senate adjourned their second special session Thursday night.
“The 87th Legislative Session was a monumental success, and many of the laws going into effect today will ensure a safer, freer, healthier, and more prosperous Texas,” Abbott said. “I look forward to my continued work with the legislature to build upon these successes and create an even brighter future for the Lone Star State.”
Some of the more controversial laws, such as the abortion bill and the election law, face judicial challenges from opponents, although the U.S. Supreme Court last week refused to hear an appeal to the abortion bill, which bans the procedure if a woman is more than six weeks pregnant.
