Government

Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, said SB 645 will add a redeemable 5 cents on every beverage bottle sold in Texas - glass, aluminum or plastic. If the bill passes, Texas would join 10 other states who have such a program.

State environmental group are calling for a thorough investigation of the fertilizer plant in the town of West following the fire and explosion that killed 14 people and injured about 200.

Luke Metzger, the executive director for Environment Texas, said there were too many glaring defects at the West fertilizer plant for someone not to notice.

A bill in the Texas House calls for an increase in vehicle registration fees in order to help fix Texas roads and pay down debt. 

Rep. Drew Darby, R- San Angelo, said his bill does away with fund diversions by reallocating the portion of the state’s highway fund that currently goes towards the DMV and DPS and has that money go toward road construction.

House Bill 788 will allow the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to issue permits for greenhouse gas emissions, but a last minute change to the bill removed the phrase, "climatic changes, including global warming."

Rep. Chris Turner, D-Arlington, initially supported the bill until this change in wording.

San Antonio City Attorney Michael Bernard has proposed changes to the city's ethics code and some council members would like time to review the proposed changes.

As of right now, city council is expected to vote on the changes in early May.

Among the most drastic recommended changes to the city's ethics code is adding a compliance officer to be hired by the city manager.

Bernard said that takes the burden off him because, as he told the city council, it's hard to be the lawyer and the client.