AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Texas lawmakers have begun filing their bills ahead of the 2013 legislative session, many of them familiar re-runs, while other set the tone for politics next year.
Monday was the first day to file legislation, though work does not officially begin until Jan. 8.
Repeats of bills from 2011 include a statewide ban on texting-while-driving and tough new restrictions on prescribing drugs that induce abortions. Republicans also want to require drug testing for some recipients of food stamps and closer monitoring of stem cell research.
Public schools will be a big topic, with bills already filed to put a moratorium on standardized testing and to restore school funding cut last year.
Democrats introduced bills to restore funding for full-day Pre-K classes and putting casino gambling up for a vote.
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