AUSTIN, Texas — Despite bipartisan support in the Texas House, a push toward decriminalizing possessing small amounts of marijuana will apparently die in the Senate, according to the lieutenant governor.
Lt. Governor Dan Patrick tweeted Tuesday morning declaring HB 63 is "dead in the Texas Senate."
On Monday, the Texas State House passed HB 63, which would have decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana, by a 98-43 vote.
The bill would have made possession of one ounce or less of marijuana a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500. Officers could not arrest a person in possession of marijuana unless they are also committing another offense that warrants arrest.
With the bill's failure, Texas remains one of about a dozen states where possession of marijuana results in a criminal record.