Texas House overwhelmingly passes state shield bill

In a 146 to 2 vote, the Texas House of Representatives has approved on second reading a state shield bill that would protect reporters from being compelled to disclose confidential sources and material, The Dallas Morning News reports. The third and final reading of the bill and a final vote will occur tomorrow.

The bill "would require an independent judge to review all police and court orders demanding that reporters turn over their notes or identify their sources," the newspaper said.

The Texas Senate passed its version of a shield bill through committee last week, with one attorney close to the process saying the measure could be called for a Senate floor vote as early as this week.

Editor’s note: This story was corrected to note that Wednesday’s action was the approval of the second of three readings of the bill, not final passage of the measure.