An Austin lawyer who represents plaintiffs in redistricting and school finance cases said it would be cumbersome and expensive to try the cases before three judges, which would happen under a bill that the Senate passed on May 4.

“It's just my general sense that this is an effort to prevent this kind of litigation,” said Rick Gray, who has handled such cases for 30 years.

The Senate voted 20-11 to pass Senate Bill 455, authored by Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe. Republicans supported it, while Democrats voted no.