A group of law students from Lubbock are among the Texans who are watching and waiting as the big pink building in Austin comes alive again for the 84th Texas Legislature.

The students from Texas Tech University School of Law are interning with lawmakers and for legislative offices during the 2015 session, which begins on Jan. 13. As part of their school's regional externship program, the law students plan to work 35 hours per week for the next 14 weeks, noted Corey Clem, the law school's director for special projects. The law students won't earn a paycheck but they'll gain full-time course credit, she said.

“Right now, we are the only one in Texas that has a program set up like this,” said Clem. “Basically, they are coming out with experience like a first-year attorney.”