GOV. ABBOTT ANNOUNCES AGENDA FOR SECOND SPECIAL SESSION BEGINNING SATURDAY
Governor Greg Abbott has announced the agenda for a second special legislative session to begin tomorrow (Saturday) at noon.
The agenda lays out 17 items that are set to be considered by lawmakers after the end of the first 30-day special session, which began July 8th and included 11 items.
In response to one of the priority items, election reform, House Democrats walked out at the end of the regular session and left the state at the start of the first special session. This prevented a quorum among remaining House members.
Abbott said he will “continue to call special session after special session to reform our broken bail system, uphold election integrity, and pass other important items that Texans demand and deserve.”
In addition to new voting bills, lawmakers will consider:
- Legislation reforming the bail system in Texas.
- Legislation providing appropriations from unappropriated available revenues for COVID-19-related healthcare expenses.
- Legislation providing strategies for public school education in prekindergarten through 12th grade during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Legislation concerning the state’s border security plan.
- Legislation addressing social media censorship.
- Legislation “providing appropriations to the Legislature and legislative agencies in Article X of the General Appropriations Act.”
- Legislation requiring schools to provide education to middle and high school students about dating violence, domestic violence and child abuse, but also “recognizes the right of parents to opt their children out of the instruction.”
- Legislation barring students from competing in University Interscholastic League (UIL) athletic competitions designated for the sex opposite of the student’s sex at birth.
- Legislation prohibiting people from providing abortion-inducing drugs by mail or delivery service, strengthening laws that apply to abortion reporting and abortion complications, and ensuring that no abortion-inducing drugs are provided unless there is “voluntary and informed consent.”
- Legislation relating to a “thirteenth check,” or one-time supplemental payment of benefits, under the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.
- Legislation concerning critical race theory.
- Legislation providing appropriations from additional available general revenue for property tax relief, enhanced protection of children in Texas’ foster care system and to better safeguard the state from potential cybersecurity threats.
- Legislation modifying the filing periods and related election dates, including any runoffs, for primary elections held in Texas in 2022.
- Legislation reforming the laws governing radioactive waste, including limits on storage and transportation of high-level radioactive materials.
- Legislation protecting employers and employees from political subdivision rules that require terms of employment that exceed or conflict with federal or state law relating to employment leave, hiring practices, employment benefits or scheduling practices.
- Legislation relating to legislative quorum requirements.
The governor's full proclamation can be read here.