Governor Greg Abbott has called a Special Session of the Texas Legislature to begin at 12:00 PM on Monday, July 21, unveiling an 18-item agenda that aims to address urgent issues ranging from flood response to education reform and property tax relief.
This announcement follows what the governor described as a “historic” 89th Regular Legislative Session. However, recent natural disasters—particularly the catastrophic flooding in the Texas Hill Country earlier this month—have underscored the need for further action.
"We delivered on historic legislation in the 89th Regular Legislative Session that will benefit Texans for generations to come," said Governor Abbott. "There is more work to be done, particularly in the aftermath of the devastating floods in the Texas Hill Country. We must ensure better preparation for such events in the future."
Disaster Response and Recovery Take Center Stage
The top priorities reflect the state's immediate need to address the aftermath of early July’s deadly floods, which caused widespread damage to homes, infrastructure, and rural communities. Key proposals include:
Improved Flood Warning Systems: Legislation to upgrade early warning infrastructure in flood-prone regions.
Strengthened Emergency Communications: Measures to modernize response systems during flood events.
Relief Funding for Flood Victims: Financial assistance to support local governments and families impacted by the floods, including mechanisms to secure matching funds for federal disaster aid.
Streamlined Disaster Preparedness: A legislative review of current rules to ensure faster recovery and emergency planning.
Education Overhaul and Property Tax Cuts
One of the most talked-about agenda items is Abbott’s proposal to eliminate the STAAR test, the standardized exam that has been a point of contention among educators and parents for years. The governor is pushing for replacement tools that better track student progress while holding school districts accountable.
On the fiscal front, Abbott is continuing his long-standing push to cut property taxes by proposing lower rates and tighter spending caps on local taxing entities.
Regulation of Hemp and THC Products
In light of growing concerns over youth access to intoxicating hemp-derived substances, Abbott is calling for legislation to:
Criminalize the sale of hemp-derived products to minors under age 21.
Tightly regulate hemp-derived products, including potency limits and restrictions on synthetic cannabinoids, while still protecting legal agriculture.
Public Safety, Health, and Social Policy
Other key issues on the Special Session agenda include:
Human Trafficking Victim Protections: Legislation to prevent criminal charges for victims forced to commit non-violent crimes due to exploitation.
Women's Privacy in Sex-Segregated Spaces: Measures aimed at ensuring privacy protections for women in bathrooms, locker rooms, and similar facilities.
Police Personnel Files: A proposal to shield officers from public disclosure of unverified complaints.
Abortion Restrictions: Further legislation to expand protections for unborn children and their mothers.
Attorney General Election Powers: A proposed constitutional amendment allowing the state’s top lawyer to prosecute election-related crimes.
Administrative and Infrastructure Priorities
The remaining agenda items focus on long-term governance and infrastructure improvements:
Revised Congressional Redistricting: To address federal constitutional concerns raised by the Department of Justice.
Deed Fraud and Title Theft Protections: To strengthen safeguards for property owners.
Water Efficiency Incentives: Offering fee reductions for builders who include conservation features.
Judicial Department Reforms: Enhancements to the operation of the state’s Judicial Branch.
What Comes Next
The Special Session will convene in Austin on July 21, with legislators expected to work under a tight timeline to pass bills addressing these wide-ranging issues.
Political observers expect contentious debate on several agenda items, particularly those involving education, reproductive rights, and gender-related policies. However, bipartisan support is anticipated for disaster recovery funding and improvements to emergency preparedness.
The governor’s office emphasized that all 18 items fall within the legislative authority granted during a Special Session, where lawmakers can only consider topics explicitly outlined in the governor’s proclamation.
