The 89th Texas Legislature reconvenes in Austin Monday for the first special session of 2025, called by Governor Greg Abbott. Just before the June 22 veto deadline, Abbott hinted at a special session, and the next day he made it official after vetoing 28 bills. His message was clear: “There is more we can do.” Now, lawmakers have just 30 days to address a wide-ranging agenda of 18 items.
Here’s what Texans need to know — and why this session matters.
Why Another Special Session?
Texas special sessions are not uncommon. The state constitution allows the governor to call them as needed, and Abbott has used that power multiple times during his tenure. This time, the urgency is driven by recent events, including devastating floods in the Hill Country, rising public concerns about unregulated THC products, and federal scrutiny of Texas’ redistricting maps.
In short, lawmakers have unfinished work that couldn’t wait until the next regular session.
What’s on the Agenda?
Below is a plain-language summary of each of the 18 issues on the table:
Flood Preparedness and Emergency Response
Recent storms in Central Texas have reignited concerns over flood preparedness. Lawmakers will consider bills to:
Improve early warning systems in flood-prone areas
Strengthen emergency communication infrastructure
Provide funding for local governments to respond to and recover from the July floods, particularly to help secure FEMA public assistance
These proposals are likely to receive bipartisan support due to the immediate impact on public safety and infrastructure.
Property Tax Reform
The governor wants to lower the property tax burden and limit spending by local taxing entities. This continues a long-standing push to curb rising homeownership costs and to restrict the growth of local government budgets.
Replacing the STAAR Test
Texas’ high-stakes STAAR exam has drawn criticism for years. Abbott wants legislation to eliminate it and replace it with tools that more accurately track student learning while still holding school districts accountable. The challenge will be agreeing on what the replacement should look like.
THC and Hemp-Derived Product Regulation
The market for hemp-derived THC products has outpaced existing laws. The session will address:
Criminal penalties for selling to minors under 21
Restrictions on potency and synthetic modifications
Comprehensive regulations without banning hemp as an agricultural commodity
This debate will likely involve a mix of public health advocates, law enforcement, and the hemp industry.
Abortion and Maternal Health Protections
Though Texas already has some of the strictest abortion laws in the country, Abbott is calling for additional legislation to further protect "unborn children and their mothers." Specifics are still unclear, but this topic is expected to generate significant public attention and debate.
Women’s Privacy in Sex-Segregated Spaces
Another hot-button issue on the agenda is legislation aimed at protecting women’s privacy in spaces such as restrooms, locker rooms, and shelters.
Human Trafficking Victim Protections
Lawmakers will revisit a proposal to protect victims of human trafficking from being prosecuted for non-violent crimes they were coerced into committing. This is seen as a more compassionate and rehabilitative approach and may receive widespread support.
Election Prosecution Powers
Abbott wants to amend the state constitution to give the Attorney General authority to prosecute election crimes. Supporters argue this adds enforcement teeth to state election law. Critics worry about political overreach and the concentration of power.
Congressional Redistricting
A revised congressional map will be on the table, following federal concerns raised by the U.S. Department of Justice. Lawmakers must draw new boundaries or risk a court-ordered solution.
Title Theft and Deed Fraud Protections
With property fraud cases rising, legislation is expected to strengthen protections against title theft and fraudulent property transfers. Similar bills from the regular session serve as templates.
Water Conservation Incentives
A bill modeled after earlier legislation would authorize local governments to offer reduced fees to builders who implement water-saving technologies. This ties into broader concerns about long-term water sustainability in Texas.
State Judicial Department Reform
This item focuses on improving the operation and administration of the state’s judicial branch. It is largely administrative, though it may affect court staffing, budgeting, and case management systems.
Police Personnel Record Protections
Abbott is pushing for legislation that would shield police officers from public disclosure of unsubstantiated complaints in their personnel files. Advocates argue it protects officer reputations, while critics say it reduces transparency.
Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying Ban
This item aims to prevent government entities — such as cities, counties, and school districts — from using public funds to hire lobbyists or join associations that lobby the Legislature. It’s part of a long-running dispute between state leaders and local governments.
Summary and Outlook
With only 30 days, the Legislature must move quickly. Some items — like flood recovery and property tax cuts — are likely to move forward with bipartisan backing. Others, such as redistricting and social policy debates, could stall or generate partisan divides.
If key items are not resolved, Governor Abbott has the authority to call additional special sessions — and he’s done so in the past.
Final Thoughts
This special session addresses both urgent needs — like disaster response and tax relief — and politically charged issues that could have long-term policy and legal consequences. Texans should pay close attention. What happens in Austin this month will affect schools, neighborhoods, wallets, and local governments across the state.
