As the Texas Legislature winds down its second special session, lawmakers are preparing to adjourn sine die—the Latin term for “without a day,” meaning there will be no scheduled return. This week marks the close of a whirlwind session where Gov. Greg Abbott laid out nearly two dozen priorities. Some of these have landed on his desk, others remain stuck in committees, and a few appear dead for now.
To understand where things stand, it’s useful to look back at the political drama that shaped this session.
A Rocky Start: The Quorum Break
In the middle of the summer, the Texas House Democratic Caucus left the state for two weeks in an effort to block GOP-led redistricting plans. This quorum break stalled the session, but once Democrats returned, Republicans in both chambers moved quickly—determined to make up for lost time. Their legislative pace in August was even faster and more aggressive than during the first special session, particularly on conservative priorities.
Flood Response and Safety
A major driver of Abbott’s special session agenda was the deadly flooding in Kerrville on July 4. Five of his listed priorities related directly to disaster preparedness. These included proposals for:
Funding in the Hill Country for flood recovery.
Flood alarm systems to give residents early warning.
Youth camp safety to prevent another tragedy like the one caused by the flood.
Emergency communications improvements.
The House quickly passed multiple bills addressing these concerns. But when they arrived in the Senate, momentum stalled. All were referred to the Senate Select Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding, but as of this week, no hearings have been scheduled.
Two bills—SB 1 and HB 1—highlight the gridlock. Both address camp safety, but each chamber has refused to prioritize the other’s version. The Senate’s bill is sitting in a House committee, while the House’s bill was placed on a Senate hearing calendar, only to be canceled. Unless one side bends, Abbott’s flood priorities may die waiting.
Human Trafficking Legislation
One bill that shows how lawmakers can salvage a priority is SB 11 by Sen. Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound). This legislation creates an affirmative defense for victims of human trafficking who committed crimes under duress while captive. Abbott vetoed a broader version earlier in the year, saying it went too far. After revisions, both chambers passed it unanimously. It now sits on Abbott’s desk with a much better chance of becoming law.
Social Issues: Abortion, Bathrooms, and More
Few topics generated as much heat as abortion and transgender-related legislation.
House Bill 7 targets chemical abortion pills, making their production and distribution subject to civil liability.
The “bathroom bill” requires publicly funded facilities to designate restrooms based on biological sex, not gender identity.
Both passed their originating chambers but still need reconciliation before reaching Abbott.
Meanwhile, Abbott’s agenda included a surprising new priority: making Ivermectin available over the counter. Despite heated partisan debate, the bill passed both chambers and was sent to his desk.
Education: The STAAR Test Replacement
One of Abbott’s most widely discussed priorities was scrapping the controversial STAAR test. Lawmakers approved HB 8 by Rep. Brad Buckley (R-Salado), which will phase out the STAAR and replace it with three annual assessments by the 2027–28 school year. Supporters say these will be more “instructionally supportive” and less high-stakes. The House and Senate must still work out differences in their versions, but Abbott is almost certain to sign it.
Election Integrity and Attorney General Authority
Abbott also called for legislation to expand the Attorney General’s power over election crimes. Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola) carried SB 12, which clarifies the AG’s authority by removing ambiguity in current law. It passed both chambers and now awaits Abbott’s decision.
Another election-related item, SB 54, addresses voter registration processes, including address change notifications. It passed the Senate and is scheduled in the House calendar this week.
Property Taxes and Water Projects
Two bread-and-butter issues—property taxes and water supply—also received attention.
SB 14 by Sen. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) incentivizes builders to adopt water conservation measures by reducing impact fees. That bill is already on Abbott’s desk.
SB 10 by Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) lowers the voter-approval tax rate for large cities and counties from 3.5% to 2.5%. It’s currently in a conference committee, but Abbott has signaled strong support.
Controversial and Stalled Items
Not everything is moving smoothly.
Abbott wants to ban taxpayer-funded lobbying. Sen. Mayes Middleton’s SB 13 passed the Senate but is stuck in the House State Affairs Committee. Without a hearing, it’s going nowhere fast.
On hemp-derived products, Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick remain at odds. Patrick favors a ban, while Abbott wants regulation. The Senate passed its version, but the House has stalled.
A proposal to punish lawmakers for breaking quorum has been introduced but remains in its early stages. This issue could resurface in future sessions if no agreement is reached now.
Public Safety and Police Transparency
The House passed legislation shielding unsubstantiated police records from public release, drawing criticism from open government advocates. Abbott has not indicated whether he will sign it, but Republicans have framed it as a law enforcement support measure.
Meanwhile, lawmakers passed a bill creating new criminal offenses for deed fraud and property theft—another Abbott priority. That measure now awaits his signature.
Judicial Expansion
Finally, Abbott’s call for judicial reform produced HB 16, a “judicial omnibus” bill creating new courts across Texas. The governor vetoed a similar proposal earlier this year but is expected to support this updated version.
Tallying Abbott’s Wins and Losses
So, where does Abbott stand as the second special session ends?
Wins:
Flood-related bills in at least one chamber.
SB 11 on human trafficking victims.
Ivermectin bill.
STAAR test replacement (pending final adjustments).
SB 12 expanding AG’s election authority.
Water conservation incentives.
Judicial omnibus bill.
Mixed or Pending:
Chemical abortion restrictions.
Bathroom bill.
Property tax reform.
Voter registration changes.
Losses or Likely Dead:
Taxpayer-funded lobbying ban.
Hemp product regulation vs. ban.
Punishments for quorum breaks (still too new to advance this session).
Conclusion: Abbott’s Conservative Agenda Moves, But Not Fully
Abbott entered this special session with a long wish list—nearly two dozen items. Roughly one-fifth have cleared the Legislature and landed on his desk, while others are still grinding through the process. Some will likely pass before adjournment, but several remain stuck in committee crossfire.
The session has shown two things clearly. First, Abbott remains determined to rack up conservative wins on hot-button issues like abortion, gender, and election law. Second, the split priorities of the House and Senate—often between Abbott and Lt. Gov. Patrick—continue to slow down or kill legislation, no matter how much urgency the governor attaches to it.
When lawmakers leave Austin this week, Abbott will have a mixed scorecard. He can tout victories on conservative issues and disaster preparedness, but he will also face questions about why key items remain unresolved. With a potential third special session or the regular session on the horizon, Texans should expect these debates to resurface again.
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