This evening both the Quorum Report (QR) and Texas Tribune published articles revealing more details on how the chambers may operate during the 87th Session which will gavel in on January 12. There are several weeks between now and when they gavel in; HillCo will continue to monitor as details are confirmed and final decisions are made on operations.
The Texas Tribune noted in their release that earlier this week House Administrative Chair Charlie Geren, was reported as saying “there could be a limit on the number of people allowed inside the building and that the House was considering remote voting options for the tightly packed lower chamber’s 150 members, which would allow lawmakers to vote on legislation from elsewhere inside the building,” but later told the Tribune there was nothing in concrete yet. The Tribune further reported Lt.Gov. Dan Patrick said that there were still questions over whether senators would be allowed to cast votes for legislation remotely, particularly if a member is in quarantine.”
The Quorum Report also released an article this evening providing details of discussions but clarified they were referring to leaked notes from discussions between Lt. Gov. Patrick with members of the Senate.
The details regarding the leaked notes on Senate operations at this time include:
- On January 12th – each member can have one additional person on the floor, one in the gallery and all of them will be tested for coronavirus. There will be a shorter than usual ceremony.
- On January 13th – everyone might be tested again.
- Week of January 18th – the Senate will the week off.
- Week of January 25th – they will commence again and Senate Finance will begin this week.
- Rest of January and February – will meet beginning late Tuesday and on the floor on Wednesday
- Third Week of February – other committees beside Finance will begin meeting on Tuesday and Wednesdays
- Friday after rules are adopted – committees will be announced
- No one will be allowed on the floor for resolutions
- Visitors will only be allowed through the North entrance
- Those who testify in person will be required to sign up online three days in advance, test 24 hours in advance. They will receive a QR code to show at the Capitol.
- For the first 60 days, testing can be done at the Capitol by the National Guard, each National Guard can test 10-12 people per hour. The results will take up to an hour and then they will be allowed in.
- Media will be escorted into the Senate gallery on a specific day in their rotation and not be able to swap days with other media outlets.
- There is a suggestion that there are no visitors in the offices
- There will be no big lobby days
- Fewer bills this session
- Redistricting – only committee allowed to take testimony virtually. Census data may also not be released until July 15th
