Starting on Thursday, June 22 Texas Governor Greg Abbott began highlighting lawmakers that will take the lead on his 20-item agenda for the first special session of the 85th. If the Governor continues to highlight two or three items each weekday, it is expected authors for all 20 items will be identified by next week. Governor Abbott has not yet released his proclamation for the 85th Special Session which officially announces items on the call and would allow bills to be filed. Once the proclamation is released not only will these spotlighted lawmakers file bills so actual bill text can be reviewed, but other members may file additional legislation. HillCo Partners will keep you updated as we get closer to the start of the Special Session -July 18.
Special Session Subjects and Identified Authors
School Choice
Authors: Simmons/Taylor
Property Tax Reform
Authors: D.Bonnen/Bettencourt
Spending Caps
Authors: Villalba/Estes (Local)
Authors: Parker, Schofield/Hancock (State)
Local control – Trees
Authors: Workman/Hall
Local Control – Construction
Authors: Bell/Buckingham
Local Control – Permitting
Authors: Workman/Burton
Annexation
Authors: Huberty/Campbell
Privacy (Bathroom Bill)
Authors: Simmons/Kolkhorst
Payroll – Union dues
Authors: Isaac/Hughes
Abortion – Funding
Authors: Springer/Schwertner
Abortion – Insurance
Authors: Smithee/Creighton
Abortion – Reporting
Authors: Capriglione/Campbell
Do-Not-Resuscitate
Authors: G.Bonnen/Perry
Mail Ballot Fraud
Authors: Goldman/Hancock
Maternal Mortality
Authors: Burkett, Thierry, Walle/Kolkhorst
Items that Governor Abbott has not yet identified authors for include Sunset legislation, texting & driving preemption, and all the remaining education items on the call:
- Teacher pay increase of $1,000
- Administrative flexibility in teacher hiring and retention practices
- School finance reform commission
Updates from the Governor are expected on these remaining subjects and will be published on his site as they are released.