The Third Called Special Session of the 87th Legislature begins at 10 a.m. on Monday, September 20th. The Governor’s proclamation listing items on the special session call can be found here. Per House and Senate rules, traditionally only legislation put forth in the Governor’s call will be considered during a special session, however the rules do not limit what can be filed and the Governor may expand his call to include additional topics at any time. Although special sessions are limited to a maximum of thirty days, the Texas Constitution does not impose a minimum (Texas Constitution Article 3, section 40).
Committee Hearing & Floor Session Broadcasts: House | Senate
The latest hearing information can be found by visiting HillCo’s “Legislative News from Texas.” Please note that dates and times are subject to change and additional hearings dates may also be added at any time so you will want to re-visit the page frequently to confirm hearings.
Pre-Filed Bills
77 House and 19 Senate bills and resolutions have been filed for this special session, excluding congratulatory and memorial resolutions. Bills have been filed on all of the Governor’s Call items aside for “legislation providing appropriations from the American Rescue Plan.” TLO maintains an updated list of all filed House and Senate bills.
Items on the Governor’s Call:
Legislation relating to the apportionment of the State of Texas into districts used to elect members of the Texas House of Representatives, the Texas Senate, the State Board of Education, and the United States House of Representatives.
HB 67 (Collier) Relating to establishing principles to govern redistricting plans enacted by the legislature.
HB 68 (Collier) Relating to a requirement that a redistricting plan for the election of members of the United States House of Representatives be based on the total population of the state.
HJR 3 (Collier) Proposing a constitutional amendment to require the preservation of communities of interest in the apportionment of members of the Texas House of Representatives.
HJR 4 (Collier) Proposing a constitutional amendment to require that the apportionment of members of the United States House of Representatives elected from this state be based on the most recent United States decennial census and preserve communities of interest to the extent practicable.
Legislation identical to SB 29 as passed by the Texas Senate in the 87th(R) Legislature disallowing a student from competing in University Interscholastic League athletic competitions designated for the sex opposite to the student’s sex at birth.
HB 24 (Slaton) Relating to requiring public school and public institution of higher education students to participate in interscholastic athletic activities based on biological sex.
Legislation regarding whether any state or local governmental entities in Texas can mandate that an individual receive a COVID-19 vaccine and, if so, what exemptions should apply to such mandate.
HB 14 (Toth) Relating to a prohibition on certain companies that receive government contracts from requiring employees to receive a vaccination.
HB 18 (Toth) Relating to protecting the medical freedom and bodily autonomy of employees with respect to immunization or vaccination status.
HB 33 (Slaton) Relating to a prohibition on certain companies and hospitals from requiring employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccination; creating a criminal offense.
HB 37 (Noble) Relating to exemptions from certain vaccination requirements.
HB 39 (Noble) Relating to prohibited vaccination status discrimination and requirements for COVID-19 vaccines.
HB 74 (Toth) Relating to immunization requirements for admission to public schools.
SB 11 (Hall) Relating to prohibited vaccination status discrimination and requirements for certain vaccination policies.
SB 12 (Hall) Relating to workers’ compensation benefits for injuries caused by employer-required COVID-19 vaccines and payment of those benefits.
SB 14 (Hall) Relating to prohibiting COVID-19 vaccine mandates by a governmental entity.
Legislation similar to SB 474 as passed by 87th(R) Legislature, but that addresses the concerns expressed in the governor’s veto statement.
HB 34 (Collier) Relating to the unlawful restraint of a dog; creating a criminal offense.
HB 70 (Shaheen) Relating to the unlawful restraint of a dog; creating a criminal offense.