Austin (1080 KRLD) - Texas legislators began a special session Thursday to address "unfinished business" identified by Governor Greg Abbott in the regular session.
"The 87th Legislative Session was a monumental success for the people of Texas, but we have unfinished business to ensure that Texas remains the most exceptional state in America. Two of my emergency items, along with other important legislation, did not make it to my desk during the regular session, and we have a responsibility to finish the job on behalf of all Texans. These Special Session priority items put the people of Texas first and will keep the Lone Star State on a path to prosperity. I look forward to working with my partners in the Legislature to pass this legislation as we build a brighter future for all who call Texas home," Abbott wrote in a statement.
He listed 11 items lawmakers for lawmakers to address:
BAIL REFORM: Legislation reforming the bail system in Texas to protect the public from accused criminals who may be released on bail.
ELECTION INTEGRITY: Legislation strengthening the integrity of elections in Texas.
BORDER SECURITY: Legislation providing funding to support law-enforcement agencies, counties, and other strategies as part of Texas’ comprehensive border security plan.
SOCIAL MEDIA CENSORSHIP: Legislation safeguarding the freedom of speech by protecting social-media users from being censored by social media companies based on the user’s expressed viewpoints, including by providing a legal remedy for those wrongfully excluded from a platform.
ARTICLE X FUNDING: Legislation providing appropriations to the Legislature and legislative agencies in Article X of the General Appropriations Act.
FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION: Legislation similar to Senate Bill 1109 from the 87th Legislature, Regular Session, requiring schools to provide appropriate education to middle- and high-school students about dating violence, domestic violence, and child abuse, but that recognizes the right of parents to opt their children out of the instruction.
YOUTH SPORTS: Legislation identical to Senate Bill 29 as passed by the Texas Senate in the 87th Legislature, Regular Session, disallowing a student from competing in University Interscholastic League athletic competitions designated for the sex opposite to the student’s sex at birth.
ABORTION-INDUCING DRUGS: Legislation similar to Senate Bill 394 from the 87th Legislature, Regular Session, which prohibits people from providing abortion-inducing drugs by mail or delivery service, strengthens the laws applicable to the reporting of abortions and abortion complications, and ensures that no abortion-inducing drugs are provided unless there is voluntary and informed consent.
THIRTEENTH CHECK: Legislation similar to House Bill 3507 from the 87th Legislature, Regular Session, relating to a “thirteenth check” or one-time supplemental payment of benefits under the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.
CRITICAL RACE THEORY: Legislation similar to House Bill 3979 concerning critical race theory as originally passed by the Texas Senate in the 87th Legislature, Regular Session.
APPROPRIATIONS: Legislation providing appropriations from additional available general revenue for the following purposes:property-tax relief; enhanced protection for the safety of children in Texas’ foster-care system by attracting and retaining private providers for the system; and to better safeguard the state from potential cybersecurity threats. The session opened Thursday with the clerk reading the items to be addressed.
Tony Tinderholt (R-Arlington) asked if he could introduce a resolution to "provide for the imposition of penalties on absent members."
"Today, I filed HR 5, which holds us all accountable to the oaths we swore to millions of Texans, most notably the districts each of us represent," he said.
Tinderholt asked if there was an option to move the resolution through "in an expedited manner."
"Without being advised on the content of your resolution, the Chair cannot comment on a hypothetical," Speaker Dade Phelan answered.
Lawmakers were dismissed about 18 minutes after starting the session.
Phelan says the House will return Friday morning for a session on the floor then adjourn until Tuesday.
After the session, the Texas Democratic Caucus held a press conference to respond to Abbott's priorities.
"He's expending state resources, wasting valuable time and energy to cater to far-right extremists in his party and Trump Republicans who now control the Republican Party," said Chris Turner, chair of the caucus.
A rally was planned outside the Texas Capitol Thursday afternoon. Turner says Abbott's call for "election integrity" amounts to "anti-voter legislation."
He says the caucus has also petitioned the Texas Supreme Court to overturn Abbott's decision to veto funding for the legislative branch.
"When constituents call our offices and there's no one there to answer the phone, here's who Governor Abbott is hurting: He's hurting single parents who are trying to collect child support. He's hurting unemployed Texans who can't get through to the Workforce Commision," Turner said.
The special session can last up to 30 days.
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