AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- A second special session of the 87th Texas Legislature will convene on August 7, Gov. Greg Abbott announced Thursday.
The current special session ends Friday, and has largely resulted in a stalemate after House Democrats fled the state on June 12 in order to break quorum in the lower chamber in a fight over Republican efforts to change the state's voting laws.
17 items are on the call for the second special session, up from 11 that Abbott placed on the first session's call. The new items include the allocation of federal COVID-19 relief funds, limiting radioactive waste storage and transport, education issues related to COVID-19 including blocking requirements on masks and vaccines, setting dates for the 2022 primary elections, employment practices, and potential changes to quorum requirements in the Legislature.
Restoring funding for lawmakers, their staff members, and supporting agencies is also on the agenda, ahead of the September 1 deadline after Abbott vetoed funding for the legislative branch earlier this year.
"The Texas Legislature achieved a great deal during the 87th Legislative Session, and they have a responsibility to finish the work that was started," said Abbott in a statement. "I will continue to call special session after special session to reform our broken bail system, uphold election integrity, and pass other important items that Texans demand and deserve. Passing these Special Session agenda items will chart a course towards a stronger and brighter future for the Lone Star State."
The Legislature's quorum requirements are specified by the state constitution, which currently requires two-thirds of the members of each chamber to be present to conduct business. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has called for the threshold to be lowered to a simple majority; that would require two-thirds of each chamber to approve it, before putting the amendment before voters.
At least one more special session is expected later this year, for lawmakers to deal with redistricting issues. That is pending the release of Census apportionment data, which is expected in the fall.
