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Special Session Weekly Update

July 25, 2025

Back like they never left! The First Called Special Session of the 89th Texas Legislature officially convened on Monday, July 21st and the 30-day countdown has begun.

On July 9th, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a proclamation identifying 18 agenda items for the First Called Special Session.

The Texas Constitution stipulates that during a special session, the Legislature may only pass legislation related to the items in the Governor's Special Session Proclamation.

The issues included in Governor Abbott’s Special Session Proclamation are:

  1. Flood Warning Systems
  2. Flood Emergency Communications
  3. Relief Funding for Hill Country Floods
  4. Natural Disaster Preparation and Recovery
  5. Eliminate STAAR Test
  6. Cut Property Taxes
  7. Protect Children From THC
  8. Regulate Hemp-Derived Products
  9. Protect Unborn Children
  10. Ban Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying
  11. Protect Human Trafficking Victims
  12. Police Personnel Records
  13. Protect Women’s Spaces
  14. Attorney General Election Fraud Prosecutorial Powers
  15. Redistricting
  16. Title Theft and Deed Fraud
  17. Water Project Incentives
  18. State Judicial Department

TCC is monitoring over 200 bills and resolutions that have been filed thus far that may potentially impact our industry.

Both the House and Senate convened at noon on Monday, July 21st. The Legislature immediately scheduled hearings focused on the Governor’s Special Session agenda items.

On Wednesday, the Senate and House Select Committees on Disaster Preparedness & Flooding met jointly to hear invited testimony regarding the state’s response to the July 4th deadly flash flooding events throughout central and east Texas. The hearings focused on the state’s flood planning, flood infrastructure, and first responder communications during disaster operations.

Both chambers have adjourned until Monday, July 28th. The Senate will reconvene at 2 PM and the House will meet at 10 AM.

The Senate

Shortly after convening on Monday, the Texas Senate debated a resolution proposing procedural rules for the newly appointed Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting. Democratic senators scrutinized the motivations behind the mid-decade redistricting proposal and raised numerous questions and concerns. Historically, redistricting occurs after the U.S. Census is conducted at the end of every decade. The Census updates population data that is used to determine how many Congressional seats a state will have and how those districts will be divided.

Democratic senators argued that it is highly unusual for the Legislature to consider redistricting maps mid-decade and asserted that the sole purpose is to try to create additional Republican seats, at the request of President Trump, to secure a more favorable result in the Congressional mid-term elections in 2026. After prolonged debate, the resolution was passed along party lines 19 to 11. You can find the list of the newly appointed Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting here.

On Tuesday, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick announced the Senate Legislative Priorities for the Special Session. However, only the Governor can dictate which issues the Legislature can consider during a Special Session.

The Senate is operating with one less Senator. Senator Kelly Hancock resigned after the regular session to accept an appointment as acting Comptroller. With only 30 Senators, the updated quorum requirement is 20.

The House

The Texas House convened briefly on Monday before adjourning to allow Committees to organize for their hearings. The Speaker announced his appointment of the House Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting which consists of 12 Republicans and 9 Democrats. The Select Committee is chaired by Rep. Cody Vasut (R-Angleton).

The House briefly reconvened on Thursday to allow remarks from legislators representing areas most affected by the July 4th floods.

Next Week

Saturday, July 26, 2025

The Senate Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting will hold a public hearing in Austin. To view the agenda, visit here.

The House Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting will hold a public hearing at the University of Houston. To view the agenda, visit here.

Monday, July 28, 2025

The Senate Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting will hold a public hearing in Austin. To view the agenda, visit here.

The House Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting will hold a public hearing at the University of Texas at Arlington. To view the agenda, visit here.

Tuesday, July 29, 2025

The Senate Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting will hold a public hearing in Austin. To view the agenda, visit here.

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If you have any questions about this report or need additional information, please don’t hesitate to contact Mia McCord at mccord@texaschemistry.org or Kolton McDougald at mcdougald@texaschemistry.org.

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