
The Governor announced the items on the agenda for the upcoming Special Session. Not only is the Governor the only official who can call a Special Session, he also decides what is on the agenda. While the members can file any bill they wish (and many do) only those items included on the Special Session call can be advanced. The Governor’s Special Session call includes the following issues:
Flood Warning Systems, Flood Emergency Communications, Relief Funding for Hill Country Floods, Natural Disaster Preparation & Recovery, Eliminate STAAR test, Cut property taxes, Protect children from THC, Regulate Hemp-derived products, Protect unborn children, Ban Taxpayer funded lobbying, Protect Human trafficking victims, Police Personnel Records, Protect Women’s spaces, AG election powers, Redistricting (Congressional), Title theft & Deed fraud, Water project incentives, State Judicial Department.
The first few items dealing with flood and disaster relief are in response to the dramatic flooding and loss of life during the recent July 4th flooding in the Hill Country. Many of the remaining issues are either issues that failed during the regular session for some reason or were vetoed by the Governor because of some flaw that was found in the language that was passed. This is certainly one of the more ambitious Special Session agendas of which I am aware. A Special Session lasts 30 days, if these items are not addressed to the Governor’s satisfaction, he can call them back for another 30 days and can do this as many times as he wants.
The stats from the regular session are in and as follows: Of the 9,240 bills and resolutions filed, 1,355 (15%) were sent to the Governor. The Governor vetoed 28 bills (several of which are on the Special Session Call) and allowed 24 bills to become law without his signature and signed the rest. While this task is daunting, keep in mind that his staff tracked most of these bills throughout the session and actually had input on many of the bigger ticket items, so it is not like they are seeing these bills for the first time. Still, it is a lot to consider. And none larger than SB 3 which ended up being a complete ban on THC products and one of which the Governor chose to veto. It is on the list for the Special Session.
If you ever want to question whether or not grassroots efforts can make a difference look no further than the Governor’s response on the passage of SB 3 and his decision to veto. Industry members assembled significant support after the bill’s passage and delivered over 5,000 letters and 120k signatures on a petition asking for the Governor to veto the legislation. He did, now it is back on the agenda.
Another issue the Governor wants additional work on is property taxes. Despite passage of the increase in the homestead exemption, he seeks additional reform. What that looks like remains to be seen. Property taxes are a significant source of revenue for local governments and a major portion of public school funding, so not easily replaced. Everyone wants a better system, but options are limited. 30 days is not long to tackle an issue years in the making. All Special Sessions are unique, the ticking clock, the limit on the issues to be discussed and decided, the upcoming campaign season (several members are already running for open or soon to be open seats) all this impacts what can and cannot be accomplished. The clock may favor those who don’t want something to pass, but the Governor has the ability to call them back again and again. He has done it before and he lives here so Special Sessions don’t hamper his business or home life. All these factors come into play. The fun starts on Monday July 21st.