Today Governor Greg Abbott added two items to the call for the third special session of the 87th Texas Legislature: providing additional property tax relief and proposing a constitutional amendment to make it more difficult for people accused of violent crimes to be released on bail. Opening the session to property tax relief green lights a dozen or more bills already filed on property tax. As of this writing, a resolution proposing a constitutional amendment on tightening bail restrictions has not been filed.
These two issues join five others listed by the Governor in his original call for the third special session. These are redistricting, spending the ARPA funds from the federal government ($16 billion), restricting student athletes to competing in sports based on the sex on their birth certificate, Covid-19 vaccine mandates and restraint of dogs on chains outdoors. The dog restraint issue stems from a bill passed during the regular session but vetoed by the Governor which has drawn significant criticism.
The Texas constitution requires the Legislature to meet in “regular” session for 140 days starting in January of odd numbered years. Only the Governor can call a special session between regular sessions. Only the Governor can determine what topics can be covered.
Lt. Governor Patrick has a much longer list of topics he would like to see added to the call. He does not have the authority to add them. Noticeably missing from the call this session are several key Republican Party priorities including prohibiting taxpayer funded lobbying and restrictions on gender transformation therapies for minors. Senator Bob Hall, Republican from Edgewood, has filed 20 of the 35 Senate bills filed in the third called session. Most of Hall’s bills cannot be considered because they are outside the scope of the call.