Legislative Services

Special Session Hits Roadblock

Three weeks into its overtime session, the 89th Legislature has held a series of hearings and made progress on some of the 18 items Gov. Greg Abbott placed on the 30-day agenda, but has yet to pass a bill. House Democrats opposed to the mid-cycle redistricting plan ground progress to a halt by leaving the state, rendering the House short of the two-thirds quorum needed to conduct business.

Abbott Orders Arrest of Absent Representatives

House Democrats who fled the state to deny the House a quorum and prevent passage of the redrawn congressional districts that would likely result in a five-seat Republican gain face the threat of arrest. Abbott and House Speaker Dustin Burrows worked together on the order. Burrows issued a warrant; Abbott ordered the Department of Public Safety to locate, arrest and return the missing lawmakers to the Capitol.

Committee and Floor Action Continues

The quorum break has the Capitol on high center — any potential new law must clear both chambers and receive gubernatorial approval, whether by signature or letting 20 days pass without action. Lack of a quorum in the House does not prevent the Senate from passing legislation to the House for consideration. Nor does it prevent either chamber from conducting committee hearings, all of which has continued. Much of the activity from the past week is listed below. Click the links for archived video and continue reading for a summary of other action.

• Select Committee on Redistricting, Aug. 2
• Select Committee on Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Aug. 5
• House Committee on Culture, Recreation & Tourism, Aug. 6
• Senate Committee on Education K-16, Aug. 6
• Senate Special Committee on Redistricting, Aug. 6

The full House met briefly each day this week, primarily to call roll and formalize the lack of quorum. Archived video is available online.

Senate Considers, then Passes, Reduced Voter Approval Tax Rate

On Aug. 1, the Senate Committee on Local Government heard Senate Bill 9 by Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston), which would lower the voter approval tax rate from 3.5% to 2.5%. Johnson County Commissioner Rick Bailey offered testimony in opposition on behalf of himself and the County Judges and Commissioners Association. Archived video of the committee hearing is available online; Bailey’s testimony begins at around the 1:27 mark. Several other county judges and commissioners joined him in opposing the measure; see the witness list online.

SB 9 was heard by the full Senate on Aug. 6 and passed on an 18-3 vote. It now moves to the House for consideration.

Hearing Set for Supplemental Appropriations Bill

Sen. Joan Huffman (R-Houston) filed SB 3 today. The supplemental appropriations bill will be heard in the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday.

SB 3 includes:

• $200 million from the Economic Stabilization Fund (ESF) for matching funds for FEMA reimbursement.
• $50 million from the ESF for grants to local governments within Gov. Abbott's flood disaster declaration.
• $24 million from the ESF for meteorological forecasting.
• $20 million from the ESF for the purpose of providing grants to the Harris Fort Bend Emergency Services District No. 100 for a swift water training facility for operation and rescue to prepare first responders.

Legislative Directory Available

The Texas Association of Counties’ 2025-26 Legislative Directory remains available for order. The directory includes contact information for lawmakers, committees, county official associations and TAC’s Legislative Services team.

Order free your copies here.

Week in Review is a collaborative column from TAC Legislative Services.