Legislative Services

Absent House Democrats Return

House Democrats who fled the state in protest of state leadership’s directive to redraw congressional districts returned Monday. Their absence had denied the House the quorum required to conduct business, rendering the first special session moot.

Amid increasing pressure and penalty, they came back, still steadfast in their opposition to the redistricting effort. While resigned to the plan’s passage, they framed their return as part of a broader fight, as voiced by House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu (R-Houston): “We’re returning to Texas more dangerous to Republicans’ plans than when we left. Our return allows us to build the legal record … and inspire legislators across the country how to fight these undemocratic redistricting schemes in their own statehouses.”

Quorum Restored, House Passes Congressional Map Redraw

On Monday, the House Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting passed House Bill 4 by Rep. Todd Hunter (R-Corpus Christi). On Wednesday, the full House met for hours of debate before casting a 88-52 party-line vote that sent the measure to the Senate for consideration.

Senate Dives into Second Special Session

As always under Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s leadership, the Senate wasted no time in undertaking its business upon Friday’s commencement of the second special session. Their work in brief:

• Friday: Senate Committee on State Affairs met and passed:
  • Senate Bill 6 by Sen. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) – THC.
  • SB 7 by Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola) – abortions.
  • SB 8 by Sen. Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston) – gender/restrooms.
  • SB 11 by Sen. Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound) – human trafficking.
  • SB 12 by Hughes – elections.
  • SB 13 by Middleton – lobbying.
  • SB 15 by Sen. Phil King (R-Weatherford) – law enforcement personnel records.
  • SB 17 by Hughes – omnibus courts.
• Also Friday: Senate Committee on Finance met and passed:
  • SB 2 by Perry – emergency management.
  • SB 3 by Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) – flood sirens.
  • SB 5 by Sen. Joan Huffman (R-Houston) – disaster recovery grants.
  • SB 10 by Bettencourt – voter approval tax rate.
  • SB 34 by Huffman – legislative testimony.
• Sunday: Senate Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting met and passed:
  • SB 4 by King – congressional redistricting.
• Monday: Full Senate met and passed SBs 2, 3, 5, 11, 14, 16, 18, 34. Video: Part I, Part II.
• Tuesday: Full Senate met and passed SBs 8, 10, 12, 13, 15.
• Wednesday: Senate Select Committee on Disaster Preparedness & Flooding met and passed:
  • SB 1 by Perry – campground safety.

Senate, House Advance Disaster Relief Funding Bills

On Monday, the Senate passed SB 5 by Sen. Joan Huffman (R-Houston), the supplemental appropriations bill providing disaster relief for the July 4 weekend floods. SB 5 allocates $294 million from the Economic Stabilization Fund (ESF), commonly known as the Rainy Day Fund, including:

• $200 million for matching funds to secure FEMA reimbursement.
• $50 million for grants to local governments covered by Gov. Greg Abbott’s flood disaster declaration, for the purchase of sirens, early warning systems, rain gauges and other equipment.
• $24 million for meteorological forecasting.
• $20 million to provide grants to the Harris Fort Bend Emergency Services District No. 100 for a swift water training facility to prepare first responders.

Earlier this week, SB 5 was referred to the Joint Select Committee on Disaster Preparedness & Flooding. On Wednesday, the committee voted out a substitute that adds:

• $40 million to matching funds for FEMA reimbursement.
• $4 million for meteorological forecasting.
• $50 million for grants to local governments to purchase “interoperable” emergency communications equipment contingent on enactment of House Bill 3 by Rep. Ken King (R-Canadian). HB 3 creates the Texas Interoperability Council to develop a statewide strategic plan for the interoperability of emergency communication equipment between first responders, including emergency alert systems. The reported inability of first responders to communicate with outside departments during both the 2024 Panhandle wildfires and the July floods sidelined resources. It caused delays in responses and direction, highlighting these critical needs.
• A provision appropriates funds for interoperability grants, in the event HB 3 fails.
• The committee substitute strikes the $20 million for grants to the Harris Fort Bend County ESD for a swift water training facility for first responders.

The funding provided by House CSSB 5 totals $368 million.

On Thursday, the House considered and passed SB 5, in place of HB 5, the supplemental appropriations bill for disaster relief by House Appropriations Committee Chair Greg Bonnen (R-Friendswood). The House version of SB 5 is on the Senate’s calendar, with floor action expected today. If the Senate does not accept the House changes to SB 5, conferees from both chambers will be appointed to reconcile the differences between the two proposals.

TAC’s Legislative Analysis Report Published

After each legislative session, the TAC Legislative Services team reviews all legislation passed for any impact to county government. The selected legislation is then summarized and organized by subject and published in the biennial Legislative Analysis Report.

The 2025 report is available in a searchable, online format. Printed copies will be distributed at next week’s 2025 TAC Legislative Conference, Aug. 27-29. They’re also available for order here.

Editor’s Note

Following this issue, County Issues returns to monthly publication. Look for the next edition in your inbox Sept. 26.

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.