Aug. 3, just one day after the first session ended, the second called session of the 87th Legislature began. Opponents to a controversial elections bill were able to halt consideration of all issues before the Legislature in July by leaving the Capitol and denying the House a quorum. They went to Washington, D.C. to plead with federal lawmakers to pass national voting reforms.
The second session began with the Senate pressing forward on the special session agenda over the weekend and into Monday, holding hearings and passing bills that were mostly identical to those passed by the body in the first called session.
All of the items from the first session are back on the agenda, and Abbott added a few more for the second round. One would end the use of quorum breaks by lowering the threshold for a legislative quorum from a supermajority of two-thirds to a simple majority. Sen. Brian Birdwell’s bill, SJR 1, would ask voters next May to approve such a change but it faces a significant obstacle: proposed constitutional amendments must pass each chamber by a two-thirds supermajority.
Other new issues for the second special session relate to the ongoing COVID pandemic. Abbott has requested legislation that develops and implements mitigation strategies for public schools, but without mandating masks or vaccines. It would also require that in-person instruction is available for any student whose parent wants it but leaves the door open for the development of virtual education programs.
Abbott also authorized legislation that spends more than $10 billion in federal COVID relief funds, calling for bills that address staffing needs, vaccination infrastructure, creation of alternative care sites, nursing home operations, and equipment needs.
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