Second special legislative session starts Aug. 7

Gov. Greg Abbott announced this week that a second special session of the Texas Legislature would begin at noon Saturday, Aug. 7. Democrats broke quorum and shut down the first special session, so many items left in limbo remain on the agenda.

Education items on Abbott's agenda include returning issues:

• Requiring schools to provide middle and high school students with education about dating violence, domestic violence, and child abuse (that allows parents to opt students out if they choose)
• A 13th check for TRS retirees
• Student participation in UIL athletic competitions relating to the student's sex at birth
• Further restricting the teaching of critical race theory, though that term is not defined or expressly mentioned in previous legislation

And a new issue:

• Ensuring that public schools during the COVID-19 pandemic: A) provide high-quality education with progress in learning for students; B) offer in-person learning for any student whose parents want it; C) do not mandate masks or vaccinations

The special session agenda also includes the spending of federal COVID relief funds, legislative quorum requirements and the controversial elections bill that prompted Democrats to flee in July. The Legislative Budget Board was set to reinstate legislative funding today, including staff pay, through the end of September, but the issue remains on the special session agenda.

Click here for the full list of items on the special session agenda.