Second special session begins

Gov. Greg Abbott called a second special session after a weeks-long quorum break by Democratic House members who fled the state. Almost all have returned, claiming to have accomplished their mission of bringing national attention to the mid-decade redistricting effort to secure more Republican seats in Congress.

Upon their return, members who broke quorum were presented with a form to sign consenting to a 24/7 police escort while outside of the House chambers to prevent any further quorum breaking. All members signed the form except Rep. Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) who remained in the House chambers. 

In the Senate, members quickly re-passed the same bills from the first special session, including a ban on THC products, flood relief measures, and congressional redistricting maps. The Senate K-16 Education Committee quickly passed SB 9, a bill that would overhaul state testing and the A-F accountability system, but it has yet to be heard on the floor, possibly indicating that they will let the House take the lead on that issue.

TCTA will keep you updated as the second special session develops.