In a move that will impact millions of residents, Texas lawmakers will return to the Capitol in Austin on Monday, July 21, for a 30-day special legislative session to consider 18 critical agenda items. The session comes on the heels of the 89th regular legislative session earlier this year, during which Governor Greg Abbott signed more than 300 bills into law. The current session will take on a mix of emergency responses and deeply conservative policy shifts, including major legislative proposals related to flood response, property tax reform, abortion restrictions, and hemp regulation, among others.
One of the central issues that has pushed lawmakers back to the Capitol is the need to strengthen the state’s emergency preparedness and recovery systems following devastating flooding that swept across Central Texas earlier in July. Lawmakers will evaluate proposals aimed at improving early warning systems and enhancing emergency communications, especially in flood-prone regions. Relief funding is also on the table to support affected communities, including local governments eligible for federal emergency assistance. These initiatives reflect the urgency of protecting Texas residents from increasingly frequent natural disasters and aim to streamline the state's ability to respond and rebuild.
Another significant policy area is public education. Legislators are expected to debate a proposal to eliminate the STAAR test, the state’s standardized student assessment tool. Critics argue that the test places unnecessary stress on students and teachers, and many believe more effective methods are needed to evaluate academic progress and ensure district accountability. This move would mark a major shift in Texas’ approach to academic evaluation and aligns with broader efforts to reform the education system.
Tax relief is also high on the agenda. Governor Abbott is advocating for legislation to cut property taxes, which remain a top concern for homeowners across Texas. Proposals include not only reducing rates but also placing limits on the spending abilities of entities that impose these taxes. Supporters of the initiative argue that rising property values are placing undue strain on middle-class families and seniors, making tax cuts a fiscal priority this session.
Conservative social issues are also a major focus of the special session. Lawmakers will consider new regulations banning mail-order abortion pills and other abortion-related restrictions. These proposals are intended to further strengthen Texas’ already stringent abortion laws. Additionally, there is a push to criminalize the distribution of hemp-derived THC products to anyone under the age of 21 and regulate potency limits and synthetic alterations to these products, although without banning hemp as an agricultural commodity.
The session also includes legislation to address growing concerns over title theft and deed fraud, enhance protections for human trafficking victims, prohibit taxpayer-funded lobbying by local governments, and shield police officers from the public release of unsubstantiated complaints in their personnel files. Legislators will also revisit redistricting after concerns were raised about the legality of current congressional maps by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Several proposals aim to reform governmental operations, including a constitutional amendment to allow the state Attorney General to prosecute election crimes directly, without waiting on local authorities. Lawmakers will also review legislation related to the state’s judicial department and offer new incentives for builders who incorporate water conservation measures into their projects.
Citizens wishing to participate in the legislative process during the special session have several options. Texas has 38 U.S. House Representatives, each representing a specific district and elected to serve a two-year term. Residents are encouraged to contact their representative to express their opinions about the bills under consideration. Contact details and district maps are available at house.texas.gov/members.
Additionally, those interested in attending public hearings can look for meeting notices from Senate committees or subcommittees. These notices are required to be posted at least 24 hours before any scheduled hearing. Once posted, citizens can register to provide testimony in person either at kiosks inside the Capitol or online, ensuring their voices are heard on key legislative matters.
With 18 wide-ranging agenda items, the July 21 special session represents a concentrated effort by the state’s leadership to address urgent public safety issues, conservative policy priorities, and long-standing fiscal concerns. While some proposals may draw bipartisan support, others are expected to trigger heated debate both inside and outside the Capitol. As the session unfolds, public engagement will be critical in shaping the outcome of laws that could significantly alter the everyday lives of Texans across the state.
