David Blassingame
On June 2, 2025, the 89th Legislature adjourned after addressing a wide range of issues. The Congress of Texas didn’t address all issues that Governor Abbott wanted, so he called a special session. That special session began on July 21, 2025. During this period, legislators were summoned back to Austin to consider a select agenda set forth by the governor. The scope of the special session carefully delineated issues that remained unresolved in the regular legislative term. Lawmakers were tasked with working intensively to accomplish this. The special session represented a continuation of unfinished business. The governor has asked the legislature for actions on the following:
• A flood warning system to improve the infrastructure of flood-prone areas and improved communication throughout Texas.
• A funding package for those areas damaged by the flood.
• The elimination of STAAR testing and to replace it with effective tools to ensure school accountability.
• Cut property taxes that currently burden Texans and impose spending limits on entities authorized to impose those taxes.
• Regulate hemp-derived products through legislation and limit potency without banning a lawful agricultural commodity.
• Protect unborn children and their mothers from the harms of abortion.
• Ban taxpayer-funded lobbying.
• Protect human trafficking victims from criminal liability for non-violent acts closely tied to their victimization.
• Legislation that protects law enforcement officers from public disclosure of unsubstantiated complaints in personnel files.
• Protect women’s spaces.
• Proposing the Attorney General is allowed to prosecute State Election crimes.
• Legislation that provides redistricting of congressional maps due to the Department of Justice questions.
• Legislation that provides strengthened protections against title theft and deed fraud.
• Legislation that authorizes political subdivisions to reduce impact fees for builders who include water conservation and efficiency measures.
• Pass legislation that has to do with the administration and operation of the Judicial Department of State Government.
The Senate had already acted on THC, but they have passed a bill that won’t change the situation. This is setting up a House battle for the wording declaring THC as being lawful yet restricting the use to over 21-year-olds.
The State Government has received $13 billion, which lawmakers want devoted to property taxes that continue to be a burden on taxpayers.
Your Republican Club continues to monitor this and other issues concerning the special session and will report back to its members.