Start of Texas' 3rd Special Session

The third Special Session of the Texas Legislature began Monday, October 9th, at 1pm.  So, we have kicked off another 30-days of session, and already there have been 113 bills filed.  We expect hundreds more to come this week.

However, the issues that are eligible during a special session are limited only to the topics that the governor assigns to “the call.”

For this special session the call includes:

Legislation providing education savings accounts for all Texas schoolchildren.

Legislation to do more to reduce illegal immigration by creating a criminal offense for illegal entry into this state from a foreign nation and authorizing all licensed peace officers to remove illegal immigrants from Texas.

Legislation to impede illegal entry into Texas by increasing the penalties for criminal conduct involving the smuggling of persons or the operation of a stash house.

Legislation to impede illegal entry into Texas by providing more funding for the construction, operation, and maintenance of border barrier infrastructure.

Legislation concerning public safety, security, environmental quality, and property ownership in areas like the Colony Ridge development in Liberty County, Texas.

Legislation prohibiting COVID-19 vaccine mandates by private employers.

It was expected that educational savings accounts would be the focus of this special session, and in addition to border security issues and extending the states prohibition on vaccine mandates to private employers (the law already prohibits government mandates), is the item regarding the Colony Ridge development. 

TMHA will be most focused on the legislature’s reaction to this item, as we work with members to ensure fair, predictable, and not overly burdensome county land use regulations.

Stay tuned, we are in for another exciting and eventful special session.