Gov. Greg Abbott issued a proclamation June 27 for a second special legislative session centered on property tax cuts, which began at 3 p.m. the same day.

In a nutshell

According to Abbott’s proclamation, the second special legislative session will center around:

  • Legislation to cut property tax cuts by reducing the school district maximum compressed tax rate
  • Legislation to put Texas on a path to eliminating school district maintenance and operations property taxes

During a special session, lawmakers can only introduce and pass bills related to topics designated by the governor.

Zooming out

The first special legislative session, also centered on property tax, was announced hours after the regular session adjourned. During that session, the Texas House passed three bills and adjourned, Community Impact previously reported.



The Texas Senate, meanwhile, passed a new property tax relief bill that the House did not consider because it was adjourned. Both chambers of the Legislature must approve a bill before it can head to the governor’s desk and become law.

Quote of note

“Unless and until the House and Senate agree on a different proposal to provide property tax cuts, I will continue to call for lasting property tax cuts through rate reductions and working toward eliminating the school property tax in Texas,” Abbott said in a June 27 news release. “Special sessions will continue to focus on only property tax cuts until property tax cut legislation reaches my desk."

What else?

  • House Speaker Dade Phelan formed a special bipartisan committee to study property tax relief June 20, which is made up of 13 lawmakers and three members of the public.
  • Each special session can last up to 30 days.
  • Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who leads the Senate, said the House and Senate have about six weeks left to agree on and pass a property tax bill, as Texas voters would have the option to approve the tax cuts during the Nov. 7 election, Community Impact previously reported. According to the Texas secretary of state, Aug. 21 is the last day to order an election on a measure.

Stay tuned



The second special legislative session began at 3 p.m. June 27, according to Abbott’s proclamation.