Gov. Greg Abbott to convene third special legislative session Sept. 20, sets agenda

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott will convene a third special legislative session Sept. 20 at 10 a.m., according to a Sept. 7 news release.

As previously reported by Community Impact Newspaper, while the regular session of the 87th Texas Legislature was held Jan. 12-May 31, a special legislative session was convened July 8 followed by a second special session Aug. 7.

"The Texas Legislature now has the opportunity to redraw legislative and congressional districts in accordance with the new census numbers," Abbott said in a statement. "In addition to redistricting, there are still issues remaining that are critical to building a stronger and brighter future for all Texans."

According to the release, agenda items for the third special session will include:

• legislation relating to the apportionment of the state of Texas into districts used to elect members of the Texas House of Representatives, the Texas Senate, the State Board of Education and the U.S. House of Representatives;
• legislation providing appropriations from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021;
• legislation identical to Senate Bill 29 as passed by the Texas Senate in the 87th Legislature's regular session disallowing students from competing in University Interscholastic League athletic competitions designated for the sex opposite to the student's sex at birth;
• legislation regarding whether any state or local governmental entities in Texas can mandate that an individual receive a COVID-19 vaccine and, if so, what exemptions should apply to such mandate; and
• legislation similar to SB 474 as passed by the 87th Legislature in the regular session, but that addresses the concerns expressed in the governor's veto statement.