Gov. Abbott Calls Special Session

Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced Tuesday, June 6, 2017, that he is calling state legislators back to the capitol in July for a special session.

Gov. Abbott noted that priorities he named at the beginning of the regular session, such as reforming the foster care system and banning sanctuary cities, have been passed into law, but the legislature’s inability to pass a bill that would keep the Texas Medical Board operational has led to a special session. Without the passage of the bill, the Texas Medical Board will not be able to license new doctors in the state.

The bill, which must be passed by the Senate, will be the first item on the agenda for the special session. After its passage, 19 additional items will be added, including property tax reform, a bill to pre-empt cities and counties when it comes to regulating mobile devices in vehicles, and several pieces of legislation to improve school finances and attract teachers to Texas classrooms.

“If I’m going to ask taxpayers to foot the bill for a special session, I intend to make it count,” Gov. Abbott said during a press conference Tuesday.

The special session is scheduled to begin July 18, 2017. Only the governor can call a special session, and he has the sole authority to decide what will be discussed by the legislature. Each session can last no longer than 30 days, but the governor is not limited in the amount of special sessions that may be called.