your weekly update from Texas Impact

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Texas Impact
People of Faith Working for Justice

Dear {name},

This week, the legislature reconvened for a special session to address a list of issues the governor provided earlier in the month. Already, there are dozens of Senate bills and more than 200 House bills filed, and this week committees held public hearings on several of the governor’s charges, including regulation of THC; local government lobbying; state prosecution of election crimes; flood management; and congressional redistricting.

As is our custom, Texas Impact is posting clips of legislative action in our LegeTV playlist on YouTube. We’re also covering the issues on Substack. In the first of a series of posts on the flood hearing, Becca unpacks the testimony from Nim Kidd, Chief of the Texas Department of Emergency Management, including reviewing Chief Kidd’s policy recommendations. Although lengthy, Chief Kidd’s testimony provides vital, authoritative background on Texas’ existing emergency management systems—it’s a clear, practical “101” on how our state’s disaster management processes have evolved.

Rebecca provides a summary of the Senate’s debate of its “rules of engagement” for congressional redistricting, noting that “Texas Impact does not take a position on the partisan makeup of specific districts, but Texas faith communities all should care that their members—and all Texans—share legislative and congressional districts with neighbors who also share their geographically driven concerns.”

The House and Senate redistricting committees each are holding a series of redistricting hearings, with the Senate holding virtual hearings and House members traveling to a few locations throughout the state. According to the House committee’s hearing notices, “the Committee will meet to hear public testimony regarding a revised congressional redistricting plan pursuant to the Governor’s July 9, 2025, proclamation calling a Special Session of the 89th Legislature.” Notwithstanding this explanation, however, no revised redistricting plan has been made available for public inspection.

Upcoming Redistricting Committee Hearings

House Redistricting Committee Hearing in Houston, Saturday, July 26 at 11:00am University of Houston

Senate Redistricting Committee Hearing, Saturday, July 26 (virtual testimony only)

Senate Redistricting Committee Hearing, Monday, July 28 (virtual testimony only)

House Redistricting Committee Hearing in Arlington, Monday, July 28, 5pm; UTA, 300 West 1st Street, Arlington, TX 76010, E.H. Hereford University Center, Rosebud Theatre

Also in the blog this week, Grace offers more details on Texas faith leaders’ lawsuit to prevent implementation of SB 10, which requires schools to place copies of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom. Kyle and Keats explain the history of Texas’ anti-trans “bathroom” legislation, which is back for the special session fresh from being defeated—again—in the regular session. And guest blogger Rev. Rob Mueller reflects on guns, idolatry, and humility in the Vidas Robadas team’s “Tempers and Truths” series.

Next week, Texas Impact is partnering with the producers of Zurawski v. Texas and the Texas Women’s Health Caucus on a screening of Zurawski in the Capitol Auditorium—more information is in the Events calendar on our website. For groups still wanting to show the film in their local areas, we’re happy to announce the return of faith community screenings—find out more and register here.

The governor’s special session call includes an assignment for legislators to enact further restrictions to Texas’ already-extreme abortion ban. Several House bills have been filed, although Sen. Hughes is expected to file the bill that will be the official vehicle.

Thanks for sticking with us through the special session. It's just getting started, so buckle up!

Love,