2nd Special Session Legislation
The following 22 bills encompass Governor Abbott’s agenda for the second called session of the 87th Legislature. Texas Impact opposes most of these bills (red); we are neutral on a few (black); and we support 4. It is important to note that three of the four bills we support actually passed in the regular session but were vetoed by the Governor, and subsequently added to the special session agenda.
Omnibus Elections Bill: SB 1 by Hughes
SB 1 would erect new barriers for voters, and empower partisan poll watchers to intimidate, harass, and disrupt.
Set on the House Calendar for Aug. 26.
LGBTQ Nondiscrimination: SB 2 by Perry
SB 2 would require school children to play on the team that corresponds to the gender on their birth certificate at the time of their birth.
Left pending in the House Public Education Committee on Aug. 25.
Racial Equity: SB 3 by Hughes & HB 28 by Toth
SB 3 and HB 28 would micromanage how teachers instruct about issues of race in public school classrooms.
SB 3 was not heard and HB 28 was left pending in the House Committee on Public Education on Aug. 25.
Abortion: SB 4 by Lucio
SB 4 would regulate drug-induced abortion procedures.
SB 4 was sent to Calendars on Aug. 24.
Social Media Censorship: SB 5 by Hughes & HB 20 by Cain
SB 5 and HB 20 would regulate social media platforms’ ability to control content.
SB 5 was referred to the House Committee on Constitutional Rights & Remedies, but HB 20 was heard instead and was voted out of the House Committee on Constitutional Rights & Remedies on Aug. 23.
Setting Bail: SB 6 & SJR 3 by Huffman
SB 6 & SJR 3 would change how bail is set and for what amount in criminal cases.
SB 6 was reported favorably on Aug. 23 & SJR 3 was sent to Calendars on Aug. 23.
Teacher Retirement: SB 7 by Huffman
SB 7 would provide a “13th check” to retired school teachers.
SB 7 was sent to Calendars on Aug. 25.
Property Taxes: SB 8, SB 12, and SJR 2 by Bettencourt
SB 8 would allow a homeowner to acquire a homestead tax exemption for the year in which the property is acquired; and SB 12 & SJR 2 reduce the amount that may be assessed on owners that are elderly or disabled.
SB 8, SB 12, and SJR 2 are set on the House Calendar for Aug. 26.
Child Abuse Prevention: SB 9 by Huffman
SB 9 would require public schools to provide instruction and materials and adopt policies to prevent child abuse, family violence, and dating violence.
SB 9 was left pending in the House Committee on Public Education on Aug. 24.
Primary Election: SB 13 by Huffman
SB 4 would set the primary date based on when the Legislature accomplishes redistricting.
SB 13 was set on the House Calendar behind SB 1 for Aug. 26.
Preempting Local Worker Protections: SB 14 by Creighton
SB 14 would overturn local government regulations that protect workers by mandating sick leave or water breaks.
The House Committee on State Affairs has canceled two formal meetings for SB 14 .
Virtual Schools: SB 15 by Taylor
SB 15 would fund full-time virtual learning programs in public schools.
SB 15 was sent to Calendars on Aug. 25.
Appropriations
Funding the Legislative Branch: HB 1 by Bonnen and SB 10 by Nelson
HB 1 and SB 10 would restore funding to the Legislature.
SB 10 was left pending in Senate Finance on Aug. 7.
HB 1 was sent to Calendars on Aug. 25.
Supplemental Appropriations: SB 11 by Nelson & HB 5 by Bonnen
HB 5 and SB 11 would make supplemental appropriations for several agencies including child protective services.
SB 11 was left pending in Senate Finance on Aug. 7.
HB 5 was sent to Calendars on Aug. 25.
Border Security: HB 9 by Bonnen
HB 9 would permanently triple the amount of money going to border security, build a fence, and reopen two previous decommissioned facilities as private prisons for migrants.
HB 9 was sent to Calendars on Aug. 25.
TAKE ACTION!
NOTE: We have set up toll-free numbers for all members of the Texas House and Senate. We ask that you use those numbers and save them in your phones. Dialing this number allows us to track the volume of calls to each office. If the number stops working, please let us know so we can set up a new number.
Find toll free numbers at https://texasimpact.org/texas-legislative-contact-information-2021/
Find your elected officials via the “Who Represents Me” page at http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/Home.aspx
Weekly Witness Action Alert Sample Script
See the list of toll free numbers (https://texasimpact.org/texas-legislative-contact-information-2021/) for each member of the Texas Legislature and save the number. Using the toll free number allows Texas Impact staff to track how many calls are going in to each office.
Sample Script
Hello, my name is _________________and I live in ___________. I am calling to thank Representative/Senator _____________________for his/her service this Legislative Session.
As a person of faith (or clergy) I want to be constructive in working with Representative/Senator _______________ and hope they will support/oppose Bill number.
Feel free to use any of the bullet points in the Action Alert above. If your congregation has a special connection to the issue area you are referencing, feel free to briefly reference that connection. Don’t forget to thank the staff member you are talking to at the end of the call, even if you disagree with their boss on the issue or bill—they are working hard and appreciate being appreciated!
In the past, legislative offices occasionally have blocked our toll free number because of high call volume from people of faith. If you call twice and receive busy signals, email engagement@texasimpact.org and we will update the number.
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