Hello Patriots and Citizen Advocates!

I hope you’re enjoying your summer!  I love summer (yes - even the Texas heat) and it goes by way too fast for me.  It’s been a while since my last Friday message in May, when session was ending, and we did a session wrap up and analysis.  If you missed that one, you can read it here.  That message included the analysis spreadsheet of 70+ bills that we followed during the regular session.

I took advantage of the slower pace during June for some personal R&R, and getting work life back to a more “normal” situation after the rush of the legislative session.  But now, the Governor has called a special session, starting on July 21, so we’re back at it again! 

In late June, Governor Abbott announced that he would call a special session, and indicated several issues that he wanted re-visited, include some bills that he vetoed.  On Wednesday, he issued the official proclamation for the special session, with EIGHTEEN items on the list!  That’s a lot of items for a special session, so it’s going to be interesting to see what gets done in the 30-day session.  You can read the complete list in the Governor’s Press Release from Wednesday. 

Understandably, flood warning and relief issues are on the list after the events in the Hill Country last week.  Also included are several of our priorities that didn’t make it in regular session, like protections for the unborn, ban taxpayer funded lobbying, and re-instating the Attorney General’s ability to prosecute election fraud.  Redistricting is also on the list, which is usually a long, drawn-out process so it will be interesting to see how that’s handled in a short, 30-day special session.

Things to remember about Special Sessions:

• The special session lasts only 30 days.  Although subsequent specials can be called again and again.
• The session number is designated as 89(1) (meaning 89^th session, 1^st special session).  If another special is called, it will be 89(2), and so on.  Be sure you have the right “session” set when working in the TLO.
• Bill numbering all starts over.   Bill filing will start immediately, but the numbering system starts at 1.  So, SB or HB whatever in the regular session might get filed again, but it will have a different number, even if it’s an identical bill to the original one.  (This is why it’s vital to have the right legislative session set when looking up things in the TLO)
• Only bills that are germane to the issues on the Governor’s call will be considered.  (Although usually lots of bills on other subjects are filed anyway)
• Committees, Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs all remain the same.  Unfortunately, that means that people like Chairman Ken King (House State Affairs Chair) can once again kill many bills that are important to us.  The good side of that is that in a special session, things move fast and there’s nowhere to hide, and gaslighting is less successful.
• Every bill in a special session goes through the same process as the regular session:  1^st reading, committee assignment, hearing (or not), 2^nd reading, 3^rd reading, approval, then sent to other chamber for the whole thing to happen again.  The process remains the same.  
• Public Hearings on bills may or may not happen.  It’s at the discretion of the Committee Chair. Because time is so short, if a bill is filed that had adequate input in the regular session, and committee members agree, they might just move it along without additional hearings.

Our involvement as activists in the special will depend on how things progress.  Because of the fast pace of activities, there isn’t always time to get the word out about attending a committee or whatever.  Sometimes there’s little to no notice.  We’ll have to just watch the proceedings, and issue alerts as needed for visits to the Capitol, or making on-line comments, or calling & writing to lawmakers.  Please pay attention to emails and texts regarding action items, as well as posts on social media channels about activities.  We’ll do our best to keep you updated and informed on how you can be engaged.

What can we do right now?

In the days leading up to start of the special session, activists can do a few things to get ready and be prepared.

• Pick the items on the special call that are important to YOU, that you want to focus on.
• Watch the TLO for bill filings on those issues, create bill lists and alerts for those bills.
• Talk to your own House Representative and Senator about the issues you care about.  Let them know now, what you would like them to do regarding your priority issues.

What can we do during the special session?

Be prepared is my best advice!  Here are some specific suggestions:

• Set those TLO alerts for session 89(1)
• Watch for Public Hearings on the bills you are interested in.  When they come up, either attend and testify, make on-line comments for House Bills, or email/call Committee members for Senate bills.
• Watch for TTP updates and instructions that will come from me in emails, or from TTP in texts, or on our social media channels.  (My Facebook and X Account, Julie’s accounts, Citizen Advocate Facebook Page, etc.)  When there are opportunities to weigh in, we’ll let you know.

We will support any bills that align with our TTP Core Values, and oppose those that do not.  But for me personally, I will be especially focusing on three issues:  1) Banning Taxpayer Funded Lobbying (SB19 in the regular session), 2) Banning the sale or distribution of abortion pills in Texas (SB2880 in the regular session), and 3) The Constitutional Amendment to restore the ability of the AG to prosecute election fraud (HB5138 or similar from regular session)

If there are things on the list that interest you, I urge you to engage in the process and try to swing things your way.  For example - the THC and hemp products issue is included in this special call, and I know many people are concerned about that one.  Obviously, everyone is looking for property tax elimination, but notice that the list calls for “Cut Property Taxes”, not eliminate.  (Sigh).  This special session is our “do-over” for some things that didn’t happen in regular session.  Let’s make the most of the opportunity.  Jump in where you can.

On Another Subject - Constitutional Amendments from the 89^th Legislature

As you probably know, there are 17 Constitutional Amendments that will be on the November general election ballot.  I’m currently working on analysis and recommendation on each amendment and I will have that for you soon.  Watch for a Fran’s Friday Message on that subject in the next few weeks.

Big Thanks!

I’d like to extend a big thank you to everyone who stepped forward to participate with our TTP efforts to help flood victims in central Texas.  In a very short time with very little notice, people turned out to help with donations, labor to receive products, sort items, box everything up and finally, load a really big truck!  True Texans always shine when they’re needed most, and Julie and I are very proud of our TTP family.

We are following that up with a fund raiser to send $$ for the re-build of the Hill Country.  If you're in DFW area, come out to party with us (you know we know how to party!) on Aug 17th, and do something good while you dance the night away.  Join our Boot Scootin Benefit! 

Stay tuned over the next few weeks for more Friday Messages (which might come  on a Tuesday or a Monday!)  about the special session.  We’ll do our best to keep you informed on what’s happening and what we can do about it.

Stay Engaged!

Fran Rhodes, President