Lt. Gov. Patrick Takes Legislative Hostages, Potentially Forcing a Special Session

Summary of Senate Action Before Midnight Deadlines

Lt. Gov. Patrick calls on Gov. Abbott to call a special session in June to address conservative legislative priorities that died the night before in the Texas House.
Gov. Abbott responds to Lt. Gov. Patrick’s request with a statement indicating he thinks there is still more time for both chambers to work together to get “important conservative legislation” to his desk.
Several House lawmakers publicly stated their support for a special called session. (Reference)
Senate convenes and shows no sign of urgency. Steadily passed bills, took several breaks, and ended the night on a securitization bill relating to paying down obscene bills in relation to the February winter storms.
Notable bills that died as a result: HB 1600 – State Rep. Terry Canales (D–Edinburg) – Sunset safety net; HB4242 – State Rep. Morgan Meyer (R–Dallas)/State Sen. Brian Birdwell (R–Granbury) – Ch. 313 tax abatement two-year extension.

Other Impending Legislative Deadlines: (Reference)

Friday, May 28, marks the last day the House can act on Senate amendments to House bills.
Sunday, May 30, marks the last day that either the House or Senate can adopt conference committee reports or act on amendments.
Monday, May 31, is the last day of the 87th Legislative Session, or sine die.

Status of Legislative Priorities: (Reference)

SB 1 – State Sen. Jane Nelson (R–Flower Mound)/State Rep. Greg Bonnen (R–Friendswood) – State budget for next biennium. Senate unanimously adopted the conference committee report yesterday. House expected to bring it up imminently for consideration.
HB 2 – State Rep. Greg Bonnen (R–Friendswood)/State Sen. Jane Nelson (R–Flower Mound) – Supplemental budget bill. Passed Senate yesterday. Will go back to House to choose whether to accept amendments or appoint a conference committee to reconcile differences between House & Senate versions.
HB 5 – State Rep. Trent Ashby (R–Lufkin)/State Sen. Robert Nichols (R–Jacksonville) – Broadband expansion for rural and underserved areas of TX. The conference committee report was distributed yesterday. Notably, the amendment added in the House by State Rep. Jeff Cason (R–Bedford) was stripped off (relating to prioritizing broadband providers that, by default, block obscene and pornographic material. Instead, the conference committee replaced it with a study on the effect of pornographic material on Texans and the feasibility of limiting access to those materials. House can choose to adopt imminently.

Texas House of Representatives:

Convenes at 10 a.m.
Several items eligible for consideration
HB 19 – State Rep. Jeff Leach (R–Allen)/State Sen. Larry Taylor (R–Friendswood) – TX Trucking Act (Speaker Phelan & Lt. Gov. Patrick Priority)
HB 1239 – State Rep. Scott Sanford (R–McKinney)/State Sen. Angela Paxton (R–McKinney) – Prohibits the suspension of laws that protect religious freedom and prohibits closure of places of worship, even in times of emergency or disaster. Senate added amendments. House will need to decide whether to accept amendments or appoint a conference committee. (RPT Priority – Religious Freedom)
HB 547 – State Rep. James Frank (Wichita Falls)/State Sen. Angela Paxton (R–McKinney) – “Tim Tebow” bill. Allowing homeschool children to participate in UIL activities. Senate added amendments. House will have to decide whether to accept amendments or appoint a conference committee to reconcile the differences between versions.
HB 1925 – State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione (R–Southlake)/State Sen. Dawn Buckingham (R–Lakeway) – Statewide public camping ban. Senate added amendments. House will need to decide whether to accept amendments or appoint a conference committee.
HB 18 – State Rep. Tom Oliverson (R–Cypress)/State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R–Brenham) – Establishes Prescription Drug Savings Program for certain uninsured individuals. (Speaker Phelan Priority – Healthcare)
HB 20 – State Rep. Andrew Murr (R–Junction)/State Sen. Joan Huffman (R–Houston) – Bail reform. Senate added amendments. House will need to decide whether to accept amendments or appoint a conference committee. (Gov. Abbott Priority) (Speaker Phelan Priority)
HJR 4 – State Rep. Kyle Kacal (R–College Station)/State Sen. Joan Huffman (R–Houston) – Bail reform. Senate added amendments. House will need to decide whether to accept amendments or appoint a conference committee. (Gov. Abbott Priority) (Speaker Phelan Priority)
HB 3979 – State Rep. Steve Toth (R–The Woodlands/State Sen. Brandon Creighton (R–Conroe) – Anti-critical race theory bill. Senate stripped off almost all of the amendments accepted in the House. House will need to decide whether to accept amendments or appoint a conference committee.