As the Texas House remains at a standstill due to Democrats’ refusal to return to the state, the Texas Senate has quickly moved through the governor’s agenda items.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick previously indicated he plans to “pass the remaining bills on Gov. Abbott’s special session call” this week.
The Senate passed legislation to do the following on Tuesday:
- Strengthen statewide disaster preparedness, response, and recovery—including mandatory licensing for emergency managers, improved volunteer screening, enhanced mass-fatality protocols, business recovery loans, and updated emergency planning requirements (Senate Bill 1)
- Install and fund flood warning siren systems in high-risk and flood-prone areas identified after recent natural disasters, with grants for local governments and technical standards for reliable operation (Senate Bill 2)
- Provide $294 million for disaster relief efforts in the Hill Country—supporting equipment upgrades, new swift water rescue training facilities, and urgent recovery needs following the July 2025 floods (Senate Bill 3)
- Redraw congressional districts to create five new “GOP-opportunity” seats as part of a comprehensive redistricting plan (Senate Bill 4)
- Prohibit the manufacture, delivery, mailing, and prescribing of abortion-inducing drugs for unlawful abortions, further restricting chemical abortion access in Texas (Senate Bill 6)
- Eliminate the STAAR standardized test in favor of a new, “instructionally supportive” student assessment framework (Senate Bill 8)
- Create an affirmative defense for victims of human trafficking or compelled prostitution, allowing them to avoid prosecution for certain offenses they were forced or coerced into committing (Senate Bill 10)
- Require cities and counties to reduce or offset impact fees for developers who install water-saving or water-reuse systems—promoting responsible water management and conservation in new developments (Senate Bill 13)
- Enhance internal record-sharing among law enforcement agencies—mandating the confidential transfer of personnel files that include misconduct allegations to improve agency accountability and prevent problem officers from moving between agencies unchecked, while keeping those records confidential from public access (Senate Bill 14)
- Enact sweeping judiciary reforms: create new courts, modernize court operations, expand judicial training (including for special topics such as family violence and trafficking), streamline juvenile justice procedures, and update court security measures (Senate Bill 16)
The Senate previously legislation banning taxpayer-funded lobbying, restoring power to the attorney general to prosecute election crimes, and prohibiting the manufacture, sale, and possession of consumable hemp products that contain any form of THC while still allowing products that contain only CBD or CBG.
While Patrick has now overseen the passage of all of the governor’s priorities, he acknowledged that the Senate may be forced to undertake the same work again next week if the House Democrats fail to return.
Democrats fled the state in protest of Texas’ congressional redistricting plan. Without at least 100 members present, the House cannot conduct business.
If they do not return, Patrick said “the Texas Senate will adjourn Sine Die on Friday so Gov. Abbott can immediately call us back for another special session. This will continue in perpetuity.”
Gov. Abbott has already announced plans to immediately call another special session if the Democrats fail to return before Friday.
“Let me be clear: the Texas Senate will pass the bills on Gov. Abbott’s special session call over, and over, and over again until the House Democrats return from their ‘vacation’ to do the people’s business,” added Patrick.
