Will state leaders have better luck next time? Or will the second special session prove to be nothing but a repeat of the first?
The list of items the Governor added to the call has grown to include 17 topic areas, compared to 11 for the first session. The topics among the 17 that could pertain to public education in some way include:
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Election integrity - passed the Senate in the first special as SB 1
- Ensuing that public schools during the COVID-19 pandemic: A) provide high-quality education with progress in learning for students; B) offer in-person learning for any student whose parents wants it; C) do not mandate masks or vaccinations
- Requiring schools provide middle and high school students with education about dating violence, domestic violence, and child abuse (that allows parents to opt students out if they choose) - similar to SB 1109 from the 87th regular, which was vetoed; passed by Senate in first special as SB 72
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Student participation in UIL athletic competitions relating to the student's sex at birth - similar to SB 29 from the 87th regular session, which failed to pass; passed by Senate in the first special as SB 2 and SB 32
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Critical Race Theory - similar to HB 3979 as passed by the Senate during the 87th regular, which passed and became law as the House version without Senate amendments; passed the Senate in the first special as SB 3
- Appropriations for the purpose of property tax relief - passed by the Texas Senate during the first special as SB 8 and SB 12/SJR 4
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13th check for TRS retirees - similar to HB 3507 from the 87th regular, which failed to pass either chamber then, but was passed by the Senate in the first special as SB 7
Also on the call are all the same items that were included on the call for the first special session, plus a few new items such as appropriations for COVID-19-related health care, the filing period for the 2022 primary election, radioactive waste, shields for private employers and employees, and legislative quorum requirements.
The call includes appropriations for Article X (legislative funding) as well, and as you are aware, that must be addressed before September 1 or that branch of state government will not be funded. That funding was vetoed by Governor Abbott in June, and neither chamber passed a bill to restore that funding during the first special session.
Other funding measures addressed on the call (in addition to property tax relief and Article X) include foster care and cybersecurity.