The Texas Legislature meets for five months once every two years. With that being said, if laws need to be added, changed, or removed outside of this five month period, the governor can call a special session. The governor is the only person who can call for this special session and he also “has unilateral authority to decide what type of policies are in play for the special session.” Special sessions are quite common. In fact, one has just been called by Governor Abbott after the completion of the regular legislative session in May.
This special session began May 29, 2023, at 9pm to discuss two topics. These topics include property-tax relief and increasing penalties for “certain criminal conduct involving the smuggling of persons or the operation of a stash house.” If the legislature comes to a satisfactory decision on these two topics before the 30-day window is up, the session may conclude early. However, it cannot last any longer than 30 days. (Texas Constitution Article 3, Section 40) If Governor Abbott decides more topics should be addressed, he can call another session directly after this one has completed. This new session can address topics from the previous session in addition to new topics that require further discussion.
Though the current special session only has two topics to discuss, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick would like Governor Abbott to call another special session which will address more conservative bills that did not pass during the regular session. These bills include SB 1601, “which would ban ‘Drag Queen Story Hour’”, SB 16, which would “ban critical race theory in higher education”, SB 1396, “to establish prayer time in public schools”, and SB 1515, “which would force schools to post copies of the Ten Commandments.” However, as mentioned above, only Governor Abbott can call a special session so we may or may not see these bills again. Though Governor Abbott has said “’several [special sessions] will be required.’” This is “’to ensure that each priority receives the time and attention it deserves to pass into law,’” so only “’a few [topics] will be added each session.’” Governor Abbott can call as many special sessions as he deems necessary to give proper attention to the topics he’d like to address in more detail that were missed during the regular session.
Once a special session has ended, “the Governor has 10 days (not counting Sundays) to return the bill to the Legislature with objection”. (Texas Constitution Article 4, Section 14) If he does not return the bill to the Legislature, “the bill becomes law as if the Governor had signed it.”
More Resources:
The Legislative Process in Texas
Frequently asked questions about special sessions