The Legislature will be back in session at 10 a.m. on July 18, 2017.
Today, Governor Abbott issued the special session proclamation that formally allows legislators to file legislation for consideration during the special session. Although the Governor announced 20 items on the special session call, Governor Abbott has only signed a proclamation for so called “sunset” legislation that extends expiring state agencies. The proclamation explains that without calling a special session, many agencies (most notably the Texas Medical Board) would expire on September 1, 2017.
By prioritizing the sunset legislation, Governor Abbott ensures the legislature will pass “must pass” legislation before legislators move on to any other projects. The other 19 items on the call are eligible to be filed and go through the legislative process, however, they will have no legal effect until the sunset bill is passed, and the second proclamation is signed.
Below is a copy of the official proclamation and the draft of the supplemental proclamation.
