The Governor has called for the Third Special Session, beginning on Monday, October 9, 2023, and issued a proclamation identifying agenda items for the special session, which include:
- Legislation to do more to reduce illegal immigration by creating a criminal offense for illegal entry into this state from a foreign nation and authorizing all licensed peace officers to remove illegal immigrants from Texas.
- Legislation to impede illegal entry into Texas by increasing the penalties for criminal conduct involving the smuggling of persons or the operation of a stash house.
- Legislation to impede illegal entry into Texas by providing more funding for the construction, operation, and maintenance of border barrier infrastructure.
PUBLIC SAFETY: Legislation concerning public safety, security, environmental quality, and property ownership in areas like the Colony Ridge development in Liberty County, Texas.
What’s not on the call? Well…public school funding.
Interesting.
All along, we have assumed that vouchers would be tied to a school finance bill, but now it
might come down to a school finance bill being tied to a voucher bill since vouchers are clearly
the priority of the Governor. And to be honest, we are not yet clear on how public school
funding will play into this special session, or even if it will, considering that it is not even
included as an agenda item. In this case, perhaps vouchers are a stand-alone bill that will test
the will of Legislators, particularly rural Republicans in the House who have held the line against
vouchers in support of their local communities. As the session begins to take shape and
hearings are scheduled, we should know more and will continue to update you on the status of
pending legislation.
As a reminder, under Texas law, special sessions are limited to topics set by the governor and can last up to 30 days.
