The Texas Legislature convenes today at noon for a packed 30-day special session that will tackle some of the state’s most controversial and pressing issues, from regulating THC products to addressing deadly flooding concerns and redrawing congressional districts.
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Governor Greg Abbott called the special session to begin on July 21, and issued a proclamation identifying 18 agenda items for lawmakers to address. The session comes after Abbott vetoed 28 bills from the regular legislative session, including a complete ban on THC products that had passed both chambers.
Key Issues on the Agenda
THC Product Regulation
The primary focus remains regulating THC, the psychoactive compound found in cannabis plants, after Abbott vetoed a planned ban on most hemp products that contain THC at lower levels than marijuana. Rather than an outright ban, lawmakers will now work to establish a regulatory framework for the consumable hemp industry that has grown significantly since state laws legalized hemp production.
The debate has created sharp divisions. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has championed a complete ban, claiming THC products are driving young people to suicide and altering brain function. However, the hemp industry and medical advocates warn that overly restrictive regulations could eliminate access to beneficial CBD and CBG products, as well as medical marijuana for patients needing pain relief.
Flood Warning Systems
Following devastating Hill Country floods on July 4, Gov. Abbott has made flood response a priority, with expected focus on alert systems and local recovery funding. The agenda includes legislation for relief funding, natural disaster preparation and recovery, and improved emergency communications systems.
State Representative Paul Bettencourt has proposed legislation to ensure people are alerted with sirens along watersheds instead of relying solely on phone notifications that could be silenced or missed. This comes after lawmakers failed to pass a comprehensive disaster response bill during the regular session.
Protesters are calling for lawmakers to focus on the issue.
Austin City Council member Zo Qadri:
Congressional Redistricting
After facing pressure from President Donald Trump’s political team, Abbott has asked lawmakers to redraw some of Texas’ 38 U.S. House districts ahead of the 2026 midterms. This redistricting effort represents a significant political undertaking that could reshape the state’s congressional representation.
Texas Democrats could break quorum to delay the effort.
Why a walkout on GOP redistricting could be very risky for Texas Democrats. (Austin American-Statesman)
STAAR Tests
A renewed push to eliminate the state’s standardized STAAR exam has resurfaced during the special legislative session. A previous effort to end the test failed in the final days of the regular session, stalling in behind-the-scenes negotiations between lawmakers.
Additional Conservative Priorities
The special session agenda also includes several conservative priorities that failed during the regular session, including banning cities and counties from hiring lobbyists, requiring people to use bathrooms aligned with their assigned sex at birth, and cracking down on abortion pill manufacturing and distribution.
Session Dynamics
The 30-day special session allows lawmakers to work only on the governor’s agenda items, creating a focused but intense legislative environment. With Republicans controlling both chambers, the session’s outcomes will likely depend on how effectively different factions within the party can negotiate compromises on contentious issues.
The combination of emergency response needs following recent flooding, high-profile cultural issues, and significant redistricting challenges makes this special session one of the most consequential in recent Texas political history. The decisions made over the next 30 days will have lasting impacts on everything from public safety infrastructure to the state’s political landscape heading into the 2026 elections.
How Texans can follow the session. (Texas Tribune)
Two weeks after devastating floods struck northwestern Travis County over the Fourth of July weekend, recovery efforts are intensifying as communities work to rebuild and residents face ongoing challenges from the catastrophic flooding.
Travis County has launched expanded relief services and recovery efforts as Leander-area residents—northwest of Austin—begin rebuilding their lives.
The flooding particularly impacted the Big Sandy Creek area and surrounding communities.
Reconstruction starts today on Cow Creek Bridge.
18 people had been confirmed dead in the July 5 flash floods that tore through the rivers and creeks of Travis, Williamson and Burnet counties. Another four individuals are still reported missing or are unidentified.
In Williamson County, more than a dozen local and nonprofit organizations are working together to support flood victims.
Officials in Burnet County opened a Disaster Recovery Center to aid residents there.
Austin American-Statesman: A teen hero, beloved moms, and military veterans: Remembering Austin-area flood victims.
How dams upriver saved downtown Austin from catastrophic flooding. (KUT 90.5)
Local authorities responded to a stabbing just after 1:00 a.m. this morning.
No other information was available.
The San Marcos Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating a suspect in a double shooting on Saturday morning.
Police in Mustang Ridge believe a crashed truck left behind by its driver was stolen.
Reporte Austin reported on an apartment fire Sunday evening.
The Austin Police Department is still having trouble keeping new cadets.
Texas Gas Service (TGS) is once again seeking to raise its rates, marking the third such request in roughly a year. This proposed increase would impact customers in Austin and the surrounding communities.
While the Austin City Council is anticipated to approve a 90-day delay for the proposal this Thursday, the city’s power to ultimately block the increase is limited. Unlike municipally owned utilities such as Austin Energy or Austin Water, Austin does not own its gas utility and therefore cannot directly control its rates. The final decision rests with the Texas Railroad Commission, an entity that historically tends to favor the industry in rate cases. (Austin Monitor)
Beto O’Rourke, Congressman Joaquin Castro, and State Representative James Talarico are coming to Austin for a town hall about state and federal issues.
WEATHER
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
No one’s complaining, but major metropolitan areas in Texas, including Austin, have not officially recorded a 100-degree day since late May.
A new plan put forth by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is causing considerable apprehension in San Antonio. The proposal seeks to consolidate two Army commands presently headquartered at Fort Sam Houston. (Texas Public Radio)
Online adult website Pornhub plans to decide soon whether it will return to Texas and comply with a state law requiring the site to implement an age-verification system. (Chron)
Kerr County commissioners are expected to take up a slew of flood-related measures in a special meeting today. (KSAT-TV)
A South Texas woman who pleaded guilty after taking the stand in her own defense during a 2023 federal criminal trial over a $21 million gambling scheme has been sentenced to prison. (My San Antonio)
Robert Roberson‘s execution date is set for Oct. 16, after a state judge on Wednesday sided with Attorney General Ken Paxton’s request. (Texas Tribune)
The topic…what else? The special session of the Texas Legislature.
SPORTS
MLB: The Texas Rangers missed a chance to sweep the Tigers, while the Houston Astros avoided a sweep at the hands of the Mariners.
Matt Vierling hit a tiebreaking single with two outs in the eighth inning and the Detroit Tigers snapped a season-worst six-game losing streak by beating the Texas Rangers 2-1 on Sunday night. (Yahoo! Sports)
Christian Walker hit a go-ahead solo homer in the sixth inning as the Houston Astros rallied from an early three-run deficit and beat the Seattle Mariners 11-3 on Sunday to avoid a series sweep. (Yahoo! Sports)
ON THE SCHEDULE
AL WEST STANDINGS
NFL: Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram joins CBS Sports’ Bill Jones to break down all things Cowboys on the eve of Jerry Jones’ State of the Cowboys Address today.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: The Longhorns got a new running back.
MLS: The 2025 MLS All-Star Game is Wednesday night at Q2 Stadium here in Austin.
Over the weekend, a fan celebration was held downtown at Auditorium Shores.
Enjoy the views of the red dirt canyons and calm blue waters at Lake Meredith, a refreshing oasis in the Texas Panhandle.
