Gov. Greg Abbott has called a 30-day special legislative session beginning Monday, July 21, directing state lawmakers to address a range of contentious issues, including flood response, congressional redistricting and regulation of consumable THC products.
The session comes in the wake of catastrophic flooding across Central Texas that killed more than 145 people and left dozens missing. In response, Abbott has prioritized legislation aimed at improving flood warning systems, emergency communications, disaster recovery coordination and state relief funding for affected communities.
“We must ensure that Texas is never caught unprepared again,” Abbott said in a statement. “This session will provide the tools necessary to rebuild and strengthen our state’s resilience.”
The flood-focused measures follow calls from conservationists and local leaders for stronger floodplain protections, watershed infrastructure upgrades and greater local authority over land development. A bipartisan committee is expected to visit Kerrville on July 31 to hear testimony from survivors and emergency officials.
Beyond flood relief, the session is expected to generate heated debate over Abbott’s broader 18-item agenda. Among the most controversial is the push to redraw Texas’ congressional map, a move critics say is designed to increase Republican control ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Civil rights groups and Democratic lawmakers argue the mid-decade redistricting effort could dilute minority voting power and face legal challenges.
Texas House Democrats have launched a campaign dubbed “Stop the Steal,” pledging to fight what they call an unconstitutional redistricting power grab. Some Republicans have also expressed concern that changes could disrupt existing GOP-leaning districts.
The session will also revisit regulation of hemp-derived THC products after Abbott vetoed a total ban earlier this year. Instead, the governor is proposing a framework similar to the state’s alcohol laws, including age restrictions, potency limits and packaging rules. The veto put Abbott at odds with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who supports a complete ban.
Other items on the governor’s agenda include legislation to restrict access to abortion pills, enact a statewide transgender bathroom bill, eliminate the STAAR test, strengthen penalties for human trafficking and expand the attorney general’s authority in election-related investigations.
Lawmakers will have until Aug. 20 to pass legislation. With a packed agenda and growing tensions between parties—and within the GOP itself—the session is likely to be among the most closely watched in recent Texas history.