Helping Flood Victims, Special Session Announced

There are some important updates to cover in this week’s newsletter, especially concerning the topics for a recently announced special session, beginning July 21st, called by Governor Greg Abbott. First, though, a few thoughts about the floods which have devastated our state.

Remembering the Central Texas Flood Victims

The heart of Texas has been broken over the past week, as both the death toll and number of missing rose day after day. On Sunday, Terry and I posted our thoughts on Facebook regarding the Day of Prayer for Texas that Governor Abbott declared. I wanted to reiterate what we said earlier this week: Terry and I are grief stricken at everything we have seen and heard, and our hearts are with the families, friends and loved ones of those who have perished. We pray for God to be near to all of those who are hurting, as well as our first responders at the local, state and federal level who are still searching for victims. “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalms 34:18

How You Can Help

I have been asked by several people how we can assist the victims and families of Central Texas. Here are some ways you can help:

Donate: https://onestarfoundation.org/central-texas-flood-recovery-fund
Volunteer: https://tcr.communityos.org/

As a member of the Texas State Guard, I have deployed across the years to different disaster scenes. What I can say is that there are often substantial resources deployed in the initial phase of a disaster, but once the emergency services have finished their work, the needs of the local community continue for weeks and months afterwards. So yes, we should continue to support our fellow Texans now but also in the weeks and months ahead.

Special Session Announced

On June 23rd, Governor Abbott announced that a special session would be called, meaning that lawmakers will return to Austin for an additional session. Over the past 10 years, Texas has had eight special sessions, including four after the 2023 regular session.

During the regular session, any legislator can file a bill. However, during a special session, the topics legislators may consider are limited to those which are on the Governor’s “call.” Yesterday, the Governor announced a proclamation of items to be considered, and those are as follows:

FLOOD WARNING SYSTEMS: Legislation to improve early warning systems and other preparedness infrastructure in flood-prone areas throughout Texas.

FLOOD EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS: Legislation to strengthen emergency communications and other response infrastructure in flood-prone areas throughout Texas.

RELIEF FUNDING FOR HILL COUNTRY FLOODS: Legislation to provide relief funding for response to and recovery from the storms which began in early July 2025, including local match funding for jurisdictions eligible for FEMA public assistance.

NATURAL DISASTER PREPARATION & RECOVERY: Legislation to evaluate and streamline rules and regulations to speed preparedness for and recovery from natural disasters.

ELIMINATE STAAR TEST: Legislation to eliminate the STAAR test and replace it with effective tools to assess student progress and ensure school district accountability.

CUT PROPERTY TAXES: Legislation reducing the property tax burden on Texans and legislation imposing spending limits on entities authorized to impose property taxes.

PROTECT CHILDREN FROM THC: Legislation making it a crime to provide hemp-derived products to children under 21 years of age.

REGULATE HEMP-DERIVED PRODUCTS : Legislation to comprehensively regulate hemp-derived products, including limiting potency, restricting synthetically modified compounds, and establishing enforcement mechanisms, all without banning a lawful agricultural commodity.

PROTECT UNBORN CHILDREN: Legislation further protecting unborn children and their mothers from the harm of abortion.

BAN TAXPAYER-FUNDED LOBBYING: Legislation prohibiting taxpayer-funded lobbying, including the use of tax dollars to hire lobbyists and payment of tax dollars to associations that lobby the Legislature.

PROTECT HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIMS: Legislation, similar to Senate Bill No. 1278 from the 89th Legislature, Regular Session, that protects victims of human trafficking from criminal liability for non-violent acts closely tied to their own victimization.

POLICE PERSONNEL RECORDS: Legislation that protects law enforcement officers from public disclosure of unsubstantiated complaints in personnel files.

PROTECT WOMEN’S SPACES: Legislation protecting women’s privacy in sex-segregated spaces.

ATTORNEY GENERAL ELECTION POWERS: Legislation proposing a constitutional amendment allowing the Attorney General to prosecute state election crimes.

REDISTRICTING: Legislation that provides a revised congressional redistricting plan in light of constitutional concerns raised by the U.S. Department of Justice.

TITLE THEFT & DEED FRAUD: Legislation, similar to Senate Bill No. 648 from the 89th Legislature, Regular Session, that provides strengthened protections against title theft and deed fraud.

WATER PROJECT INCENTIVES: Legislation, similar to Senate Bill No. 1253 from the 89th Legislature, Regular Session, that authorizes political subdivisions to reduce impact fees for builders who include water conservation and efficiency measures.

STATE JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT: Legislation, similar to Senate Bill No. 2878 from the 89th Legislature, Regular Session, relating to the operation and administration of the Judicial Department of state government.

If you would like to view the proclamation directly, click HERE.

As the special session approaches, I will provide additional information.