Senate passes full agenda in first week of special session

The Senate has passed legislation covering all the topics put on the agenda by Governor Greg Abbott in just a few days, but it’s unlikely any of them will reach the governor’s desk after opponents to a proposed election bill broke quorum in the House, leaving that chamber unable to conduct business. 

They headed to Washington, DC, to lobby federal lawmakers for voting rights legislation they believe would block the Texas proposal, but in the Senate, enough members remained to consider legislation.   They did this quickly, conducting committee hearings, debating and voting on all subjects eligible for consideration under the session call. 

“We have now completed the goal of passing every bill on the proclamation in the first week,” said Lt. Governor Dan Patrick. “We will stay until there is a quorum in the other chamber so we can conduct business on behalf of the people of Texas.”  

The author of the Senate version of the elections bill said the rhetoric against the bill is overstated and that his bill would increase voting opportunities while cracking down on bad actors. 

“This bill is about making it easier to vote and hard to cheat,” said Mineola Senator Bryan Hughes.  

It prohibits counties from setting their own election hours during early voting periods, instead allowing polls to be open for any nine-hour period between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. - one hour more than under current law.  

It would also ban drive-through voting and soliciting