Abbott Puts Redistricting, THC, and Flood Relief on Special Session Agenda

Governor Greg Abbott announced a sweeping agenda for Texas’ upcoming special legislative session, mixing an urgent disaster response with a slate of conservative priorities left unfinished during the regular session.

In response to the catastrophic Hill Country floods over the July Fourth weekend, which killed more than 100 people and left over 160 missing in Kerr County alone, Abbott directed lawmakers to address four disaster-related items: flood warning systems, emergency communications, natural disaster preparedness, and relief funding.

But the governor’s 18-item agenda quickly drew scrutiny for blending those priorities with controversial partisan measures, including redrawing Texas’ congressional maps, regulating THC products, restricting abortion access, and reviving a so-called “bathroom bill.”

"Governor Abbott listed flood preparedness at the top of his special session call, but then buried it under a pile of cynical, political distractions," said Rep. Gene Wu (D). He called the move “a stunning betrayal” of flood victims.

Gov. Abbott also called on lawmakers to redraw congressional districts — a move reportedly urged by advisers to President Donald Trump in hopes of securing more Republican seats in Congress. While some Texas Republicans have voiced concern that such redistricting could backfire, Abbott included the measure without specifying parameters.

The governor’s agenda revives several GOP priorities that stalled earlier this year, including banning local governments from hiring lobbyists, prosecuting election crimes through the attorney general’s office, and restricting access to abortion pills. Senate Bill 2880, which would have imposed sweeping abortion pill restrictions, passed the Senate but died in a House committee. More than 40 Republican lawmakers had urged Abbott to bring it back.

Another revived measure would restrict bathroom access based on assigned sex at birth — echoing legislation from 2017 that failed after business leaders pushed back.

On public safety, Abbott is calling for shielding certain unsubstantiated police misconduct records and cracking down on title and deed theft. He also included a property tax reform item, leaving the door open to changes that could limit local government spending.

Despite opposition from Democrats and some moderate Republicans, many conservatives applauded the aggressive agenda. "Thank you, Governor Abbott, for hearing our call," Rep. Brent Money (R-Greenville) posted on X, highlighting his support for tax reform.

Lawmakers will convene July 21 for the special session, which can last up to 30 days.