AUSTIN, Texas — Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick wants Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to call lawmakers back to Austin for a fourth special legislative session, this time to tackle two election-related measures that did not pass during prior sessions this year.
The third special session ended Tuesday, with most of Abbott's agenda items adopted. Patrick called it a "strong conservative session" in a Wednesday tweet, but he said lawmakers need another opportunity to pass a bill increasing penalties for illegal voting and legislation authorizing a forensic election audit — a priority of former President Donald Trump.
"More needs to be done," Patrick said. "I support (Abbott) calling us back to pass both."
Abbott spokeswoman Renae Eze responded to Patrick's tweet in a statement and said there is no need for a fourth special session.
“Texans tasked the Legislature with delivering on key priorities for the state in this most recent special session, including property tax relief, redistricting and the nearly $16 billion American Rescue Plan Act funding, and we went above and beyond to deliver on these priorities as well as solve other critical issues for Texas," she said. "Because of the Texas House and Senate’s efforts to get these priorities across the finish line, there is no need for another special session at this time.”
The Legislature meets every odd-numbered year for regular 140-day sessions, during which senators and House members can pass legislation on any subject. The governor has the authority to call lawmakers back to Austin for special sessions that can last no longer than 30 days, with limited agendas. During a special session, lawmakers can only pass bills related to items on the governor's call.
This year, the Legislature concluded its regular session in May, and Abbott eventually ordered three special sessions to pass bills related to elections, transgender student athletes and COVID-19 relief spending, among other issues. Abbott called a second special session after most House Democrats left for Washington during the first special session, preventing the chamber from making quorum, blocking passage of a GOP elections overhaul. That measure passed in the second special session. The third session was necessary to draw political districts using delayed U.S. census data.
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