The special session continues to move along here in Austin. Today, Senate Bill 7, the bill relating to the administration, quality, and efficiency of health care, health and human services, and health benefits programs will be heard on the House floor. Tomorrow, the House will take up Senate Bills 1 and 2, the major state fiscal matters bills. The House will also take up four bills relating to public education. These bills relate to class size and the terms of teacher contracts. The Senate has also passed Senate Bill 4, the congressional redistricting bill. That bill heads to the House floor later this week or early next week.
Governor Perry added legislation relating to the operation of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) as an issue to be addressed during the special session. House Bill 3 by Rep. John Smithee was passed by the House Insurance Committee yesterday and should be on the House floor very soon. Perry also added legislation related to “sanctuary cities”, the issuance of drivers licenses and the use of the federal Secure Communities Program by law enforcement agencies to the call for this session.