87th Texas Legislature explained

87th Texas Legislature
Body:	Texas State Legislature
State:	Texas
Election:	2020 general election
Term Start:	January 12, 2021
Term End:	May 31, 2021
Before:	86th
After:	88th
Chamber1:	Senate
Membership1:	31
Control1:	Republican
Chamber1 Leader1 Type:	President of the Senate
Chamber1 Leader1:	Dan Patrick (R)
Chamber1 Leader2 Type:	President pro tempore
Chamber1 Leader2:	Brian Birdwell (R–22) (regular session) * Donna Campbell (R–25) (special session)
Chamber2:	House of Representatives
Membership2:	150
Control2:	Republican
Chamber2 Leader1 Type:	Speaker
Chamber2 Leader1:	Dade Phelan (R–21)
Chamber2 Leader2 Type:	Speaker Pro Tempore
Chamber2 Leader2:	Joe Moody (D–78) (January 12 - July 15) * Vacant (July 15 - present)
Session1 Start:	July 8, 2021
Session1 End:	August 6, 2021
Session2 Start:	August 7, 2021
Session2 End:	September 2, 2021
Session3 Start:	September 20, 2021
Session3 End:	October 19, 2021

The 87th Texas Legislature was a meeting of the legislative branch of the U.S. state of Texas, composed of the Texas Senate and the Texas House of Representatives. The Texas State Legislature met in Austin, Texas, from January 12, 2021, to May 31, 2021.^[1] Governor Greg Abbott has announced three special legislative sessions during summer 2021.^{[2] [3] [4] [5]}

All seats in the state house and 16 seats in the state senate were up for election in November 2020. The Republican Party preserved their majority in both chambers.

Major events

• March 4, 2020 – present: COVID-19 pandemic in Texas.
• January 12, 2021: Legislature convened at noon (CST).
• February 10, 2021 – February 27, 2021: 2021 Texas power crisis.^[6]
• March 2, 2021: Greg Abbott announced the reopening of Texas businesses after nearly a year of various shutdowns and restrictions to quell the spread of COVID-19.^[7]
• May 30, 2021: House Democrats broke quorum, first time since 2003.^{[8] [9]}
• May 31, 2021: Legislature adjourns.^[10]
• June 30, 2021: Greg Abbott announced he will convene a special legislative session on July 8.^[2]
• July 8, 2021: 87th Legislature 1st Called Session convened at 10:00 a.m. (CST).
• July 12, 2021: House Democrats fled to Washington, D.C., to break quorum, when the house convenes for the following day.^{[11] [12]}
• July 13, 2021: The House lacks quorum. Will Metcalf (R) moved for a call of the house, which later passed.
• July 15, 2021: House Speaker Dade Phelan stripped Joe Moody from the Speaker Pro Tempore leadership position as house democrats continue to break quorum.
• August 5, 2021: Governor Abbott announced he will convene a second special legislative session on August 7.^[4]
• August 6, 2021: Legislature adjourns 1st special session.
• August 7, 2021: 87th Legislature 2nd Called Session convened at 12:00 p.m. (CST). The House continues to lack quorum, as several Democrats are still in Washington, D.C..
• August 19, 2021: Texas House makes quorum with 99 representatives present.^[13]
• September 2, 2021: Legislature adjourns 2nd special session.
• September 20, 2021: 87th Legislature 3rd Called Session convened at 10:00 a.m. (CST).
• October 19, 2021: Legislature adjourns 3rd special session.

Major legislation

Enacted

• House bills
  • HB 5: The measure would aim to incentivize the expansion of broadband internet access to areas across the state through the creation of the State Broadband Development Office. The office would award grants, low-interest loans and other incentives to build out broadband access.^[14]
  • HB 20: Prohibits large social media platform censorship of Texans.
  • HB 1239: The measure would ban public officials from closing churches or other places of worship during a disaster declaration.^[15]
  • HB 1280: The measure would ban abortion in Texas if Roe v. Wade were overturned by the Supreme Court of the United States.^[16]
  • HB 1927 (Constitutional carry): The measure would allow people to carry handguns in Texas without a concealed handgun license.^[17]
  • HB 3979: The bill would ban the teaching of critical race theory in Texas schools and limit what public school students can be taught about the United States' history of subjugating people of color.^{[18] [19]}
• Senate bills
  • SB 1: Tightens the state's election laws and constrains local control of elections by limiting counties' ability to expand voting options.
  • TX SB3: An Act relating to certain curriculum in public schools, including certain instructional requirements and prohibitions^[20]
  • SB 3: The legislation would create a statewide emergency system to alert Texans if power outages are expected and require power generation companies to better prepare their facilities to withstand extreme weather.^[21]
  • SB 4: The bill would require any professional sports teams with contracts with the state government to play the national anthem before the start of a game.^[22]
  • SB 8: Texas Heartbeat Act (nicknamed "Fetal Heartbeat bill"): The measure allows private citizens to sue people who perpetrate or aid and abet abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected. It bans the procedure at about six weeks into a pregnancy, except to save the mother's life.^[23]

Proposed (but not enacted)

• House bills
  • HB 3: The measure would give lawmakers more oversight of the governor's emergency powers during a pandemic and carves out future pandemics from how the state responds to other disasters, like hurricanes.
  • HB 20: The legislation would keep more people accused or previously convicted of violent crimes in jail before trial unless they can post cash bonds.
• Senate bills
  • SB 7: A change on the state election process; election integrity and security, including by preventing fraud in the conduct of elections in this state; increasing criminal penalties; creating criminal offenses.
  • SB 10: The bill would ban local governments from using taxpayer dollars to lobby the state.
  • SB 12: The bill would prohibit social media companies with at least 100 million monthly users from blocking, banning, demonetizing or discriminating against users based on their viewpoint or their location within the state.
  • SB 29: The bill would prevent transgender Texas children from joining school sports teams that match their gender identity.
  • SB 1311: The measure would prohibit health care providers and physicians from performing gender-confirmation surgery or prescribing, administering or supplying puberty blockers or hormone treatment to anyone younger than 18.
  • SB 1529: The measure would create a new statewide court of appeals that would hear cases that have statewide significance — including ones that challenge state laws or the Constitution, or when the state or its agencies are sued.

Major resolutions adopted

• SR 2: Reduced the supermajority usually needed to bring up a bill in the Senate to 18 out of 31 (previously it was set at 19).^[24]

Party summary

Senate

Affiliation	Party (shading indicates majority caucus)		Total	Vacant
	Democratic	Republican
End of previous legislature	12		19	31	0
Begin (January 12, 2021)	13		18	31	0
Latest voting share	41.9%		58.1%

Leadership

• President of the Senate

Dan Patrick (R)

• President Pro Tempore

1. Brian Birdwell (R) (Regular session, January 12 - May 31)
2. Donna Campbell (R) (1st Called Session, July 8 -)

Members

• District 1

Bryan Hughes (R)

• District 2

Bob Hall (R)

• District 3

Robert Nichols (R)

• District 4

Brandon Creighton (R)

• District 5

Charles Schwertner (R)

• District 6

Carol Alvarado (D)

• District 7

Paul Bettencourt (R)

• District 8

Angela Paxton (R)

• District 9

Kelly Hancock (R)

• District 10

Beverly Powell (D)

• District 11

Larry Taylor (R)

• District 12

Jane Nelson (R)

• District 13

Borris Miles (D)

• District 14

Sarah Eckhardt (D)

• District 15

John Whitmire (D)

• District 16

Nathan Johnson (D)

• District 17

Joan Huffman (R)

• District 18

Lois Kolkhorst (R)

• District 19

Roland Gutierrez (D)

• District 20

Juan Hinojosa (D)

• District 21

Judith Zaffirini (D)

• District 22

Brian Birdwell (R)

• District 23

Royce West (D)

• District 24

Dawn Buckingham (R)

• District 25

Donna Campbell (R)

• District 26

Jose Menendez (D)

• District 27

Eddie Lucio Jr. (D)

• District 28

Charles Perry (R)

• District 29

Cesar Blanco (D)

• District 30

Drew Springer (R)

• District 31

Kel Seliger (R)

House of Representatives

Affiliation	Party (shading indicates majority caucus)		Total	Vacant
	Democratic	Republican
End of previous legislature	67		83	150	0
Begin (January 12, 2021)	67		82	149	1
March 9, 2021	67		83	150	0
July 30, 2021	67		82	149	1
August 19, 2021	66		82	148	2
October 12, 2021	66		83	149	1
November 15, 2021	65		84	149	1
November 16, 2021	65		85	150	0
January 31, 2022	64		85	149	1
February 28, 2022	63		85	148	2
March 15, 2022	64		85	149	1
May 18, 2022	65		85	150	0
Latest voting share	43.3%		56.7%

Leadership

• Speaker of the House

Dade Phelan (R)

• Speaker Pro Tempore:

1. Joe Moody (D) (January 12 - July 15)^[25]
2. TBD

Members

• District 1

Gary VanDeaver (R)

• District 2

Bryan Slaton (R)

• District 3

Cecil Bell Jr. (R)

• District 4

Keith Bell (R)

• District 5

Cole Hefner (R)

• District 6

Matt Schaefer (R)

• District 7

Jay Dean (R)

• District 8

Cody Harris (R)

• District 9

Chris Paddie (R)

• District 10

* Jake Ellzey (R), until July 30, 2021

* Brian Harrison, from October 12, 2021

• District 11

Travis Clardy (R)

• District 12

Kyle Kacal (R)

• District 13

Ben Leman (R)

• District 14

John Raney (R)

• District 15

Steve Toth (R)

• District 16

Will Metcalf (R)

• District 17

John Cyrier (R)

• District 18

Ernest Bailes (R)

• District 19

James White (R)

• District 20

Terry Wilson (R)

• District 21

Dade Phelan (R)

• District 22

Joe Deshotel (D)

• District 23

Mayes Middleton (R)

• District 24

Greg Bonnen (R)

• District 25

Cody Vasut (R)

• District 26

Jacey Jetton (R)

• District 27

Ron Reynolds (D)

• District 28

Gary Gates (R)

• District 29

Edward Thompson (R)

• District 30

Geanie Morrison (R)

• District 31

Ryan Guillen (D, then R)^{[26] [27]}

• District 32

Todd Hunter (R)

• District 33

Justin Holland (R)

• District 34

Abel Herrero (D)

• District 35

Oscar Longoria (D)

• District 36

Sergio Muñoz (D)

• District 37

Alex Dominguez (D)

• District 38

Eddie Lucio III (D)

* Eddie Lucio III (D), until January 31, 2022

* Erin Gamez, from March 15, 2022

• District 39

Armando Martinez (D)

• District 40

Terry Canales (D)

• District 41

Robert Guerra (D)

• District 42

Richard Raymond (D)

• District 43

J. M. Lozano (R)

• District 44

John Kuempel (R)

• District 45

Erin Zwiener (D)

• District 46

Sheryl Cole (D)

• District 47

Vikki Goodwin (D)

• District 48

Donna Howard (D)

• District 49

Gina Hinojosa (D)

• District 50

Celia Israel (D)

• District 51

Eddie Rodriguez (D)

• District 52

James Talarico (D)

• District 53

Andrew Murr (R)

• District 54

Brad Buckley (R)

• District 55

Hugh Shine (R)

• District 56

Charles Anderson (R)

• District 57

Trent Ashby (R)

• District 58

DeWayne Burns (R)

• District 59

Shelby Slawson (R)

• District 60

Glenn Rogers (R)

• District 61

Phil King (R)

• District 62

Reggie Smith (R)

• District 63

Tan Parker (R)

• District 64

Lynn Stucky (R)

• District 65

Michelle Beckley (D)

• District 66

Matt Shaheen (R)

• District 67

Jeff Leach (R)

• District 68

David Spiller (R), from March 9, 2021

• District 69

James Frank (R)

• District 70

Scott Sanford (R)

• District 71

Stan Lambert (R)

• District 72

Drew Darby (R)

• District 73

Kyle Biedermann (R)

• District 74

Eddie Morales (D)

• District 75

Mary González (D)

• District 76

Claudia Ordaz Perez (D)

• District 77

Lina Ortega (D)

• District 78

Joe Moody (D)

• District 79

Art Fierro (D)

• District 80

Tracy King (D)

• District 81

Brooks Landgraf (R)

• District 82

Tom Craddick (R)

• District 83

Dustin Burrows (R)

• District 84

John Frullo (R)

• District 85

Phil Stephenson (R)

• District 86

John Smithee (R)

• District 87

Four Price (R)

• District 88

Ken King (R)

• District 89

Candy Noble (R)

• District 90

Ramon Romero Jr. (D)

• District 91

Stephanie Klick (R)

• District 92

Jeff Cason (R)

• District 93

Matt Krause (R)

• District 94

Tony Tinderholt (R)

• District 95

Nicole Collier (D)

• District 96

David Cook (R)

• District 97

Craig Goldman (R)

• District 98

Giovanni Capriglione (R)

• District 99

Charlie Geren (R)

• District 100

Jasmine Crockett (D)

• District 101

Chris Turner (D)

• District 102

Ana-Maria Ramos (D)

• District 103

Rafael Anchia (D)

• District 104

Jessica González (D)

• District 105

Terry Meza (D)

• District 106

Jared Patterson (R)

• District 107

Victoria Neave (D)

• District 108

Morgan Meyer (R)

• District 109

Carl Sherman (D)

• District 110

Toni Rose (D)

• District 111

Yvonne Davis (D)

• District 112

Angie Button (R)

• District 113

Rhetta Bowers (D)

• District 114

John Turner (D)

• District 115

Julie Johnson (D)

• District 116

Trey Martinez Fischer (D)

• District 117

Philip Cortez (D)

• District 118

Leo Pacheco (D), until August 19, 2021

* John Lujan, from November 16, 2021

• District 119

Elizabeth Campos (D)

• District 120

Barbara Gervin-Hawkins (D)

• District 121

Steve Allison (R)

• District 122

Lyle Larson (R)

• District 123

Diego Bernal (D)

• District 124

Ina Minjarez (D)

• District 125

Ray Lopez (D)

• District 126

Sam Harless (R)

• District 127

Dan Huberty (R)

• District 128

Briscoe Cain (R)

• District 129

Dennis Paul (R)

• District 130

Tom Oliverson (R)

• District 131

Alma Allen (D)

• District 132

Mike Schofield (R)

• District 133

Jim Murphy (R)

• District 134

Ann Johnson (D)

• District 135

Jon Rosenthal (D)

• District 136

John Bucy III (D)

• District 137

Gene Wu (D)

• District 138

Lacey Hull (R)

• District 139

Jarvis Johnson (D)

• District 140

Armando Walle (D)

• District 141

Senfronia Thompson (D)

• District 142

Harold Dutton Jr. (D)

• District 143

Ana Hernandez (D)

• District 144

Mary Ann Perez (D)

• District 145

Christina Morales (D)

• District 146

Shawn Thierry (D)

• District 147

* Garnet Coleman (D), until February 28, 2022

* Jolanda Jones (D), from May 18, 2022

• District 148

Penny Morales Shaw (D)

• District 149

Hubert Vo (D)

• District 150

Valoree Swanson (R)

Changes in membership

House of Representatives

width=53	District	Vacated by	Reason for change	Successor	Date of successor's formal installation
District 68	data-sort-value="Aaaaa"	Vacant	data-sort-value="January 3, 2021"	Former member Drew Springer (R) was elected for the District 30 of the Senate in a special election. A special election for the district was held on January 23, 2021.^[28] * Out of 9,139 votes cast, no candidate received 50% of the votes to win the election.^[29] A runoff election was held to determine a winner of the top two candidates of the January election.^[30]	nowrap	David Spiller (R)	March 9, 2021^[31]
District 10		(R)	data-sort-value="July 30, 2021"	Former member Jake Ellzey (R) was elected for the Texas's 6th congressional district of the United States House of Representatives in a special election.^[32] A special election for the district was held on August 31, 2021.^[33] * Out of 11,334 votes cast, no candidate received 50% of the votes to win the election.^[34] A runoff election was held to determine a winner of the top two candidates of the August election.	nowrap	Brian Harrison (R)	October 12, 2021^[35]
District 31		(D)	data-sort-value="November 15, 2021"	Changed party November 15, 2021.	nowrap	Ryan Guillen (R)	November 15, 2021
District 118		(D)	data-sort-value="August 19, 2021"	Former member Leo Pacheco (D) resigned to teach public administration at San Antonio College.^[36] A special election for the district was held on September 29, 2021.^[37] * Out of 7,075 votes cast, no candidate received 50% of the votes to win the election.^[38] A runoff election will be held to determine a winner of the top two candidates of the September election.^[39]	nowrap	John Lujan (R)	November 16, 2021^[40] ^[41]
District 38		(D)	data-sort-value="January 31, 2022"	Former member Eddie Lucio III (D) resigned at the end of January 2022.^[42] A special election for the district was held on May 7, 2022.^[43] * The special election was canceled after only one candidate filed for the race. The filing deadline passed on March 7, 2022. In result, Erin Gamez was sworn into office on March 15, 2022.^[44]	nowrap	Erin Gamez (D)	March 15, 2022
District 147		(D)	data-sort-value="January 31, 2022"	Former member Garnet Coleman (D) resigned at on February 28, 2022.^[45] ^[46] A special election for the district was held on May 7, 2022.^[47]	nowrap	Jolanda Jones (D)	May 18, 2022^[48]

Committees

Listed by chamber and then alphabetically by committee name, including chair and vice-chair.

Senate

Committee	Chair	Vice-chair
Administration		Charles Schwertner (R-5)		Nathan Johnson (D-16)
Business & Commerce		Kelly Hancock (R-9)		Robert Nichols (R-3)
Child Protective Services (Special) ^[49]		Lois Kolkhorst (R-18)		Charles Perry (R-28)
Constitutional Issues (Special)		Charles Schwertner (R-5)		Brian Birdwell (R-22)
Criminal Justice		John Whitmire (D-15)		Joan Huffman (R-17)
Education		Larry Taylor (R-11)		Eddie Lucio Jr. (D-27)
Finance		Jane Nelson (R-12)		Eddie Lucio Jr. (D-27)
Future of College Sports in Texas (Select)		Jane Nelson (R-12)		Brandon Creighton (R-4)
Health & Human Services		Lois Kolkhorst (R-18)		Charles Perry (R-28)
Higher Education		Brandon Creighton (R-4)		Royce West (D-23)
Jurisprudence		Joan Huffman (R-17)		Juan Hinojosa (D-20)
Local Government		Paul Bettencourt (R-7)		Jose Menendez (D-26)
Natural Resources & Economic Development		Brian Birdwell (R-22)		Judith Zaffirini (D-21)
Nominations		Dawn Buckingham (R-24)		Angela Paxton (R-8)
Ports (Select)		Brandon Creighton (R-4)		Carol Alvarado (D-6)
Protect All Texans (Special)	Robert Nichols (R-3)		Brandon Creighton (R-4)
			Lois Kolkhorst (R-18)
Redistricting (Special)		Joan Huffman (R-17)		Juan Hinojosa (D-20)
State Affairs		Bryan Hughes (R-1)		Brian Birdwell (R-22)
Transportation		Robert Nichols (R-3)		Kel Seliger (R-31)
Veteran Affairs & Border Security		Donna Campbell (R-25)		Bob Hall (R-2)
Water, Agriculture & Rural Affairs		Charles Perry (R-28)		Drew Springer (R-30)

House

Committee	Chair	Vice-chair
Agriculture & Livestock		DeWayne Burns (R-58)		Charles Anderson (R-56)
Appropriations		Greg Bonnen (R-24)		Mary González (D-75)
Appropriations - S/C on Article II		Giovanni Capriglione (R-98)		Toni Rose (D-110)
Appropriations - S/C on Article III		Terry Wilson (R-20)		Erin Zwiener (D-45)
Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV & V		Mary González (D-75)		Matt Schaefer (R-6)
Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII & VIII		Armando Walle (D-140)		Cecil Bell (R-3)
Approps. - S/C on Strategic Fiscal Rev. & Fed. Relief Funds		Cecil Bell Jr. (R-3)		Ina Minjarez (D-124)
Business & Industry		Chris Turner (D-101)		Cole Hefner (D-5)
Calendars		Dustin Burrows (R-83)		Joe Moody (D-78)
Constitutional Rights & Remedies (select)		Trent Ashby (R-57)		Senfronia Thompson (D-141)
Corrections		Andrew Murr (R-53)		Alma Allen (D-131)
County Affairs		Garnet Coleman (D-147)		Lynn Stucky (R-64)
Criminal Jurisprudence		Nicole Collier (D-95)		Keith Bell (R-4)
Culture, Recreation & Tourism		Ken King (R-88)		Barbara Gervin-Hawkins (D-120)
Defense & Veterans' Affairs		Richard Raymond (D-42)		Brad Buckley (R-54)
Elections		Briscoe Cain (R-128)		Jessica González (D-104)
Energy Resources		Craig Goldman (R-97)		Abel Herrero (D-34)
Environmental Regulation		Brooks Landgraf (R-81)		Alex Dominguez (D-37)
General Investigating		Matt Krause (R-93)		Victoria Neave (D-107)
Health Care Reform (Select)		Sam Harless (R-126)		Toni Rose (D-110)
Higher Education		Jim Murphy (R-133)		Leo Pacheco (D-118) (January 12 - August 19, 2021) Vacant (August 19 - present)
Homeland Security & Public Safety		James White (R-19)		Rhetta Bowers (D-113)
House Administration		Will Metcalf (R-16)		Sheryl Cole (D-46)
Human Services		James Frank (R-69)		Gina Hinojosa (D-49)
Insurance		Tom Oliverson (R-130)		Hubert Vo (D-149)
International Relations & Economic Development		Angie Chen Button (R-112)		Christina Morales (D-145)
Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence		Jeff Leach (R-67)		Yvonne Davis (D-111)
Juvenile Justice & Family Issues		Victoria Neave (D-107)		Valoree Swanson (R-150)
Land & Resource Management		Joe Deshotel (D-22)		Ben Leman (R-13)
Licensing & Administrative Procedures		Senfronia Thompson (D-141)		John Kuempel (R-44)
Local & Consent Calendars		Charlie Geren (R-99)		Alex Dominguez (D-37)
Natural Resources		Tracy King (D-80)		Cody Harris (R-8)
Pensions, Investments & Financial Services		Rafael Anchia (D-103)		Tan Parker (R-63)
Public Education		Harold Dutton Jr. (D-142)		J. M. Lozano (R-43)
Public Health		Stephanie Klick (R-91)		Robert Guerra (politician) (D-41)
Redistricting		Todd Ames Hunter (R-32)		Toni Rose (D-110)
Resolutions Calendars		Ryan Guillen (D-31)		Steve Toth (R-15)
State Affairs		Chris Paddie (R-9)		Ana Hernandez (D-143)
The Robb Elementary School shooting (Investigate)		Dustin Burrows (R-83)		Joe Moody (D-78)
Transportation		Terry Canales (D-40)		Ed Thompson (R-29)
Urban Affairs		Philip Cortez (D-117)		Justin Holland (R-33)
Ways & Means		Morgan Meyer (R-108)		Shawn Thierry (D-146)
Youth Health & Safety (Select)		J. M. Lozano (R-43)		Ann Johnson (D-134)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Santos. Patty. January 5, 2021. ... Texas Legislature expected to tackle redistricting, public safety and budget issues. January 14, 2021. KSAT-TV. en.
2. Web site: Keith Allen and Ashley Killough. June 22, 2021. Texas governor announces special session of state legislature. June 24, 2021. CNN. en.
3. Web site: Pollock. Cassandra. June 22, 2021. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott sets July 8 date for special legislative session on voting bill, other issues. June 24, 2021. Texas Tribune. en.
4. Web site: Dianne Gallagher and Rachel Janfaza. August 5, 2021. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announces second special session of state legislature. August 5, 2021. CNN. en.
5. Web site: September 7, 2021. Gov. Abbott Calls Third Special Session. September 29, 2021. KXAS-TV. en.
6. Web site: Travis Caldwell, Keith Allen and Eric Levenson . The Texas power grid is improving. But days of outages have caused heat, water and food shortages . 2021-06-01 . CNN. 18 February 2021 .
7. Web site: Billy Gates . Russell Falcon . Wes Rapaport . Maggie Glynn . 'Time to open Texas 100%': Gov. Greg Abbott announces businesses that want to open can . 2021-06-01 . KXAN. 2 March 2021 .
8. News: Eric Bradner and Dianne Gallagher. May 31, 2021. Texas Democrats leave House floor, effectively blocking passage of restrictive voting bill for now. July 7, 2021. CNN. en.
9. News: Bud Kennedy. June 1, 2021. 2003: The last time Texas Democrats broke quorum in the House, they fled to Oklahoma. July 7, 2021. Fort Worth Star-Telegram. en.
10. News: Cassandra Pollock . Shawn Mulcahy . With feelings raw over voting bill's demise, Texas Legislature wraps up — for now . 2021-06-01 . Texas Tribune. 31 May 2021 .
11. News: Jane C.. Timm. Texas Democrats flee state in effort to block GOP-backed voting restrictions. July 12, 2021. July 12, 2021. NBC News.
12. News: Nicole Cobler . Chuck Lindell . John C. Moritz . Texas Democrats leave state to block GOP voting bill in special session. Austin American Statesman.
13. News: James Barrán. After a nearly six-week exodus over GOP voting bill, enough Democrats return to Texas House to resume work. Texas Tribune. 19 August 2021 .
14. Burleigh, Dawn. House Bill 5, expanding broadband service, signed by Governor, The Orange Leader, June 15, 2021.
15. Keene, Houston. Abbott signs religious freedom law prohibiting government from closing places of worship, Fox News, June 15, 2021.
16. Stinson, Paul. New Texas Law Bans Abortions Statewide If Roe Is Overturned, Bloomberg Law, June 16, 2021.
17. Parker, Kolten. Texas Gov. Abbott signs 7 gun laws, including 'constitutional carry,' at Alamo, KSAT-TV, June 17, 2021.
18. House Bill 3979. https://web.archive.org/web/20211022151333/https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/87R/billtext/pdf/HB03979F.pdf. October 22, 2021. Eighty-seventh Texas Legislature. May 2021. October 23, 2021.
19. News: Kelly . Alexandra . Texas passes law banning critical race theory in schools . . June 17, 2021 . October 22, 2021.
20. Senate Bill 3: An Act relating to certain curriculum in public schools, including certain instructional requirements and prohibitions . https://web.archive.org/web/20211023204826/https://legiscan.com/TX/text/SB3/id/2425091https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/87R/billtext/pdf/HB03979F.pdf . October 23, 2021 . October 23, 2021. July 16, 2021.
21. Mekelburg, Madlin. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signs bills responding to power grid failure into law, Austin American-Statesman, June 8, 2021.
22. Walsh, Josh. New Texas Law Requires Pro Sports Teams To Play National Anthem, Forbes, June 16, 2021.
23. Najmabadi, Shannon. Gov. Greg Abbott signs into law one of nation's strictest abortion measures, banning procedure as early as six weeks into a pregnancy, Texas Tribune, May 19, 2021.
24. Web site: Lindell. Chuck. January 13, 2021. Texas Senate modifies key rule to preserve GOP power. January 14, 2021. Austin American-Statesman. en.
25. Web site: Anthony Jackson . El Paso Democrat Joe Moody stripped of leadership position as Texas House speaker pro tem . 2021-07-15 . El Paso Times.
26. News: Houston Keene. Texas Dem Ryan Guillen switches to Republican Party over defunding the police, 'chaos' on the border. Fox News. November 15, 2021. November 29, 2021.
27. News: Texas Rep Switches Parties as GOP Makes Border Inroads. KXAS-TV. November 15, 2021. November 29, 2021.
28. Web site: Cantu. Michael. December 28, 2020. Governor announces special election for Drew Springer's House seat. January 14, 2021. KCBD-TV. en.
29. Web site: Gray-Hatfield. Megan. January 25, 2021. Another runoff coming: Carter, Spiller to go head to head for HD-68. January 25, 2021. Gainesville Daily Register. en.
30. Web site: January 23, 2021. David Spiller, Craig Carter to face runoff for Texas House District 68 seat. January 25, 2021. KXII-TV. en.
31. News: Representative David Spiller Takes Oath of Office. Feather . Susanna . Olney Enterprise. March 25, 2021. March 25, 2021.
32. News: 2021-07-27. Texas Special Runoff Election Results: Sixth Congressional District. en-US. The New York Times. 2021-07-30. 0362-4331.
33. News: 2021-08-06. Gov. Greg Abbott sets Aug. 31 special election to replace U.S. Rep. Jake Ellzey in Texas House. en-US. Dallas Morning News. 2021-08-22.
34. Web site: Sprinks. Bill. August 31, 2021. Wray, Harrison advance to D-10 runoff. September 1, 2021. Waxahachie Daily Light. en.
35. News: Newly sworn-in, Harrison files first bill. Waxahachie Daily Light. October 14, 2021. October 20, 2021.
36. News: 2021-08-06. San Antonio Democrat Leo Pacheco reportedly planning to resign from Texas House before second term ends. en-US. Texas Tribune. 2021-08-22.
37. News: 2021-09-07. Special Texas House election for former state Rep. Leo Pacheco's San Antonio-area district will be Sept. 28. en-US. Texas Tribune. 2021-09-29.
38. Web site: September 28, 2021. Lujan, Ramirez head to Texas House District 118 runoff. September 29, 2021. KENS. en.
39. News: Scott Huddleston. Special runoff election for Texas District 118 to coincide with Nov. 2 constitutional election. San Antonio Express-News. October 11, 2021. November 29, 2021.
40. News: Edward McKinley and Austin Bureau. Republican John Lujan wins Texas House seat in South Side special election. San Antonio Express-News. November 2, 2021. November 29, 2021.
41. News: Sanford Nowlin. Republican John Lujan narrowly wins San Antonio's Texas House District 118 in runoff . San Antonio Current. November 3, 2021. November 29, 2021.
42. News: 2022-01-18. State Rep. Eddie Lucio III, who announced last year he would not seek reelection, to step down early. en-US. Texas Tribune. 2022-06-08.
43. News: 2022-02-11. Governor Abbott sets date for special election for Texas House District 38. en-US. Crossroads Today. 2022-06-08.
44. News: 2022-03-17. New House District 38 representative sworn in. en-US. KRGV-TV. 2022-06-08.
45. News: 2022-11-18. Longtime Houston Democrat Garnet Coleman to retire from Texas Legislature. en-US. Texas Tribune. 2022-06-08.
46. News: 2022-11-17. Longtime Houston Democrat Garnet Coleman to retire early from Texas Legislature. en-US. KHOU. 2022-06-08.
47. News: 2022-02-25. Governor Abbott Sets Special Election For Texas House District 147. en-US. Office of the Texas Governor. 2022-06-08.
48. News: Democrat Jolanda Jones narrowly wins special election for state House seat in Houston. Texas Tribune. May 9, 2022. June 8, 2022.
49. Web site: Rolando. Avila. March 11, 2022. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announces committee to evaluate Texas Department of Family Protective Services. June 21, 2022. KVEO-TV.