Published 2 days ago • loading... • Updated 18 hours ago

Texas Legislature Ends Second Special Session Marked by New Political Maps, Slew of Conservative Wins

Texas lawmakers wrapped up their second special session early Thursday after intense partisan division, failing to regulate intoxicating low-dose THC products.
During the second session, which began on Aug. 15, lawmakers returned to address legislation responding to the July 4 floods that killed at least 130 people amid a White House-backed redistricting push.
Lawmakers sent a flood-safety package to Gov. Greg Abbott that includes new safety requirements, floodplain rules for youth camps and riverside tourist areas, and emergency flood sirens and disaster response appropriations.
Republican leaders left the Capitol with a new congressional map designed to send five additional Republicans to Washington and passed GOP-backed bills, including quorum-break penalties, to Gov. Greg Abbott.
The stakes remain high for the hemp-derived THC industry, with 8,000 retailers since 2019 facing a disposable THC vape pens ban passed earlier this year; Gov. Greg Abbott may call a third session.

Insights by Ground AI

Does this summary seem wrong?

15 Articles

The Facts

Center

Special session yields slew of conservative wins

AUSTIN — The Texas Legislature gaveled out its second overtime session with a fresh inventory of GOP victories, including a new congressional map gerrymandered to maximize Republican representation, a host of socially conservative priorities that had long failed to reach…

21 hours ago

Read Full Article

The Statesman

Center

Texas THC ban goes up in smoke as session ends. Is marijuana legal?

Texas lawmakers remain divided over regulating hemp-derived THC products. Here's what to know as the special session ends.

1 day ago·Austin, United States

Read Full Article

The Texas Tribune

Lean Left

Lawmakers redrew Texas’ congressional districts. See how yours change…

The new maps, which aim to flip five Democratic seats to favor Republicans, will go into effect for the 2026 midterms, barring court intervention.

1 day ago·Austin, United States

Read Full Article

KDFW

Center

Texas Legislature ends 2nd special session: What passed & what didn't

The Texas Legislature has officially ended its second special session, and lawmakers are heading home. Here’s an update on which bills were passed, and which policies were held up by political debate.

2 days ago

Read Full Article

Dallas News

Center

Lawmakers end special session with flood relief, a new congressional map - and no THC ban

Texas lawmakers wrapped up their second special session early Thursday, marking the end of a summer with a state legislature wracked with partisan division...

2 days ago·Dallas, United States

Read Full Article

KSAT 12

+4 Reposted by 4 other sources

Center

Texas Legislature ends second special session marked by new political maps, slew of conservative wins

Between cracking down on abortion pills and restricting transgender restroom use, lawmakers also tackled flood safety and the STAAR test. Left untouched: Texas’ hemp industry.

2 days ago·San Antonio, United States

Read Full Article

Think freely.Subscribe and get full access to Ground NewsSubscriptions start at $9.99/year