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Gov. Greg Abbott adds flood response, disaster readiness to special session after deadly Central Texas floods

Before and after: A look at Kerr County, Texas after the deadly flooding
Before and after: A look at Kerr County, Texas after the deadly flooding 01:32

In response to the deadly Central Texas floods, Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday expanded the special session agenda to prioritize disaster readiness, including flood alerts, emergency upgrades, and recovery aid.

"There is more work to be done, particularly in the aftermath of the devastating floods in the Texas Hill Country," Abbott said in a news release announcing the session. "We must ensure better preparation for such events in the future."

Special session to begin July 21

The special session agenda includes 18 legislative priorities, with several directly addressing the recent disaster. The session is set to begin July 21.

Flood-related legislation on the agenda

Flood and disaster response items include:

  • Flood warning systems – Legislation to improve early warning systems and preparedness infrastructure in flood-prone areas.
  • Flood emergency communications – Legislation to strengthen emergency communications and response infrastructure across Texas.
  • Relief funding for Hill Country floods – Legislation to provide funding for response and recovery, including local matching funds for FEMA assistance.
  • Natural disaster preparation and recovery – Legislation to streamline rules and regulations to speed up disaster preparedness and recovery efforts.

One of the deadliest floods in Texas history

More than 100 people are dead and dozens remain missing after catastrophic flash floods swept through Central Texas over the July 4 weekend, making it the second-deadliest flood disaster in Texas history. The Guadalupe River surged more than 26 feet in just 45 minutes, overwhelming communities in Kerr County and beyond.

Camp Mystic among hardest-hit areas

Among the hardest-hit areas was Camp Mystic, a girls' summer camp in Hunt, where at least 27 campers and counselors died.

Widespread destruction and rescue efforts

The floods triggered widespread evacuations, destroyed homes, and prompted a massive search-and-rescue effort involving helicopters, boats, and drones.

Session will also focus on education, tax relief, THC and public safety

The special session agenda also includes several high-profile policy issues.

One item is redistricting, which will require Texas lawmakers to redraw the state's congressional districts ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. This process could affect the political balance of the state's congressional delegation.

Another item is the regulation of hemp-derived products, following the governor's veto of a proposed THC ban after the regular session. The governor is now calling for legislation that would regulate these products and prohibit their sale to individuals under the age of 21.

The agenda also includes a proposal to eliminate the STAAR test, the standardized assessment used in Texas public schools, and to provide additional property tax relief, potentially by limiting the authority of local governments.

Texas Democratic Party issues statement on Special Session  

In a statement, the Texas Democratic Party criticized the governor for including flood relief in the upcoming special session agenda, arguing he already has the emergency authority to provide aid without legislative approval. 

Here's the statement in full:

"Today, Greg Abbott released a proclamation to announce his priorities for his special session. While this special session call includes disaster relief and preparedness in response to the recent Hill Country floods, it is important to note that the governor already has the full authority to grant flood relief within his emergency powers, meaning that he disgustingly placed this on the agenda to hide his true intentions for this session. As a consequence, flood victims' relief could be delayed over Abbott's political gamesmanship.

"Hidden behind the flood relief agenda is a coordinated redistricting plan, at Donald Trump's behest, designed to mitigate forecasted Republican losses under his unpopular administration. Unsurprisingly, the targeted districts—TX-09, TX-18 (whose special election Abbott delayed), TX-29, and TX-33 are all Democratic. These districts, originally drawn by Republicans, are now subject to a power grab aimed at undermining voters who do not align with their ideology and protecting Donald Trump's assault on working families.

"This session will be costly to Texas taxpayers and appears to serve Republican special interests rather than Texans. Texas leadership should be laser-focused on flood relief and prevention. Any attempts to pull attention away from these relief efforts are a gross injustice to all of the Texans affected by this natural disaster.

"We are committed to accomplishing meaningful flood relief for families and supporting our Texas Democratic officials who are serving the people of Texas, not authoritarian interests in Washington, D.C."

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