87th Texas Legislature

Last updated

87th Texas Legislature
← 86th 88th →
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Overview
Legislative body Texas State Legislature
Jurisdiction Texas
TermJanuary 12, 2021 –
May 31, 2021
Election 2020 general election
Senate
Members31
President of the Senate Dan Patrick (R)
President pro tempore Brian Birdwell
(R–22)
(regular session)
* Donna Campbell
(R–25)
(special session)
Party control Republican
House of Representatives
Members150
Speaker Dade Phelan (R–21)
Speaker Pro Tempore Joe Moody (D–78)
(January 12 - July 15, 2021)
* Vacant
(July 15, 2021- February 8, 2023)
Party control Republican
Sessions
1stJuly 8, 2021 – August 6, 2021
2ndAugust 7, 2021 – September 2, 2021
3rdSeptember 20, 2021 – 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 announced three special legislative sessions during summer 2021. [2] [3] [4] [5]

Contents

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

Major legislation

Texas State Capitol (February 15, 2021), after a winter storm. Snow covering the hill leading to the Texas Capitol.jpg
Texas State Capitol (February 15, 2021), after a winter storm.

Enacted

Proposed (but not enacted)

Major resolutions adopted

Party summary

Senate

AffiliationParty
(shading indicates majority caucus)
TotalVacant
Democratic Republican
End of previous legislature 1219310
Begin (January 12, 2021)1318310
Latest voting share41.9%58.1% 

Leadership

  1. Brian Birdwell (R) (Regular session, January 12 - May 31)
  2. Donna Campbell (R) (Ad Interim)

Members

House of Representatives

AffiliationParty
(shading indicates majority caucus)
TotalVacant
Democratic Republican
End of previous legislature 67831500
Begin (January 12, 2021)67821491
March 9, 2021 [a] 67831500
July 30, 2021 [30] 67821491
August 19, 2021 [31] 66821482
October 12, 2021 [32] 66831491
November 15, 2021 [33] 65841491
November 16, 2021 [34] 65851500
January 31, 2022 [35] 64851491
February 28, 2022 [36] 63851482
March 15, 2022 [37] 64851491
May 18, 2022 [38] 65851500
Latest voting share43.3%56.7% 

Leadership

  1. Joe Moody (D) (January 12 - July 15) [b] [14]

Members

* Jake Ellzey (R), until July 30, 2021
* Brian Harrison, from October 12, 2021 [32]
* Eddie Lucio III (D), until January 31, 2022
* Erin Gamez, from March 15, 2022 [37]
* John Lujan, from November 16, 2021 [34] [41]
* Garnet Coleman (D), until February 28, 2022
* Jolanda Jones (D), from May 18, 2022 [38]

Changes in membership

House of Representatives

DistrictVacated byReason for changeSuccessorDate of successor's formal installation
District 68VacantFormer 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. [42]
* Out of 9,139 votes cast, no candidate received 50% of the votes to win the election. [43]
A runoff election was held to determine a winner of the top two candidates of the January election. [44] 		David Spiller (R)March 9, 2021 [40]
District 10 Jake Ellzey (R)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. [45]
A special election for the district was held on August 31, 2021. [30]
* Out of 11,334 votes cast, no candidate received 50% of the votes to win the election. [46]
A runoff election was held to determine a winner of the top two candidates of the August election.		 Brian Harrison (R)October 12, 2021 [32]
District 31 Ryan Guillen (D)Changed party November 15, 2021. [33] [39] Ryan Guillen (R)November 15, 2021
District 118 Leo Pacheco (D)Former member Leo Pacheco (D) resigned to teach public administration at San Antonio College. [31]
A special election for the district was held on September 29, 2021. [47]
* Out of 7,075 votes cast, no candidate received 50% of the votes to win the election. [48]
A runoff election will be held to determine a winner of the top two candidates of the September election. [49] 		John Lujan (R)November 16, 2021 [34] [41]
District 38 Eddie Lucio III (D)Former member Eddie Lucio III (D) resigned at the end of January 2022. [35]
A special election for the district was held on May 7, 2022. [50]
* 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. [37]
Erin Gamez (D)March 15, 2022 [37]
District 147 Garnet Coleman (D)Former member Garnet Coleman (D) resigned at on February 28, 2022. [36] [51]
A special election for the district was held on May 7, 2022. [52]
Jolanda Jones (D)May 18, 2022 [38]

Committees

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

Senate

CommitteeChairVice-chair
Administration Charles Schwertner (R-5) Nathan Johnson (D-16)
Business & Commerce Kelly Hancock (R-9) Robert Nichols (R-3)
Child Protective Services (Special) [53] Lois Kolkhorst (R-18) Charles Perry (R-28)
Constitutional Issues (Special) [c] 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) [d] 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) [e] 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

CommitteeChairVice-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) [f] 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) José Manuel 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) [e] Dustin Burrows (R-83) Joe Moody (D-78)
Transportation Terry Canales (D-40) Edward 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) José Manuel Lozano (R-43) Ann Johnson (D-134)

Notes

  1. ↑ In District 68: The term began with vacant until David Spiller was declared the winner after a runoff election. [28] [29]
  2. ↑ The office remained vacant for the remainder of the legislature.
  3. ↑ The committee was created to hear the House Bill 1927, the Constitutional carry bill.
  4. ↑ The committee was created to study the athletic and economic impact of the University of Texas at Austin departure from the Big 12 Conference. [54]
  5. 1 2 The committee was created to study the events that unfolded during the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde. [55]
  6. ↑ The committee was created to hear issues for the first special session.

References

  1. ↑ Santos, Patty (January 5, 2021). "... Texas Legislature expected to tackle redistricting, public safety and budget issues". KSAT-TV. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  2. 1 2 Keith Allen and Ashley Killough (June 22, 2021). "Texas governor announces special session of state legislature". CNN . Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  3. ↑ Pollock, Cassandra (June 22, 2021). "Texas Gov. Greg Abbott sets July 8 date for special legislative session on voting bill, other issues". Texas Tribune . Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  4. 1 2 Dianne Gallagher and Rachel Janfaza (August 5, 2021). "Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announces second special session of state legislature". CNN . Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Gov. Abbott Calls Third Special Session". KXAS-TV . September 7, 2021. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  6. ↑ Walters, By Edgar (March 13, 2020). "Texas governor declares statewide emergency, says state will soon be able to test thousands". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  7. ↑ Travis Caldwell, Keith Allen and Eric Levenson (February 18, 2021). "The Texas power grid is improving. But days of outages have caused heat, water and food shortages". CNN. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  8. ↑ Billy Gates; Russell Falcon; Wes Rapaport; Maggie Glynn (March 2, 2021). "'Time to open Texas 100%': Gov. Greg Abbott announces businesses that want to open can". KXAN. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  9. ↑ Eric Bradner and Dianne Gallagher (May 31, 2021). "Texas Democrats leave House floor, effectively blocking passage of restrictive voting bill for now". CNN . Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  10. ↑ Bud Kennedy (June 1, 2021). "2003: The last time Texas Democrats broke quorum in the House, they fled to Oklahoma". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  11. ↑ Cassandra Pollock; Shawn Mulcahy (May 31, 2021). "With feelings raw over voting bill's demise, Texas Legislature wraps up — for now". Texas Tribune. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  12. ↑ Timm, Jane C. (July 12, 2021). "Texas Democrats flee state in effort to block GOP-backed voting restrictions". NBC News. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  13. ↑ Nicole Cobler; Chuck Lindell; John C. Moritz. "Texas Democrats leave state to block GOP voting bill in special session". Austin American Statesman.
  14. 1 2 Anthony Jackson. "El Paso Democrat Joe Moody stripped of leadership position as Texas House speaker pro tem". El Paso Times. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  15. ↑ James Barrán (August 19, 2021). "After a nearly six-week exodus over GOP voting bill, enough Democrats return to Texas House to resume work". Texas Tribune.
  16. ↑ Burleigh, Dawn. House Bill 5, expanding broadband service, signed by Governor, The Orange Leader , June 15, 2021.
  17. ↑ Greg Abbott (September 23, 2021), "A new Texas law fights Big Tech censorship", Washington Post, Prohibits large social media companies...from banning or censoring a Texan
  18. ↑ Keene, Houston. Abbott signs religious freedom law prohibiting government from closing places of worship, Fox News, June 15, 2021.
  19. ↑ Stinson, Paul. New Texas Law Bans Abortions Statewide If Roe Is Overturned, Bloomberg Law, June 16, 2021.
  20. ↑ Parker, Kolten. Texas Gov. Abbott signs 7 gun laws, including 'constitutional carry,' at Alamo, KSAT-TV, June 17, 2021.
  21. ↑ House Bill 3979 (PDF). Eighty-seventh Texas Legislature. May 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 22, 2021. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  22. ↑ Kelly, Alexandra (June 17, 2021). "Texas passes law banning critical race theory in schools". The Hill . Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  23. ↑ Senate Bill 3: An Act relating to certain curriculum in public schools, including certain instructional requirements and prohibitions (PDF). July 16, 2021. Archived from the original on October 23, 2021. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  24. ↑ Mekelburg, Madlin. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signs bills responding to power grid failure into law, Austin American-Statesman , June 8, 2021.
  25. ↑ Walsh, Josh. New Texas Law Requires Pro Sports Teams To Play National Anthem, Forbes , June 16, 2021.
  26. ↑ 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.
  27. ↑ Lindell, Chuck (January 13, 2021). "Texas Senate modifies key rule to preserve GOP power". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  28. ↑ Gersh, AJ (February 24, 2021). "Jacksboro attorney David Spiller wins House District 68 runoff election". KTXS-TV. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
  29. ↑ Svitek, Patrick (February 23, 2021). "Republican David Spiller wins rural Texas House seat, replacing Drew Springer". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
  30. 1 2 "Gov. Greg Abbott sets Aug. 31 special election to replace U.S. Rep. Jake Ellzey in Texas House". Dallas Morning News. August 6, 2021. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  31. 1 2 "San Antonio Democrat Leo Pacheco reportedly planning to resign from Texas House before second term ends". Texas Tribune. August 6, 2021. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  32. 1 2 3 "Newly sworn-in, Harrison files first bill". Waxahachie Daily Light. October 14, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  33. 1 2 3 Houston Keene (November 15, 2021). "Texas Dem Ryan Guillen switches to Republican Party over defunding the police, 'chaos' on the border". Fox News. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  34. 1 2 3 Edward McKinley and Austin Bureau (November 2, 2021). "Republican John Lujan wins Texas House seat in South Side special election". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  35. 1 2 "State Rep. Eddie Lucio III, who announced last year he would not seek reelection, to step down early". Texas Tribune. January 18, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  36. 1 2 "Longtime Houston Democrat Garnet Coleman to retire from Texas Legislature". Texas Tribune. November 18, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  37. 1 2 3 4 "New House District 38 representative sworn in". KRGV-TV. March 17, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  38. 1 2 3 "Democrat Jolanda Jones narrowly wins special election for state House seat in Houston". Texas Tribune. May 9, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  39. 1 2 "Texas Rep Switches Parties as GOP Makes Border Inroads". KXAS-TV. November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  40. 1 2 Feather, Susanna (March 25, 2021). "Representative David Spiller Takes Oath of Office". Olney Enterprise. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
  41. 1 2 Sanford Nowlin (November 3, 2021). "Republican John Lujan narrowly wins San Antonio's Texas House District 118 in runoff". San Antonio Current. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  42. ↑ Cantu, Michael (December 28, 2020). "Governor announces special election for Drew Springer's House seat". KCBD-TV. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  43. ↑ Gray-Hatfield, Megan (January 25, 2021). "Another runoff coming: Carter, Spiller to go head to head for HD-68". Gainesville Daily Register. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  44. ↑ "David Spiller, Craig Carter to face runoff for Texas House District 68 seat". KXII-TV. January 23, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  45. ↑ "Texas Special Runoff Election Results: Sixth Congressional District". The New York Times. July 27, 2021. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  46. ↑ Sprinks, Bill (August 31, 2021). "Wray, Harrison advance to D-10 runoff". Waxahachie Daily Light. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  47. ↑ "Special Texas House election for former state Rep. Leo Pacheco's San Antonio-area district will be Sept. 28". Texas Tribune. September 7, 2021. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  48. ↑ "Lujan, Ramirez head to Texas House District 118 runoff". KENS. September 28, 2021. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  49. ↑ Scott Huddleston (October 11, 2021). "Special runoff election for Texas District 118 to coincide with Nov. 2 constitutional election". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  50. ↑ "Governor Abbott sets date for special election for Texas House District 38". Crossroads Today. February 11, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  51. ↑ "Longtime Houston Democrat Garnet Coleman to retire early from Texas Legislature". KHOU. November 17, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  52. ↑ "Governor Abbott Sets Special Election For Texas House District 147". Office of the Texas Governor. February 25, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  53. ↑ Avila, Rolando (March 11, 2022). "Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announces committee to evaluate Texas Department of Family Protective Services". KVEO-TV. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  54. ↑ Umana, Khadeeja (July 27, 2021). "Senate Select Committee to address college sports in lieu of Texas House hearing". KXXV. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  55. ↑ Linan, Ali (June 2, 2022). "Texas senate launches special committee following Uvalde shooting". Herald-Banner. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
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