Governor Abbott Signs & Vetoes Bills

In total, Abbott signed 1,034 bills, allowed 105 bills to pass into law without his signature, and vetoed 20 bills.

Total list of signed bills (Reference)

Notable Second Amendment-related bills signed last week include:

SB 19 - State Sen. Charles Schwertner (R–Georgetown) - Prohibits a government entity from contracting with any business that discriminates against firearm and ammunition businesses or organizations. (Lt. Gov. Patrick Priority)

SB 20 - State Sen. Donna Campbell (R–New Braunfels) - Allows guests to store firearms in their hotel rooms. (Lt. Gov. Patrick Priority)

SB 550 - State Sen. Drew Springer (R–Muenster) - Removed the shoulder or belt holster requirements, allowing Texans to carry firearms in whichever holster they choose.

HB 957 - State Rep. Tom Oliverson (R–Cypress) - Repeals the criminal offense of possessing, manufacturing, transporting, or repairing a firearm silencer. It also ensures that any firearm suppressor manufactured in Texas—and that remains in Texas—will not be subject to federal law or federal regulation.

HB 1500 - State Rep. Cole Hefner (R–Mt. Pleasant) - Prevents any government entity from prohibiting the sale or transportation of firearms or ammunition during a declared disaster or emergency.

HB 1927 - State Rep. Matt Schaefer (R–Tyler) - “Constitutional carry.” Law-abiding Texans can carry a handgun without a license to carry. (RPT Priority)

HB 2622 - State Rep. Justin Holland (R–Heath) - Makes Texas a “Second Amendment sanctuary state” by protecting Texans from new federal gun control regulations.

Abbott also signed some of the remaining leadership priorities into law, including:

HB 5 - State Rep. Trent Ashby (R-–Lufkin) - Regulatory framework for the incentivized expansion of broadband services to rural and underserved areas of the state. (Gov. Abbott Emergency Priority)

SB 6 - State Sen. Kelly Hancock (R–North Richland Hills) - Business liability protections from COVID-19 or pandemic-related lawsuits. (Gov. Abbott Emergency Priority)

HB 4 - State Rep. Four Price (R–Amarillo) - Omnibus telemedicine/telehealth bill. (Speaker Phelan Priority)

Abbott signed the “ban” on critical race theory but also released a statement saying more must be done, indicating that it would also be added to a special session agenda. This statement confused activists who support the ban; they are getting mixed messages,since Abbott said more could be done, but the bill’s author said it was the strongest ban in the country.

HB 3979 - State Rep. Steve Toth (R–The Woodlands) - Critical Race Theory “Ban”

Abbott also signed the $248.5 billion budget for the next biennium (FY 2022-23) but “line-item” vetoed Article X (funding for the legislative branch, following through with a threat he made on Twitter a few weeks ago in response to Democrat House lawmakers busting quorum and ultimately killing two of his emergency legislative priorities in election integrity and bail reform).

Abbott ultimately vetoed 20 bills, including: (Complete List)

HB 686 - State Rep. Joe Moody (D–El Paso) - Would have reformed criminal sentencing for juvenile offenders. (Veto statement) (Speaker Phelan Priority)

SB 281 - State Sen. Chuy Hinojosa (D–McAllen) - Would have stopped the use of hypnosis in investigations. (Veto Statement) (Speaker Phelan Priority)

SB 474 - State Sen. Eddie Lucio (D–San Benito) - Would have added regulations on the use of dog tethers. (Veto Statement)

Everything We Know About Special Sessions

Impending dates for at least two upcoming special sessions have not yet been revealed.

Based on a series of statements by Gov. Abbott, we know the following issues will at least be on the call for one of the special sessions:

Redistricting

The allocation of more than $16 billion in COVID-19 relief funding from the federal government

Bail reform

Election integrity

Ban on critical