Second session comes to a close
The second special session of the Texas Legislature ended last Thursday with a new congressional map, flood relief and safety measures but a stalemate on whether to ban or regulate THC. The Dallas Morning News reported that lawmakers approved most of the legislative priorities Gov. Greg Abbott listed for the special session.
In addition to those mentioned above, lawmakers made ivermectin an over-the-counter medication available in pharmacies, agreed to replace the annual STARR education test, authorized the Texas attorney general to prosecute election fraud, and further tightened the availability of mail-order abortion pills.
The original reason the first special session was called came after Abbott vetoed a ban on THC, the psychoactive ingredient in many hemp-derived products. Instead, the governor wanted lawmakers to come up with regulations on its sale. However, the Senate again passed a ban that went nowhere in the House.
“I’m proud of all of you,” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick told senators before closing the session. “I know we didn’t always agree on every issue or between parties or within a party, but everybody always was respectful to the other members on the floor, and I’m proud of you.”
Patrick and Abbott remained at loggerheads concerning the THC ban while agreeing on nearly all the other agenda items in the special session.
The first special session went nowhere after Democratic lawmakers broke quorum by leaving the state to block passage of a new congressional redistricting plan. They returned for the second session, where a redistricting map that would likely give the GOP five additional congressional seats was passed on party lines. That map was quickly challenged in court.
In addition, lawmakers passed four bills requiring increased safety measures after the deadly Hill Country flooding in July.
Bid to limit property taxes dies in the Lege
A bid by Texas lawmakers to limit city and county property tax bills died quietly in the second session, according to The Texas Tribune. The proposal would have tightened the limits on how much more cities and counties can raise property taxes without voter approval.
In negotiations, House and Senate lawmakers deadlocked on how to move forward on the bill, with House lawmakers arguing the bill didn’t go far enough to rein in local spending.
“This is not the solution to our problems,” said state Rep. Mitch Little, R-Lewisville. “This is not the answer to our prayers.” The bill would only have applied to cities and counties with at least 75,000 residents.
DSHS warns chemical found in kratom is dangerous
The Texas Department of State Health Services is advising people not to use kratom plant products containing the chemical 7-OH. Concentrated forms of the chemical have been popping up for sale in gummies or as a liquid extract.
Kratom and 7-OH products are marketed as natural remedies for pain, anxiety, or to help with opioid withdrawal. They are not approved for medicinal use by the federal Food and Drug Administration. Kratom is often sold in stores that also sell CBD products.
The Texas Poison Center has received 192 reports of exposures involving kratom or other products containing 7-OH. Symptoms can include nausea and vomiting, agitation, high blood pressure, loss of consciousness, and seizures.
