Opening week of the 87^thLegislative Session started with better-than-expected news from the Comptroller of Public Accounts. While previous estimates warned of a $4.6 billion deficit, revised estimates place that closer to $1 billion. Additionally, we are entering the session with $112.5 billion available for general-purpose spending during the 2022-23 biennium, just 4% shy of the funds available for the previous session. This is a relief for budget-writers as they try to craft a balanced budget.
 
On Tuesday, the Texas House and Senate gaveled in the 87^thTexas Legislature. Rep. Dade Phelan was sworn in as the Speaker of the House of Representatives while Sen. Brian Birdwell was elected President Pro Tempore of the Texas Senate. Both chambers are now adjourned until January 26^th, but the rules of procedure were passed before their departure. The most significant change to the Senate rules was a measure lowering the threshold of votes required to bring a bill to the floor to 18 votes, or a three-fifths majority.  Not coincidentally, there are 18 Republicans in the Texas Senate.
 
In the House, the most controversial alteration to the rules was removed almost as quickly as it was introduced. The “Consensus Calendar” was intended to address the time-constraints of the 87^thSession and would be charged with bills which, “…in the opinion of the Committee on Calendars, could be considered expeditiously with limited debate.” This provision would include restricted time for speeches and disincentives to introducing amendments during second reading. It was struck from the rules on Thursday with an amendment introduced by Rep. Todd Hunter.
 
Both sets of rules contain amendments in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The House rules relax the restrictions around emergency adjournment, require face coverings, and expand the information required in hearing notices to ensure access for constituents, but do not allow for virtual testimony. The Senate rules do not directly allude to the pandemic, but consolidate and streamline operations by removing the Committees on Agriculture and Property Tax, adding the Committee on Jurisprudence, and renaming the Committee on Intergovernmental Relations as the Committee on Local Government and the Committee on Water and Rural Affairs as the Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs. The rules also restrict media presence to a designated press area, rather than the whole floor.
 
The rules for both chambers also address redistricting, which will likely take place in a special session as the latest Census numbers are not expected until April. While neither set of rules specifically addresses COVID-19, the Senate rules allow for videoconferencing during regional hearings if a) those meetings are held the capitol and the witness is not in the same physical location, b) the witness is clearly visible and audible, and c) they submit a witness affirmation form prior to testifying.
 
Lt. Governor Dan Patrick released committee assignments which can be found here.  House Committee preference requests from members are due on January 22^nd. We will send out a release as soon as committee assignments are posted.  
 
Late last week, the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) released the COVID-19 vaccination hub provider locations. Twenty-eight large providers will receive 158,825 doses of vaccine, allocated according to the number of people each provider estimated it could vaccinate in a week. DSHS and the Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM) have released an updated provider map displaying first and second dose availability from providers around the state.