Abbott Lays Out His "Emergency Item" Priorities for the 2021 Legislative Session, With Pandemic Response at the Forefront

Gov. Greg Abbott’s priorities for the 2021 legislative session will focus primarily on the state’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, along with other key issues, including expansion of broadband internet, election law reform, changes to Texas’ criminal bail system, preventing local governments from defunding police, and providing protection for businesses from lawsuits related to the pandemic.

Earlier this month in the governor’s biannual State of the State address, Abbott’s legislative agenda lays out “emergency items,” which lawmakers can act upon in the first 60 days of the legislative session that began Jan. 12. No other proposed legislation can receive a vote in those first 60 days. 

Read Gov. Abbott's etnire State of the Stae address