Texas House fails to reach quorum, delaying flood-relief bills; presiding officer warns absent members

The Texas House failed to reach a quorum Thursday, preventing consideration of flood-response legislation and prompting the presiding officer to warn absent members they could be held financially responsible for enforcement costs and remain subject to civil arrest.

Members present were told the House could not take up “the critical flood response legislation scheduled for our floor today,” a measure the presiding officer said would help families and communities that have lost homes and businesses to recent flooding. The presiding officer said the Department of Public Safety is tracking overtime, travel and operational costs tied to efforts to compel attendance and that those absent members would be responsible for repayment under House rules.

The lack of a quorum — the clerk reported 95 members present — meant the chamber could not proceed with the day’s agenda. The presiding officer said DPS had logged “well over 6 figures” in overtime costs and that, under “Rule 5, section 3 of the House rules,” absent members would be responsible for repaying those amounts. The officer also said absent members “remain subject to civil arrest.”

House members were told to be within six hours of the Capitol and on call to return if it appeared a quorum might be reached. The presiding officer said he had spoken with Governor Greg Abbott and that the governor “has made it clear. He is committed to calling us back again and again and again until our work is done.” The officer warned that if a quorum is not reached on Friday, “the House and the Senate will sine die this session, and the governor will immediately issue a proclamation for a second called special session.”

The clerk recorded that strict enforcement on roll call had been requested by Representatives Canales, Cortez, Mary Gonzalez, Longoria, Martinez, Moody, Eddie Morales, Munoz and Raymond. The presiding officer said a memo about Friday’s schedule would be forthcoming and directed members present to be prepared to return to the Capitol if needed.

Representative Garen moved that the House stand adjourned until 8:30 a.m. Wednesday; the chair said it heard no objection and the House stood adjourned. The presiding officer said that, while the House will be called in pro forma session Wednesday and Thursday, members registered as present during the Thursday session would be given written permission in the journal to leave and return at 10 a.m. Friday.

The statements that the chamber could not act, that costs are being tracked and that absent members may be liable were presented on the House floor by the presiding officer; no floor action on the flood-response bills occurred during the reported minutes.