House opens with prayer, reads two bills and recesses for party caucuses

The 2026 House of Representatives convened and opened its session with a prayer led by Representative Williams of Carroll, who asked that members' work "reflect integrity, respect, and a commitment to the common good." The chamber then recited the Pledge of Allegiance, to be led as announced by James Eikenberry of Runnels.

Clerk read two bills for first reading. House File 2788 was introduced by the Committee on Appropriations; the title states it relates to abortions, including informed consent, the dispensing of abortion-inducing drugs, and reporting and addressing complications. The clerk also read House File 2465, described as a measure relating to agriculture and the powers and duties of the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, including provisions on commodities, transportation of agricultural items, agricultural land sales and use tax, veterinary practices and income tax provisions. The chair noted the bills were ready for committee assignment, amendment, or referral as appropriate.

The chair then asked for announcements. Representative Meyer of Polk told the chamber that Democrats would caucus at 9:00 a.m. in Room 19 and that Republicans would caucus at 9:30 a.m. in Room 103. After that announcement, Meyer moved "the house recess until the conclusion of both party caucuses." The motion was decided by voice vote; after calling for ayes and nos, the chair declared, "The ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it," and recessed the House.

No debate or formal committee action on the two bills was recorded in the session before the recess. The bills were presented for first reading and referred per the chamber's usual procedures; no roll-call vote on the bills was taken during the recorded segments. The House remained recessed pending the conclusion of the parties' caucuses.