ATPE outlines expectations for 87th Texas legislative session

The Association of Texas Professional Educators has outlined what people can expect in the 87th Texas legislative session that will begin on Tuesday, Jan. 12, at the Capitol in Austin.

"The ATPE Governmental Relations team shares what we know so far about public access to the Capitol, what will happen on opening day, how rules will be set and what safety measures are being considered,” a blog post by Andrea Chevalier on Teach the Vote website said.

The State Preservation Board, which according to its website “preserves and maintains the Texas Capitol,” reopened the Capitol on Jan. 4 in preparation for the upcoming session, a press release said.

The Texas Capitol will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, but the public is required to use the building’s north entrance, the blog said. People must wear masks inside the building and practice social distancing in public areas. There will be capacity limits and “no public tours, groups or sponsored events will be permitted,” the blog said.

“Lawmakers and their invited guests attending opening day festivities will be required to wear masks and take coronavirus tests ahead of time,” the blog said. “The House floor will be restricted to legislators, approved guests and other essential staff. Media, the public and other guests will sit in the House gallery in a social distanced manner.”

State representatives each may have two guests “on the House floor or in the gallery,” but senators may have one guest each “on the floor and up to three in the gallery,” the blog said.

“Senators, their guests and staff, and the media will be tested for COVID-19,” the blog said. “Unlike the House, only four members of the media will be allowed in the gallery on opening day, and a rotation of four media members at a time will be allowed in the gallery during session. Senate offices will be open for appointment only.”

The House will elect its speaker on opening day, the blog said.

“Rep. Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) is the presumptive speaker, having garnered enough support from a bipartisan group of current House legislators to clinch the election,” the blog said. “Phelan, who most recently chaired the House State Affairs committee, will face a session dominated by COVID-19 and redistricting.”