Lawmakers can override the governor’s vetoes only during the session in which the bills are rejected, according to experts’ interpretation of the law. But typically, governors veto bills after sine die – the last day of session.
In 2023, Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed a nearly record-breaking 76 bills and one budget item— widely seen as his way to punish members for failing to pass his priority bills. Just two bills were vetoed during the session, in the window that lawmakers could have voted to override them.
Now, some lawmakers want to change that process. A proposal by Sen. Brian Birdwell would amend the Texas Constitution to allow legislators to briefly meet after the regular session ends to reconsider bills that passed by more than two-thirds of members.
They would need to have another session to vote to override the veto. So they’d also need a mechanism to reconvene, given they are only in session for 140 days every other year.
By extending that session or adding another, the legislators would need more time off from their other jobs potentially at a pay cut. Legislator are only paid for time in session.
Why do you need another session, just allow the veto to be overridden during the next regularly scheduled session, and if they have to schedule sessions specific to bills, that seems like a terrible way to get stuff done.