AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas House Administration Committee will meet on April 10 to decide possible penalties for Democratic lawmakers who broke quorum by leaving the state last year.
The hearing will review whether to impose financial penalties on members who were absent during two special sessions.
Texas House Democrats left the state in August 2025 to try to block a Republican-led redistricting plan. Despite their efforts, the new congressional maps were later approved in an 88-52 vote.
During the second special session, Governor Greg Abbott called for measures to punish lawmakers who intentionally skip sessions. While a proposed bill did not pass, the House approved a resolution allowing penalties such as fines, reprimands, and removal from committee assignments.
The resolution also increased fines for absences, raising them from $500 per day to three times the daily allowance set by the Texas Ethics Commission.
The committee, chaired by Republican Charlie Geren, includes six Republicans and five Democrats.
