New agenda items include penalties for lawmakers who flee the state, pharmacy access to Ivermectin, and a groundwater study in East Texas.

The Texas Legislature began a new special legislative session Friday after Gov. Greg Abbott called lawmakers back to deal with congressional redistricting and a host of other issues — laying down a new gauntlet for Democrats who fled the state nearly two weeks ago to halt a vote on a new district map.

Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Wednesday evening that he will be adding three items to the Special Session two agenda, including a proposal that protects East Texas aquifers. According to State Rep Cody Harris (R-Palestine),