In 2016 local Republicans leadership rejected high-water sensors, rejected automated alerts

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9. The governor has announced a special session starting in mid-July.

It could, if he chooses, be added to the call as one of his priorities. So it doesn't have to wait until 2027.

The Texas Legislature meets for just 140 days every odd-numbered year in regular session. Very hard to get everything agreed to in that amount of time. It's a bad system. But considering how much harm the Lege is capable of doing, it's a trade-off when things we badly want don't make it by the deadline.

Of course, then there's the stuff that makes it out but gets vetoed by Abbott and we don't have a chance to try again for two years.