Texas lawmakers in the House and Senate recently pushed forward legislation that could provide the state's retired educators with a bonus pension check. But the legislation that would give retired teachers a 13th bonus check is now stalled.

On July 13, the Senate unanimously passed its proposal, Senate Bill 7, that would provide 440,000 retired teachers with bonus pension checks. The House has a similar bill, House Bill 85; however, as of July 12, the legislation sits in House Calendars. 

The special legislative session is on pause after Democrats broke quorum by leaving the state to block Republican efforts to pass a voting restrictions bill. As a result of the action, the House's bonus check for teachers bill stalled, and the Senate's SB 7 cannot move beyond its chamber's passage. Without the Democrats, there is no quorum to consider the Senate's legislation in the House.

Gov. Greg Abbott called the special session, which started July 8. A special session allows lawmakers to convene to complete unfished business from the regular legislative session or address important topics and emergencies. 

The additional payment for retired educators is among 11 items outlined by the governor for the special session's agenda. The special session can last up to 30 days. 

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