In response to the deadly floods in the Hill Country, lawmakers from both the House and Senate formed the Disaster Preparedness and Flooding Committee. Today they heard from state officials on the deadly July 4th floods.

Testimony will be heard from those in charge of managing rivers as well as emergency managers and first responders about the flash flooding that killed at least 135 people.

The Texas Capitol is buzzing as the legislative special session officially begins. Lawmakers were called back to Austin on orders from Governor Greg Abbott to address pressing state issues.

At a joint hearing of special legislative committees probing the deadly Hill Country floods, the state’s emergency management chief said there are no guarantees that local officials are awake when a disaster strikes.

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas lawmakers are back in Austin for a special session, and they have just 30 days to tackle a list of controversial and complex issues, including flooding recovery and preparedness. But analysts say the clock — and the politics — will be working against them.

Lexi Churchill and Lomi Kriel, ProPublica and The Texas Tribune This article is co-published with The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan local newsroom that informs and engages with Texans. Sign up for The Brief Weekly to get up to speed on their essential coverage of Texas issues.

Top state officials are testifying that communication needs to improve between the state and local officials, between first responders, and with the large number of volunteers on the ground.

Gov. Greg Abbott named nearly 20 issues to the special session agenda, including flood relief, hemp THC restrictions and redistricting.