Lawmakers held hearings in Austin on some of the highest-profile items on the agenda, including flood response, redistricting and regulating THC.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s acting leader has adamantly defended the federal government’s response to historic flooding in Texas earlier this month, saying lawmakers’ attacks on the agency’s actions were unwarranted.

On the first day of the special legislative session, a group of state representatives and community leaders rallied at the Texas State Capitol to push for legislation they believe could save lives during severe weather.