Texas Democrat Nicole Collier made headlines earlier this month when she, along with dozens of her colleagues, refused to come to the state Capitol as part of an effort to block Republicans from passing new congressional maps.

Activists protest the confinement of Rep. Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol Austin, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. Rep. Collier has not left the House floor after refusing to have a DPS escort in order to do so.

SMU political science professor Matthew Wilson explains the rarely enforced rules being applied during this second special session of the legislature.