NU Online News Service, June 10, 1:24 p.m.EDT

Texas Gov. Rick Perry said he plans to call the legislature backinto session to finish some unfinished business that included thereauthorization of the state's Department of Insurance.

The governor announced his intentions to reconvene thelegislature in response to reporters' questions during a roundtablediscussion with state and industry leaders yesterday to discuss theimpact of proposed federal environmental regulations on the stateeconomy.

A spokeswoman for the governor's office confirmed Gov. Perry'scomments, adding that no date has been set for convening thespecial session nor an agenda proposed for the legislature toconsider.

The Texas legislature adjourned last week without completing anumber of legislative items including continued funding the TexasDepartment of Insurance and extension of the operating statute forTDI and several other major state agencies.

Under Texas law, all agencies are subject to review and must bereauthorized every 12 years.

A spokesman for TDI has said the department continues to workand expects the governor and legislature to resolve the issue.

Under Texas' Sunset Law, if the legislature failed to fund thedepartment, it would continue to operate until Sept. 1. From thatdate on, the department would have a year to wind down itsoperations, but the department official said the situation isexpected to be resolved long before then.

More than 150 departments in Texas are reviewed by the SunsetAdvisory Commission every 12 years. In its report, the commissionsaid "the agency works well" and made a number of recommendationsto improve services and transparency for TDI.

The state's House passed a resolution to continue thedepartments, but without properly funding some departments. Themove upset some state Senators who decided to adjourn thelegislative session without passing measures to keep thedepartments in operation until the legislature meets in twoyears.

Special sessions can be called for a 30 day period and as oftenas the governor deems necessary.

Late yesterday, the governor's office said Gov. Perry wastreated at a hospital after he suffered a broken collar bone andminor abrasions in a mountain bike accident.