Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's impeachment trial to be held Sept. 5 in Senate

8:45 p.m. update: Attorney General Ken Paxton's impeachment trial in the Texas Senate is set for Sept. 5.

Senators on Wednesday evening approved the trial date by an unanimous vote. It comes later than expected, as the Senate previously said it would start no later than Aug. 28.

Senators spent most of Tuesday and Wednesday behind closed doors deliberating on the rules for the proceedings. Those rules are expected to be made public.

This is a developing story; check back for details.

1 p.m. update: For the fifth time in two days, the Texas Senate says it's not ready to announce rules for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's upcoming impeachment trial. But an announcement could be coming Wednesday night.

After a three-hour recess to discuss the proposed impeachment rules behind closed doors, some senators returned to the chamber around 1 p.m. Sen. Paul Bettencourt made a motion to recess until 5 p.m., adding, "I believe that may be our last recess for the day."

Senators first began discussing the rules around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. They must decide whether to allow Paxton's wife, Sen. Angela Paxton, R-McKinney, to participate as a juror and whether witnesses will be granted immunity for their truthful testimony.

Paxton, who has been suspended from office, faces 20 articles of impeachment. The trial is to begin no later than Aug. 28, but the Senate has yet to pick a firm date.

10 a.m. Wednesday update: The Senate gaveled in and quickly gaveled out without an update on the rules for Attorney General Ken Paxton's impeachment trial.

However, a senator acknowledged for the first time time that the private discussions that began a day earlier are related to the trial. In making a motion to recess until 1 p.m., Sen. Paul Bettencourt said the senate is "working hard on the rules."

The deliberations are being tightly guarded. The American-Statesman requested a copy of rules proposed by a Senate committee but was told they could not be released, citing a confidentiality agreement.

Paxton, a three-term Republican, is suspended from office pending the trial. He faces 20 articles of impeachment related to, among other things, abuse of office and retaliation against employees in the attorney general's office. The trial must start no later than Aug. 28, though Paxton's lawyers have said they intend to request a postponement if the rules allow.

Tuesday: The Texas Senate headed home Tuesday night without adopting rules or setting a start date for Attorney General Ken Paxton's impeachment trial.

Senators met most of the day behind closed doors, presumably discussing matters such as whether Paxton's wife, Sen. Angela Paxton, can participate as a juror and whether witnesses will be required to testify. At 9 p.m. Tuesday, senators returned to the Senate floor without an announcement on the trial rules. Instead, they adjourned for a third time, this time until 10 a.m. Wednesday.

The lengthy discussion follows an apparent recommendation from a Senate rules committee. The committee's five Republicans and two Democrats were scheduled to issue their rules recommendations Tuesday, though it's unclear if they did as all matters were held in private.

More: Senate impeachment rules to determine if Ken Paxton will testify, allow wife as juror

The trial must start by Aug. 28. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who oversees the Senate, is expected to preside in a role similar to that of a judge, and the senators are expected to serve as jurors in the trial.

Paxton, a three-term Republican, is suspended from office without pay after the Texas House voted May 27 in favor of 20 articles of impeachment. Many of the articles address his relationship with Austin real estate developer Nate Paul, a political donor recently indicted in federal court on eight counts of mortgage fraud.

More: Will Sen. Angela Paxton serve as a juror in her husband's impeachment trial? Here's what we know.

This is a developing story; check back for details.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's impeachment trial to start Sept. 5