TWENTY-FOURTH DAY
(Monday, March 13, 2017)
The Senate met at 2:00 p.m. pursuant to adjournment and was called to order by the President.
The roll was called and the following Senators were present: Bettencourt, Birdwell, Buckingham, Burton, Campbell, Creighton, Estes, Garcia, Hall, Hancock, Hinojosa, Huffines, Huffman, Hughes, Kolkhorst, Lucio, Miles, Nelson, Nichols, Perry, Rodríguez, Schwertner, Seliger, Taylor of Galveston, Taylor of Collin, Uresti, Watson, West, Whitmire, Zaffirini.
Absent-excused: Menéndez.
The President announced that a quorum of the Senate was present.
Father Charles Kullmann, Saint Austin Catholic Parish, Austin, offered the invocation as follows:
Heavenly Father, we ask Your blessing on our State of Texas, on our state government, on this Legislature, and especially on every one of these Senators and their staffs. Give them wisdom to know what is right, courage to carry it out, and a strong compassion for others as the motivation to do so. Today, heavenly Father, we especially lift up to Your care and providence all law enforcement officers in our state. Protect them, keep them safe, and give each of them a profound thirst for justice. Remember especially those who have fallen in the line of duty, and bring consolation, peace, and comfort to their families. In Your goodness, protect us from harm and help us all to come to a deeper realization of Your care in our lives. Amen.
Senator Whitmire moved that the reading of the Journal of the proceedings of the previous day be dispensed with and the Journal be approved as printed.
The motion prevailed without objection.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
On motion of Senator Whitmire, Senator Menéndez was granted leave of absence for today on account of an illness in the family.
MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE
HOUSE CHAMBER
Austin, Texas
Monday, March 13, 2017 - 1
The Honorable President of the Senate
Senate Chamber
Austin, Texas
Mr. President:
I am directed by the house to inform the senate that the house has taken the following action:
THE HOUSE HAS PASSED THE FOLLOWING MEASURES:
Honoring Eugene Adrian Van Zelfden Jr. of Austin for his outstanding civic engagement.
Respectfully,
/s/Robert Haney, Chief Clerk
House of Representatives
MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR
The following Messages from the Governor were read and were referred to the Committee on Nominations:
March 9, 2017
Austin, Texas
TO THE SENATE OF THE EIGHTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, REGULAR SESSION:
I ask the advice, consent and confirmation of the Senate with respect to the following appointments:
To be a member of the Texas Water Development Board for a term to expire February 1, 2023:
Kathleen T. Jackson
Beaumont, Texas
(Ms. Jackson is being reappointed)
To be a member of the Upper Neches River Municipal Water Authority Board of Directors for a term to expire February 1, 2023:
Milton P. "Phil" Jenkins
Palestine, Texas
(Mr. Jenkins is being reappointed)
Respectfully submitted,
/s/Greg Abbott
Governor
March 13, 2017
Austin, Texas
TO THE SENATE OF THE EIGHTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, REGULAR SESSION:
I ask the advice, consent and confirmation of the Senate with respect to the following appointments:
To be members of the Governing Board of the Texas Civil Commitment Office for terms to expire February 1, 2019:
Rona K. Stratton Gouyton
Fort Worth, Texas
(Ms. Gouyton is being reappointed)
Kathryn E. "Katie" McClure
Kingwood, Texas
(Ms. McClure is being reappointed)
To be members of the One-Call Board of Texas for terms to expire as indicated:
To Expire August 31, 2018
Jesus A. Garza
Kingsville, Texas
(replacing Robert "Brian" LaBorde of Buda whose term expired)
Jason E. Hartgraves
Dallas, Texas
(Chief Hartgraves is being reappointed)
James R. Schneider
Austin, Texas
(replacing Dean D. Bernal of Lakeway whose term expired)
Janie Lou Walenta
Quitman, Texas
(Ms. Walenta is being reappointed)
To Expire August 31, 2019
Barry K. Calhoun
Richardson, Texas
(Mr. Calhoun is being reappointed)
Jeffery R. Carroll
Austin, Texas
(replacing John W. Linton of McAllen whose term expired)
Roberto G. "Robert" De Leon
Corpus Christi, Texas
(replacing Cynthia R. "Cindi" Salas of Sugar Land whose term expired)
Senaida "Sandy" Galvan
San Antonio, Texas
(replacing Thomas "Tom" Abraham of Sugar Land whose term expired)
Respectfully submitted,
/s/Greg Abbott
Governor
INTRODUCTION OF
BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS POSTPONED
The President announced that the introduction of bills and resolutions on first reading would be postponed until the end of today's session.
There was no objection.
SENATE RESOLUTION 408
Senator Zaffirini offered the following resolution:
SR 408, Recognizing March 13, 2017, as Girl Scout Legislative Day.
The resolution was read and was adopted without objection.
GUESTS PRESENTED
Senator Zaffirini, joined by Senators Buckingham, Garcia, and Kolkhorst, was recognized and introduced to the Senate a Girl Scout Legislative Day delegation.
The Senate welcomed its guests.
PHYSICIAN OF THE DAY
Senator Watson was recognized and presented Dr. Nejla Shami of Austin as the Physician of the Day.
The Senate welcomed Dr. Shami and thanked her for her participation in the Physician of the Day program sponsored by the Texas Academy of Family Physicians.
GUESTS PRESENTED
Senator Huffman, on behalf of Senator Miles, was recognized and introduced to the Senate a Missouri City delegation, accompanied by Mayor Allen Owen, City Manager Anthony Snipes, and Mayor's Youth Commission members.
The Senate welcomed its guests.
CONCLUSION OF MORNING CALL
The President at 2:26 p.m. announced the conclusion of morning call.
REMARKS ORDERED PRINTED
On motion of Senator Whitmire and by unanimous consent, the opening and closing remarks by the President regarding Law Enforcement Day were ordered reduced to writing and printed in the Senate Journal.
Members, if I could have your attention. We're going to be getting our series of bills today; as all of you know, this is Law Enforcement Day. The only bills we're taking up today are bills to support our law enforcement in the State of Texas. I want it to be our first day that we can take regular bills on the floor that are not emergency items to focus on law enforcement. And it came to me last July, when I was in Dallas for the funerals and the services of the fallen officers, that we wanted to make a strong statement of support, not just in a gesture but in actually passing legislations that will impact a family and impact the officers, help protect them with our vest, with property tax relief for spouses if they lose their husband or wife or first responder. This is for police, fire, EMS, any first responder. So, I want to thank all the Senators who have joined with us. We have four bills and an SJR today, and we're going to focus on making sure that every man and woman who wears a uniform of the State of Texas, who represents the great people of Texas, hears loud and clear the Texas Senate put them first when this session began, because they deserve to be first.
SENATE BILL 798 ON SECOND READING
Senator Huffines moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration SB 798 at this time on its second reading:
SB 798, Relating to designating July 7 as Fallen Law Enforcement Officer Day.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0.
Absent-excused: Menéndez.
The bill was read second time and was passed to engrossment by a viva voce vote.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to engrossment except as follows:
Absent-excused: Menéndez.
SENATE BILL 798 ON THIRD READING
Senator Huffines moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that SB 798 be placed on its third reading and final passage.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0.
Absent-excused: Menéndez.
The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0. (Same as previous roll call)
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The President acknowledged the presence of a delegation representing over 80,000 law enforcement officers and Honorary Senate Page Tyler Martin, son of fallen officer Richard Martin of Houston, standing to represent all families who lost a family member in the line of duty.
The Senate welcomed its guests.
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 1138 ON SECOND READING
Senator Whitmire moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSSB 1138 at this time on its second reading:
CSSB 1138, Relating to the creation of the blue alert system to aid in the apprehension of an individual suspected of killing or causing serious bodily injury to a law enforcement officer.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0.
Absent-excused: Menéndez.
The bill was read second time and was passed to engrossment by a viva voce vote.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to engrossment except as follows:
Absent-excused: Menéndez.
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 1138 ON THIRD READING
Senator Whitmire moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSSB 1138 be placed on its third reading and final passage.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0.
Absent-excused: Menéndez.
The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0. (Same as previous roll call)
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 1 ON SECOND READING
Senator Campbell moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration SJR 1 at this time on its second reading:
SJR 1, Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of all or part of the market value of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a first responder who is killed or fatally injured in the line of duty.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0.
Absent-excused: Menéndez.
The resolution was read second time and was passed to engrossment by a viva voce vote.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to engrossment except as follows:
Absent-excused: Menéndez.
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 1 ON THIRD READING
Senator Campbell moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that SJR 1 be placed on its third reading and final passage.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0.
Absent-excused: Menéndez.
The resolution was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0. (Same as previous roll call)
SENATE BILL 15 ON SECOND READING
Senator Huffines moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration SB 15 at this time on its second reading:
SB 15, Relating to an exemption from ad valorem taxation of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a first responder who is killed or fatally injured in the line of duty.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0.
Absent-excused: Menéndez.
The bill was read second time.
Senator Huffines offered the following amendment to the bill:
Floor Amendment No. 1
Amend SB 15 (senate committee printing) in SECTION 1 of the bill as follows:
(1) In added Section 11.134, Tax Code, strike Subsection (b) of the section (page 1, lines 40-47) and substitute the following:
(b) The surviving spouse of a first responder who is killed or fatally injured in the line of duty is entitled to an exemption from taxation of the total appraised value of the surviving spouse's residence homestead if the surviving spouse:
(1) is an eligible survivor for purposes of Chapter 615, Government Code, as determined by the Employees Retirement System of Texas under that chapter; and
(2) has not remarried since the death of the first responder.
(c) The exemption provided by this section applies regardless of the date of the first responder's death if the surviving spouse otherwise meets the qualifications of this section.
(2) In added Section 11.134(c), Tax Code (page 1, line 48), strike "(c)" and substitute "(d)".
The amendment to SB 15 was read and was adopted by a viva voce vote.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1 except as follows:
Absent-excused: Menéndez.
SB 15 as amended was passed to engrossment by a viva voce vote.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to engrossment except as follows:
Absent-excused: Menéndez.
SENATE BILL 15 ON THIRD READING
Senator Huffines moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that SB 15 be placed on its third reading and final passage.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0.
Absent-excused: Menéndez.
The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0. (Same as previous roll call)
REMARKS ORDERED PRINTED
On motion of Senator West and by unanimous consent, the remarks by Senators Huffines and West regarding Floor Amendment No. 1 to SB 15 were ordered reduced to writing and printed in the Senate Journal as follows:
Senator West: Senator Huffines, would you ki-- for purpose of legislative intent, would you kindly address the issue that if, if a spouse, be it a male or female, gets remarried, would, whether or not they would be eligible for this exemption?
Senator Huffines: Yes, thank you, Mr. West, Senator West, for qual-- asking me that question to qua-- understand this amendment more. If the spouse of the surviving officer killed or first responder killed in line of duty remarries, they are no longer qualified for the exemption.
Senator West: And there are several other statutes like surviving spouse of military--
Senator Huffines: Yes, Sir, this--
Senator West: --persons.
Senator Huffines: --yes, Sir, this tracks exactly the language from the 83rd legislative session when we gave the same exemption for surviving military.
Senator West: Thank you.
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 12 ON SECOND READING
Senator West moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSSB 12 at this time on its second reading:
CSSB 12, Relating to the creation of a grant program to assist law enforcement agencies with the purchase of bulletproof vests.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0.
Absent-excused: Menéndez.
The bill was read second time.
Senator West offered the following amendment to the bill:
Floor Amendment No. 1
Amend CSSB 12 (senate committee printing) in SECTION 1 of the bill as follows:
(1) In the heading to added Section 772.0073, Government Code (page 1, line 26), between "VEST" and "GRANT", insert "AND BODY ARMOR".
(2) In added Section 772.0073(b), Government Code (page 1, line 32), between "vests" and the underlined period, insert ", ballistic plates, and plate carriers".
(3) Strike added Section 772.0073(c), Government Code (page 1, lines 33 through 39), and substitute the following:
(c) A vest or plate purchased with a grant received under this section must comply with a National Institute of Justice standard for rifle protection.
(4) In added Section 772.0073(d), Government Code (page 1, line 42), strike "deployment and allocation of vests to its officers" and substitute the following:
:
(1) deployment and allocation of vests or plates to its officers; and
(2) usage of vests or plates by its officers
(5) In added Section 773.0073(e), Government Code (page 1, lines 46 through 47), strike "including the price of each vest and the number of vests purchased" and substitute the following:
ballistic plates, and plate carriers, including the price of each item and the number of each type of item purchased
(6) In added Section 773.0073(f)(3), Government Code (page 1, line 56), strike "the number of vests" and substitute "as reported under Subsection (e), the number of vests, plates, and carriers".
The amendment to CSSB 12 was read and was adopted by a viva voce vote.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1 except as follows:
Absent-excused: Menéndez.
CSSB 12 as amended was passed to engrossment by a viva voce vote.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to engrossment except as follows:
Absent-excused: Menéndez.
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 12 ON THIRD READING
Senator West moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSSB 12 be placed on its third reading and final passage.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0.
Absent-excused: Menéndez.
The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0. (Same as previous roll call)
REMARKS ORDERED PRINTED
Pursuant to a previously adopted motion, the closing remarks by the President regarding Law Enforcement Day were ordered reduced to writing and printed in the Senate Journal as follows:
Members, five bills today. The final vote is 150 ayes and no nays. This bill passes 30 ayes and no nays. Thank you, Members, for passing strong legislation to protect our families of law enforcement, to show them that we have their back, and to make them safer. And thank you, Senator West, for your moving finish to pass this bill. This bill passes 30 ayes, no nays. Thank you, Members.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS
Senator Birdwell submitted the following report from the Committee on Nominations:
We, your Committee on Nominations, to which were referred the following appointments, have had same under consideration and report them back to the Senate with a recommendation that they be confirmed:
Chair, State Board of Education: Donna McDaniel Bahorich, Harris County.
Commissioner of Education: Michael Hunter Morath, Dallas County.
Members, Council on Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke: Melbert Carl Hillert, Dallas County; Sherron Denise Meeks, Midland County; Shilpa Shamapant, Travis County; Harry Sheets, Taylor County; Maricela Gonzalez Wilson, Travis County.
Member, Board of Directors, Gulf Coast Waste Disposal Authority: Nancy Caroline Blackwell, Harris County.
Member, Prepaid Higher Education Tuition Board: Michael Joseph Truncale, Jefferson County.
NOTICE OF CONSIDERATION OF NOMINATIONS
Senator Birdwell gave notice that he would tomorrow submit to the Senate for consideration nominations to agencies, boards, and commissions of the state.
SENATE RULE 11.13 SUSPENDED
(Consideration of Bills in Committees)
(Motion In Writing)
Senator Kolkhorst submitted the following Motion In Writing:
Mr. President:
I move to suspend Senate Rule 11.13 so that committees may meet during the reading and referral of bills.
KOLKHORST
The Motion In Writing was read and prevailed without objection.
MOTION TO ADJOURN
On motion of Senator Whitmire and by unanimous consent, the Senate at 3:33 p.m. agreed to adjourn, in memory of Eligio "Kika" de la Garza and the following Texas peace officers killed in the line of duty in 2016 and 2017: Patrolman David Ortiz, Trooper Jeffrey Nichols, Police Officer Endy Ekpanya, Sergeant Stacey Baumgartner, Police Officer Calvin "Mark" McCullers, Sergeant Michael Joseph Smith, Police Officer Michael Leslie Krol, Police Officer Patricio E. Zamarripa, Police Officer Brent Alan Thompson, Senior Corporal Lorne Bradley Ahrens, Police Officer Marco Antonio Zarate, Police Officer Justin Scherlen, Senior Police Officer Amir Abdul-Khaliq, Deputy Sheriff Kenneth Hubert Maltby, Corporal Robert Eugene Ransom, Assistant Commander Kenneth Joseph Starrs, Detective Benjamin Marconi, and Detective Jerry Walker, upon completion of the introduction of bills and resolutions on first reading, until 12:00 p.m. tomorrow.
(Senator Taylor of Collin in Chair)
SENATE BILLS ON FIRST READING
The following bills, filed on or before Friday, March 10, 2017, were introduced, read first time, and referred to the committees indicated:
SB 30 by West, Whitmire
Relating to inclusion of instruction regarding interaction with peace officers in the required curriculum for certain public school students and in driver education courses and to civilian interaction training for peace officers.
To Committee on Criminal Justice.
SB 317 by Nichols, Hinojosa, Schwertner, Taylor of Collin, Watson
Relating to the continuation and functions of the Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners, the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, and the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners; authorizing a fee.
To Committee on State Affairs.
SB 318 by Schwertner, Hinojosa, Nichols, Taylor of Collin, Watson
Relating to transfer of the regulation of podiatry to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation; authorizing a reduction in fees.
To Committee on Health and Human Services.
SB 726 by Seliger
Relating to elections held by the Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District.
To Committee on Agriculture, Water, and Rural Affairs.
SB 1231 by Perry
Relating to the issuance of general obligation bonds by the Texas Public Finance Authority to pay for certain state infrastructure projects.
To Committee on Finance.
SB 1232 by Huffman
Relating to the creation of the offense of bestiality.
To Committee on Criminal Justice.
SB 1233 by Rodríguez
Relating to a writ of mandamus by a court of appeals against an associate judge in certain cases.
To Committee on State Affairs.
SB 1234 by Rodríguez
Relating to the possession of a child on the child's birthday under a standard possession order in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship.
To Committee on State Affairs.
SB 1235 by Rodríguez
Relating to the rendition of certain temporary orders during the pendency of a suit for modification of an order that provides for the conservatorship, support, or possession of or access to a child.
To Committee on State Affairs.
SB 1236 by Rodríguez
Relating to child custody evaluations; creating an offense.
To Committee on State Affairs.
SB 1237 by Rodríguez
Relating to procedures in a suit for dissolution of a marriage or a suit affecting the parent-child relationship.
To Committee on State Affairs.
SB 1238 by Rodríguez
Relating to the eligibility of certain at-risk developments to receive low income housing tax credits.
To Committee on Intergovernmental Relations.
SB 1239 by Taylor of Collin
Relating to the authority of a municipality to remove directors of certain conservation and reclamation districts.
To Committee on Agriculture, Water, and Rural Affairs.
SB 1240 by Rodríguez
Relating to the prescriptive authority of certain psychologists; authorizing a fee.
To Committee on Health and Human Services.
SB 1241 by Rodríguez
Relating to law enforcement's duty to report to the National Crime Information Center and Texas Crime Information Center certain information concerning a family violence, sexual assault or abuse, stalking, or trafficking case.
To Committee on Criminal Justice.
SB 1242 by Rodríguez
Relating to the confidentiality of certain personal information of an applicant for or a person protected by a protective order.
To Committee on State Affairs.
SB 1243 by Rodríguez
Relating to the creation of the offense of improper contact with an adult victim of a criminal offense and providing certain rights to a victim and the victim's family regarding contact by an inmate or an inmate's representative.
To Committee on Criminal Justice.
SB 1244 by Rodríguez
Relating to the prima facie speed limit in an urban district.
To Committee on Transportation.
SB 1245 by Rodríguez
Relating to the creation of the Vision Zero Task Force to propose a plan to eliminate traffic deaths in this state.
To Committee on Transportation.
SB 1246 by Rodríguez
Relating to the salary of a bailiff in El Paso County.
To Committee on State Affairs.
SB 1247 by Huffman
Relating to the effective date of certain actions taken by the commissioner of education against school districts that exceed the equalized wealth level and to reattachment of property detached from a school district by the commissioner of education to achieve the equalized wealth level.
To Committee on Education.
SB 1248 by Buckingham
Relating to municipal regulation of manufactured home communities.
To Committee on Business and Commerce.
SB 1249 by West
Relating to adverse possession of real property by a cotenant heir against other cotenant heirs.
To Committee on State Affairs.
SB 1250 by West
Relating to the admissibility of certain evidence in the prosecution of certain offenses involving family violence.
To Committee on State Affairs.
SB 1251 by West
Relating to making a voluntary contribution to the Ending Homelessness fund when registering a motor vehicle or renewing a motor vehicle registration.
To Committee on Transportation.
SB 1252 by West
Relating to disclosure of information regarding and conditions for payment of death benefits under certain policies, contracts, and group benefit plans; providing exemplary damages.
To Committee on Business and Commerce.
SB 1253 by West
Relating to the electronic recording and admissibility of certain custodial interrogations.
To Committee on Criminal Justice.
SB 1254 by Taylor of Collin
Relating to the practice of and the billing codes used by certain mental health professionals.
To Committee on Business and Commerce.
SB 1255 by Uresti
Relating to the designation of a portion of Loop 1604 in Bexar County as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Overpass.
To Committee on Transportation.
SB 1256 by Uresti
Relating to export fees charged by the Middle Pecos Groundwater Conservation District; changing a fee.
To Committee on Agriculture, Water, and Rural Affairs.
SB 1257 by Huffman
Relating to coverage for certain services related to maternal depression under the Medicaid and child health plan programs.
To Committee on Health and Human Services.
SB 1258 by Miles
Relating to discretionary disciplinary action by public school districts regarding nonviolent offenses and the adjudication of a child who engages in conduct that constitutes a nonviolent offense on school property.
To Committee on Education.
SB 1259 by Bettencourt
Relating to the extraterritorial jurisdiction of and municipal annexation by certain municipalities.
To Committee on Intergovernmental Relations.
SB 1260 by Creighton
Relating to the Chambers County Improvement District No. 2.
To Committee on Intergovernmental Relations.
SB 1261 by Creighton
Relating to the creation of the Montgomery County Municipal Utility District No. 157; granting a limited power of eminent domain; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes.
To Committee on Intergovernmental Relations.
SB 1262 by Huffman, Campbell
Relating to the authority of a political subdivision to adopt or enforce certain regulations regarding whether a private employer may obtain or consider an employment applicant's or employee's criminal history record information.
To Committee on Business and Commerce.
SB 1263 by Hughes
Relating to the regulation of a service contract.
To Committee on Business and Commerce.
SB 1264 by Huffman
Relating to psychological counseling for certain grand jurors.
To Committee on State Affairs.
SB 1265 by Miles
Relating to HIV and AIDS tests and to health benefit plan coverage of HIV and AIDS tests.
To Committee on Health and Human Services.
SB 1266 by Nelson
Relating to making supplemental appropriations and giving direction and adjustment authority regarding appropriations.
To Committee on Finance.
SB 1267 by Taylor of Galveston
Relating to school district ad valorem tax rates.
To Committee on Education.
SB 1269 by Miles
Relating to the establishment of a task force to conduct a comprehensive study on flood control infrastructure for Harris and Galveston Counties.
To Committee on Agriculture, Water, and Rural Affairs.
SB 1270 by Miles
Relating to the allocation and use of certain border security funding to secure Gulf of Mexico ports.
To Committee on Finance.
SB 1271 by Miles
Relating to the development of a statewide online education and career advising tool and to a study and report on certain courses offered for college credit to public school students.
To Committee on Education.
SB 1272 by Miles
Relating to an annual proclamation related to hurricane preparedness.
To Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development.
SB 1273 by Rodríguez
Relating to the procedures for an application for a writ of habeas corpus in certain felony cases where the state agrees to relief.
To Committee on Criminal Justice.
SB 1274 by Rodríguez
Relating to the operation of a motor vehicle in the vicinity of an unprotected road user; creating a criminal offense.
To Committee on Transportation.
SB 1275 by Taylor of Collin
Relating to the appraisal for ad valorem tax purposes of certain nonexempt property used for low-income or moderate-income housing.
To Committee on Finance.
SB 1276 by Campbell
Relating to designation of gender-neutral bathrooms, changing rooms, locker rooms, shower rooms, and similar facilities.
To Committee on State Affairs.
SB 1277 by Taylor of Galveston
Relating to a requirement that online admission application forms for public institutions of higher education include a link to certain employment data relating to fields of study.
To Committee on Higher Education.
SB 1278 by Taylor of Galveston
Relating to educator preparation programs.
To Committee on Education.
SB 1279 by Taylor of Galveston
Relating to restricting the use of covered information, including student personally identifiable information, by an operator of a website, online service, online application, or mobile application for a school purpose.
To Committee on Education.
SB 1280 by Huffines
Relating to the minimum amount of student instruction required to be provided by school districts.
To Committee on Education.
SB 1281 by Huffines
Relating to an exemption from motor carrier registration for certain vehicles transporting household goods.
To Committee on Transportation.
SB 1282 by Huffines
Relating to prohibiting the use of automated traffic control systems.
To Committee on Transportation.
SB 1283 by Creighton
Relating to reciprocity requirements for nonresident insurance agents to offer or sell insurance policies issued by the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association.
To Committee on Business and Commerce.
SB 1284 by Taylor of Collin
Relating to prescriber and dispenser reporting and access to patient prescription information under the Texas Controlled Substances Act.
To Committee on Health and Human Services.
SB 1285 by Creighton
Relating to certain information or assistance provided by life insurance agents to owners of life insurance policies.
To Committee on Business and Commerce.
SB 1286 by Bettencourt
Relating to the system for protesting or appealing certain ad valorem tax determinations.
To Committee on Finance.
SB 1287 by Huffines
Relating to compliance with prohibitions regarding the use of common core state standards in public schools.
To Committee on Education.
SB 1288 by Taylor of Galveston, Schwertner
Relating to the United States history end-of-course assessment instrument for public high school students.
To Committee on Education.
SB 1289 by Creighton
Relating to the purchase of iron and steel products made in the United States for certain governmental entity projects.
To Committee on Business and Commerce.
SB 1290 by Creighton
Relating to access to criminal history record information by an emergency communication district.
To Committee on Criminal Justice.
SB 1291 by Creighton
Relating to permits for oversize and overweight vehicles in a certain county.
To Committee on Transportation.
SB 1292 by Creighton
Relating to the creation of a revolving loan program to finance ship channel improvements.
To Committee on Transportation.
SB 1293 by Buckingham
Relating to a prohibition on requiring a gift or grant to be made to a district or county attorney or a commissioners court as a condition of a defendant's pretrial intervention agreement.
To Committee on State Affairs.
SB 1294 by Buckingham
Relating to election of professional staff representatives to certain school district planning and decision-making committees.
To Committee on Education.
SB 1295 by Lucio
Relating to an insurance premium tax credit for investment in certain communities; imposing a monetary penalty; authorizing fees.
To Committee on Finance.
SB 1296 by Huffman
Relating to the review of ballot proposition language for certain political subdivision elections.
To Committee on State Affairs.
SB 1297 by Huffman
Relating to enhancing the penalties for certain repeat and habitual offenders.
To Committee on Criminal Justice.
SB 1298 by Huffman
Relating to the selection and summons of prospective grand jurors.
To Committee on Criminal Justice.
SB 1299 by Huffman
Relating to access to criminal history record information.
To Committee on Criminal Justice.
SB 1300 by Perry
Relating to the designation of the San Angelo State Supported Living Center as a forensic state supported living center.
To Committee on Health and Human Services.
SB 2190 by Huffman
Relating to the public retirement systems of certain municipalities.
To Committee on State Affairs.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 6
On motion of Senator Kolkhorst, Senator Nelson will be shown as Co-author of SB 6.
CO-AUTHORS OF SENATE BILL 8
On motion of Senator Schwertner, Senators Hughes and Lucio will be shown as Co-authors of SB 8.
CO-AUTHORS OF SENATE BILL 12
On motion of Senator West, Senators Schwertner, Uresti, and Zaffirini will be shown as Co-authors of SB 12.
CO-AUTHORS OF SENATE BILL 15
On motion of Senator Huffines, Senators Bettencourt, Creighton, and Lucio will be shown as Co-authors of SB 15.
CO-AUTHORS OF SENATE BILL 115
On motion of Senator Huffines, Senators Whitmire and Zaffirini will be shown as Co-authors of SB 115.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 415
On motion of Senator Perry, Senator Hall will be shown as Co-author of SB 415.
CO-AUTHORS OF SENATE BILL 518
On motion of Senator Miles, Senators Garcia and Whitmire will be shown as Co-authors of SB 518.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 727
On motion of Senator Garcia, Senator Huffines will be shown as Co-author of SB 727.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 801
On motion of Senator Seliger, Senator Bettencourt will be shown as Co-author of SB 801.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 850
On motion of Senator Huffines, Senator Buckingham will be shown as Co-author of SB 850.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 1269
On motion of Senator Miles, Senator Whitmire will be shown as Co-author of SB 1269.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 1324
On motion of Senator Campbell, Senator Nelson will be shown as Co-author of SB 1324.
CO-AUTHORS OF SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 1
On motion of Senator Campbell, Senators Bettencourt, Hinojosa, and Lucio will be shown as Co-authors of SJR 1.
RESOLUTIONS OF RECOGNITION
The following resolutions were adopted by the Senate:
Memorial Resolutions
SR 404 by Whitmire, In memory of Margaret Merle Roberts.
SR 409 by Uresti, In memory of Weston Gray Frost.
SR 411 by Estes, In memory of Donald Blair Lang Jr.
Congratulatory Resolutions
SR 403 by Lucio, Recognizing Olmito Water Supply Corporation on the occasion of its 50th anniversary.
SR 405 by Estes, Recognizing Theodore Roosevelt IV for his commitment to conservation.
SR 406 by Taylor of Collin, Recognizing the Clark Middle School band for receiving the 2016 Sudler Cup.
SR 410 by Watson, Congratulating Caroline Morgan and Marshall Maher on the birth of their daughter, Penelope Zara Morgan-Maher.
SR 413 by Hinojosa, Recognizing Fidel Jasso on the occasion of his retirement.
Official Designation Resolutions
SR 407 by Watson, Declaring May 3, 2017, Moonlight Tower Day.
SR 412 by Estes, Celebrating March 16, 2017, as Absolutely Incredible Kid Day.
SR 414 by Schwertner, Proclaiming March 16, 2017, Williamson County Day.
HCR 77 (Kolkhorst), Recognizing March 1, 2017, as University of Houston--Victoria Day at the State Capitol.
ADJOURNMENT
Pursuant to a previously adopted motion, the Senate at 3:46 p.m. adjourned, in memory of Eligio "Kika" de la Garza and the following Texas peace officers killed in the line of duty in 2016 and 2017: Patrolman David Ortiz, Trooper Jeffrey Nichols, Police Officer Endy Ekpanya, Sergeant Stacey Baumgartner, Police Officer Calvin "Mark" McCullers, Sergeant Michael Joseph Smith, Police Officer Michael Leslie Krol, Police Officer Patricio E. Zamarripa, Police Officer Brent Alan Thompson, Senior Corporal Lorne Bradley Ahrens, Police Officer Marco Antonio Zarate, Police Officer Justin Scherlen, Senior Police Officer Amir Abdul-Khaliq, Deputy Sheriff Kenneth Hubert Maltby, Corporal Robert Eugene Ransom, Assistant Commander Kenneth Joseph Starrs, Detective Benjamin Marconi, and Detective Jerry Walker, until 12:00 p.m. tomorrow.
APPENDIX
COMMITTEE REPORTS
The following committee reports were received by the Secretary of the Senate in the order listed:
March 13, 2017
TRANSPORTATION — SB 867, SB 364, SB 365, SB 396, SB 402
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES — CSSB 267, CSSB 497
VETERAN AFFAIRS AND BORDER SECURITY — SB 102, CSSB 94, CSSB 751
HIGHER EDUCATION — CSSB 249, CSSB 887
VETERAN AFFAIRS AND BORDER SECURITY — SB 277
BILLS ENGROSSED
March 8, 2017
SB 7, SB 24, SB 36, SB 41
RESOLUTIONS ENROLLED
March 8, 2017
SR 307, SR 360, SR 397, SR 398
March 9, 2017
SR 399, SR 400, SR 401, SR 402