(Thursday, April 4, 2019)

The Senate met at 11:00 a.m. pursuant to adjournment and was called to order by the President.

The roll was called and the following Senators were present:  Alvarado, Bettencourt, Birdwell, Buckingham, Campbell, Creighton, Fallon, Flores, Hall, Hancock, Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, Johnson, Kolkhorst, Lucio, Menéndez, Miles, Nelson, Nichols, Paxton, Perry, Powell, Rodríguez, Schwertner, Seliger, Taylor, Watson, West, Whitmire, Zaffirini.

The President announced that a quorum of the Senate was present.

Pastor Andrea Moore, Summit Worship Center, Austin, offered the invocation as follows:

Lord, we thank You for this special moment as we celebrate today all that You have done in the last 100 years for us with women's suffrage and the unfolding of us gaining greater rights and opportunities to stand for what we believe in. Thank You for this incredible group of men and women that I have the privilege to stand before today. I am so honored and grateful. I thank You for all that You intend to accomplish during this session and beyond that will continue to positively impact our great city, this state, and our government as a whole. Lord, give them divine wisdom and quick resolutions as they tackle many issues today on our behalf. We are so grateful for their sacrifices, their investments, and their willingness to serve. Continue to watch over this city, this state, and all those residing in places of prominence. I love You, Lord, and I commit this time to You. In Jesus' name I pray. 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.

Senator Nelson, joined by Senators Bettencourt and Hancock, was recognized and, on behalf of the Senate, extended birthday greetings to the President.

HOUSE CHAMBER

Austin, Texas

Thursday, April 4, 2019 - 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:

Relating to public school finance and public education.

Relating to increasing the criminal penalty for assault or aggravated assault of a federal law enforcement officer.

Relating to the automatic admission to general academic teaching institutions and eligibility for certain scholarships of a student who is the valedictorian of the student's high school graduating class.

Relating to extensions of an expired permit for the transfer of groundwater from a groundwater conservation district.

Relating to the content of a polling place location notice.

Relating to the eligibility of land secured by a home equity loan to be designated for agricultural use for ad valorem tax purposes.

Relating to the regulation of industrialized housing and buildings.

Relating to the continuation and functions of the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner and the licensing and registration of persons regulated by that state agency.

Relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy.

Relating to certain governmental entities subject to the sunset review process.

Congratulating Denna Marcum McGuire and Allen Grover McGuire Jr. of Midland on their 50th wedding anniversary.

Respectfully,

/s/Robert Haney, Chief Clerk

House of Representatives

Senator Nichols was recognized and introduced to the Senate the Shelbyville High School boys' basketball state champion team.

The Senate welcomed its guests.

Senator West was recognized and introduced to the Senate the James Madison High School boys' basketball state champion team.

Senator West also introduced to the Senate the Oak Cliff Faith Family Academy Charter High School boys' basketball state champion team.

The Senate welcomed its guests.

Senator Menéndez was recognized and introduced to the Senate representatives of the Coalition to Protect Parenthood After Cancer.

The Senate welcomed its guests.

Senator Watson was recognized and introduced to the Senate members of the Grammy-nominated bluegrass band Wood & Wire: Billy Bright, Trevor Smith, Tony Kamel, and Dominic Fisher.

The Senate welcomed its guests.

Senator Whitmire was recognized and introduced the following:

The Honorable Ben Barnes–De Leon

Lieutenant Governor–1969 to 1973

The Honorable Don Adams--Jasper

State Senator--1973 to 1977

The Honorable Richard Anderson--Marshall

State Senator--1986 to 1989

The Honorable Gonzalo Barrientos--Austin

State Senator--1985 to 2007

The Honorable J. E. "Buster" Brown--Lake Jackson

State Senator--1981 to 2002

The Honorable David Cain--Dallas

State Senator--1995 to 2003

The Honorable Kent Caperton--Bryan

State Senator--1981 to 1991

The Honorable Wendy Davis--Fort Worth

State Senator--2009 to 2015

The Honorable Robert Duncan--Lubbock

State Senator--1996 to 2014

The Honorable Rodney Ellis--Harris

State Senator--1990 to 2017

The Honorable Michael Galloway--The Woodlands

State Senator--1995 to 1999

The Honorable Gene Green--Houston

State Senator--1985 to 1993

The Honorable Bill Haley--Center

State Senator--1989 to 1995

The Honorable Kent Hance--Lubbock

State Senator--1975 to 1979

The Honorable Glenn Kothmann--San Antonio

State Senator--1971 to 1987

The Honorable Bill Meier--Euless

State Senator--1973 to 1983

The Honorable John T. Montford--Lubbock

State Senator--1983 to 1996

The Honorable Carl A. Parker--Port Arthur

State Senator--1977 to 1995

The Honorable Ken Paxton--McKinney

State Senator--2013 to 2015

The Honorable Florence Shapiro--Plano

State Senator--1993 to 2013

The Honorable John Sharp--Victoria

State Senator--1982 to 1987

The Honorable Dan Shelley--Crosby

State Senator--1993 to 1995

The Honorable Todd Staples--Palestine

State Senator--2001 to 2007

The Honorable Jim Turner--Crockett

State Senator--1991 to 1997

The Honorable Leticia Van de Putte--San Antonio

State Senator--1999 to 2015

The Honorable Jeff Wentworth--San Antonio

State Senator--1993 to 2013

The Honorable Tommy Williams--The Woodlands

State Senator--2003 to 2013

Charles Schnabel

Secretary of the Senate--1955 to 1977

The Senate welcomed its guests.

Senator Whitmire introduced former Secretary of the Senate Charles Schnabel, the youngest-elected and the longest-serving Secretary of the Senate. A gavel was presented to Mr. Schnabel by Secretary of the Senate Patsy Spaw.

The President acknowledged the presence of former Parliamentarian Walter Fisher.

The Senate welcomed its guest.

Senator Hughes was recognized and acknowledged the current women Senators in honor of the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage in Texas.

Senator Hughes offered the following remarks and read the following names from "A State of Remembrance, April 4, 2019":

Members, of course, on your desk also is the book of remembrance. The Texas Senate is a special institution. Each one of us once we arrive, begin to realize the privilege, the tremendous responsibility, and all the people that are counting on us and the gravity of what we do and the significance, not of us as individuals, but when we're elected by our constituents to represent them, to be their voice, to deliberate, and to serve here. So, we think about the institution we have, it's rich in history and tradition. And, of course, service here makes one part of that great institution and of Texas history itself. Think about service, tradition, history, they're very important to this body, and that's why we're so thankful to have former Members with us today as well. Because of our love and our respect for each other, on Former Members Day our tradition is to remember and honor those who we've lost during the interim and to publicly read their names into the Senate record. On your desk, again, you'll find the memorial booklet in honor of those five former colleagues and so, in alphabetical order, we honor the memory of:

The Honorable Ralph Moody Hall

State Senator–1963 to 1973

The Honorable Walter H. Mengden Jr.

State Senator–1973 to 1983

The Honorable Jack Ogg

State Senator–1973 to 1983

The Honorable Aaron Robert "Babe" Schwartz

State Senator–1960 to 1981

The Honorable Murray Watson Jr.

State Senator–1963 to 1973

Many of us here knew each of these personally to varying degrees. We know each of them as a statesman, a public servant, and as a Texas Senator. And so, Dean Whitmire, I move that when the Senate adjourns today, it do so in memory of these who served so well this state they loved so much. And I thank you, Mr. President.

Senator Whitmire was again recognized for closing remarks and thanked the honored guests for their service to the State of Texas.

On motion of Senator Nelson and by unanimous consent, Senator Whitmire's remarks in conclusion of the Former Members Day ceremony were ordered reduced to writing and printed in the Senate Journal as follows:

Thank you, Governor Patrick, and we appreciate your kind words. Members and guests, this is the part of the program prepared by Patsy and my office. It says, Whitmire closes with recognition that we are family and some say a club. But I choose to depart from prepared remarks today to make some heartfelt comments. First, this is a remarkable institution. There's 31 Texans that come from all parts of the state that represent 26 million Texans. When you walk through the doors of this Chamber, Members, you become a part of a select group of officials that will always be known as Senator. But with that title comes responsibility. First and foremost, respect for the institution and the reverence it deserves because it represents Texas. I would hasten to say that you represent the institution by respecting all of its Members, former and present. Just take a moment to look around this Chamber. You could point to any one of the current 31 Members, and I can tell you why that Senator is special. Chuy Hinojosa, deported when he was five years old, with his mother, spent months in Mexico, could only see his father on the weekends, but when he finished high school, worst moments of the Vietnam War, he volunteered and joined the Marines where he became a hero. He's still very affected by that experience. Brian Birdwell, a miracle, was in the Pentagon on 9-11, should not be alive today. Covered in jet fuel, on fire, but because his faith in God and his will to live, he's sitting on this Senate floor today. Pete Flores, just to show you the remarkable institution we have, there's many thinks he's sitting in a Democratic seat, Mr. President, but we've got another day to discuss that. What we are recognizing is he's a Member of this Senate, and I daily watch Democrats and Republicans help him to be a more effective Senator. Some of our base supporters in both parties don't think we're supposed to do that. I laid out a bill for him yesterday. This remarkable man won a campaign that many thought he couldn't, had a lot of help, Mr. President, but he, yeah, big dollars by the way, he served as a game warden for 26 years, as a state employee. And I've watched him in Finance working groups use that experience and argue for better benefits for state employees. Pete, who would have thought when you joined the Game Warden, Parks and Wildlife, that you would be here representing your co-workers some day. Look at our diversity, Mr. President. There are more women in the Senate than have ever before, and they chair some of our most important committees, including Finance, State Affairs, Health and Human Services, and Military Affairs. This is largely due to their wisdom and leadership skills and the recognition by the Lieutenant Governor who made these outstanding appointments. We have seven Hispanics who will someday, very soon, represent the majority of Texans. And I dare say the majority of the Texas Senate. We have two African American Members. I remember a time when we did not have any African Americans serving in this institution. With no disrespect, most former Members were Anglo males, with the exception of trailblazers Gonzalo Barrientos, Florence Shapiro, Wendy Davis, and Senator Van de Putte. And as I close, because we do need to get to work, let me ask that we all rededicate ourselves to being the best, the best public servants possible, and the best friends possible. And if we, as a group, have a bad day and the train gets off track, let's talk. And remember we have more in common than we are different. And remember how satisfying it is when we have a good day on the Senate floor. Like our guests that we honor today, we will forever be Senators, and nobody, no one will ever know how that feels unless you've been one. On behalf of the Senate, I want to personally thank our honored guests for your service to the state and this Senate. Each of us on this Senate floor will someday be former Members, and we must dedicate ourselves to protecting the honor of this august body that we are so privileged to serve. Mr. President, I would ask that the Senate stand at ease, pending the departure of our guests, and we so greatly appreciate your presence today. Thank you.

The President at 11:53 a.m. announced the Senate would stand At Ease subject to the call of the Chair.

President Pro Tempore Watson at 12:11 p.m. called the Senate to order as In Legislative Session.

Senator Powell was recognized and presented Dr. Linda Siy of Euless as the Physician of the Day.

The Senate welcomed Dr. Siy and thanked her for her participation in the Physician of the Day program sponsored by the Texas Academy of Family Physicians.

Senator Fallon was recognized and introduced to the Senate Miranda Powers.

The Senate welcomed its guest.

The following Messages from the Governor were read and were referred to the Committee on Nominations:

April 4, 2019

Austin, Texas

TO THE SENATE OF THE EIGHTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, REGULAR SESSION:

I ask the advice, consent and confirmation of the Senate with respect to the following appointments:

To be members of the State Board for Educator Certification for terms to expire February 1, 2025:

Tommy L. Coleman

Livingston, Texas

Shareefah Nadir-Mason

Dallas, Texas

To be members of the Texas Forensic Science Commission for terms to expire September 1, 2020:

Bruce Budowle, Ph.D.

North Richland Hills, Texas

Patrick Buzzini, Ph.D.

Spring, Texas

Nancy R. Downing, Ph.D.

Bryan, Texas

Jasmine M. Drake, Ph.D.

Houston, Texas

To be members of the Statewide Health Coordinating Council for terms to expire as indicated:

Nancy W. Yuill, Ph.D.

Sugar Land, Texas

David A. "Dave" Allen, D.N.P

San Antonio, Texas

Chelsea L. Elliott

Austin, Texas

Elizabeth J. "Betty" Protas, Ph.D.

League City, Texas

D. Bailey Wynne

Dallas, Texas

To be members of the Texas Racing Commission for terms to expire as indicated:

Arvel J. "A.J." Waight, Jr.

Willow City, Texas

Michael J. "Mike" Moore

Fort Worth, Texas

Robert C. Pate

Corpus Christi, Texas

Respectfully submitted,

/s/Greg Abbott

Governor

The President Pro Tempore at 12:17 p.m. announced the conclusion of morning call.

On motion of Senator Whitmire and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration SB 2190 at this time on its second reading:

SB 2190, Relating to the confinement of juveniles in certain facilities.

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.

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 SB 2190 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

On motion of Senator Miles and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration CSSB 285 at this time on its second reading:

CSSB 285, Relating to information and outreach regarding hurricane preparedness and mitigation.

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.

Senator Miles moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSSB 285 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

On motion of Senator Schwertner and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration CSSB 555 at this time on its second reading:

CSSB 555, Relating to the qualification of land for appraisal for ad valorem tax purposes as agricultural land and the liability for the additional tax imposed on such land if the use of the land changes as a result of a condemnation.

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.

Senator Schwertner moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSSB 555 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

On motion of Senator Bettencourt and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration SB 1231 at this time on its second reading:

SB 1231, Relating to providing certain public and private school administrators with information regarding certain child abuse and neglect investigations and allegations.

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.

Senator Bettencourt moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that SB 1231 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

Senator Menéndez was recognized and introduced to the Senate a delegation representing CPS Energy of San Antonio.

The Senate welcomed its guests.

On motion of Senator Buckingham and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration SB 790 at this time on its second reading:

SB 790, Relating to certain audit and reporting requirements of regional planning commissions.

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.

Senator Buckingham moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that SB 790 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

Senator Nichols moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSSB 14 at this time on its second reading:

CSSB 14, Relating to broadband service or facilities provided by an electric cooperative.

The motion prevailed.

Senator Campbell asked to be recorded as voting "Nay" on suspension of the regular order of business.

The bill was read second time.

Senator Nichols offered the following amendment to the bill:

Amend CSSB 14 (senate committee printing) as follows:

(1)  In SECTION 1 of the bill, in added Section 181.048(a), Utilities Code (page 1, line 37 through 38), strike Subdivision (3).

(2)  In SECTION 1 of the bill, in added Section 181.048(b), Utilities Code (page 1, line 43), strike "and easements" and substitute "easements, and licenses and other property rights".

(3)  In SECTION 1 of the bill, strike added Section 181.048(c), Utilities Code (page 1, line 47 through 51), and substitute the following:

(4)  In SECTION 1 of the bill, in added Section 181.048(e), Utilities Code (page 2, line 2), strike "granted" and substitute "that existed".

(5)  In SECTION 1 of the bill, in added Section 181.048(e), Utilities Code (page 2, line 24), between "authorized by" and "law", strike "other".

(6)  In SECTION 1 of the bill, in added Section 181.048(g), Utilities Code (page 2, line 34), between "the cooperative's" and "cables", insert "fiber optic".

The amendment to CSSB 14 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.

CSSB 14 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:

Nays:  Campbell.

Senator Nichols moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSSB 14 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 1.

Nays:  Campbell.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 1. (Same as previous roll call)

Senator Hancock offered the following resolution:

WHEREAS, The dangers of drunk driving and underage drinking are issues of concern to every Texan; and

WHEREAS, While concerted law enforcement and education efforts have done much to curb drunk driving over the past few decades, more than 10,000 alcohol-related deaths still occur on our nation's roadways each year; and

WHEREAS, A total of 1,468 Texans died in drunk driving crashes in 2017; although this number is above the national average, alcohol-impaired driving fatalities overall have been on the decline at both the state and national levels, and our state has seen a 7.5 percent decrease in such fatalities among drivers under the age of 21 in the last decade alone; and

WHEREAS, The State of Texas has worked to reduce the incidence of impaired driving through the use of DWI courts, law enforcement training, No Refusal campaigns, ignition interlock devices, alcoholism treatment, and other lifesaving countermeasures; and

WHEREAS, Underage drinking, which continues to be a persistent problem despite a decline to record-low levels in 2018, is an area of particular focus for our state; the number of Texans between the ages of 12 and 20 reporting alcohol consumption in the past month is now around 17 percent, a decrease of 36 percent since 2008, and the continued cooperation of state law enforcement agencies, alcohol awareness organizations, and responsible parents can play an instrumental role in ensuring that our youth avoid impaired driving; and

WHEREAS, Research shows that parents can help prevent underage drinking and alcohol abuse by beginning conversations with their children about alcohol use at an early age and by continuing to speak with them about the issue throughout childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood; with the help of Responsibility.org and other organizations, 73 percent of teenagers now identify parents as the leading influence in their decisions regarding alcohol, representing a 33 percent increase since 1991; and

WHEREAS, The recognition of April as Alcohol Responsibility Month offers a welcome opportunity to call attention to the work that must be done to further reduce the tragic impact of drunk driving and underage drinking in Texas; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 86th Texas Legislature hereby recognize April 2019 as Alcohol Responsibility Month and encourage all Texans to make responsible decisions regarding the consumption of alcohol and to support efforts to reduce drunk driving and underage drinking.

The resolution was read and was adopted without objection.

Senator Hancock was recognized and introduced to the Senate an Alcohol Responsibility Month delegation representing Responsibility.org: Brandi Nannini and Madeleine Spjut.

The Senate welcomed its guests.

On motion of Senator Perry and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration CSSB 1010 at this time on its second reading:

CSSB 1010, Relating to rules adopted by groundwater conservation districts overlying a common aquifer.

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.

Senator Perry moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSSB 1010 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

On motion of Senator Hancock and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration SB 936 at this time on its second reading:

SB 936, Relating to a cybersecurity monitor for certain electric utilities.

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.

Senator Hancock moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that SB 936 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

On motion of Senator Nichols and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration CSSB 624 at this time on its second reading:

CSSB 624, Relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas Real Estate Commission and the Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board; changing fees.

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.

Senator Nichols moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSSB 624 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

On motion of Senator Zaffirini and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration SB 1012 at this time on its second reading:

SB 1012, Relating to the applicability of certain electric energy storage equipment requirements to municipally owned utilities and electric cooperatives.

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.

Senator Zaffirini moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that SB 1012 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

On motion of Senator Nelson and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration SB 235 at this time on its second reading:

SB 235, Relating to the authority of certain municipalities to propose a fire control, prevention, and emergency medical services district.

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.

Senator Nelson moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that SB 235 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

Senator Creighton moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration SB 244 at this time on its second reading:

SB 244, Relating to the number of school marshals that may be appointed to serve on a public school campus or at a private school.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 22, Nays 9.

Yeas:  Alvarado, Bettencourt, Birdwell, Buckingham, Campbell, Creighton, Fallon, Flores, Hall, Hancock, Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, Kolkhorst, Nelson, Nichols, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Seliger, Taylor, West.

Nays:  Johnson, Lucio, Menéndez, Miles, Powell, Rodríguez, Watson, Whitmire, Zaffirini.

The bill was read second time and was passed to engrossment by the following vote:  Yeas 22, Nays 9.  (Same as previous roll call)

Senator Hancock moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSSB 1152 at this time on its second reading:

CSSB 1152, Relating to the payment of certain fees to municipalities by entities that provide telecommunications and cable or video services.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 26, Nays 5.

Yeas:  Alvarado, Bettencourt, Birdwell, Buckingham, Campbell, Creighton, Fallon, Flores, Hall, Hancock, Huffman, Hughes, Johnson, Kolkhorst, Lucio, Menéndez, Nelson, Nichols, Paxton, Perry, Powell, Schwertner, Seliger, Taylor, West, Whitmire.

Nays:  Hinojosa, Miles, Rodríguez, Watson, Zaffirini.

The bill was read second time and was passed to engrossment by the following vote:  Yeas 26, Nays 5.  (Same as previous roll call)

Senator Hancock moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSSB 1152 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 26, Nays 5.

Yeas:  Alvarado, Bettencourt, Birdwell, Buckingham, Campbell, Creighton, Fallon, Flores, Hall, Hancock, Huffman, Hughes, Johnson, Kolkhorst, Lucio, Menéndez, Nelson, Nichols, Paxton, Perry, Powell, Schwertner, Seliger, Taylor, West, Whitmire.

Nays:  Hinojosa, Miles, Rodríguez, Watson, Zaffirini.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 26, Nays 5.  (Same as previous roll call)

On motion of Senator Lucio and by unanimous consent, his remarks with Senator Hancock regarding CSSB 1152 were ordered reduced to writing and printed in the Senate Journal as follows:

Senator Lucio:  Thank you, Chairman Hancock, and thank you for bringing this bill to the floor. I understand and agree with the reasons why the proponents who brought this bill want to modernize the right-of-way fee structure, but what they have also said is that the bill would result in tax relief for their customers, but I don't see anything in the bill that would require them to pass the savings to the customers. Could you explain how that relief will happen? Can we get some legislative intent on the record to hold these companies' feet to the fire? I want to do whatever we can to ensure that where there is a line item fee on customers' bills that when the line item goes away, if we pass this legislation, that the customers will directly receive the full benefit of that fee being eliminated.

Senator Hancock:  Yes, thank you, Senator Lucio. In fact, that's the intent of this legislation is that our customers, our constituents would see a fee reduction in their cable bills. We know that all of our citizens are looking for tightening the purse strings a little bit, and so what this bill does is where there is a single-lease line and two tasks, a telephone line and a cable coming across that single entity, that they're not charged twice by municipalities for the same access. And so, while in this segment, in this industry, we do not have a regulated fee structure. In other words, we do not have a commission, we do have some, that we regulate this decrease in the taxation being passed on to constituent. It is fully my intent that it is our constituents that see the cost savings here that we're providing. I just don't see any need to provide, to pay two lease payments for a single line, but while we're not regulated, absolutely, it is my intent, and I think you'll help me hold those industries' feet to the fire to make sure that our constituents receive a rate reduction.

Senator Lucio:  That's wonderful. Can the service providers take the line items on the bill but hide the fees in their customers' bills?

Senator Hancock:  I'm sorry, Senator Lucio.

Senator Lucio:  Can the service providers take the line items on the bill but hide the fees in the customers' bills?

Senator Hancock:  Well, currently, begin, because we don't have a regulated rate structure, we do not have a requirement for the line items when it comes to the cable fees.

Senator Lucio:  Well, I just want to thank you, Chairman Hancock, for your willingness to have this discussion and deliver tax relief to our constituents. I support your bill, Sir.

Senator Hancock:  Thank you, Senator Lucio. That's what we're looking for.

Senator Huffman moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSSB 568 at this time on its second reading:

CSSB 568, Relating to the regulation of child-care facilities and family homes; providing administrative penalties.

The motion prevailed.

Senator Hughes asked to be recorded as voting "Nay" on suspension of the regular order of business.

The bill was read second time.

Senator Huffman offered the following amendment to the bill:

Amend CSSB 568 (senate committee printing) as follows:

(1)  In SECTION 3 of the bill, in amended Section 42.04425, Human Resources Code (page 2, lines 31-38), strike added Subsection (d).

(2)  In SECTION 4 of the bill, in added Section 42.049(c-1), Human Resources Code (page 3, lines 2-4), strike the third sentence of that subsection.

(3)  In SECTION 5 of the bill, in added Section 42.050(c-1), Human Resources Code (page 3, lines 37-39), strike the second sentence of that subsection.

(4)  In SECTION 6 of the bill, in added Section 42.052(f-3), Human Resources Code (page 4, lines 17-19), strike the second sentence of that subsection.

(5)  In SECTION 7 of the bill, in added Section 42.063(b-2), Human Resources Code (page 4, lines 65-69), strike the second sentence of that subsection.

(6)  In SECTION 7 of the bill, strike amended Section 42.063(g), Human Resources Code (page 5, lines 7-9) and substitute the following:

(g)  The commission [department] shall implement this section using existing appropriations.

(7)  In SECTION 8 of the bill, in amended Section 42.072(c), Human Resources Code (page 5, lines 41-44), strike the second sentence of that subsection.

(8)  In SECTION 9 of the bill, in the recital (page 6, line 32), strike "(e-1), (e-2), and (e-3)" and substitute "(e-1) and (e-2)".

(9)  In SECTION 9 of the bill, in added Section 42.078(e-1), Human Resources Code (page 7, line 6), strike "and except as provided by Subsection (e-3)".

(10)  In SECTION 9 of the bill, in amended Section 42.078, Human Resources Code (page 7, lines 33-35), strike added Subsection (e-3).

(11)  Add the following appropriately numbered SECTION to the bill and renumber subsequent SECTIONS of the bill accordingly:

SECTION ____.  The Health and Human Services Commission is required to implement a provision of this Act only if the legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose. If the legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that purpose, the commission may, but is not required to, implement a provision of this Act using other appropriations available for that purpose.

The amendment to CSSB 568 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.

Senator Schwertner offered the following amendment to the bill:

Amend CSSB 568 (senate committee printing) as follows:

(1)  In the recital to SECTION 9 of the bill, amending Section 42.078, Human Resources Code (page 6, line 32), strike "and (e-3)" and substitute "(e-3), and (e-4)".

(2)  In SECTION 9 of the bill, in added Section 42.078(e-1), Human Resources Code (page 7, line 6), strike "Subsection (e-3)" and substitute "Subsections (e-3) and (e-4)".

(3)  In SECTION 9 of the bill, in amended Section 42.078, Human Resources Code, between added Subsection (e-3) and amended Subsection (f) (page 7, between lines 35 and 36), insert the following:

The amendment to CSSB 568 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. 2.

CSSB 568 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:

Nays:  Hughes.

Senator Huffman moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSSB 568 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 1.

Nays:  Hughes.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 1.  (Same as previous roll call)

HOUSE CHAMBER

Austin, Texas

Thursday, April 4, 2019 - 2

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:

Relating to the authority to establish a customer assistance program for certain municipally owned utilities.

Designating February as Kidney Health Awareness Month for a 10-year period beginning in 2019.

Respectfully,

/s/Robert Haney, Chief Clerk

House of Representatives

Senator Lucio moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSSB 812 at this time on its second reading:

CSSB 812, Relating to the application of the limit on appraised value of a residence homestead for ad valorem tax purposes to an improvement that is a replacement structure for a structure that was rendered uninhabitable or unusable by a casualty or by wind or water damage.

The motion prevailed.

Senator Schwertner asked to be recorded as voting "Nay" on suspension of the regular order of business.

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:

Nays:  Schwertner.

Senator Lucio moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSSB 812 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 1.

Nays:  Schwertner.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 1. (Same as previous roll call)

Senator Birdwell moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration SB 646 at this time on its second reading:

SB 646, Relating to approval for purchases of property or construction projects by a state agency with self-directed semi-independent status.

The motion prevailed.

Senator Watson asked to be recorded as voting "Nay" on suspension of the regular order of business.

The bill was read second time.

Senator Birdwell offered the following amendment to the bill:

Amend SB 646 (senate committee printing) as follows:

(1)  In SECTION 1 of the bill, in added Section 2165.261(b), Government Code (page 1, line 30), strike "other law" and substitute "law other than this subsection".

(2)  In SECTION 1 of the bill, immediately following the underlined period in added Section 2165.261(b), Government Code (page 1, line 33), insert "This subsection does not limit the authority of the legislature under other law to authorize construction projects or the purchase of real property.".

The amendment to SB 646 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.

SB 646 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:

Nays:  Watson.

Senator Birdwell moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that SB 646 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 1.

Nays:  Watson.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 1. (Same as previous roll call)

On motion of Senator Watson and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration SB 988 at this time on its second reading:

SB 988, Relating to the assessment of litigation costs and attorney's fees in certain actions under the public information law.

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.

Senator Watson moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that SB 988 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

Senator Campbell moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration SB 674 at this time on its second reading:

SB 674, Relating to authorizing an exemption for open-enrollment charter schools from certain municipal drainage requirements.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 28, Nays 3.

Yeas:  Alvarado, Bettencourt, Birdwell, Buckingham, Campbell, Creighton, Fallon, Flores, Hall, Hancock, Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, Johnson, Kolkhorst, Lucio, Nelson, Nichols, Paxton, Perry, Powell, Schwertner, Seliger, Taylor, Watson, West, Whitmire, Zaffirini.

Nays:  Menéndez, Miles, Rodríguez.

The bill was read second time and was passed to engrossment by the following vote:  Yeas 28, Nays 3. (Same as previous roll call)

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 SB 674 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 28, Nays 3.

Yeas:  Alvarado, Bettencourt, Birdwell, Buckingham, Campbell, Creighton, Fallon, Flores, Hall, Hancock, Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, Johnson, Kolkhorst, Lucio, Nelson, Nichols, Paxton, Perry, Powell, Schwertner, Seliger, Taylor, Watson, West, Whitmire, Zaffirini.

Nays:  Menéndez, Miles, Rodríguez.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 28, Nays 3. (Same as previous roll call)

On motion of Senator Miles and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration CSSB 300 at this time on its second reading:

CSSB 300, Relating to indefinite quantity contracts for the provision of certain services to declared disaster areas following a natural disaster.

The bill was read second time.

Senator Miles offered the following amendment to the bill:

Amend CSSB 300 (senate committee printing) as follows:

(1)  Strike SECTION 1 of the bill, amending Section 2254.004(a), Government Code (page 1, lines 23 through 33).

(2)  In SECTION 2 of the bill, in added Section 31.069, Natural Resources Code (page 2, between lines 17 and 18), insert the following:

(3)  Renumber the SECTIONS of the bill accordingly.

The amendment to CSSB 300 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.

CSSB 300 as amended was passed to engrossment by a viva voce vote.

All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to engrossment.

Senator Miles moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSSB 300 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

Senator Nichols moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration SB 621 at this time on its third reading and final passage:

SB 621, Relating to the transfer of the regulation of plumbing to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, following recommendations of the Sunset Advisory Commission; requiring an occupational license; authorizing a fee.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 19, Nays 12.

Yeas:  Bettencourt, Birdwell, Buckingham, Campbell, Creighton, Fallon, Flores, Hall, Hancock, Huffman, Hughes, Kolkhorst, Nelson, Nichols, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Seliger, Taylor.

Nays:  Alvarado, Hinojosa, Johnson, Lucio, Menéndez, Miles, Powell, Rodríguez, Watson, West, Whitmire, Zaffirini.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 19, Nays 12.  (Same as previous roll call)

Senator Buckingham moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSSB 615 at this time on its second reading:

CSSB 615, Relating to the operations and functions of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association and the sunset review date for and programs administered by the association; authorizing a fee.

The motion prevailed.

Senator Seliger asked to be recorded as voting "Nay" on suspension of the regular order of business.

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 passage to engrossment except as follows:

Nays:  Seliger.

Senator Buckingham moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSSB 615 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 1.

Nays:  Seliger.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 1.  (Same as previous roll call)

Senator Kolkhorst moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSSB 421 at this time on its second reading:

CSSB 421, Relating to the acquisition of real property by an entity with eminent domain authority.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 27, Nays 4.

Yeas:  Alvarado, Birdwell, Buckingham, Campbell, Creighton, Fallon, Flores, Hall, Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, Kolkhorst, Lucio, Menéndez, Miles, Nelson, Nichols, Paxton, Perry, Powell, Rodríguez, Schwertner, Seliger, Watson, West, Whitmire, Zaffirini.

Nays:  Bettencourt, Hancock, Johnson, Taylor.

The bill was read second time.

Senator Kolkhorst offered the following amendment to the bill:

Amend CSSB 421 (senate committee printing) by striking all below the enacting clause and substituting the following:

SECTION 1.  Section 21.0113, Property Code, is amended by adding Subsections (c), (d), and (e) to read as follows:

SECTION 2.  Section 21.047(d), Property Code, is transferred to Section 21.0113, Property Code, redesignated as Section 21.0113(f), Property Code, and amended to read as follows:

(f) [(d)]  If a court hearing a suit under this chapter determines that a condemnor did not make a bona fide offer to acquire the property from the property owner voluntarily as required by this section [Section 21.0113], the court shall abate the suit, order the condemnor to make a bona fide offer, and order the condemnor to pay:

(1)  all costs as provided by Section 21.047(a) [Subsection (a)]; and

(2)  any reasonable attorney's fees and other professional fees incurred by the property owner that are directly related to the violation.

SECTION 3.  Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Property Code, is amended by adding Section 21.0114 to read as follows:

SECTION 4.  Section 21.012, Property Code, is amended by adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows:

SECTION 5.  Chapter 21, Property Code, is amended by adding Subchapter B-1 to read as follows:

SECTION 6.  Section 21.042, Property Code, is amended by adding Subsection (d-1) to read as follows:

SECTION 7.  (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this section, the changes in law made by this Act apply only to the acquisition of real property in connection with an initial offer made under Chapter 21, Property Code, on or after the effective date of this Act. An acquisition of real property in connection with an initial offer made under Chapter 21, Property Code, before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law applicable to the acquisition immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.

(b)  Section 21.0392, Property Code, as added by this Act, applies only to a public meeting required under Chapter 37, Utilities Code, held on or after the effective date of this Act.

SECTION 8.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.

The amendment to CSSB 421 was read and was adopted by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

CSSB 421 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:

Nays:  Johnson, Menéndez, Taylor.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSSB 421 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 26, Nays 5.

Yeas:  Alvarado, Birdwell, Buckingham, Campbell, Creighton, Fallon, Flores, Hall, Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, Kolkhorst, Lucio, Miles, Nelson, Nichols, Paxton, Perry, Powell, Rodríguez, Schwertner, Seliger, Watson, West, Whitmire, Zaffirini.

Nays:  Bettencourt, Hancock, Johnson, Menéndez, Taylor.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 28, Nays 3.

Yeas:  Alvarado, Bettencourt, Birdwell, Buckingham, Campbell, Creighton, Fallon, Flores, Hall, Hancock, Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, Kolkhorst, Lucio, Miles, Nelson, Nichols, Paxton, Perry, Powell, Rodríguez, Schwertner, Seliger, Watson, West, Whitmire, Zaffirini.

Nays:  Johnson, Menéndez, Taylor.

Senator Alvarado moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration SB 1574 at this time on its second reading:

SB 1574, Relating to the duties of the Texas Water Development Board.

The motion was lost by the following vote:  Yeas 5, Nays 26.

Yeas:  Alvarado, Fallon, Flores, Johnson, Powell.

Nays:  Bettencourt, Birdwell, Buckingham, Campbell, Creighton, Hall, Hancock, Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, Kolkhorst, Lucio, Menéndez, Miles, Nelson, Nichols, Paxton, Perry, Rodríguez, Schwertner, Seliger, Taylor, Watson, West, Whitmire, Zaffirini.

On motion of Senator Huffman and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration SB 971 at this time on its second reading:

SB 971, Relating to peace officer training on recognizing and recording circumstances that indicate strangulation in certain cases.

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.

Senator Huffman moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that SB 971 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

On motion of Senator Flores and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration SB 925 at this time on its second reading:

SB 925, Relating to calculation of daily production for purposes of the oil and gas production tax credits for low-producing wells and leases.

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.

Senator Flores moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that SB 925 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

On motion of Senator Alvarado and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration SB 1574 at this time on its second reading:

SB 1574, Relating to the duties of the Texas Water Development Board.

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.

Senator Alvarado moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that SB 1574 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

On motion of Senator Zaffirini and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration CSSB 59 at this time on its second reading:

CSSB 59, Relating to certain images captured by an unmanned aircraft.

The bill was read second time.

Senator Hall offered the following amendment to the bill:

Amend CSSB 59 (senate committee printing) in SECTION 1 of the bill by striking added Section 423.002(a)(22), Government Code (page 3, lines 16 through 24), and substituting the following:

(C)  is destroyed not later than the 90th day after the date the consumer goods are delivered, including any copy or duplicate of the image.

The amendment to CSSB 59 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.

CSSB 59 as amended was passed to engrossment by a viva voce vote.

All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to engrossment.

Senator Zaffirini moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSSB 59 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

On motion of Senator Nelson and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration CSSB 71 at this time on its second reading:

CSSB 71, Relating to the establishment of a statewide telehealth center for sexual assault forensic medical examination.

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.

Senator Nelson moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSSB 71 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

On motion of Senator Hall and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration SB 601 at this time on its second reading:

SB 601, Relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas Veterans Commission.

The bill was read second time.

Senator Hall offered the following amendment to the bill:

Amend SB 601 (senate committee printing) as follows:

(1)  In SECTION 2 of the bill, strike added Section 434.0061(d), Government Code (page 1, lines 46-52), and substitute the following:

(2)  Add the following appropriately numbered SECTION to the bill and renumber subsequent SECTIONS of the bill accordingly:

SECTION ____.  (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this section, Section 434.0061, Government Code, as amended by this Act, applies to a member of the Texas Veterans Commission who is appointed before, on, or after the effective date of this Act.

(b)  A member of the Texas Veterans Commission who, before the effective date of this Act, completed the training program required by Section 434.0061, Government Code, as that law existed before the effective date of this Act, is required to complete additional training only on subjects added by this Act to the training program as required by Section 434.0061, Government Code, as amended by this Act. A commission member described by this subsection may not vote, deliberate, or be counted as a member in attendance at a meeting of the commission held on or after December 1, 2019, until the member completes the additional training.

The amendment to SB 601 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.

Senator Menéndez offered the following amendment to the bill:

Amend SB 601 (senate committee printing) as follows:

(1)  In SECTION 4 of the bill, strike added Sections 434.0078(c)(2) and (3), Government Code (page 3, lines 32-35), and substitute the following:

(2)  Strike SECTION 6 of the bill (page 3, line 65, through page 4, line 19) and substitute the following:

SECTION 6.  Section 434.033, Government Code, is amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsections (c-1), (c-2), and (c-3) to read as follows:

(b)  Except as provided by Subsection (c-2), to [To] be appointed as an officer a person must:

(1)  be qualified by education and training for the duties of the office;

(2)  be experienced in the law, regulations, and rulings of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs controlling cases that come before the commission; and

(3)  have the service experience specified by Subsection (c) or be:

(A)  a [widowed] Gold Star mother, father, or spouse [Mother or unremarried widow] of a person who died while serving in the United States armed forces [serviceman or veteran whose death resulted from service];

(B)  the spouse of a disabled veteran who has a total disability rating based either on having a service-connected disability with a disability rating of 100 percent or on individual unemployability; or

(C)  the spouse of a retired veteran who served a minimum of 20 years on active duty.

(3)  Strike SECTION 7 of the bill (page 4, lines 20 and 21) and renumber the SECTIONS of the bill accordingly.

The amendment to SB 601 was read and failed of adoption by the following vote:  Yeas 12, Nays 19.

Yeas:  Alvarado, Hinojosa, Johnson, Lucio, Menéndez, Miles, Powell, Rodríguez, Schwertner, Watson, West, Zaffirini.

Nays:  Bettencourt, Birdwell, Buckingham, Campbell, Creighton, Fallon, Flores, Hall, Hancock, Huffman, Hughes, Kolkhorst, Nelson, Nichols, Paxton, Perry, Seliger, Taylor, Whitmire.

SB 601 as amended was passed to engrossment by a viva voce vote.

All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to engrossment.

Senator Hall moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that SB 601 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

Senator West was recognized and introduced to the Senate his legislative intern, Christian Giadolor.

The Senate welcomed its guest.

Senator Hughes 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.

HUGHES

The Motion In Writing was read and prevailed without objection.

On motion of Senator Birdwell and by unanimous consent, Senate Rule 11.13 was suspended to grant the Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development permission to meet while the Senate was meeting today.

On motion of Senator Birdwell and by unanimous consent, Senate Rule 11.10(a) and Senate Rule 11.18(a) were suspended in order that the Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development might meet today.

On motion of Senator Buckingham and by unanimous consent, Senate Rule 11.10(a) and Senate Rule 11.18(a) were suspended in order that the Committee on Nominations might meet today.

On motion of Senator Whitmire and by unanimous consent, Senate Rule 11.13 was suspended to grant the Committee on Criminal Justice permission to meet while the Senate was meeting today.

On motion of Senator Whitmire and by unanimous consent, Senate Rule 11.10(a) and Senate Rule 11.18(a) were suspended in order that the Committee on Criminal Justice might meet and consider the following bills today:

SB 719, SB 1154, SB 1259, SB 1397, SB 1702, SB 1820, SB 2100, SJR 32.

The President presented President Pro Tempore Watson a gavel in honor of his term as Governor for a Day on Saturday, April 6, 2019.

On motion of Senator Whitmire and by unanimous consent, the Senate at 3:00 p.m. agreed to adjourn, in memory of former Senators Ralph Moody Hall, Walter H. Mengden Jr., Jack Ogg, Aaron Robert "Babe" Schwartz, and Murray Watson Jr., upon completion of the introduction of bills and resolutions on first reading, until 2:00 p.m. Monday, April 8, 2019.

The following bills were introduced, read first time, and referred to the committees indicated:

SB 2518 by Alvarado

Relating to the creation of the East Houston Management District; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, or taxes.

To Committee on Intergovernmental Relations.

SB 2519 by Kolkhorst

Relating to the creation of the Orchard Municipal Utility District No. 1; 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 2520 by Bettencourt

Relating to the powers and duties of the Cy-Champ Public Utility District; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose a tax.

To Committee on Intergovernmental Relations.

SB 2521 by Bettencourt

Relating to the powers and duties of the Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 248; providing authority to issue bonds and impose fees and taxes.

To Committee on Intergovernmental Relations.

SB 2522 by Bettencourt

Relating to the creation of the Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 571; 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 2523 by Bettencourt

Relating to the creation of the Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 572; 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 2524 by Bettencourt

Relating to the powers and duties of the Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 375; providing authority to issue bonds.

To Committee on Intergovernmental Relations.

SB 2525 by Bettencourt

Relating to the powers and duties of the Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 376; providing authority to issue bonds.

To Committee on Intergovernmental Relations.

SB 2526 by Bettencourt

Relating to the powers and duties of the Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 379; providing authority to issue bonds.

To Committee on Intergovernmental Relations.

SB 2527 by Nichols

Relating to the conversion of the Liberty Public Utility District to the Liberty County Municipal Utility District No. 7; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, or taxes.

To Committee on Intergovernmental Relations.

SB 2528 by Nichols

Relating to the creation of the Montgomery County Municipal Utility District No. 176 of Montgomery County; 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 2529 by Nichols

Relating to the creation of the Montgomery County Municipal Utility District No. 177 of Montgomery County; 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.

The following bills received from the House were read first time and referred to the committees indicated:

HB 3 to Committee on Education.

HB 88 to Committee on State Affairs.

HB 101 to Committee on Criminal Justice.

HB 303 to Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development.

HB 374 to Committee on Criminal Justice.

HB 405 to Committee on Administration.

HB 440 to Committee on Property Tax.

HB 678 to Committee on Education.

HB 785 to Committee on Criminal Justice.

HB 807 to Committee on Water and Rural Affairs.

HB 826 to Committee on Higher Education.

HB 1067 to Committee on State Affairs.

HB 1264 to Committee on Health and Human Services.

HB 1418 to Committee on Health and Human Services.

HB 1849 to Committee on Health and Human Services.

HB 2179 to Committee on Property Tax.

HB 2223 to Committee on Agriculture.

HB 2243 to Committee on Education.

On motion of Senator Nichols, Senator Miles will be shown as Co-author of SB 14.

On motion of Senator Hughes, Senator Bettencourt will be shown as Co-author of SB 19.

On motion of Senator Hall, Senators Bettencourt and Creighton will be shown as Co-authors of SB 29.

On motion of Senator Zaffirini, Senator Fallon will be shown as Co-author of SB 31.

On motion of Senator Seliger, Senator Rodríguez will be shown as Co-author of SB 213.

On motion of Senator Watson, Senator Menéndez will be shown as Co-author of SB 364.

On motion of Senator Kolkhorst, Senator Schwertner will be shown as Co-author of SB 421.

On motion of Senator Zaffirini, Senator Campbell will be shown as Co-author of SB 708.

On motion of Senator Campbell, Senator Seliger will be shown as Co-author of SB 762.

On motion of Senator Alvarado, Senator Menéndez will be shown as Co-author of SB 1018.

On motion of Senator Schwertner, Senator Nichols will be shown as Co-author of SB 1653.

On motion of Senator Powell, Senator Seliger will be shown as Co-author of SB 2297.

On motion of Senator Huffman, Senator Lucio will be shown as Co-author of SCR 5.

The following resolutions were adopted by the Senate:

SR 540 by Flores, Recognizing the Southwest Area Buyers Club BBQ Showdown at Traders Village.

SR 542 by Hughes, Recognizing Will Jennings for his career in the music industry.

SR 543 by West, Recognizing Rob Franke on the occasion of his retirement.

Pursuant to a previously adopted motion, the Senate at 3:12 p.m. adjourned, in memory of former Senators Ralph Moody Hall, Walter H. Mengden Jr., Jack Ogg, Aaron Robert "Babe" Schwartz, and Murray Watson Jr., until 2:00 p.m. Monday, April 8, 2019.

The following committee reports were received by the Secretary of the Senate in the order listed:

WATER AND RURAL AFFAIRS — SB 81, SB 979, SB 851, SB 733, SB 520, CSSB 317, CSSB 669, CSSB 1438, CSSB 483

TRANSPORTATION — SB 2168, SB 1764, SB 1213, SB 297, SB 1040

STATE AFFAIRS — CSSB 30, CSSB 325

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES — CSSB 2132, CSSB 982, CSSB 2200, CSSB 384

INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS — CSSB 1114, CSSB 1402

FINANCE — CSSB 1067

HIGHER EDUCATION — SB 709, SB 1017, SB 1378, SB 1757

STATE AFFAIRS — CSSB 1676, CSSB 1675, CSSB 1728

TRANSPORTATION — CSSB 755, CSSB 969

WATER AND RURAL AFFAIRS — CSSB 606

TRANSPORTATION — CSSB 1512

EDUCATION — CSSB 1001, CSSB 1707

SB 17, SB 406, SB 475, SB 477, SB 522, SB 586, SB 1113, SB 1324, SB 1564

SR 422, SR 534, SR 537, SR 538, SR 539