(Wednesday, January 25, 2023)

The Senate met at 10:30 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, Blanco, Creighton, Eckhardt, Flores, Gutierrez, Hall, Hancock, Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, Johnson, King, Kolkhorst, LaMantia, Menéndez, Middleton, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks, Springer, West, Whitmire, Zaffirini.

Absent-excused:  Campbell, Miles.

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

The Reverend Billy Tweedie, Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, Austin, offered the invocation as follows:

Merciful God, we are reminded that the last shall be first and the first shall be last by Your holy word. In our time, we pray this Texas Senate to lay aside their fear, judgments, and self-preservation to lead this bountiful state to that heavenly reality, where the least are lifted and given a taste of Your mercy and grace. Bless this Senate with the wisdom and reason that creates just laws for all persons. Give them a spirit of perseverance and virtue that keeps them engaged and confident in all they undertake. Help us all to be grateful for what we have been blessed with in this life and to share what we have with one another. We pray this in Your holy name. 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.

On motion of Senator Whitmire, Senator Miles was granted leave of absence for today on account of illness.

On motion of Senator Whitmire, Senator Campbell was granted leave of absence for today on account of important business.

Senator Middleton offered the following resolution:

SR 109, Recognizing January 25, 2023, as Deer Park Chamber of Commerce Day.

The resolution was read and was adopted without objection.

Senator Middleton was recognized and introduced to the Senate a Deer Park Chamber of Commerce delegation including Paula Moorhaj, Ross Winkler, Jim Fox, Melissa Caylor, Scott Gernander, Angie Gallegos, Jennifer Almaguer, Steven Duval, and Kristi Claypool.

The Senate welcomed its guests.

HOUSE CHAMBER

Austin, Texas

Wednesday, January 25, 2023 - 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:

Granting the legislature permission to adjourn for more than three days during the period beginning on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, and ending on Tuesday, January 31, 2023.

Respectfully,

/s/Stephen Brown,

Chief Clerk

House of Representatives

Senator Flores was recognized and presented Dr. Flint DeShazo of Round Rock as the Physician of the Day.

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

Senator Hughes offered the following resolution:

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize Margaret and Jim Perkins, longtime supporters of Stephen F. Austin State University, who recently received the Texas Higher Education Distinguished Service Award; and

WHEREAS, The Texas Higher Education Distinguished Service Award recognizes exceptional contributions by individuals and organizations to Texas higher education; and

WHEREAS, Margaret and Jim Perkins have been patrons of Texas higher education programs, scholarships, and professional funds for decades; Jim, an attorney and president of Citizen's First Bank of East Texas, and Margaret, a former teacher, have given generously of their time and energy to Stephen F. Austin State University; and

WHEREAS, Governor Preston Smith appointed Jim to the Stephen F. Austin State University board of regents in 1969, where he led the development of the SFASU foundation and served as chair of the board of regents from 1969 to 1981; Margaret and Jim remained dedicated to fostering the development of educators in East Texas, and after decades of their support, Stephen F. Austin State University named the College of Education the James I. Perkins College of Education; and

WHEREAS, Margaret and Jim are the benefactors of such programs at Stephen F. Austin State University as the Perkins Professional Development Travel Fund; the Hoover-Perkins Professorship; and the JacksTeach Program, which helps students to obtain teaching certification in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields; they fund many other awards and scholarships; and

WHEREAS, Generous and steadfast supporters of the Stephen F. Austin State University community, Margaret and Jim Perkins have changed the lives of thousands of students and educators; their philanthropy and dedication to the cause of education are inspiring, and they are truly deserving of the Texas Higher Education Distinguished Service Award; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th Legislature, hereby recognize Margaret and Jim Perkins on their contributions to Texas education and congratulate them on receiving the Texas Higher Education Distinguished Service Award; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for them as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.

HUGHES

NICHOLS

SR 108 was read and was adopted without objection.

Senator Hughes, joined by Senators Nichols, Menéndez, and Hall, was recognized and introduced to the Senate Margaret and Jim Perkins, recipients of the Texas Higher Education Distinguished Service Award.

The Senate welcomed its guests.

Senator Eckhardt offered the following resolution:

WHEREAS, The Children's Hospital Association of Texas is celebrating Children's Hospital Day on January 25, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Approximately one out of every ten children in the United States lives in Texas, and it is imperative that these children have access to the highest level of comprehensive pediatric care in the country; and

WHEREAS, The State of Texas has recognized Children's Health, the Children's Hospital of San Antonio, Cook Children's Medical Center, Driscoll Children's Hospital, El Paso Children's Hospital, Healthbridge Children's Hospital, Covenant Children's Hospital, Dell Children's Medical Center at Ascension Seton, Shriners Children's Texas, Texas Children's Hospital, and Scottish Rite for Children as "children's hospitals" for the purposes of the state Medicaid program; and

WHEREAS, These comprehensive hospitals provide lifesaving care to children across the state and serve as safety nets for their families; the hospitals fund pediatric specialists and subspecialists, and as a result, all children have access to the care they need, regardless of their family's ability to pay; and

WHEREAS, By providing high-quality pediatric care, children's hospitals are helping to ensure the health and well-being of countless young Texans, and they are indeed deserving of recognition for the vital role they play in the future of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 88th Texas Legislature hereby commemorate Children's Hospital Day on January 25, 2023, and commend the state's children's hospitals for their important work; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for these outstanding institutions and for the Children's Hospital Association of Texas as an expression of high regard by the Texas Senate.

SR 86 was read and was adopted without objection.

Senator Eckhardt, joined by Senators Hinojosa and Blanco, was recognized and introduced to the Senate Pam and Chris Andrews and their daughters, Belle and Abby, as well as children's hospital leaders, including Cindy Stout, El Paso Children's Hospital.

The Senate welcomed its guests.

Senator Sparks was recognized and introduced to the Senate an Andrews County delegation.

The Senate welcomed its guests.

The President announced the signing of the following enrolled resolution in the presence of the Senate: HCR 24.

On motion of Senator Johnson, Senator Eckhardt will be shown as Co-author of SB 88.

On motion of Senator Springer, Senator Parker will be shown as Co-author of SB 129.

On motion of Senator Eckhardt, Senator West will be shown as Co-author of SCR 4.

The following resolutions were adopted by the Senate:

SR 99 by West, Recognizing Brenda Milus Thomas for 50 years of service to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

SR 100 by West, Recognizing Patricia Johnson Alaman for 50 years of service to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

SR 101 by West, Recognizing Sharyn Smith Holley for 50 years of service to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

SR 102 by West, Recognizing Antonia Sisson Abner for 50 years of service to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

SR 103 by West, Recognizing Sharon Kyles Ross for 50 years of service to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

SR 104 by West, Recognizing Thelma Sanders Clardy for 50 years of service to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

SR 105 by West, Recognizing Rachel George for 50 years of service to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

SR 106 by West, Recognizing Virginia Lockwood Terry for 50 years of service to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

On motion of Senator Whitmire, the Senate at 11:26 a.m. adjourned until 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 31, 2023.

SCR 10, SR 86, SR 99, SR 100, SR 101, SR 102, SR 103, SR 104, SR 105, SR 106, SR 108, SR 109