(Tuesday, September 2, 2025)

The Senate met at 1:14 p.m. pursuant to adjournment and was called to order by the President.

The roll was called and the following Senators were present:  Alvarado, Bettencourt, Blanco, Campbell, Cook, Creighton, Flores, Gutierrez, Hagenbuch, Hall, A. Hinojosa, J. Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, Johnson, King, Kolkhorst, Menéndez, Middleton, Miles, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks, Zaffirini.

Absent-excused:  Birdwell, Eckhardt, West.

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

Senator Perry offered the invocation as follows:

Heavenly Father, we thank You, a God of mercy, and thank You that You're a God that forgives. And I ask that forgiveness is in our hearts as we speak to our fellow colleagues. I'm also reminded in Proverbs that those who seek arguments are foolish and arguing's not worth it and men of honor can stand above it. But I pray for those that have felt offense by my actions and any Christian witness that I have lost. I ask for Your repair and Your redemption in that. I ask that You help us as we finish out this next week, hopefully the next few days, that we remind each other that we are just people trying to do a tough job for the State of Texas. I also am reminded that You're a God of love, mercy, and forgiveness, redemption. And You, and You alone, are the judge of all. And I just ask that You be with us as we go throughout the day, this week, that we keep our tongues in check and our ears sharp and we move this state forward in a way that's God honoring and God glorifying in You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Senator Zaffirini 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 Zaffirini, Senator Eckhardt was granted leave of absence for today on account of important family business.

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

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

Senator Hughes moved to suspend Senate Rule 11.10(a) and Senate Rule 11.18(a) in order that the Committee on State Affairs might meet upon recess today at Desk 1 in the Chamber.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 18, Nays 9.

Yeas:  Bettencourt, Campbell, Creighton, Flores, Hagenbuch, Hall, A. Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, King, Kolkhorst, Middleton, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks.

Nays:  Alvarado, Blanco, Cook, Gutierrez, J. Hinojosa, Johnson, Menéndez, Miles, Zaffirini.

Absent-excused:  Birdwell, Eckhardt, West.

On motion of Senator Flores and by unanimous consent, Senate Rule 11.10(a) and Senate Rule 11.18(a) were suspended in order that the Select Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding might meet at 2:00 p.m. today in Room E1.012 and consider the following bills:  HB 1, HB 20, HB 27.

On motion of Senator Zaffirini, the Senate at 1:40 p.m. recessed until 2:40 p.m. today.

The Senate met at 4:38 p.m. and was called to order by the President.

The President announced that the introduction of bills and resolutions on first reading would be postponed until the end of today's calendar.

There was no objection.

Senator Hall offered the following Motion In Writing:

Mr. President:

Pursuant to Senate Rule 7.12(a), the Printing Rule, I move that the Senate order the following bills not printed:

HB 7 Hughes, Relating to prohibitions on the manufacture and provision of abortion-inducing drugs, including the jurisdiction of and effect of certain judgments by courts within and outside this state with respect to the manufacture and provision of those drugs, and to protections from certain counteractions under the laws of other states and jurisdictions; authorizing qui tam actions.

HB 27 Nichols, Relating to a groundwater study of certain aquifers underlying the territory of the Neches and Trinity Valleys Groundwater Conservation District by the Texas Water Development Board before the issuance of permits or permit amendments by the district.

HALL

The Motion In Writing was read and prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 18, Nays 9.

Yeas:  Bettencourt, Campbell, Creighton, Flores, Hagenbuch, Hall, A. Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, King, Kolkhorst, Middleton, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks.

Nays:  Alvarado, Blanco, Cook, Gutierrez, J. Hinojosa, Johnson, Menéndez, Miles, Zaffirini.

Absent-excused:  Birdwell, Eckhardt, West.

The President at 4:39 p.m. announced the conclusion of morning call.

On motion of Senator Perry and by unanimous consent, Senate Rule 8.02 was suspended to take up for consideration HCR 13 at this time.

The President laid before the Senate the following resolution:

WHEREAS, The New World screwworm, a parasitic fly that infests livestock and other warm-blooded animals, poses a serious threat to our livestock industry, food supply chain, and economy; and

WHEREAS, A species endemic to Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and parts of South America, Cochliomyia hominivorax resembles a common housefly in its mature form; infestations occur when the female fly deposits eggs on an animal's open wound or other vulnerable area; the emerging larvae burrow and feed on the surrounding tissue, causing serious injury and often death to the host; left untreated, a screwworm infection can kill an animal within two weeks and continue to spread to additional hosts; and

WHEREAS, The United States battled screwworm infestations from at least the 1800s until the 1960s, when the pest was officially eradicated through the widespread release of sterilized flies into wild populations; however, the species has seen a resurgence in recent years, and its presence around 700 miles from the Texas border prompted the federal government to halt cattle imports from Mexico in May 2025; as of July 2025, it was only 370 miles from the Texas border; and

WHEREAS, The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that Texas could suffer $1.8 billion in economic damage from a screwworm outbreak through livestock deaths, labor costs, and medication expenses; the consequences of such an event could ripple nationwide, straining the U.S. cattle supply and endangering the health of livestock as well as pets, wildlife, and even people; and

WHEREAS, With experts sounding the alarm over the imminent arrival of the New World screwworm, federal intervention is urgently needed to protect Texas ranchers and minimize economic losses from this destructive parasite; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas, 2nd Called Session, hereby respectfully urge the federal government to take immediate action to curb the spread of the New World screwworm into Texas, including using existing resources to work with Mexico to further develop a plan to combat screwworms; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the Texas Legislature hereby respectfully urge the U.S. Congress and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to expedite the construction of the planned screwworm control facility at Moore Air Force Base in Texas; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the Texas Legislature hereby respectfully urge the USDA to partner with Texas A&M AgriLife to create space in the new screwworm control facility for research purposes; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the Texas Legislature hereby respectfully urge the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to expeditiously approve medications for treating screwworm infection; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the Texas Legislature hereby respectfully urge the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to expeditiously approve pesticides for preventing and treating screwworm infection; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward official copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to the secretary of the USDA, to the commissioner of the FDA, to the administrator of the EPA, to the president of the Senate and the speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States Congress, and to all the members of the Texas delegation to Congress with the request that this resolution be entered in the Congressional Record as a memorial to the Congress of the United States of America.

PERRY

HCR 13 was read.

On motion of Senator Perry and by unanimous consent, the resolution was considered immediately and was adopted by the following vote:  Yeas 27, Nays 0.

Absent-excused:  Birdwell, Eckhardt, West.

Senator Hughes moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration HB 7 at this time on its second reading:

HB 7, Relating to prohibitions on the manufacture and provision of abortion-inducing drugs, including the jurisdiction of and effect of certain judgments by courts within and outside this state with respect to the manufacture and provision of those drugs, and to protections from certain counteractions under the laws of other states and jurisdictions; authorizing qui tam actions.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 17, Nays 9, Present-not voting 1.

Yeas:  Bettencourt, Campbell, Creighton, Flores, Hagenbuch, Hall, A. Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, King, Kolkhorst, Middleton, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks.

Nays:  Alvarado, Blanco, Cook, Gutierrez, J. Hinojosa, Johnson, Menéndez, Miles, Zaffirini.

Present-not voting:  Nichols.

Absent-excused:  Birdwell, Eckhardt, West.

The bill was read second time and was passed to third reading by the following vote:  Yeas 17, Nays 9, Present-not voting 1. (Same as previous roll call)

Senator King moved to suspend the regular order of business and Senate Rule 7.12(a) to take up for consideration CSHB 15 at this time on its second reading:

CSHB 15, Relating to certain files maintained by a law enforcement agency regarding certain employees of the agency.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 19, Nays 8.

Yeas:  Bettencourt, Campbell, Creighton, Flores, Hagenbuch, Hall, A. Hinojosa, J. Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, King, Kolkhorst, Middleton, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks.

Nays:  Alvarado, Blanco, Cook, Gutierrez, Johnson, Menéndez, Miles, Zaffirini.

Absent-excused:  Birdwell, Eckhardt, West.

The bill was read second time and was passed to third reading by the following vote:  Yeas 18, Nays 9.

Yeas:  Bettencourt, Campbell, Creighton, Flores, Hagenbuch, A. Hinojosa, J. Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, King, Kolkhorst, Middleton, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks.

Nays:  Alvarado, Blanco, Cook, Gutierrez, Hall, Johnson, Menéndez, Miles, Zaffirini.

Absent-excused:  Birdwell, Eckhardt, West.

On motion of Senator Zaffirini and by unanimous consent, the remarks by Senators King and Zaffirini regarding CSHB 15 were ordered reduced to writing and printed in the Senate Journal as follows:

President:  Senator Zaffirini, for what purpose?

Senator Zaffirini:  To ask a question of the author, Mr. President.

President:  Do you yield?

Senator King:  Certainly.

Senator Zaffirini:  Thank you, Mr. President. Senator King, in discussions of previous versions of this bill, you clarified that it does not affect current or future meet and confer agreements. That's still the case with this House bill, is that correct?

Senator King:  Yes, Section 143 of the Local Government Code sets up the meet and confer agreements for civil service cities. Austin, for example, is one of those. And it specifically states that it supersedes any other provision of Texas law. So, this statute will not in any way supersede any meet and confer agreement that exists today or that a law enforcement agency and their municipality may enter into in the future.

Senator Zaffirini:  Thank you so much. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that this exchange be reduced to writing and printed in the Journal.

On motion of Senator Nichols and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration HB 27 at this time on its second reading:

HB 27, Relating to a groundwater study of certain aquifers underlying the territory of the Neches and Trinity Valleys Groundwater Conservation District by the Texas Water Development Board before the issuance of permits or permit amendments by the district.

The bill was read second time.

Senator Nichols offered the following amendment to the bill:

Amend HB 27 (house engrossment) as follows:

(1)  On page 1, line 10, strike "; PERMIT MORATORIUM".

(2)  On page 2, strike lines 17 through 21.

(3)  On page 2, line 22, strike "(e)" and substitute with "(d)".

(4)  On page 2, strike Section 2, lines 23 through 26, and renumber subsequent Sections accordingly.

NICHOLS

PERRY

The amendment to HB 27 was read and was adopted by the following vote:  Yeas 20, Nays 7.

Yeas:  Alvarado, Bettencourt, Blanco, Creighton, Flores, Gutierrez, Hagenbuch, A. Hinojosa, J. Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, Johnson, King, Miles, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks.

Nays:  Campbell, Cook, Hall, Kolkhorst, Menéndez, Middleton, Zaffirini.

Absent-excused:  Birdwell, Eckhardt, West.

HB 27 as amended was passed to third reading by the following vote:  Yeas 26, Nays 1.

Nays:  Parker.

Absent-excused:  Birdwell, Eckhardt, West.

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 HB 27 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 27, Nays 0.

Absent-excused:  Birdwell, Eckhardt, West.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 26, Nays 1.

Nays:  Parker.

Absent-excused:  Birdwell, Eckhardt, West.

Senator King moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSHB 15 be placed on its third reading and final passage:

CSHB 15, Relating to certain files maintained by a law enforcement agency regarding certain employees of the agency.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 22, Nays 5.

Yeas:  Bettencourt, Blanco, Campbell, Creighton, Flores, Hagenbuch, Hall, A. Hinojosa, J. Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, King, Kolkhorst, Menéndez, Middleton, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks, Zaffirini.

Nays:  Alvarado, Cook, Gutierrez, Johnson, Miles.

Absent-excused:  Birdwell, Eckhardt, West.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 18, Nays 9.

Yeas:  Bettencourt, Campbell, Creighton, Flores, Hagenbuch, A. Hinojosa, J. Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, King, Kolkhorst, Middleton, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks.

Nays:  Alvarado, Blanco, Cook, Gutierrez, Hall, Johnson, Menéndez, Miles, Zaffirini.

Absent-excused:  Birdwell, Eckhardt, West.

HOUSE CHAMBER

Austin, Texas

Tuesday, September 2, 2025 - 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 a restriction on the acceptance of political contributions and the making of certain political expenditures by a member of the legislature and certain political committees during certain periods in which a member is absent from a legislative session; authorizing a civil penalty.

Relating to election procedures regarding accepting a voter with a residence address that is not current and the immediate effect of a voter's registration after the registrar's receipt of certain change of address notices.

Respectfully,

/s/Stephen Brown,

Chief Clerk

House of Representatives

The following bill received from the House was read first time and referred to the committee indicated:

HB 18 to Committee on State Affairs.

Senator Hughes moved to suspend Senate Rule 11.10(a), Senate Rule 11.18(a), and Senate Rule 11.19 in order that the Committee on State Affairs might meet at 5:00 p.m. tomorrow in the Betty King Committee Room, 2E.20, and consider HB 18.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 18, Nays 9.

Yeas:  Bettencourt, Campbell, Creighton, Flores, Hagenbuch, Hall, A. Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, King, Kolkhorst, Middleton, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks.

Nays:  Alvarado, Blanco, Cook, Gutierrez, J. Hinojosa, Johnson, Menéndez, Miles, Zaffirini.

Absent-excused:  Birdwell, Eckhardt, West.

On motion of Senator Perry, Senators King and Zaffirini will be shown as Co-sponsors of HB 1.

On motion of Senator Hughes, Senators Bettencourt, Campbell, Hagenbuch, Hall, A. Hinojosa, King, Middleton, Parker, Paxton, and Schwertner will be shown as Co-sponsors of HB 7.

On motion of Senator King, Senators Campbell and Huffman will be shown as Co-sponsors of HB 15.

On motion of Senator Perry, Senators King and Zaffirini will be shown as Co-sponsors of HB 20.

On motion of Senator Nichols, Senators Campbell and Hughes will be shown as Co-sponsors of HB 27.

On motion of Senator Perry, Senators Blanco, Hagenbuch, Hall, A. Hinojosa, J. Hinojosa, Hughes, King, Kolkhorst, Middleton, and Sparks will be shown as Co-sponsors of HCR 13.

On motion of Senator Zaffirini and by unanimous consent, the Senate at 7:00 p.m. agreed to adjourn, in memory of James Hyung-soon Im, upon completion of the introduction of bills and resolutions on first reading and pending the receipt of messages and committee reports, until 6:00 p.m. tomorrow.

Pursuant to a previously adopted motion, the Senate at 5:40 p.m. Wednesday, September 3, 2025, adjourned, in memory of James Hyung-soon Im, until 6:00 p.m. today.

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

STATE AFFAIRS — HB 7, CSHB 15

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND FLOODING — HB 27, CSHB 1

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND FLOODING — CSHB 20

STATE AFFAIRS — HB 18

SB 54