(Thursday, September 4, 2025)

The Senate met at 12:27 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, Blanco, Campbell, Cook, Creighton, Flores, 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, Gutierrez, West.

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

Senator Paxton offered the invocation as follows:

Father, You tell us that Your mercies are new every morning, and on this new legislative morning we ask for Your mercy. And we hope for a final time at least during this summer and fall to do the work that You have before us with diligence and with a servant's heart. And it is in the name of Jesus that we pray. 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 Gutierrez 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.

The President at 12:30 a.m. announced the conclusion of morning call.

The President announced the signing of the following enrolled bills in the presence of the Senate:

SB 1, SB 5 (Signed subject to Art. III, Sec. 49a, Texas Constitution).

The President laid before the Senate HB 18, sponsored by Senator A. Hinojosa, at this time on its third reading and final passage:

HB 18, 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.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 18, Nays 8.

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

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

Absent-excused:  Birdwell, Eckhardt, Gutierrez, West.

On motion of Senator Zaffirini, the Senate at 12:35 a.m. recessed until 12:44 a.m. today.

The Senate met at 12:47 a.m. and was called to order by the President.

Senator Flores offered the following resolution:

BE IT RESOLVED, That the General Investigating Committee on the July 2025 Flooding Events be hereby created; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the committee consist of five senators appointed by the President of the Senate, and that the President of the Senate designate from among the members of the committee the senators to serve as chair and vice chair; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the committee make a complete and thorough examination of the facts and circumstances surrounding the flooding events which occurred on or about July 4, 2025, and which resulted in the tragic loss of life and injuries to Texans; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the committee have all the powers and duties and operate according to the procedures prescribed by Subchapter B, Chapter 301, Government Code, and the Rules of the Senate, as applicable.

SR 2 was read and was adopted by the following vote:  Yeas 26, Nays 0.

Absent-excused:  Birdwell, Eckhardt, Gutierrez, West.

Senator Hughes offered the following resolution:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Texas, That the Permanent Rules of the Senate, 89th Legislature, be amended by amending Rule 11.02 to read as follows:

LIST OF STANDING COMMITTEES AND SUBCOMMITTEES

Rule 11.02.  At the beginning of each regular session, the President shall appoint the following standing committees with the number of members indicated:

STANDING COMMITTEES

(1)  Committee on Administration (7 members)

(2)  [Committee on Border Security (5 members)

[(3)] Committee on Business and Commerce (11 members)

(3) [(4)]  Committee on Criminal Justice (7 members)

(4) [(5)]  Committee on Economic Development (5 members)

(5) [(6)]  Committee on Education [K-16] (11 members)

(6) [(7)]  Committee on Finance (15 members)

(7) [(8)]  Committee on Health and Human Services (9 members)

(9)  Committee on Homeland Security and Veteran Affairs (7 members) [Committee on Jurisprudence (5 members)]

(10)  Committee on Local Government (7 members)

(11)  Committee on Natural Resources (9 members)

(12)  Committee on Nominations (9 members)

(13)  Committee on State Affairs (11 members)

(14)  Committee on Transportation (9 members)

(15)  [Committee on Veteran Affairs (7 members)

[(16)] Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs (9 members).

SR 5 was read and was adopted by the following vote:  Yeas 26, Nays 0.

Absent-excused:  Birdwell, Eckhardt, Gutierrez, West.

The following resolutions were offered:

SR 3 by West, Recognizing Gwendolyn Spratt for her service as pastor of the Church of the Blood Covenant.

SR 4 by Campbell, Alvarado, Bettencourt, Birdwell, Blanco, Eckhardt, Flores, Gutierrez, A. Hinojosa, J. Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, Johnson, King, Menéndez, Middleton, Parker, Sparks, West, and Zaffirini, In memory of James Bruce Bugg Jr. of San Antonio.

SR 6 by Kolkhorst, In memory of Lamar Gene Urbanovsky.

SR 7 by Kolkhorst, Recognizing John Weldon Koenig on the occasion of his 90th birthday.

SR 8 by Kolkhorst, In memory of James F. Arens.

SR 9 by Creighton, Recognizing Betty J. Reynard for her service as president of Lamar State College--Port Arthur.

SR 10 by Creighton, Recognizing Judson Caldwell on the occasion of his Wish Reveal Celebration.

SR 11 by West, In memory of David Riggs Wildman.

SR 12 by Hughes, In memory of George Wayne Hines of Sulphur Springs.

SR 13 by Hughes, In memory of Mary E. Larsen Preuss Wilson of Sulphur Springs.

SR 14 by Hughes, In memory of David Max Fowler of Sulphur Springs.

SR 15 by Hughes, In memory of Christi Michelle Mayeux of Sulphur Springs.

SR 16 by Hughes, In memory of Phillis Hastings Townes of Detroit.

SR 17 by Hughes, In memory of Matthew Thomas Young of Lindale.

SR 18 by Hughes, In memory of Harry James Sims of Sulphur Springs.

SR 19 by Hughes, In memory of Shirley Story of Sulphur Springs.

SR 20 by J. Hinojosa, Recognizing Mari Santos for being named 2025 Class 5A Dean Weese Outstanding Coach.

SR 21 by Hughes, In memory of Kenneth Ray Ward of Sulphur Springs.

SR 22 by Hughes, In memory of Jane Smith Hotze of Houston.

SR 23 by Hughes, In memory of James Randall "J. R." Rushing and Cynthia Cherise Rushing of Sulphur Springs.

SR 24 by Hughes, In memory of Cecil Rich Jr. of Sulphur Springs.

SR 25 by Hughes, In memory of David Walker Raney of Texarkana.

SR 26 by Hughes, In memory of Marion Patricia "Pat" VanDevender of Atlanta.

SR 27 by Hughes, In memory of Kenneth Edward Gray of Hooks.

SR 28 by Hughes, In memory of Corine Hendon Pledger of Texarkana.

SR 29 by Hughes, In memory of Lucy Massey of Pickton.

SR 30 by Hughes, In memory of Ida Mae Barrett McMillan of De Kalb.

SR 31 by Hughes, In memory of Charles Glen Patton of New Boston.

SR 32 by Hagenbuch, Recognizing the 2025 Wild West Festival BBQ Cook-Off.

SR 33 by Hagenbuch, Commending Jill Reding for her service as a legislative intern in the office of State Senator Brent A. Hagenbuch.

SR 34 by Hagenbuch, Commending Lawson Spivey for his service as a legislative intern in the office of State Senator Brent A. Hagenbuch.

SR 35 by Hagenbuch, Commending Annie Meyers for her service as a legislative intern in the office of State Senator Brent A. Hagenbuch.

SR 36 by Hagenbuch, Commending Charlie Ondeck for his service as an intern in the office of State Senator Brent Hagenbuch.

SR 37 by Hagenbuch, Commending Avery Kurzontkowski for her service as a legislative intern in the office of State Senator Brent Hagenbuch.

SR 38 by Hagenbuch, Commending Sarah Hammond for her service as a legislative intern in the office of State Senator Brent A. Hagenbuch.

SR 39 by Hagenbuch, Commending Audrey Davis for her service as a legislative intern in the office of State Senator Brent Hagenbuch.

SR 40 by Hagenbuch, Commending Emma Salas for her service as a legislative intern in the office of State Senator Brent Hagenbuch.

SR 41 by Hagenbuch, Commending Denisse Vargas for her service as a legislative intern in the office of State Senator Brent Hagenbuch.

SR 42 by Hagenbuch, Commending Emily Krupa for her service as a legislative intern in the office of State Senator Brent Hagenbuch.

SR 43 by Hagenbuch, Commending Ciclaly Elizarraras for her service as a legislative intern in the office of State Senator Brent Hagenbuch.

SR 44 by Hagenbuch, Commending Alexandra Bellsnyder for her service as a legislative intern in the office of State Senator Brent Hagenbuch.

SR 45 by Hagenbuch, Commending Grace Arnold for her service as a legislative intern in the office of State Senator Brent Hagenbuch.

SR 46 by Hughes, In memory of Steven Ray Murrah of Texarkana.

SR 47 by Hughes, In memory of Mildred Fay Jefferson.

SR 48 by West, Commending Alicia Thomas for her service as city secretary of DeSoto.

SR 49 by West, Recognizing Stefanie Watkins Nance for her 21 years of military service and leadership.

SR 50 by J. Hinojosa, Blanco, Gutierrez, A. Hinojosa, and Zaffirini, Recognizing the Ochoa family on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the opening of their family restaurant, Palenque Grill.

SR 51 by J. Hinojosa, In memory of Michael Joseph Westergren of Corpus Christi.

SR 52 by J. Hinojosa, In memory of Lauro "Larry" Hernandez Jr. of Robstown.

SR 53 by J. Hinojosa, In memory of Albert Stout Jr.

SR 54 by Eckhardt, Recognizing Children's Emergency Relief International on the occasion of its ribbon-cutting ceremony and dedication of the George M. Cowden Building.

SR 55 by Eckhardt, Recognizing Antone's Nightclub on the occasion of its 50th anniversary.

SR 56 by Eckhardt, In memory of Ronald Edward Dugger.

SR 57 by J. Hinojosa, Flores, Huffman, Kolkhorst, and Zaffirini, Recognizing Richard L. Jankovsky III on the occasion of his retirement.

SR 58 by Zaffirini, Recognizing the members of the Washington's Birthday Celebration Association for their planning of Washington's birthday celebration in Laredo.

SR 59 by Eckhardt, Recognizing Sheryl Pace on the occasion of her retirement.

SR 60 by Hughes, In memory of Virginia Lee Cude of Gilmer.

SR 61 by Hughes, In memory of Jimmie Ruth Jaynes Ford of Jefferson.

SR 62 by Hughes, Recognizing Bill Presson for receiving the Korean Ambassador for Peace Medal.

SR 63 by Hughes, In memory of Barbara Wilkison Bell of Longview.

SR 64 by Hughes, In memory of Joan Bradley Light of Kilgore.

SR 65 by Hughes, In memory of Patricia Ann Burks of Longview.

SR 66 by Hughes, In memory of William Bernard "Bill" Collins Jr. of Gilmer.

SR 67 by Hughes, In memory of Timothy Jack Frost of Rhonesboro.

SR 68 by Hughes, In memory of Bonnalee Pell Asbury of Longview.

SR 69 by Hughes, Recognizing Gary Pat and Barbara Hays on the occasion of their 70th wedding anniversary.

SR 70 by Hughes, In memory of Maxey Wayne Bruner of Longview.

SR 71 by Hughes, In memory of Debra Rene Clouatre of Gladewater.

SR 72 by Zaffirini, In memory of William N. Young Jr.

SR 73 by Zaffirini, Recognizing John Ross Campbell for his five decades of service with H-E-B Grocery Company.

SR 74 by Creighton, Recognizing Judson Whitley on the occasion of his Wish Reveal Celebration.

SR 75 by Eckhardt, Recognizing Richard San Jose on the occasion of his retirement.

SR 76 by Zaffirini, Commending Margaret J. Gómez for her service as commissioner of Travis County Precinct Four.

SR 77 by Paxton, Recognizing Leia's Kids on the occasion of its inaugural gala.

SR 78 by Hughes, Recognizing Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce on the occasion of its 125th anniversary.

SR 79 by Hughes, Recognizing New Hope Baptist Church on the occasion of its 170th anniversary.

SR 80 by Hughes, In memory of H. A. "Jack" Jones Jr. of Mineola.

SR 81 by Johnson, Recognizing Metrocare's Hillside Campus on the occasion of its grand opening.

SR 82 by Johnson, Recognizing Irving Fire Department on the occasion of its 100th anniversary.

SR 83 by Hughes, Congratulating Justice Greg Neeley on his retirement from the Twelfth Court of Appeals in Tyler.

SR 84 by Hughes, Congratulating James T. Worthen on his retirement as chief justice of the Twelfth Court of Appeals in Tyler.

SR 86 by Zaffirini, In memory of Guadalupe B. Martinez of Cotulla.

HCR 2 (Flores), In memory of the victims of the July 2025 Hill Country floods.

HCR 3 (Sparks), Commemorating the dedication of the Children's Emergency Relief International George M. Cowden Building in Austin.

HCR 4 (Sparks), Congratulating Rickey and Anne Lowe of Horseshoe Bay on their 47th wedding anniversary.

HCR 5 (Sparks), Congratulating Don Sparks of Midland on receiving the 2025 Chief Roughneck Award from the Independent Petroleum Association of America.

HCR 6 (Sparks), Congratulating the Senior Life Midland Meals on Wheels program on delivering its five millionth meal.

HCR 7 (Sparks), In memory of Richard Augustus Hewitt of San Antonio.

HCR 8 (Sparks), Congratulating Charles and Margaret Semple of Midland on their 60th wedding anniversary.

HCR 14 (Huffman), Congratulating Lori Rickert on her retirement as presiding judge for Brazoria County Court at Law No. 4 and Probate Court.

HCR 16 (Sparks), Congratulating Barbara Jean Bolden Yarbrough of Midland on the occasion of her 90th birthday.

HCR 20 (Sparks), Commemorating the 75th anniversary of St. Ann's Catholic School in Midland.

The resolutions were read and were adopted by a viva voce vote.

Senator Cook asked to be recorded as voting "Nay" on SR 22 and SR 47.

Senator Miles asked to be recorded as "Present-not voting" on SR 22 and SR 47.

Senator Flores offered the following resolution:

SR 1, Honoring the lives lost during the 2025 Texas flooding.

The resolution was read and was adopted by a rising vote of the Senate.

On motion of Senator Zaffirini, the Senate of the 89th Legislature, 2nd Called Session, at 1:03 a.m. agreed to adjourn sine die, in memory of former State Representative Jodie Laubenberg, pending the completion of administrative duties and the receipt of messages from the House.

The President announced the signing of the following enrolled bills in the presence of the Senate:  HB 1, HB 18, HB 20.

The President announced the signing of the following enrolled resolutions in the presence of the Senate:

HCR 2, HCR 3, HCR 4, HCR 5, HCR 6, HCR 7, HCR 8, HCR 14, HCR 16, HCR 20.

The President announced that the hour for final adjournment of the 89th Legislature, 2nd Called Session, had arrived and, in accordance with a previously adopted motion, declared the 89th Legislature, 2nd Called Session, adjourned sine die, in memory of former State Representative Jodie Laubenberg, at 9:15 a.m. Thursday, September 4, 2025.

SB 1, SB 5, SR 2, SR 3, SR 4, SR 5, SR 6, SR 7, SR 8, SR 9, SR 10, SR 11, SR 12, SR 13, SR 14, SR 15, SR 16, SR 17, SR 18, SR 19, SR 20, SR 21, SR 22, SR 23, SR 24, SR 25, SR 26, SR 27, SR 28, SR 29, SR 30, SR 31, SR 32, SR 33, SR 34, SR 35, SR 36, SR 37, SR 38, SR 39, SR 40, SR 41, SR 42, SR 43, SR 44, SR 45, SR 46, SR 47, SR 48, SR 49, SR 50, SR 51, SR 52, SR 53, SR 54, SR 55, SR 56, SR 57, SR 58, SR 59, SR 60, SR 61, SR 62, SR 63, SR 64, SR 65, SR 66, SR 67, SR 68, SR 69, SR 70, SR 71, SR 72, SR 73, SR 74, SR 75, SR 76, SR 77, SR 78, SR 79, SR 80, SR 81, SR 82, SR 83, SR 84, SR 86

SB 5

SB 1, SB 8, SB 54

SB 1, SB 3

SB 5

SB 11, SB 14, SB 16, SB 54

SB 18

SB 5

SB 12

SB 8

The following Veto Proclamation by the Governor was filed in the Office of the Secretary of State:

PROCLAMATION

BY THE

GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF TEXAS

TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME:

Pursuant to Article IV, Section 14, of the Texas Constitution, I, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, do hereby disapprove of and veto Senate Bill No. 18 as passed by the Eighty-Ninth Texas Legislature, Second Called Special Session, because of the following objections:

On July 9, 2025, and August 15, 2025, I called special sessions in response to the tragic July 4th flooding. Both times, I designated legislation to "improve early warning systems," "strengthen emergency communications," and similar preparedness and response measures "in flood-prone areas." Senate Bill No. 18 does not concern emergency measures in areas like Kerrville. Instead, it exempts certain entities from the requirement to obtain a TCEQ permit to construct a dam or reservoir, duplicating a bill that failed to pass during the 89th Regular Session.

The Texas Constitution provides that the Governor, when calling a special session, "shall state specifically the purpose for which the Legislature is convened" in a proclamation. TEX. CONST. art. IV, § 8(a). It also provides that "there shall be no legislation upon subjects other than those designated in the proclamation of the Governor calling such session." Id. art. III, § 40. These provisions are "clearly mandatory, and are limitations upon the authority of the legislature in special session." Manor Casino v. State, 34 S.W. 769, 771 (Tex. Civ. App. 1896).

Because any legislation "not embraced in the proclamation" is "passed in violation of the constitution, and is, therefore, void," ibid., I hereby disapprove of this bill. A special session is not an open invitation to revive draft legislation that died during the regular. See Ex parte Wolters, 144 S.W. 531, 535–536 (Tex. Crim. App. 1911) (opinion of Davidson, P.J.); id. at 538 (opinion of Harper, J., concurring).

Since the Eighty-Ninth Texas Legislature, Second Called Special Session, by its adjournment has prevented the return of this bill, I am filing these objections in the office of the secretary of state and giving notice thereof by this public proclamation according to the aforementioned constitutional provision.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have signed my name officially and caused the Seal of the State to be affixed hereto at Austin, this 17th day of September, 2025.

(Seal)

/s/Greg Abbott

Governor of Texas

ATTESTED BY:

/s/David Nelson

Deputy Secretary of State