(Tuesday, February 25, 2025)

The Senate met at 11:05 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, Campbell, Cook, Creighton, Eckhardt, Flores, Gutierrez, Hagenbuch, Hall, Hancock, A. Hinojosa, J. Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, Johnson, King, Kolkhorst, Menéndez, Middleton, Miles, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks, Zaffirini.

Absent-excused:  West.

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

The Reverend Michael Gable, First Presbyterian Church, Angleton, offered the invocation as follows:

Lord of all that is, You were with the Old Three Hundred as they first considered moving their lives into the unknown in search of freedom and well-being. You were with them just over two hundred years ago as they worked to sustain their families, trusting You and one another with their success and with their very lives. You are with us here and now as we work to build on that legacy, gathered here with those entrusted with the prosperity of our fair state. On this time together, we ask Your favor. Bless this body with wisdom that it might understand righteousness, justice, and equity, that it will recognize every good path. Allow friendship to generate collaboration. Make the prosperity of Texas and all Texans the object of their labors, the icon of this august body's existence. Let it be the guide for their thoughts and actions both today and for years to come. 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 West was granted leave of absence for today on account of important business in the district.

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

February 25, 2025

Austin, Texas

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

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

To be Judge of the 297th Judicial District, Tarrant County, for a term until December 31, 2026, or until her successor shall be duly elected and qualified:

Amy Allin

Fort Worth, Texas

Respectfully submitted,

/s/Greg Abbott

Governor

February 25, 2025

Austin, Texas

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

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

To be Judge of the 120th Judicial District Court, El Paso County, for a term until December 31, 2026, or until his successor shall be duly elected and qualified:

Ben L. Ivey, III

El Paso, Texas

Respectfully submitted,

/s/Greg Abbott

Governor

February 25, 2025

Austin, Texas

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

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

To be Judge of the 66th Judicial District, Hill County, for a term until December 31, 2026, or until his successor shall be duly elected and qualified:

Justin W. Lewis

Aquilla, Texas

Respectfully submitted,

/s/Greg Abbott

Governor

February 25, 2025

Austin, Texas

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

On January 22, 2025, I submitted the name of Justin J. "J.J." Koch for appointment to the Advisory Committee to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments for a term to expire February 1, 2025.

Because he resigned, I hereby withdraw his nomination.

Respectfully submitted,

/s/Greg Abbott

Governor

Senator Huffman offered the following resolution:

SR 122, Recognizing February 25, 2025, as Brazoria County Day at the State Capitol.

HUFFMAN

MIDDLETON

The resolution was read and was adopted without objection.

Senator Huffman was recognized and introduced to the Senate a Brazoria County Day delegation including County Judge Matt Sebesta, Brazoria County Day Co-chairs Eric Melass and Joe Ripple, and Port Freeport Commissioners Kim Kincannon and Barbara Fratila, accompanied by Gloria Millsap.

The Senate welcomed its guests.

Senator Bettencourt offered the following resolution:

SR 109, Recognizing March 2025 as Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month.

The resolution was read and was adopted without objection.

Senator Bettencourt was recognized and introduced to the Senate a Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month delegation.

The Senate welcomed its guests.

Senator Huffman was recognized and presented Dr. Roland Prezas of Missouri City as the Physician of the Day.

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

Senator Huffman offered the following resolution:

SR 126, Commemorating the 100th anniversary of Port Freeport.

The resolution was read and was adopted without objection.

Senator Huffman was recognized and introduced to the Senate Port Freeport Commission Chairman Ravi Singhania; Commissioners Rob Giesecke, Rudy Santos, and Dan Croft; and Executive Director Phyllis Saathoff.

The Senate welcomed its guests.

Senator J. Hinojosa was recognized and introduced to the Senate Classical Conversations Homeschool Program students, including Aaliyah Sarabia, James McAllen III, and Evelyn Magallan, joined by former Palmview City Councilmember Linda Sarabia and Dr. Katherine McAllen.

The Senate welcomed its guests.

Senator Zaffirini offered the following resolution:

WHEREAS, Hispanic judges from across the state are gathering in Austin on February 25, 2025, in celebration of Texas Hispanic Judges' Day at the State Capitol; and

WHEREAS, The Hispanic population of Texas is at least 40 percent, yet Hispanic judges account for only 16 percent of the state's judiciary; and

WHEREAS, Hispanic judges have contributed significantly to justice in the State of Texas, as exemplified by trailblazers Reynaldo Garza, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; Pete Benavides, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; Raul Gonzalez, Texas Supreme Court; Eva Guzman, Texas Supreme Court; Elsa Alcala, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals; Linda Yañez, Thirteenth Court of Appeals; Carlos Cadena, Fourth Court of Appeals; and Alma Lopez, Fourth Court of Appeals, to name a few; and

WHEREAS, In collaboration with the Hispanic Issues Section of the State Bar of Texas, Hispanic judges formed the first statewide organization with a mission of advancing current and future Hispanic judges, promoting integrity and excellence in the judiciary, and recognizing their contributions to the Texas judicial system; and

WHEREAS, Advancing equal justice is the mission of all judges, and the more than 500 Hispanic individuals who currently serve on courts across the state exemplify the highest standards of judicial conduct and demonstrate their dedication to the people of Texas through their public service on and off the bench, which is truly an inspiration to us all; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th Legislature, hereby recognize February 25, 2025, as Texas Hispanic Judges' Day at the State Capitol, commend Hispanic judges of Texas for their commitment to equal justice under the law, and extend to all those participating in this event sincere best wishes for a memorable and enjoyable visit to Austin.

SR 137 was read and was adopted without objection.

Senator Zaffirini, joined by Senators J. Hinojosa, Menéndez, Eckhardt, Gutierrez, Blanco, Cook, A. Hinojosa, Hall, Alvarado, and Johnson, was recognized and introduced to the Senate a Texas Hispanic Judges' Day delegation including Maria Aceves, Selena Alvarenga, Antonia Arteaga, Carlos Barrera, Gina Benavides, Dori Contreras, Karin Crump, Marisa Flores, Maya Guerra Gamble, Rosie Speedlin Gonzalez, Denise Hernández, Gloria Lopez, Pamela Medina, Randy Ortega, David Rodriguez, Lisa J. Soto, Rosa Lopez Theofanis, Gisela Triana, Victor Villarreal, and Sandra Avila Ramirez.

The Senate welcomed its guests.

Senator Birdwell offered the following resolution:

SR 141, Recognizing February 25, 2025, as Baylor Day.

The resolution was read and was adopted without objection.

Senator Birdwell, joined by Senators Paxton and Kolkhorst, was recognized and introduced to the Senate a Baylor University Day delegation including President, Dr. Linda A. Livingstone; General Counsel Christopher W. Holmes; Associate Vice President for Strategic Communications and Initiatives, Dr. Torie Johnson; and Interim Chair of Political Science, Dr. Patrick Flavin.

The Senate welcomed its guests.

Senator Birdwell offered the following resolution:

SR 142, Recognizing Baylor University's Bob Bullock Scholars Program.

The resolution was read and was adopted without objection.

Senator Birdwell, joined by Senator Zaffirini, was recognized and introduced to the Senate Baylor University Bob Bullock Scholars Molly Brown, Annabel Curtis, Hayden Head, Madelyn Miller, Rhea Nijjar, and Sophia Whetstone.

The Senate welcomed its guests.

Senator Hagenbuch offered the following resolution:

SR 136, Recognizing February 25, 2025, as University of North Texas Day at the State Capitol.

The resolution was read and was adopted without objection.

Senator Hagenbuch was recognized and introduced to the Senate a University of North Texas Day delegation including his legislative intern Hailey Arbuckle.

The Senate welcomed its guests.

Senator Menéndez, joined by Senators Gutierrez and A. Hinojosa, was recognized and introduced to the Senate an Eva's Heroes delegation including Christiane Garcia, Tiana Garcia, Domingo Garcia, Isabella Gutierrez, and organization caregivers.

The Senate welcomed its guests.

Senator Paxton was recognized and introduced to the Senate a Texas Academy of Physician Assistants delegation.

The Senate welcomed its guests.

Senator Cook offered the following resolution:

SR 130, Commemorating the centennial of Memorial Park in Houston.

The resolution was read and was adopted without objection.

Senator Cook was recognized and introduced to the Senate Memorial Park Conservancy staff and advocates including Board of Directors Chair Veronica Chapa Gorczynski, her husband, John, and their son, Diego; Board of Directors member Claire Caudill; Interim President and CEO Chris Ballard; Vice President of Engagement Holli Clements; and Director of Communications and Marketing Janelle Bludau.

The Senate welcomed its guests.

The following resolutions were offered:

SR 77 by Miles and Alvarado, In memory of Paul McCann of Egypt, Texas.

SR 106 by Miles, Alvarado, Blanco, Cook, Eckhardt, Gutierrez, J. Hinojosa, Menéndez, West, and Zaffirini, In memory of U.S. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee.

SR 128 by Blanco, In memory of Edward Greer.

SR 140 by Birdwell, Recognizing A Girl and A Gun Waco Chapter on the occasion of its 14th anniversary.

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

The Presiding Officer laid before the Senate the following resolution:

WHEREAS, Section 17, Article III, Texas Constitution, provides that neither house of the legislature may adjourn for more than three days without the consent of the other house; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas, That each house grant the other permission to adjourn for more than three days during the period beginning on Thursday, February 27, 2025, and ending on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.

ZAFFIRINI

SCR 20 was read.

On motion of Senator Zaffirini and by unanimous consent, the resolution was considered immediately and was adopted by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0.

Absent-excused:  West.

Senator A. Hinojosa was recognized and introduced to the Senate a City of South Padre Island delegation including Mayor Patrick McNulty, Councilmembers Joe Ricco and Kerry Schwartz, and City Manager Randy Smith.

The Senate welcomed its guests.

On motion of Senator Perry, Senator Campbell will be shown as Co-author of SB 3.

On motion of Senator King, Senators Campbell and Middleton will be shown as Co-authors of SB 6.

On motion of Senator Kolkhorst, Senator Nichols will be shown as Co-author of SB 17.

On motion of Senator Kolkhorst, Senators Cook, Hall, and Middleton will be shown as Co-authors of SB 25.

On motion of Senator Creighton, Senators Bettencourt and Paxton will be shown as Co-authors of SB 26.

On motion of Senator Hall, Senator Hagenbuch will be shown as Co-author of SB 83.

On motion of Senator West, Senators Hall and J. Hinojosa will be shown as Co-authors of SB 213.

On motion of Senator Huffman, Senators Gutierrez, J. Hinojosa, and Perry will be shown as Co-authors of SB 260.

On motion of Senator Sparks, Senator Perry will be shown as Co-author of SB 391.

On motion of Senator Campbell, Senator Cook will be shown as Co-author of SB 464.

On motion of Senator Hughes, Senator Hagenbuch will be shown as Co-author of SB 674.

On motion of Senator Huffman, Senators Hagenbuch, King, Middleton, and Nichols will be shown as Co-authors of SB 1047.

On motion of Senator Campbell, Senator Cook will be shown as Co-author of SB 1084.

On motion of Senator Hughes, Senator Blanco will be shown as Co-author of SB 1118.

On motion of Senator Cook, Senator Campbell will be shown as Co-author of SB 1307.

On motion of Senator Parker, Senator Hagenbuch will be shown as Co-author of SB 1355.

On motion of Senator Zaffirini, the Senate at 12:28 p.m. adjourned until 10:00 a.m. tomorrow.

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

WATER, AGRICULTURE, AND RURAL AFFAIRS — SB 616, SB 565, SB 384

STATE AFFAIRS — SB 28

SR 77, SR 106, SR 109, SR 122, SR 126, SR 128, SR 130, SR 136, SR 137, SR 140, SR 141, SR 142