(Thursday, March 27, 2025)

The Senate met at 10:20 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, Kolkhorst, Menéndez, Middleton, Miles, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks, West, Zaffirini.

Absent-excused:  King.

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

Pastor Jimmy Pruitt, Bridge Church, Fredericksburg, offered the invocation as follows:

Father, we are here today to conduct the honorable business of government. I ask, as a son to a good father, would You preside over this important and pivotal time in the history of our great state? Would You make your presence known as critical decisions are being made that affect the trajectory and well-being of our communities? The scriptures are clear that we are to speak hope and blessing over our communities. In Proverbs 11:11 we read, By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but the wicked can destroy it with their words. Father, give us grace to speak life, to speak mercy, and to speak peace over our cities and over our state. Father, would You pour out Your grace over each person here today as they exercise their high calling and bear the weight of civil government on their shoulders? Thank You for their sacrifice to serve the people of our state. Watch over their families who will miss them during this session season and thank You for the people who have positioned them in this high and honorable place of service. We ask for wisdom, justice, righteousness, stamina, and the ability to think strategically and act with kindness, fairness, and grace toward one another. And when all is said and done here, we will leave this place trusting that Your will and Your purposes for the lives of the people we serve will have been done. I pray all these things in the name that is above all names. 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 King was granted leave of absence for today on account of important family business.

Senator J. Hinojosa was recognized and presented Dr. Rolando Yarritu of McAllen as the Physician of the Day.

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

Senator Zaffirini offered the following resolution:

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize Texas State University on the grand occasion of its 125th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, Governor Joseph Sayers approved the establishment of Southwest Texas State Normal School in San Marcos on May 10, 1899, and the first class of 32 teachers was graduated from the college in 1904; and

WHEREAS, That teachers college benefited from notable expansion and over the last 125 years has become a renowned research institution with more than 200 undergraduate and graduate programs; the university serves approximately 40,000 students at two campus locations, and the institution is opening its first international campus in Mexico next year with many others planned for the future; and

WHEREAS, Texas State University also is celebrating reaching the largest fundraising milestone in its history; the decade-long capital campaign raised $275 million, of which $166 million will be directed to student financial aid in the form of scholarships and fellowships; and

WHEREAS, Texas State University upholds its enduring commitment to education, innovation, and community engagement through the skilled leadership of its current president, Dr. Kelly Damphousse, and all associated with the school are truly deserving of recognition for continuing a proud legacy of academic excellence in the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th Legislature, hereby commend the administrators, faculty, and staff of Texas State University and join all associated with the school in celebrating the university's 125th anniversary; and, be it further

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

SR 263 was read and was adopted without objection.

Senator Zaffirini was recognized and introduced to the Senate a Texas State University delegation including Chancellor Brian McCall, President Kelly Damphousse, Student Body President Olivia Alexander, School of Music Director Todd Sullivan, Associate Professor and Director of Latin Music Studies Cirilo Campos, and the Mariachi Nueva Generación including Josue Cadena, Julian Esparza, Elma Garcia, Luis Garcia, Abigail Garcia, Janaina Gonzalez, Mario Gonzalez, Abigail Jimenez, Angelica Santos, Karla Alvizo, Hector Muñoz, and Jorge Dovalina.

The Senate welcomed its guests.

Senator Parker offered the following resolution:

SR 311, Recognizing March 27, 2025, as CASA Day.

The resolution was read and was adopted without objection.

Senator Parker, joined by Senators Paxton, Sparks, J. Hinojosa, Menéndez, Kolkhorst, and Campbell, was recognized and introduced to the Senate CASA Day representatives of Texas court appointed special advocates, President Dan Powers, Collin County CASA, San Antonio CASA, CASA of Travis County, Hill Country CASA, CASA for the Highland Lakes Area, and CASA of Central Texas.

The Senate welcomed its guests.

Senator Zaffirini was recognized and introduced to the Senate representatives of the Poth High School Spanish Club including Spanish teacher Julie McDevitt, and students Gio Flores, Kendall Gaber, Leila Guerrero, Valencia Herrera, Kishma Massey, Emily Mata Martinez, Noah Miller, Cynthia Perez, Marlenne Perez, Serenity Sanchez, Yahaira Sanchez, Eden Webb, Payton Whiteaker, Taylor Whiteaker, and Jerry Yarborough.

The Senate welcomed its guests.

The following Message from the Governor was read and was referred to the Committee on Nominations:

March 27, 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 appointments:

To be members of the Texas Transportation Commission for terms to expire February 1, 2031:

Alejandro G. "Alex" Meade, III

Mission, Texas

Robert C. "Robie" Vaughn

Dallas, Texas

The individuals listed above are being reappointed.

Respectfully submitted,

/s/Greg Abbott

Governor

Senator Alvarado offered the following resolution:

SR 333, In memory of Gordon Robert Johnson.

The resolution was read.

On motion of Senator Alvarado, SR 333 was adopted by a rising vote of the Senate.

In honor of the memory of Gordon Robert Johnson, the text of the resolution will be printed in the Senate Journal upon adjournment of this legislative day.

The following resolutions were offered:

SR 334 by Kolkhorst, Recognizing Elizabeth Grace Alfred for her participation in the 135th Brenham Maifest.

SR 335 by Kolkhorst, Recognizing Everett Alexander McCarty Gonzalez for his participation in the 135th Brenham Maifest.

SR 336 by Kolkhorst, Recognizing Emerson Taylor Behrens for her participation in the 135th Brenham Maifest.

SR 337 by Kolkhorst, Recognizing Henry Latham Stopschinski for his participation in the 135th Brenham Maifest.

SR 339 by Kolkhorst, Recognizing Texas Electric Cooperatives, Incorporated, on the occasion of its 85th anniversary.

SR 340 by Zaffirini, Recognizing Alicia Canales Gonzalez on the occasion of her 100th birthday.

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

The Presiding Officer 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 Zaffirini was recognized and introduced the following:

The Honorable Ben Barnes---De Leon

Lieutenant Governor---1969 to 1973

The Honorable Gonzalo Barrientos---Austin

State Senator---1985 to 2007

The Honorable David Bernsen---Beaumont

State Senator---1999 to 2003

The Honorable Dawn Buckingham---Lakeway

State Senator---2017 to 2023

The Honorable David Cain---Dallas

State Senator---1995 to 2003

The Honorable Troy Fraser---Horseshoe Bay

State Senator---1997 to 2017

The Honorable Michael Galloway—The Woodlands

State Senator---1995 to 1999

The Honorable Don Huffines—Dallas

State Senator—2015 to 2019

The Honorable Kyle Janek---Harris County

State Senator—2002 to 2008

The Honorable Glenn Kothmann---San Antonio

State Senator---1971 to 1987

The Honorable Jon Lindsay---Harris County

State Senator---1997 to 2007

The Honorable Eddie Lucio Jr.—Brownsville

State Senator—1991 to 2023

The Honorable John T. Montford—Lubbock

State Senator—1983 to 1996

The Honorable Jane Nelson---Flower Mound

State Senator---1993 to 2023

The Honorable John Sharp—Victoria

State Senator—1979 to 1982

The Honorable Dan Shelley---Crosby

State Senator---1993 to 1995

The Honorable Todd Staples---Palestine

State Senator---2001 to 2007

The Honorable Leticia Van de Putte---San Antonio

State Senator---1999 to 2015

The Senate welcomed its guests.

Senator West read the following names from "A State of Remembrance, March 27, 2025":

The Honorable Joseph Bernal---San Antonio

State Senator---1967 to 1973

The Honorable Robert Joe Glasgow---Stephenville

State Senator---1981 to 1993

The Honorable Eddie Bernice Johnson---Dallas County

State Senator---1987 to 1993

The Honorable Carl A. Parker---Port Arthur

State Senator---1977 to 1995

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

The President at 11:29 a.m. announced the Senate would stand At Ease subject to the call of the Chair.

The President at 11:52 a.m. called the Senate to order as In Legislative Session.

The President at 11:54 a.m. announced the conclusion of morning call.

Senator Hancock moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSSB 925 at this time on its third reading and final passage:

CSSB 925, Relating to certain agreements with collective bargaining organizations related to certain publicly funded public work contracts.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 19, Nays 11.

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

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

Absent-excused:  King.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 19, Nays 11. (Same as previous roll call)

Senator Hughes moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration SB 1362 at this time on its third reading and final passage:

SB 1362, Relating to prohibiting the recognition, service, and enforcement of extreme risk protective orders; creating a criminal offense.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 19, Nays 11.

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

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

Absent-excused:  King.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 19, Nays 11. (Same as previous roll call)

Senator Blanco submitted the following statement regarding SB 1362:

Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) provide a proactive and constitutional way to save lives and help people in crisis access the support they need. These laws have been shown to prevent family violence and other tragedies by providing a legal tool to temporarily remove firearms from individuals who pose a risk to themselves or others.

The effectiveness of ERPO laws is backed by evidence. Indiana saw a 7.5% reduction in firearm suicides over a ten-year period following the implementation of its ERPO law. Connecticut experienced a 1.6% immediate reduction in firearm suicides after adopting similar measures, with a 13.7% decrease observed after the Virginia Tech shooting when enforcement efforts intensified. In 2020, Florida demonstrated the strongest use of red-flag laws, issuing 2,355 orders that year—the highest per capita usage among states with similar laws at approximately 9.4 orders per 100,000 residents annually. These laws work.

Following the tragic mass shooting in my hometown of El Paso, a series of stakeholder roundtables in 2019, Governor Abbott released the Texas Safety Action Report, which included several common-sense recommendations to improve public safety. These solutions are still on the table, and I believe we can uphold the rights of law-abiding gun owners, while taking steps to keep firearms out of the hands of those who pose a danger to themselves or others.

Prohibiting ERPOs is not a solution. It is a step in the wrong direction.

For this reason, I will be voting against Senate Bill 1362.

BLANCO

On motion of Senator Zaffirini and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration SB 916 at this time on its second reading:

SB 916, Relating to consumer protections against certain medical and health care billing by emergency medical services providers.

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:

Absent-excused:  King.

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 916 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0.

Absent-excused:  King.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0. (Same as previous roll call)

On motion of Senator Huffman and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration SB 1019 at this time on its second reading:

SB 1019, Relating to the admissibility of certain hearsay statements in the adjudication of certain sexual or assaultive offenses committed against a child or a person with a disability.

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:

Absent-excused:  King.

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 1019 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0.

Absent-excused:  King.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0. (Same as previous roll call)

On motion of Senator West and by unanimous consent, the vote by which CSSB 213 was finally passed was reconsidered:

CSSB 213, Relating to prohibiting insurers from requiring the tying of residential property and personal automobile insurance policies.

Question: Shall CSSB 213 be finally passed?

The bill was again read third time.

Senator West offered the following amendment to the bill:

Amend CSSB 213 on third reading in SECTION 1 of the bill as follows:

(1)  Immediately following added Section 551.251, Insurance Code, insert the following:

(2)  In added Section 551.253, Insurance Code, between "POLICIES." and "It", insert "(a)".

(3)  Immediately following added Section 551.253, Insurance Code, insert the following:

(4)  Renumber sections and cross-references appropriately.

The amendment to CSSB 213 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 on Third Reading except as follows:

Absent-excused:  King.

CSSB 213 as again amended was finally passed by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0.

Absent-excused:  King.

On motion of Senator Birdwell and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration CSSB 1146 at this time on its second reading:

CSSB 1146, Relating to the plugging or replugging of certain inactive wells subject to the jurisdiction of the Railroad Commission of Texas.

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:

Absent-excused:  King.

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 CSSB 1146 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0.

Absent-excused:  King.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0. (Same as previous roll call)

Senator Flores moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSSB 1194 at this time on its second reading:

CSSB 1194, Relating to creating the Central Texas Water Alliance; providing authority to issue bonds; granting the power of eminent domain; providing authority to impose fees.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 27, Nays 3.

Yeas:  Alvarado, Birdwell, Blanco, Campbell, Cook, Creighton, Eckhardt, Flores, Gutierrez, Hagenbuch, Hall, Hancock, A. Hinojosa, J. Hinojosa, Huffman, Johnson, Kolkhorst, Menéndez, Middleton, Miles, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Sparks, West, Zaffirini.

Nays:  Bettencourt, Hughes, Schwertner.

Absent-excused:  King.

The bill was read second time and was passed to engrossment by the following vote:  Yeas 27, Nays 3. (Same as previous roll call)

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 CSSB 1194 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 27, Nays 3.

Yeas:  Alvarado, Birdwell, Blanco, Campbell, Cook, Creighton, Eckhardt, Flores, Gutierrez, Hagenbuch, Hall, Hancock, A. Hinojosa, J. Hinojosa, Huffman, Johnson, Kolkhorst, Menéndez, Middleton, Miles, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Sparks, West, Zaffirini.

Nays:  Bettencourt, Hughes, Schwertner.

Absent-excused:  King.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 27, Nays 3. (Same as previous roll call)

On motion of Senator Nichols and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration SB 1499 at this time on its second reading:

SB 1499, Relating to the operations of the Financial Crimes Intelligence Center.

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:

Absent-excused:  King.

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 SB 1499 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0.

Absent-excused:  King.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0. (Same as previous roll call)

On motion of Senator Schwertner and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration SB 378 at this time on its second reading:

SB 378, Relating to certain prohibited practices by a barber or cosmetologist.

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:

Absent-excused:  King.

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 SB 378 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0.

Absent-excused:  King.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0. (Same as previous roll call)

On motion of Senator Eckhardt and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration SB 710 at this time on its second reading:

SB 710, Relating to the establishment and use of a written electronic communications system accessible to the public by certain municipal entities.

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:

Absent-excused:  King.

Senator Eckhardt moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that SB 710 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0.

Absent-excused:  King.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0. (Same as previous roll call)

On motion of Senator Perry and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration CSSB 1253 at this time on its second reading:

CSSB 1253, Relating to the provision by a political subdivision of credits against impact fees to builders and developers for certain water conservation and reuse projects.

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:

Absent-excused:  King.

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 1253 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0.

Absent-excused:  King.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0. (Same as previous roll call)

On motion of Senator Parker and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration SCR 8 at this time on its second reading:

SCR 8, Expressing opposition to the creation of a central bank digital currency.

The resolution was read second time and was adopted by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0.

Absent-excused:  King.

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

SB 2407 by Sparks, Blanco, Middleton, Parker, Paxton

Relating to the Lower Neches Valley Authority, following recommendations of the Sunset Advisory Commission; specifying grounds for the removal of a member of the board of directors.

To Committee on Local Government.

SB 2722 by Bettencourt

Relating to the use of certain tolls and charges imposed by certain counties; authorizing an administrative penalty.

To Committee on Transportation.

SB 2949 by J. Hinojosa, A. Hinojosa

Relating to the regulation of the transportation of motor fuels and other hazardous materials; creating a criminal offense.

To Committee on Border Security.

At the request of Senator Gutierrez, the Senate observed a moment of silence in honor of Anaya Zachary.

On motion of Senator Paxton, Senators Eckhardt, Hagenbuch, and J. Hinojosa will be shown as Co-authors of SB 207.

On motion of Senator Campbell, Senators Creighton and Flores will be shown as Co-authors of SB 371.

On motion of Senator Schwertner, Senator Alvarado will be shown as Co-author of SB 378.

On motion of Senator Eckhardt, Senator A. Hinojosa will be shown as Co-author of SB 422.

On motion of Senator Sparks, Senator Perry will be shown as Co-author of SB 881.

On motion of Senator Huffman, Senator Blanco will be shown as Co-author of SB 1019.

On motion of Senator King, Senators Hagenbuch, Parker, Paxton, and West will be shown as Co-authors of SB 1207.

On motion of Senator Perry, Senators Alvarado and Eckhardt will be shown as Co-authors of SB 1253.

On motion of Senator Parker, Senator Hagenbuch will be shown as Co-author of SB 1358.

On motion of Senator Hall, Senators Campbell and Hagenbuch will be shown as Co-authors of SB 1396.

On motion of Senator Paxton, Senator Cook will be shown as Co-author of SB 1432.

On motion of Senator Parker, Senator Hagenbuch will be shown as Co-author of SB 1741.

On motion of Senator Sparks, Senator Hagenbuch will be shown as Co-author of SB 2255.

On motion of Senator Parker, Senator Kolkhorst will be shown as Co-author of SB 2434.

On motion of Senator Parker, Senators Hancock, Menéndez, and Zaffirini will be shown as Co-authors of SR 311.

On motion of Senator Alvarado, Senators Hagenbuch and Hancock will be shown as Co-authors of SR 333.

On motion of Senator Zaffirini, the Senate at 12:46 p.m. recessed until 2:00 p.m. Monday, March 31, 2025.

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

WATER, AGRICULTURE, AND RURAL AFFAIRS — CSSB 7

TRANSPORTATION — SB 927, SB 1227, SB 1229, SB 1353, SB 1366, SB 1464, SB 1709, SB 1729, CSSB 1733, CSSB 1744, SB 1772, CSSB 1816, SB 1841

NATURAL RESOURCES — SB 2188, SB 1147, SB 879

BUSINESS AND COMMERCE — CSSB 1008

SB 213, SB 378, SB 710, SB 916, SB 925, SB 1019, SB 1146, SB 1194, SB 1253, SB 1362, SB 1499

SR 263, SR 311, SR 333, SR 334, SR 335, SR 336, SR 337, SR 339, SR 340