TWENTY-SECOND DAY
(Tuesday, April 1, 2025)
The Senate met at 3:35 p.m. pursuant to adjournment and was called to order by Senator Flores.
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, West, Zaffirini.
The Presiding Officer announced that a quorum of the Senate was present.
Senator Hancock offered the invocation as follows:
Heavenly Father, we do pause recognizing that we enter a throne room of the one that is holy, the one with all answers to our questions, that one day we will find out as we join You in the place You have held for us and made a room for us. God, as we fulfill our duties here to our constituents that those who elected us, life does not go away, difficulty does not go away, health issues and concerns do not go away, for we, too, are simply human sinners that must trust in You and find our hope in You. So, Father, we do lift up those that are struggling, those that are carrying on to fulfill their jobs and their duties and they're clinging to You when they cannot find answers. We pray that You would give them hope, encouragement, and, God, that You would use us to encourage them, to strengthen them, and let them know that we are here for them. God, we trust in You all things, all things seen and unseen. In Your name I 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.
INTRODUCTION OF
BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS POSTPONED
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.
CONCLUSION OF MORNING CALL
The Presiding Officer at 3:40 p.m. announced the conclusion of morning call.
SENATE BILL 318 ON THIRD READING
Senator Creighton moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration SB 318 at this time on its third reading and final passage:
SB 318, Relating to the establishment of the election integrity division in the office of the attorney general.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 20, Nays 11.
Yeas: Bettencourt, Birdwell, Campbell, Creighton, Flores, Hagenbuch, Hall, Hancock, A. Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, King, Kolkhorst, Middleton, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks.
Nays: Alvarado, Blanco, Cook, Eckhardt, Gutierrez, J. Hinojosa, Johnson, Menéndez, Miles, West, Zaffirini.
The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 20, Nays 11. (Same as previous roll call)
SENATE BILL 707 ON THIRD READING
Senator King moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration SB 707 at this time on its third reading and final passage:
SB 707, Relating to the authority of the legislature to determine that certain federal directives are unconstitutional and to prohibit certain government officers and employees from enforcing or assisting in the enforcement of the directive.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 20, Nays 11.
Yeas: Bettencourt, Birdwell, Campbell, Creighton, Flores, Hagenbuch, Hall, Hancock, A. Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, King, Kolkhorst, Middleton, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks.
Nays: Alvarado, Blanco, Cook, Eckhardt, Gutierrez, J. Hinojosa, Johnson, Menéndez, Miles, West, Zaffirini.
The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 20, Nays 11. (Same as previous roll call)
SENATE BILL 875 ON THIRD READING
Senator Birdwell moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration SB 875 at this time on its third reading and final passage:
SB 875, Relating to prohibiting election activities committed by a member of the board of trustees or superintendent of an independent school district or on certain school district premises; creating criminal offenses.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 21, Nays 10.
Yeas: Bettencourt, Birdwell, Blanco, Campbell, Creighton, Flores, Hagenbuch, Hall, Hancock, A. Hinojosa, J. Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, King, Kolkhorst, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks.
Nays: Alvarado, Cook, Eckhardt, Gutierrez, Johnson, Menéndez, Middleton, Miles, West, Zaffirini.
The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 21, Nays 10. (Same as previous roll call)
SENATE BILL 371 ON THIRD READING
Senator Campbell moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration SB 371 at this time on its third reading and final passage:
SB 371, Relating to parental approval for a student's participation in human sexuality instruction in public schools.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 24, Nays 7.
Yeas: Bettencourt, Birdwell, Blanco, Campbell, Creighton, Flores, Hagenbuch, Hall, Hancock, A. Hinojosa, J. Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, King, Kolkhorst, Middleton, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks, West, Zaffirini.
Nays: Alvarado, Cook, Eckhardt, Gutierrez, Johnson, Menéndez, Miles.
The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 24, Nays 7. (Same as previous roll call)
SENATE BILL 965 ON THIRD READING
Senator Parker moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration SB 965 at this time on its third reading and final passage:
SB 965, Relating to the right of a public school employee to engage in religious speech or prayer while on duty.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 20, Nays 11.
Yeas: Bettencourt, Birdwell, Campbell, Creighton, Flores, Hagenbuch, Hall, Hancock, A. Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, King, Kolkhorst, Middleton, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks.
Nays: Alvarado, Blanco, Cook, Eckhardt, Gutierrez, J. Hinojosa, Johnson, Menéndez, Miles, West, Zaffirini.
The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 20, Nays 11. (Same as previous roll call)
SENATE BILL 396 ON THIRD READING
Senator Kolkhorst moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration SB 396 at this time on its third reading and final passage:
SB 396, Relating to confirmation of a voter's residence by a voter registrar.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 20, Nays 11.
Yeas: Bettencourt, Birdwell, Campbell, Creighton, Flores, Hagenbuch, Hall, Hancock, A. Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, King, Kolkhorst, Middleton, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks.
Nays: Alvarado, Blanco, Cook, Eckhardt, Gutierrez, J. Hinojosa, Johnson, Menéndez, Miles, West, Zaffirini.
The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 20, Nays 11. (Same as previous roll call)
SENATE BILL 533 ON THIRD READING
Senator Sparks moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration SB 533 at this time on its third reading and final passage:
SB 533, Relating to the election date for the authorization of the issuance of bonds or a tax increase.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 22, Nays 9.
Yeas: Bettencourt, Birdwell, Blanco, Campbell, Creighton, Flores, Hagenbuch, Hall, Hancock, A. Hinojosa, J. Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, King, Kolkhorst, Middleton, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks.
Nays: Alvarado, Cook, Eckhardt, Gutierrez, Johnson, Menéndez, Miles, West, Zaffirini.
The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 22, Nays 9. (Same as previous roll call)
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 16 ON THIRD READING
Senator Hughes moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSSB 16 at this time on its third reading and final passage:
CSSB 16, Relating to requiring a person to submit proof of citizenship to register to vote; creating criminal offenses.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 20, Nays 11.
Yeas: Bettencourt, Birdwell, Campbell, Creighton, Flores, Hagenbuch, Hall, Hancock, A. Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, King, Kolkhorst, Middleton, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks.
Nays: Alvarado, Blanco, Cook, Eckhardt, Gutierrez, J. Hinojosa, Johnson, Menéndez, Miles, West, Zaffirini.
The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 20, Nays 11. (Same as previous roll call)
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 8 ON THIRD READING
Senator Schwertner moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSSB 8 at this time on its third reading and final passage:
CSSB 8, Relating to agreements between sheriffs and the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement to enforce federal immigration law.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 20, Nays 11.
Yeas: Bettencourt, Birdwell, Campbell, Creighton, Flores, Hagenbuch, Hall, Hancock, A. Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, King, Kolkhorst, Middleton, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks.
Nays: Alvarado, Blanco, Cook, Eckhardt, Gutierrez, J. Hinojosa, Johnson, Menéndez, Miles, West, Zaffirini.
The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 20, Nays 11. (Same as previous roll call)
STATEMENT REGARDING SENATE BILL 8
Senator Zaffirini submitted the following statement regarding SB 8:
Undocumented persons who commit crimes and endanger our communities should be arrested, prosecuted, jailed, and deported. Consistent with my priority of border security, I have consistently supported legislation that strengthens public safety and holds dangerous persons accountable—regardless of immigration status. That is why I voted for Senate Joint Resolutions 1 and 5 and Senate Bill (SB) 9 this year, which would deny bail to defendants who are accused of serious crimes, including undocumented persons who commit felonies.
SB 8, however, is far from a serious public safety measure that would protect our communities, our border region, our state, and our country. It is an unnecessary and overreaching unfunded mandate that forces local sheriffs to enter into federal immigration enforcement agreements—regardless of whether those agreements are workable or effective for their communities and without providing funding. It ignores local priorities, undermines discretion, and risks diverting resources from essential public safety functions.
The bill clearly is an unfunded mandate imposed by the state that would force counties to pay for federal responsibilities. While the State of Texas has passed unfunded mandates onto counties to enforce state laws, SB 8 is a state directive that requires local action regarding a federal responsibility. It is not only bad policy, but also unnecessary.
Case in point: In March, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection recorded the lowest level of Southwest border crossings in history. Only last month, the Operation Lone Star jail booking facility in Jim Hogg County, which is in my Senatorial District 21, was closed because it was not needed. SB 8 ignores that progress, opting instead for symbolic overreach that won't make our communities safer.
Even worse, SB 8 risks damaging trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities, making it more difficult for working, tax-paying undocumented persons to report crimes, cooperate with investigations, and secure protection for victims.
Effective immigration enforcement must be targeted, coordinated, and respectful of local decision-making. SB 8 in its current form does not meet those standards. For these reasons and many more, I respectfully voted "No" on SB 8.
ZAFFIRINI
SENATE BILL 1498 ON SECOND READING
Senator Nichols moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration SB 1498 at this time on its second reading:
SB 1498, Relating to civil asset forfeiture of digital currency or other similar property.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 26, Nays 5.
Yeas: Alvarado, Bettencourt, Birdwell, Blanco, Campbell, Cook, Eckhardt, Flores, Gutierrez, Hagenbuch, Hancock, A. Hinojosa, J. Hinojosa, Huffman, Johnson, King, Kolkhorst, Menéndez, Miles, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, West, Zaffirini.
Nays: Creighton, Hall, Hughes, Middleton, Sparks.
The bill was read second time and was passed to engrossment by the following vote: Yeas 26, Nays 5. (Same as previous roll call)
SENATE BILL 1498 ON THIRD READING
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 1498 be placed on its third reading and final passage.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 26, Nays 5.
Yeas: Alvarado, Bettencourt, Birdwell, Blanco, Campbell, Cook, Eckhardt, Flores, Gutierrez, Hagenbuch, Hancock, A. Hinojosa, J. Hinojosa, Huffman, Johnson, King, Kolkhorst, Menéndez, Miles, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, West, Zaffirini.
Nays: Creighton, Hall, Hughes, Middleton, Sparks.
The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 26, Nays 5. (Same as previous roll call)
SENATE BILL 2076 REREFERRED
(Motion In Writing)
Senator Creighton submitted a Motion In Writing requesting that SB 2076 be withdrawn from the Committee on Economic Development and rereferred to the Committee on Education K-16.
The Motion In Writing was read and prevailed without objection.
CO-AUTHORS OF SENATE BILL 8
On motion of Senator Schwertner, Senators Campbell, Hall, Hughes, and Parker will be shown as Co-authors of SB 8.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 27
On motion of Senator Creighton, Senator Middleton will be shown as Co-author of SB 27.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 29
On motion of Senator Hughes, Senator Hancock will be shown as Co-author of SB 29.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 207
On motion of Senator Paxton, Senator Menéndez will be shown as Co-author of SB 207.
CO-AUTHORS OF SENATE BILL 371
On motion of Senator Campbell, Senators King and Middleton will be shown as Co-authors of SB 371.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 396
On motion of Senator Kolkhorst, Senator Middleton will be shown as Co-author of SB 396.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 481
On motion of Senator Alvarado, Senator Blanco will be shown as Co-author of SB 481.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 493
On motion of Senator Kolkhorst, Senator Cook will be shown as Co-author of SB 493.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 503
On motion of Senator Perry, Senator Kolkhorst will be shown as Co-author of SB 503.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 532
On motion of Senator Sparks, Senator A. Hinojosa will be shown as Co-author of SB 532.
CO-AUTHORS OF SENATE BILL 568
On motion of Senator Bettencourt, Senators Hagenbuch and King will be shown as Co-authors of SB 568.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 596
On motion of Senator West, Senator Menéndez will be shown as Co-author of SB 596.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 605
On motion of Senator West, Senator Menéndez will be shown as Co-author of SB 605.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 685
On motion of Senator Paxton, Senator Menéndez will be shown as Co-author of SB 685.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 707
On motion of Senator King, Senator Middleton will be shown as Co-author of SB 707.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 867
On motion of Senator Bettencourt, Senator Middleton will be shown as Co-author of SB 867.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 881
On motion of Senator Sparks, Senator Alvarado will be shown as Co-author of SB 881.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 906
On motion of Senator Blanco, Senator Flores will be shown as Co-author of SB 906.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 965
On motion of Senator Parker, Senator King will be shown as Co-author of SB 965.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 1035
On motion of Senator Sparks, Senator A. Hinojosa will be shown as Co-author of SB 1035.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 1052
On motion of Senator J. Hinojosa, Senator A. Hinojosa will be shown as Co-author of SB 1052.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 1057
On motion of Senator Parker, Senator Blanco will be shown as Co-author of SB 1057.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 1058
On motion of Senator Parker, Senator Blanco will be shown as Co-author of SB 1058.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 1254
On motion of Senator Zaffirini, Senator Alvarado will be shown as Co-author of SB 1254.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 1366
On motion of Senator Nichols, Senator Eckhardt will be shown as Co-author of SB 1366.
CO-AUTHORS OF SENATE BILL 1388
On motion of Senator Kolkhorst, Senators Perry and Sparks will be shown as Co-authors of SB 1388.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 1497
On motion of Senator Nichols, Senator Blanco will be shown as Co-author of SB 1497.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 1563
On motion of Senator Menéndez, Senator Hagenbuch will be shown as Co-author of SB 1563.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 1619
On motion of Senator Zaffirini, Senator J. Hinojosa will be shown as Co-author of SB 1619.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 1816
On motion of Senator Hancock, Senator Eckhardt will be shown as Co-author of SB 1816.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 1877
On motion of Senator Schwertner, Senator Kolkhorst will be shown as Co-author of SB 1877.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 2283
On motion of Senator A. Hinojosa, Senator Paxton will be shown as Co-author of SB 2283.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 2839
On motion of Senator Huffman, Senator Miles will be shown as Co-author of SB 2839.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 39
On motion of Senator Creighton, Senator A. Hinojosa will be shown as Co-author of SCR 39.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 45
On motion of Senator Creighton, Senator Hagenbuch will be shown as Co-author of SCR 45.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 12
On motion of Senator Paxton, Senator Sparks will be shown as Co-author of SJR 12.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 37
On motion of Senator Birdwell, Senator Middleton will be shown as Co-author of SJR 37.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 50
On motion of Senator Parker, Senator Blanco will be shown as Co-author of SJR 50.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE RESOLUTION 352
On motion of Senator Creighton, Senator Birdwell will be shown as Co-author of SR 352.
RECESS
On motion of Senator Zaffirini, the Senate at 4:23 p.m. recessed until 11:00 a.m. tomorrow.
APPENDIX
COMMITTEE REPORTS
The following committee reports were received by the Secretary of the Senate in the order listed:
April 1, 2025
STATE AFFAIRS — CSSB 1386, SB 287
WATER, AGRICULTURE, AND RURAL AFFAIRS — CSSB 2143, CSSB 1245, CSSB 261, CSSB 1247, CSSB 1948
LOCAL GOVERNMENT — SB 2406, SB 2407, SB 1882
VETERAN AFFAIRS — SB 1197, SB 1814
STATE AFFAIRS — CSSB 618, CSSB 38
BILLS AND RESOLUTION ENGROSSED
April 1, 2025
SB 8, SB 16, SB 108, SB 207, SB 251, SB 318, SB 371, SB 396, SB 472, SB 503, SB 533, SB 599, SB 621, SB 707, SB 856, SB 875, SB 965, SB 1021, SB 1185, SB 1207, SB 1330, SB 1497, SB 1498, SB 1535, SB 1619, SJR 37
RESOLUTIONS ENROLLED
April 1, 2025
SR 43, SR 338, SR 350