Tuesday, April 15, 2025

TWENTY-EIGHTH DAY

(Tuesday, April 15, 2025)

The Senate met at 11:13 a.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.

Pastor Ethan Matott, Red Rocks Church, Austin, offered the invocation as follows:

Heavenly Father, we come before You during this most consequential holy week thankful for Your grace, mercy, Your sacrifice, and Your love for us. God, You are all powerful, You are present, You are mighty, You are loving, and You are forgiving. Today, I lift up to You my brothers and sisters holding power and influence and ask that You would minister to and through them. I pray for each of them personally to know Your love for them. I pray for blessing and favor on their lives. God, You see each of them and the challenges before them. You see the valleys they walk through and You have victory and hope to deliver. Today, I pray in light of who You are that this room of Your children would be compelled to fight for the things that our city and state and nation are desperate for, things that come from You: hope, unity, freedom, purpose, and love. Our lives are in Your hands, so would You lead and guide us in Your purposes and power and not our own. 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.

MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE

HOUSE CHAMBER

Austin, Texas

Tuesday, April 15, 2025 - 1

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:

HB 500

Bonnen

Relating to making supplemental appropriations and reductions in appropriations and giving direction and adjustment authority regarding appropriations.

HCR 64

Curry

Designating the first full week in April as Gifted and Talented Students Week for a 10-year period ending in 2035.

HCR 101

King

Designating the tomahawk rib-eye steak as the official State Steak of Texas and directing the Texas Department of Agriculture to promote the tomahawk rib-eye steak as part of efforts to support Texas beef and agricultural products.

Respectfully,

/s/Stephen Brown,

Chief Clerk

House of Representatives

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

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

April 15, 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 a member of the Upper Neches River Municipal Water Authority Board of Directors for a term to expire February 1, 2029:

Johnnie A. "Alan" Herrington

Palestine, Texas

(replacing Joe M. Crutcher of Palestine whose term expired)

Respectfully submitted,

/s/Greg Abbott

Governor

SENATE RESOLUTION 409

Senator Eckhardt offered the following resolution:

SR 409, Recognizing April 15, 2025, as Blue Ribbon Lobby Day.

ECKHARDT

COOK

GUTIERREZ

MILES

The resolution was read and was adopted without objection.

GUESTS PRESENTED

Senator Eckhardt, joined by Senators West, Zaffirini, J. Hinojosa, and Menéndez, was recognized and introduced to the Senate a Blue Ribbon Lobby Day delegation of Texas Democratic Women.

The Senate welcomed its guests.

GUESTS PRESENTED

Senator A. Hinojosa was recognized and introduced to the Senate an Operation Christmas Rio Grande Valley delegation including Vice President Victor Anzaldua, Secretary Adaia Miranda, and Treasurer Aisha Guijarro.

The Senate welcomed its guests.

GUESTS PRESENTED

Senator Zaffirini was recognized and introduced to the Senate a Wilson County delegation including County Judge Henry "Hank" Whitman Jr., Judge Tina Hartmann, County Attorney Theresa Nettles, County Clerk Genevieve Martinez, Commissioners Russell King and John "Scott" Akin, and Floresville Mayor Gloria Cantu.

The Senate welcomed its guests.

SENATE RESOLUTIONS

The following resolutions were offered:

SR 322 by Zaffirini, Recognizing April 15, 2025, as Wilson County Day.

SR 407 by Zaffirini, Recognizing April 22, 2025, as McMullen County Day.

HCR 123 (Hall), Commemorating the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the American Declaration of Independence.

HCR 124 (Sparks), Designating May 6, 2025, as Alzheimer's Advocacy Day.

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

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.

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS

Senator Campbell submitted the following report from the Committee on Nominations:

We, your Committee on Nominations, to which were referred the following appointments, have had same under consideration and report them back to the Senate with a recommendation that they be confirmed:

Judge, 120th Judicial District Court, El Paso County: Ben Lee Ivey, El Paso County.

Judge, 226th Judicial District Court, Bexar County: Benjamin Garrett Robertson, Bexar County.

Judge, 228th Judicial District Court, Harris County: Caroline Stephanie Dozier, Harris County.

Judge, 250th Judicial District Court, Travis County: Cory Ren Liu, Travis County.

Judge, 278th Judicial District Court, Grimes, Leon, Madison, and Walker Counties: Tracy Michelle Sorensen, Walker County.

Judge, 306th Judicial District Court, Galveston County: Emily Ann Estrada Fisher, Galveston County.

Judge, 458th Judicial District Court, Fort Bend County: Maggie Perez Jaramillo, Fort Bend County.

Judge, 471st Judicial District Court, Collin County: Robert Bryan Gantt, Collin County.

Judge, 477th Judicial District Court, Denton County: Michael Garrett Dickens, Denton County.

Judge, 480th Judicial District Court, Williamson County: Terence Michael Davis, Williamson County.

Judge, 494th Judicial District Court, Collin County: Kathryn Lanigan Pruitt, Collin County.

Judge, 495th Judicial District Court, Harris County: Lori Ann DeAngelo, Harris County.

Judge, 496th Judicial District Court, Harris County: Daniel Wayne Simons, Harris County.

Judge, 497th Judicial District Court, Harris County: Peyton Zimmerman Peebles, Harris County.

Judge, 62nd Judicial District Court, Delta, Franklin, Hopkins, and Lamar Counties: William Howard Harris, Lamar County.

Presiding Judge, Fifth Administrative Judicial Region: Mary Koehler McDonald Medary, Nueces County.

Presiding Judge, Ninth Administrative Judicial Region: Anahid Elizabeth Estevez, Randall County.

Presiding Judge, Seventh Administrative Judicial Region: Garland Benton Woodward, Tom Green County.

Member, Board for Lease of Texas Department of Criminal Justice Lands: Erin Elizabeth Lunceford, Harris County.

Members, Board, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles: Brett Hillman Graham, Grayson County; Mark Gregory Jones, Tarrant County; John Marshall Prewitt, Harris County; Darren Andrew Schlosser, Brazoria County.

Member, Oversight Committee, Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas: Cynthia Barberio Payne, Comal County.

Justices, Court of Appeals, Fifteenth Court of Appeals District: April Lynn Farris, Fort Bend County; Scott King Field, Williamson County.

Justice, Court of Appeals, First Court of Appeals District: David Michael Gunn, Harris County.

Justice, Court of Appeals, Tenth Court of Appeals District: Artie Lee Harris, Hill County.

Criminal District Attorney, Austin County: Brandy Nicole Robinson, Austin County.

Criminal District Attorney, Panola County: Larry Wayne Fields, Panola County.

Judge, Criminal District Court No. 1, Dallas County: Jennifer Jackson Balido, Dallas County.

Members, Board, Department of Information Resources: Walter Franklin Coppersmith, Williamson County; Keith Russell Halman, Lubbock County; Catherine Bellah Keller, Dallas County.

Member, Board of Trustees, Employees Retirement System of Texas: Patrick Bridge Frost, Bexar County.

Member, Governing Board, Texas Civil Commitment Office: Bruce Wayne Toney, Haskell County.

Members, Governing Board, Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired: Ruben Dan Brown, Travis County; Beth Ann Ashby Jones, Collin County; Julie Renae Prause, Colorado County; Hillary Rodriguez, Harris County; Belinda Jane Rudinger, Denton County; Bruce Sonnenberg, Lubbock County.

Inspector General, Office of Inspector General, Health and Human Services Commission: Raymond Charles Winter, Travis County.

Members, Real Estate Research Advisory Committee: Troy C. Alley, Dallas County; Kristi Lea Davis, Denton County; Vicki Lynn Lucas Fullerton, Montgomery County; Patrick Geddes, Collin County; Harry Felton Gibbs, Williamson County; Rebecca W. Vajdak, Bell County.

Member, State Board for Educator Certification: Bobbie Lynn Weir, Dallas County.

Members, State Pension Review Board: Daniel Harper, Hays County; Roel Rodriguez, Hildago County.

Members, Board of Directors, Sulphur River Basin Authority: Kelly Douglas Mitchell, Bowie County; Aaron James Rolen, Red River County; Jason Eric Spencer, Cass County.

Members, Board of Regents, The Texas A&M University System: Jay Carlton Graham, Brazos County; Michael Albert Hernandez, Tarrant County.

Members, Texas Board of Nursing: Elizabeth Cantu Adamson, Hildago County; Katherine Ann Boswell, Palo Pinto County; Manuel Cavazos, Travis County; Carol Kay Hawkins-Garcia, Bexar County; Mazie Mathews Jamison, Dallas County; Mary Grace Landrum, Harris County; Nancy A. Lewis, Llano County; Jonathan Dru Riddle, Parker County; Melissa D. Schat, Hood County; Verna Kathleen Shipp, Randall County; Rickey Kendell Williams, Bell County.

Member, Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation: Gary Franklin Wesson, Fort Bend County.

Members, Board, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs: Cynthia Torres Conroy, El Paso County; Leopoldo R. Vasquez, Harris County.

Members, Board of Directors, Texas Health Services Authority: Victoria Ai Linh Bryant, Harris County; Shannon Sowder Calhoun, Goliad County; Salil Vijay Deshpande, Harris County; Lacey Perry Fails, Bexar County; Jonathan Sandstrom Hill, Travis County; Kenneth Scott James, Travis County; Kourtney Renna Kouns, Baylor County; Jerome P. Lisk, Denton County; Leticia C. Rodriguez, Ward County; Cynthia Ann Stinson, Hardin County; Wesley Jordo Tidwell, Williamson County; Carlos James Vital, Harris County.

Members, Texas Juvenile Justice Board: Edeska Barnes, Jasper County; Cloyce Joe Barton, Randall County; William Werner Durham, Walker County; Stephanie MarilynDean House, Williamson County; Luis Leija, Calhoun County; Matthew Clayton Marick, Denton County; Manuel Robert Ramirez, Tarrant County; Shawn Thierry, Brazoria County; Cynthia McCrann Wheless, Collin County.

Members, Texas Optometry Board: Judith Ann Chambers, Hays County; Tory W. Moore, Moore County; Steven Ngocthang Nguyen, Dallas County; James A. Oevermann, Montgomery County; Mala Sharma, Harris County; Billy Craig Thompson, Collin County.

Members, Board of Directors, Texas Public Finance Authority: Billy Morris Atkinson, Kerr County; Jay Alan Riskind, Travis County.

Members, Board of Directors, Texas School Safety Center: Isaac William Avera, Cherokee County; Craig Robert Bessent, Taylor County; Kerri Washam Brady, Harris County; Nidia De La Cerda, Nueces County; Edwin Stuart Flores, Dallas County; Rania Makar Mankarious, Harris County; Robert Paul McClelland, Hays County; James Michael Mosley, Hutchinson County; Noe Eduardo Perez, Cameron County; Michael Lee Slaughter, Collin County; Adebola Serah-Jobe Sulaiman, Dallas County; Jill Michelle Tate, Tarrant County.

Members, Board of Directors, Texas Space Commission: Gwendolyn Diane Griffin, Galveston County; Kathryn Lynn Lueders, Cameron County; John Patrick Shannon, Harris County.

Members, Board of Directors, Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation: David Alan Rassin, Harris County; Ernest Richards, Dallas County.

Members, Texas State Board of Acupuncture Examiners: Elisabeth Lee Carlson, Dallas County; Sheri Jene Davidson, Harris County; Donna Sue Guthery, Harris County; Ahmed Ghani Sheikh, Collin County; Deborah Jackson Weems, Burnet County; Grant Evans Weidler, Montgomery County.

Members, Texas State Board of Pharmacy: Ricardo Fernandez, Denton County; Heisha Kathryn Freeman, Rockwall County; Randall Denham Martin, Tarrant County; Juliann Ruppel Spier, Harris County.

Members, Texas State Board of Public Accountancy: Christopher Grant Coates, Tarrant County; Jamie De'Sean Grant, Tarrant County; Jill Ann Holup, Travis County; Kenneth Ehiosu Omoruyi, Harris County; Jeannette Pierro Smith, Hidalgo County; James Mark Trippon, Harris County.

Members, Board of Regents, Texas State Technical College System: Eric John Beckman, Denton County; Robert Joseph Misso, Williamson County; Ronald Dean Rohrbacher, Galveston County; Tiffany Mary Tremont, Comal County.

Member, TexNet Technical Advisory Committee: Lawrence Nelson French, Travis County.

Members, Board of Regents, University of Houston System: Gregory Charles King, Bexar County; Jack B. Moore, Harris County; Tammy Denton Murphy, Victoria County.

Members, Board of Regents, University of North Texas System: Cathy Elaine Bryce, Denton County; Carlos Munguia, Dallas County.

Members, Board of Directors, Upper Colorado River Authority: Nathaniel Guy Callicoatte, Irion County; Wade T. Mahan, Menard County; Kathryn Ann Wright Mews, Menard County.

Members, Board of Directors, Upper Guadalupe River Authority: Richard G. Eastland, Kerr County; Thomas Weir Labatt, Kerr County; Jonathan Peter Letz, Kerr County; Jeanne Coers Stacy, Kerr County.

NOTICE OF CONSIDERATION OF NOMINATIONS

Senator Campbell gave notice that tomorrow she would submit to the Senate for consideration nominations to agencies, boards, and commissions of the state.

CONCLUSION OF MORNING CALL

The Presiding Officer at 11:31 a.m. announced the conclusion of morning call.

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 2365 ON SECOND READING

On motion of Senator Creighton and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration CSSB 2365 at this time on its second reading:

CSSB 2365, Relating to a policy prohibiting the use of personal wireless communication devices by public school students during instructional time.

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.

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 2365 ON THIRD READING

Senator Creighton moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSSB 2365 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

SENATE RESOLUTION 402

Senator Gutierrez offered the following resolution:

WHEREAS, Two staff members at Big Bend National Park, Deb Manley and Cathy Hoyt, have captivated the botanical world with their discovery of a new plant species, the "wooly devil"; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Manley, a volunteer in the park's botany program, and Ms. Hoyt, a supervisory interpretive park ranger, first encountered the plant while on a hike in the park's backcountry in March 2024; nestled among the desert rocks, the plant featured fuzzy foliage and narrow, maroon-colored petals that were unlike any species they had seen before; the discovery elicited tremendous interest among botanists, and park staff were eventually joined by representatives from California Academy of Sciences, Sul Ross State University, and Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigación para el Desarrollo Integral Regional in studying and classifying the species; and

WHEREAS, Researchers dubbed the plant the "wooly devil" in reference to its hairy leaves and hornlike florets, and it was designated with the official name Ovicula biradiata in a new genus within the daisy family; diminutive in size, the wooly devil ranges from half an inch to three inches across, and it has been identified in just three small sections in Big Bend's portion of the Chihuahuan Desert; as an annual plant that blooms after desert rains, it has likely struggled to survive in the midst of prolonged droughts in its habitat, making its discovery all the more remarkable to the scientific community; and

WHEREAS, Uncovering not only a new species but an entirely new plant genus is a rare and exciting scientific breakthrough, and Deb Manley and Cathy Hoyt may indeed take pride in the role they played in bringing this tiny marvel to light and furthering the study of the fascinating biodiversity found within Big Bend National Park; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 89th Texas Legislature hereby commemorate the discovery of a new plant species at Big Bend National Park and commend Deb Manley and Cathy Hoyt for their vital contribution to this undertaking.

GUTIERREZ

J. HINOJOSA

BLANCO

JOHNSON

COOK

KOLKHORST

ECKHARDT

MENÉNDEZ

FLORES

ZAFFIRINI

SR 402 was read and was adopted without objection.

GUESTS PRESENTED

Senator Gutierrez was recognized and introduced to the Senate Big Bend National Park Ranger Cathy Hoyt and Deb Manley.

The Senate welcomed its guests.

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 1869 ON SECOND READING

Senator Perry moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSSB 1869 at this time on its second reading:

CSSB 1869, Relating to the procedures for modifying the schedules of controlled substances.

The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 23, Nays 8.

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, Zaffirini.

Nays: Alvarado, Cook, Eckhardt, Gutierrez, Johnson, Menéndez, Miles, West.

The bill was read second time and was passed to engrossment by the following vote: Yeas 23, Nays 8. (Same as previous roll call)

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 1869 ON THIRD READING

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 1869 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 25, Nays 6.

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

Nays: Alvarado, Eckhardt, Gutierrez, Johnson, Menéndez, West.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 23, Nays 8.

Nays: Alvarado, Cook, Eckhardt, Gutierrez, Johnson, Menéndez, Miles, West.

(President in Chair)

SENATE BILL 1124 ON SECOND READING

Senator Huffman moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration SB 1124 at this time on its second reading:

SB 1124, Relating to discovery in a criminal case.

The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 25, Nays 6.

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

Nays: Cook, Eckhardt, Gutierrez, Johnson, West, Zaffirini.

The bill was read second time and was passed to engrossment by the following vote: Yeas 25, Nays 6. (Same as previous roll call)

SENATE BILL 1124 ON THIRD READING

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 1124 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 25, Nays 6.

Nays: Cook, Eckhardt, Gutierrez, Johnson, West, Zaffirini.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 25, Nays 6. (Same as previous roll call)

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 1758 ON SECOND READING

Senator Birdwell moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSSB 1758 at this time on its second reading:

CSSB 1758, Relating to the operation of a cement kiln and the production of aggregates near a semiconductor wafer manufacturing facility.

The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 23, Nays 7, Present-not voting 1.

Yeas: Alvarado, Birdwell, Blanco, Campbell, Cook, Creighton, Flores, Hagenbuch, Hall, A. Hinojosa, J. Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, King, Kolkhorst, Middleton, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, West, Zaffirini.

Nays: Eckhardt, Gutierrez, Hancock, Johnson, Menéndez, Miles, Sparks.

Present-not voting: Bettencourt.

The bill was read second time and was passed to engrossment by the following vote: Yeas 23, Nays 7, Present-not voting 1. (Same as previous roll call)

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 1758 ON THIRD READING

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 1758 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 25, Nays 5, Present-not voting 1.

Yeas: Alvarado, Birdwell, Blanco, Campbell, Cook, Creighton, Eckhardt, Flores, Hagenbuch, Hall, Hancock, A. Hinojosa, J. Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, King, Kolkhorst, Middleton, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, West, Zaffirini.

Nays: Gutierrez, Johnson, Menéndez, Miles, Sparks.

Present-not voting: Bettencourt.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 23, Nays 7, Present-not voting 1.

Nays: Eckhardt, Gutierrez, Hancock, Johnson, Menéndez, Miles, Sparks.

Present-not voting: Bettencourt.

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 2078 ON SECOND READING

Senator Kolkhorst moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSSB 2078 at this time on its second reading:

CSSB 2078, Relating to the regulation of composting in certain counties; authorizing a civil penalty.

The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 27, Nays 4.

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

Nays: Eckhardt, Hughes, Johnson, Zaffirini.

The bill was read second time.

Senator Kolkhorst offered the following amendment to the bill:

Floor Amendment No. 1

Amend CSSB 2078 (senate committee printing) in SECTION 1 of the bill, in added Section 364.020(b)(1), Health and Safety Code (page 1, line 40), by striking "a county that contains".

The amendment to CSSB 2078 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.

CSSB 2078 as amended was passed to engrossment by the following vote: Yeas 27, Nays 4.

Nays: Eckhardt, Hughes, Johnson, Zaffirini.

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 2078 ON THIRD READING

Senator Kolkhorst moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSSB 2078 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 27, Nays 4.

Nays: Eckhardt, Hughes, Johnson, Zaffirini.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 27, Nays 4. (Same as previous roll call)

(Senator Flores in Chair)

SENATE BILL 33 ON SECOND READING

Senator Campbell moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration SB 33 at this time on its second reading:

SB 33, Relating to certain prohibited transactions and logistical support between a governmental entity and an abortion assistance entity or abortion provider for the procurement of an abortion or related services.

The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 22, Nays 9.

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

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

The bill was read second time.

Senator Campbell offered the following amendment to the bill:

Floor Amendment No. 1

Amend SB 33 (senate committee report), in SECTION 2 of the bill, in amended Section 2273.003(a), Government Code (page 1, lines 56-58), by striking "with an abortion provider, [or] an affiliate of an abortion provider, or an abortion assistance entity" and substituting the following:

with:

(1) an abortion provider or an affiliate of an abortion provider; or

(2) an abortion assistance entity for the purpose of providing an abortion or abortion assistance

The amendment to SB 33 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.

SB 33 as amended was passed to engrossment by the following vote: Yeas 22, Nays 9.

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

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 34 ON SECOND READING

On motion of Senator Sparks and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration CSSB 34 at this time on its second reading:

CSSB 34, Relating to the preparation for and the prevention, management, and potential effects of wildfires and to emergency communications in this state; authorizing an increase in the assessment on certain insurers that fund the volunteer fire department assistance fund.

The bill was read second time.

Senator Sparks offered the following amendment to the bill:

Floor Amendment No. 1

Amend CSSB 34 (senate committee printing) in SECTION 5 of the bill by striking amended Section 91.019, Natural Resources Code (page 3, lines 20-47), and substituting the following:

Sec. 91.019. STANDARDS FOR CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION, AND MAINTENANCE OF ELECTRICAL POWER LINES. (a) An operator shall construct, operate, and maintain an electrical power line serving a well site or other surface facility employed in operations incident to oil and gas development and production in accordance with:

(1) the National Electrical Code published by the National Fire Protection Association and adopted by the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation under Chapter 1305, Occupations Code; or

(2) for a utility, as that term is defined by Section 11.004, Utilities Code, that is engaged in the maintenance of an electric transmission and distribution system, relevant rules adopted by the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

(b) If, during an inspection by the commission of a well site or surface facility employed in operations incident to oil and gas development and production or on the receipt of a written notice submitted by a landowner or lessee, the commission discovers a condition involving an electrical power line, pole, or other related electrical equipment that does not meet the standards described by Subsection (a) and poses a risk of causing a fire or injury to a person, the commission shall, not later than three days after the date the commission discovers or receives notice of the condition, notify the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the operator. The notice by the commission must include a description of the condition and, if the condition was discovered at a well site, whether the well is abandoned. To resolve the condition, the commission and the Public Utility Commission of Texas, in collaboration, shall, not later than 10 days after the date the commission notifies the Public Utility Commission of Texas:

(1) notify the landowner of the property of the conditions and the actions taken by the commission and the Public Utility Commission of Texas to resolve the condition; and

(2) request:

(A) that the state fire marshal or a local government authority inspect the condition at the well site or surface facility and require the operator to mitigate any dangerous conditions identified by the state fire marshal or local government authority; or

(B) that the electric utility providing electric power to the well site or surface facility investigate the condition and disconnect electric power at the point of common coupling meter point, if necessary.

(c) If electric power to a well site or surface facility is disconnected by an electric utility in response to a request made under Subsection (b)(2)(B), the electric utility shall restore electric power to the site or facility on receipt of a notice by the commission that the condition is resolved.

The amendment to CSSB 34 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.

CSSB 34 as amended was passed to engrossment by a viva voce vote.

All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to engrossment.

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 34 ON THIRD READING

Senator Sparks moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSSB 34 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

SENATE BILL 1208 ON SECOND READING

Senator King moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration SB 1208 at this time on its second reading:

SB 1208, Relating to increasing the criminal penalty for the offense of interference with public duties.

The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 26, Nays 5.

Yeas: Alvarado, Bettencourt, Birdwell, Blanco, Campbell, Creighton, Flores, Gutierrez, Hagenbuch, Hall, Hancock, A. Hinojosa, J. Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, King, Kolkhorst, Middleton, Miles, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks, West.

Nays: Cook, Eckhardt, Johnson, Menéndez, Zaffirini.

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 1208 ON THIRD READING

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 SB 1208 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 26, Nays 5.

Nays: Cook, Eckhardt, Johnson, Menéndez, Zaffirini.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 26, Nays 5. (Same as previous roll call)

SENATE BILL 1030 ON SECOND READING

Senator Nichols moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration SB 1030 at this time on its second reading:

SB 1030, Relating to the exemption from sales and use taxes for certain aircraft components and other property required for normal aircraft operations.

The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 28, Nays 3.

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

Nays: Hughes, Kolkhorst, Middleton.

The bill was read second time and was passed to engrossment by the following vote: Yeas 28, Nays 3. (Same as previous roll call)

SENATE BILL 1030 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 1030 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 28, Nays 3.

Nays: Hughes, Kolkhorst, Middleton.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 28, Nays 3. (Same as previous roll call)

SENATE BILL 505 ON SECOND READING

Senator Bettencourt moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration SB 505 at this time on its second reading:

SB 505, Relating to processes to address election irregularities; providing a civil penalty.

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 second time and was passed to engrossment by the following vote: Yeas 20, Nays 11. (Same as previous roll call)

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 2411 ON SECOND READING

Senator Schwertner moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSSB 2411 at this time on its second reading:

CSSB 2411, Relating to business organizations.

The motion prevailed.

Senator West asked to be recorded as voting "Nay" on suspension of the regular order of business.

The bill was read second time.

Senator Schwertner offered the following amendment to the bill:

Floor Amendment No. 1

Amend CSSB 2411 (senate committee report) by adding the following appropriately numbered SECTIONS to the bill and renumbering subsequent SECTIONS of the bill accordingly:

SECTION ____. Section 4.001(a), Business Organizations Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) A filing instrument must be:

(1) signed by a person authorized by this code to act on behalf of the entity in regard to the filing instrument; and

(2) delivered to the secretary of state in person or by mail, courier, [~~facsimile or~~] electronic transmission, or any other method approved by the secretary of state [~~comparable form of delivery~~].

SECTION ____. Section 4.001(a), Business Organizations Code, as amended by this Act, applies only to a filing instrument delivered to the secretary of state on or after the effective date of this Act. A filing instrument delivered to the secretary of state before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the filing instrument was delivered to the secretary of state, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.

The amendment to CSSB 2411 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.

CSSB 2411 as amended 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:

Nays: West.

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 2411 ON THIRD READING

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 CSSB 2411 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1.

Nays: West.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1. (Same as previous roll call)

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 1333 ON SECOND READING

Senator Hughes moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSSB 1333 at this time on its second reading:

CSSB 1333, Relating to the unauthorized entry, occupancy, sale, rental, lease, advertisement for sale, rental, or lease, or conveyance of real property, including the removal of certain unauthorized occupants of a dwelling; creating criminal offenses; increasing a criminal penalty; authorizing a fee.

The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 27, Nays 4.

Yeas: Alvarado, Bettencourt, Birdwell, Blanco, Campbell, Creighton, Flores, Gutierrez, Hagenbuch, Hall, Hancock, A. Hinojosa, J. Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, Johnson, King, Kolkhorst, Menéndez, Middleton, Miles, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks.

Nays: Cook, Eckhardt, West, Zaffirini.

The bill was read second time and was passed to engrossment by the following vote: Yeas 27, Nays 4. (Same as previous roll call)

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 1333 ON THIRD READING

Senator Hughes moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSSB 1333 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 27, Nays 4.

Nays: Cook, Eckhardt, West, Zaffirini.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 27, Nays 4. (Same as previous roll call)

STATEMENT REGARDING SENATE BILL 1333

Senator Cook submitted the following statement regarding CSSB 1333:

I am deeply concerned with the complaint structure in Section 3 of this bill, which requires a constable to remove the occupant immediately if someone claiming to be the owner signs an affidavit that the occupant is a "squatter." In other states where this type of legislation has been adopted, this provision has been severely abused. In Florida, a Pensacola family was evicted from their home with 15 minutes' notice. They had paid their rent, they had paid their bills. The affidavit was false. But the enabling legislation gave them no recourse. They lost everything.

This bill criminalizes already bad situations and puts people on the permanent track of shuffling between jail and the streets. It is not defending squatters to say that the punishment of a second-degree felony, up to twenty years in jail, does not match the crime.

The impulse that we can criminalize and streamline human beings is wrong. I am seeing a troubling cognitive dissonance: while we are moving legislation to create more affordable housing, we are also criminalizing homelessness and creating easier paths to evict and arrest Texans. This dissonance will keep us from the future we so desperately want: one where every Texan is safely housed.

COOK

SENATE BILL 1541 ON SECOND READING

Senator Bettencourt moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration SB 1541 at this time on its second reading:

SB 1541, Relating to state oversight of county elections following a county election audit.

The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 25, Nays 6.

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

Nays: Alvarado, Cook, Eckhardt, Gutierrez, Miles, West.

The bill was read second time and was passed to engrossment by the following vote: Yeas 25, Nays 6. (Same as previous roll call)

SENATE BILL 310 ON SECOND READING

Senator Hughes moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration SB 310 at this time on its second reading:

SB 310, Relating to the determination of a majority vote in certain elections.

The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 24, Nays 7.

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

The bill was read second time and was passed to engrossment by the following vote: Yeas 24, Nays 7. (Same as previous roll call)

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 1750 ON SECOND READING

Senator Paxton moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSSB 1750 at this time on its second reading:

CSSB 1750, Relating to instructional facilities funding for certain open-enrollment charter schools.

The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 24, Nays 7.

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

Nays: Cook, Eckhardt, Gutierrez, Kolkhorst, Miles, Nichols, West.

The bill was read second time.

Senator West offered the following amendment to the bill:

Floor Amendment No. 1

Amend CSSB 1750 (senate committee report) in SECTION 1 of the bill, in added Section 12.106(e-1), Education Code (page 1), by striking lines 48 through 51 and substituting the following:

agency that none of the following derives any financial benefit from a real estate transaction with the school:

(1) an administrator, officer, or employee of the school;

(2) a member of the governing body of the school or its charter holder; or

(3) a person related within the third degree by consanguinity or second degree by affinity, as determined under Chapter 573, Government Code, to a person described by Subdivision (1) or (2).

WEST

PAXTON

The amendment to CSSB 1750 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.

Senator Menéndez offered the following amendment to the bill:

Floor Amendment No. 2

Amend CSSB 1750 (senate committee report) in SECTION 1 of the bill, amending Section 12.106, Education Code, as follows:

(1) In the recital (page 1, line 27), strike "Subsection (e-1)" and substitute "Subsections (e-1) and (f-1)".

(2) Immediately after amended Subsection (f) (page 2, between lines 13 and 14), insert the following:

(f-1) The governing body of an open-enrollment charter school must comply with Chapter 551, Government Code, when considering the issuance of bonds.

The amendment to CSSB 1750 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. 2.

CSSB 1750 as amended was passed to engrossment by the following vote: Yeas 26, Nays 5.

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

Nays: Cook, Gutierrez, Miles, Nichols, West.

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 1750 ON THIRD READING

Senator Paxton moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSSB 1750 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 26, Nays 5.

Nays: Cook, Gutierrez, Miles, Nichols, West.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 26, Nays 5. (Same as previous roll call)

SENATE BILL 310 ON THIRD READING

Senator Hughes moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that SB 310 be placed on its third reading and final passage:

SB 310, Relating to the determination of a majority vote in certain elections.

The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 25, Nays 6.

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

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

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 24, Nays 7.

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

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 819 ON SECOND READING

Senator Kolkhorst moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSSB 819 at this time on its second reading:

CSSB 819, Relating to renewable energy generation facilities; authorizing fees.

The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 22, Nays 9.

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

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

The bill was read second time.

Senator Kolkhorst offered the following amendment to the bill:

Floor Amendment No. 1

Amend CSSB 819 (senate committee report) in SECTION 1 of the bill, in added Section 35.206, Utilities Code (page 3, between lines 22 and 23), by inserting the following:

(d) The commission shall post the decision made on each application filed under Section 35.203 on the commission's Internet website.

The amendment to CSSB 819 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.

Senator Hall offered the following amendment to the bill:

Floor Amendment No. 2

Amend CSSB 819 (senate committee report) as follows:

(1) In SECTION 1 of the bill, in added Section 35.203(b), Utilities Code (page 2, line 12), strike "and".

(2) In SECTION 1 of the bill, in added Section 35.203(b), Utilities Code (page 2, line 13), insert after (7) the following: "documentation of support or opposition from the governing body of a political subdivision in the area where the renewable energy generation facility is located;

(8) documentation demonstrating that the renewable energy generation facility will not have a negative effect on national security;

(9) information related to a permit or other state authorization for the renewable energy generation facility issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality or the Parks and Wildlife Department; and

(10)"

(3) In SECTION 1 of the bill, in added Section 35.203(c), Utilities Code (page 2), strike lines 18 through 23, and strike lines 26 through 29, and renumber accordingly.

(4) In SECTION 1 of the bill, in added Section 35.204(a), Utilities Code (page 2, line 48), strike "1,000 feet" and substitute "twice the height of the wind turbine, including the blades,".

(5) In SECTION 1 of the bill, in added Section 35.204(a), Utilities Code (page 2, line 51), strike "1,000 feet" and substitute "twice the height of the turbine, including the blades,".

(6) In SECTION 1 of the bill, in added Section 35.207(b), Utilities Code (page 3, line 29), strike "may" and substitute "shall".

The amendment to CSSB 819 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. 2 except as follows:

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

CSSB 819 as amended was passed to engrossment by the following vote: Yeas 22, Nays 9.

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

SENATE BILL 1541 ON THIRD READING

Senator Bettencourt moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that SB 1541 be placed on its third reading and final passage:

SB 1541, Relating to state oversight of county elections following a county election audit.

The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 25, Nays 6.

Nays: Alvarado, Cook, Eckhardt, Gutierrez, Miles, West.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 25, Nays 6. (Same as previous roll call)

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 819 ON THIRD READING

Senator Kolkhorst moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSSB 819 be placed on its third reading and final passage:

CSSB 819, Relating to renewable energy generation facilities; authorizing fees.

The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 25, Nays 6.

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

Nays: Alvarado, Blanco, Cook, Eckhardt, Johnson, West.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 22, Nays 9.

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

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 1233 ON SECOND READING

Senator Hancock moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSSB 1233 at this time on its second reading:

CSSB 1233, Relating to information regarding perinatal palliative care; creating an administrative penalty.

The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 25, Nays 6.

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

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

The bill was read second time.

Senator Hancock offered the following amendment to the bill:

Floor Amendment No. 1

Amend CSSB 1233 (senate committee printing) in SECTION 3 of the bill, in added Section 161.752(3), Health and Safety Code (page 2, line 8), by striking "before" and substituting "at".

The amendment to CSSB 1233 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.

CSSB 1233 as amended was passed to engrossment by the following vote: Yeas 25, Nays 6.

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

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 1233 ON THIRD READING

Senator Hancock moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSSB 1233 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 26, Nays 5.

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

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 25, Nays 6.

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

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 1405 ON SECOND READING

Senator Nichols moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSSB 1405 at this time on its second reading:

CSSB 1405, Relating to increasing access to and reducing taxation of Internet services.

The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 27, Nays 4.

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

Nays: Creighton, Hughes, Kolkhorst, Middleton.

The bill was read second time.

Senator Nichols offered the following amendment to the bill:

Floor Amendment No. 1

Amend CSSB 1405 (senate committee printing) as follows:

(1) Strike the recital to SECTION 4 of the bill, amending Section 490I.0106, Government Code (page 2, lines 40 and 41), and substitute the following:

SECTION 4. Section 490I.0106, Government Code, is amended by amending Subsections (a), (a-1), (a-2), (a-3), (b), (d), (f), and (h) and adding Subsection (h-1) to read as follows:

(2) In SECTION 4 of the bill, in amended Section 490I.0106(b)(4), Government Code (page 3, line 13), after the semicolon, strike "and" and substitute "[~~and~~]".

(3) In SECTION 4 of the bill, strike Section 490I.0106(b)(5), Government Code (page 3, lines 14 through 16), and substitute the following:

(5) take into consideration whether an applicant has forfeited federal funding for defaulting on a project to deploy qualifying broadband service; and

(6) take into consideration whether an applicant has repeatedly used private property in an unauthorized manner or caused damage to private property, as demonstrated by affidavits submitted to the office by property owners affected by that conduct.

(4) In SECTION 4 of the bill, in amended Section 490I.0106, Government Code (page 3, between lines 46 and 47), insert the following:

(h) The office shall establish and publish criteria for award recipients. The criteria must include requirements that grants, loans, and other financial incentives awarded through the program for the deployment of broadband infrastructure may be:

(1) used only for capital expenses, purchase or lease of property, and other expenses, including backhaul and transport, that will facilitate the provision or adoption of broadband service; and

(2) subject to withdrawal if the award recipient is found, in accordance with rules adopted by the office, to have repeatedly used private property in an unauthorized manner or caused damage to private property.

(h-1) The comptroller by rule shall establish a process for determining whether a financial incentive is subject to withdrawal under Subsection (h) that:

(1) provides for the submission of a notarized affidavit by an affected property owner; and

(2) requires the office to notify an award recipient of the potential withdrawal and provide the recipient an opportunity to respond before taking action.

The amendment to CSSB 1405 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.

CSSB 1405 as amended was passed to engrossment by the following vote: Yeas 27, Nays 4.

Nays: Creighton, Hughes, Kolkhorst, Middleton.

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 1405 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 CSSB 1405 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 27, Nays 4.

Nays: Creighton, Hughes, Kolkhorst, Middleton.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 27, Nays 4. (Same as previous roll call)

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 37 ON SECOND READING

Senator Creighton moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSSB 37 at this time on its second reading:

CSSB 37, Relating to the governance of public institutions of higher education, including review of curriculum and certain degree and certificate programs, a faculty council or senate, training for members of the governing board, and the establishment of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Office of the Ombudsman; authorizing a civil penalty.

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 second time.

Senator Creighton offered the following amendment to the bill:

Floor Amendment No. 1

Amend CSSB 37 (senate committee printing) as follows:

(1) In SECTION 1 of the bill, in added Section 51.315(b), Education Code (page 1, line 45), strike "core curriculum" and substitute "general education curriculum".

(2) In SECTION 1 of the bill, in added Section 51.315(b), Education Code (page 1, line 55, through page 2, line 7), strike Subdivision (5) and substitute the following:

(5) do not require or attempt to require a student to adopt a belief that any race, sex, or ethnicity or social, political, or religious belief is inherently superior to any other race, sex, or ethnicity or social, political, or religious belief, or to adopt any other similar ideology.

(3) In SECTION 1 of the bill, in added Section 51.315, Education Code (page 2, between lines 14 and 15), insert the following appropriately lettered subsection and reletter subsequent subsections accordingly:

(____) Each individual in a leadership position that oversees curriculum or student affairs for the institution of higher education shall annually submit to the governing board of the institution an update regarding any changes to the general education curriculum offered at the institution. The governing board may reserve the right to overturn any decision made by the individuals described by this subsection regarding any changes to the general education curriculum offered at the institution.

(4) In SECTION 1 of the bill, in added Section 51.315(e), Education Code (page 2, line 25), between "year" and the underlined comma, insert "a review is conducted under this section".

(5) In SECTION 1 of the bill, in added Section 51.316(b), Education Code (page 2, lines 38 through 40), strike Subdivision (1) and substitute the following:

(1) conduct a credential of value review to determine the return on investment for students, including a review of manageable student debt levels for degree programs at each institution of higher education; and

(6) In SECTION 1 of the bill, in added Section 51.316(c), Education Code (page 2, line 49), strike "higher education strategic plan" and substitute "long-range master plan for higher education".

(7) In SECTION 1 of the bill, in added Section 51.316(c), Education Code (page 2, line 50), strike "performance" and substitute "value".

(8) In SECTION 1 of the bill, in added Section 51.316(c), Education Code (page 2, lines 51 through 54), strike Subdivisions (1) through (4) and substitute the following:

(1) "meets";

(2) "conditional"; or

(3) "does not meet".

(9) In SECTION 1 of the bill, in added Section 51.316(d), Education Code (page 2, line 56), strike "performance" and substitute "value".

(10) In SECTION 1 of the bill, in added Section 51.316(d), Education Code (page 2, line 58), immediately following the underlined period, insert "The governing board may not delegate its authority under this subsection.".

(11) In SECTION 1 of the bill, in added Section 51.316, Education Code (page 2, line 59, through page 3, line 3), strike Subsections (e) and (f) and substitute the following:

(e) Each institution of higher education shall publish prominently on the institution's Internet website a list of each degree program offered by the institution and the value rating assigned under Subsection (d) for that program.

(f) For each degree program that receives a "does not meet" rating under Subsection (d), the governing board, not later than the first academic year that begins after the rating is issued, shall:

(1) close the degree program if the program is not a program described by Subdivision (2), provide notice of the closure to each student enrolled in the program at the time the program receives the rating, and give the student the opportunity to complete the student's degree;

(2) continue the degree program if the program is on a list of programs determined by the coordinating board as necessary to meet state workforce demands or is in a high-demand field, as defined by coordinating board rule; or

(3) require the institution of higher education to redesign the degree program to achieve a rating of at least "conditional" and seek reevaluation by the coordinating board.

(g) The coordinating board shall reevaluate and issue a new rating to a degree program identified under Subsection (f)(3) not later than the 180th day after the date an institution of higher education submits the redesigned program to the coordinating board. If the program is rated as "does not meet" after reevaluation under this subsection, the governing board of the institution shall take the action required under Subsection (f)(1) not later than the first academic year that begins after the coordinating board's new rating is issued.

(h) The governing board of each institution of higher education shall annually submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and each member of the legislature a report documenting the status of each degree program offered by each institution under the governing board's authority that has received a rating of "does not meet" under Subsection (d), including each action taken by the governing board under Subsection (f) regarding the program.

(i) An institution of higher education may not spend money appropriated to the institution for a state fiscal year until the governing board of the institution submits to the legislature and the coordinating board a report certifying the governing board's compliance with this section during the preceding state fiscal year.

(j) An institution of higher education may not use money appropriated by the legislature to provide a degree program that receives a "does not meet" rating beginning with the academic year immediately following the academic year in which the program received a final rating of "does not meet" under Subsection (f) or (g), as applicable.

(k) The coordinating board shall adopt rules necessary to administer this section.

(12) In SECTION 2 of the bill, in the recital for amended Section 51.352, Education Code (page 3, line 5), strike the text and substitute "amending Subsection (d) and adding Subsections (g) and (h) to read as follows:".

(13) In SECTION 2 of the bill, in amended Section 51.352, Education Code (page 3, between lines 5 and 6), insert the following:

(d) In addition to powers and duties specifically granted by this code or other law, each governing board shall:

(1) establish, for each institution under its control and management, goals consistent with the role and mission of the institution;

(2) appoint the chancellor or other chief executive officer of the system, if the board governs a university system;

(3) appoint the president or other chief executive officer of each institution under the board's control and management and evaluate the chief executive officer of each component institution and assist the officer in the achievement of performance goals;

(4) approve or deny the hiring of an individual for the position of provost or dean by each institution under the board's control and management;

(5) set campus admission standards consistent with the role and mission of the institution and considering the admission standards of similar institutions nationwide having a similar role and mission, as determined by the coordinating board; and

(6) [~~(5)~~] ensure that its formal position on matters of importance to the institutions under its governance is made clear to the coordinating board when such matters are under consideration by the coordinating board.

(14) In SECTION 2 of the bill, in added Section 51.352(g), Education Code (page 3, line 7), between "any" and "decision", insert "hiring".

(15) In SECTION 2 of the bill, in added Section 51.352(h), Education Code (page 3, line 16), strike the text of Subdivision (2) and renumber subsequent subdivisions of the subsection accordingly.

(16) In SECTION 3 of the bill, in the recital for amended Subchapter G, Chapter 51, Education Code (page 3, line 22), strike "51.3522" and substitute "51.35205, 51.3522, 51.3523,".

(17) In SECTION 3 of the bill, in amended Subchapter G, Chapter 51, Education Code (page 3, between lines 22 and 23), insert the following:

Sec. 51.35205. ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF GOVERNING BOARD. (a) In this section, "governing board" and "institution of higher education" have the meanings assigned by Section 61.003.

(b) The governing board of an institution of higher education shall approve or deny on an individual basis or in accordance with Subsection (d)(3) each posting or other advertisement for a tenured faculty position in a field related to liberal arts, communications, education, and social work at each institution under the governing board's authority.

(c) The governing board of an institution of higher education shall post on the institution's Internet website notice of each meeting at which a posting or other advertisement for a tenured faculty position described by Subsection (b) will be considered at least seven business days before the meeting.

(d) The governing board of an institution of higher education may establish a subcommittee on educational excellence composed of members of the governing board. The subcommittee may:

(1) consider whether to approve or deny the hiring of an individual for the position of provost or dean by each institution under the board's control and management;

(2) consider each posting or other advertisement for a tenured faculty position described by Subsection (b);

(3) present the subcommittee's decisions regarding the hiring of an individual for the position of provost or dean under Subdivision (1) and the posting or other advertisements considered under Subdivision (2) for approval en bloc by the full governing board; and

(4) annually approve or overturn any changes made to the general education curriculum in accordance with Section 51.315.

(18) In SECTION 3 of the bill, in added Section 51.3522(d), Education Code (page 3, line 53), between "expenses" and the underlined period, insert "for their role as members of the faculty council or senate".

(19) In SECTION 3 of the bill, in added Section 51.3522(f), Education Code (page 3, line 69), strike "personal".

(20) In SECTION 3 of the bill, in added Section 51.3522(f), Education Code (page 4, lines 1 through 3), strike "as determined by the governing board of the institution of higher education".

(21) In SECTION 3 of the bill, in added Section 51.3522(g), Education Code (page 4, line 7), strike "advice and consent" and substitute "approval".

(22) In SECTION 3 of the bill, in amended Subchapter G, Chapter 51, Education Code (page 4, between lines 44 and 45), insert the following:

Sec. 51.3523. SHARED GOVERNANCE. (a) In this section, "governing board" and "institution of higher education" have the meanings assigned by Section 61.003.

(b) Institutions of higher education in this state shall be governed by a principle of shared governance, which refers to a structured decision-making process in which the governing board of the institution exercises ultimate authority and responsibility for institutional oversight, financial stewardship, and policy implementation, while allowing for appropriate consultation with faculty, administrators, and other stakeholders on matters related to academic policy and institutional operations. The principle of shared governance may not be construed to diminish the authority of the governing board to make final decisions in the best interest of the institution, students, and taxpayers.

(c) Administrators at institutions of higher education must make decisions in a manner that promotes efficiency, accountability, and responsiveness to state priorities, workforce needs, and the institution's institutional mission. Faculty and staff may provide recommendations on academic matters, but that input is only advisory in nature, ensuring that governing boards and institutional leadership retain clear and ultimate decision-making authority. Shared governance structures may not be used to obstruct, delay, or undermine necessary institutional reforms or serve as a mechanism for advancing ideological or political agendas.

(23) In SECTION 3 of the bill, in added Section 51.3541(a), Education Code (page 4, line 46), strike ""governing board" and "institution of higher education"" and substitute ""governing board," "institution of higher education," and "university system"".

(24) In SECTION 3 of the bill, in added Section 51.3541, Education Code (page 4, lines 48 through 51), strike the text of Subsection (b) and reletter subsequent subsections of the section accordingly.

(25) In SECTION 3 of the bill, in added Section 51.3541(c), Education Code (page 4, line 52), immediately following "education", add ", in consultation with the chancellor of any university system of which the institution is a component,".

(26) In SECTION 3 of the bill, in added Section 51.3541(c), Education Code (page 4, line 54), strike "described by Subsection (b) at" and substitute "of vice president, provost, dean, or a similar leadership position that oversees curriculum or student affairs for".

(27) In SECTION 3 of the bill, in added Section 51.3541(c), Education Code (page 4, lines 55 and 56), strike "recommendations for removing" and substitute "decision to remove".

(28) In SECTION 4 of the bill, in added Section 51.989(b), Education Code (page 5, line 11), strike "develop" and substitute "adopt and implement".

(29) In SECTION 4 of the bill, in added Section 51.989(f), Education Code (page 5, line 28), strike "four" and substitute "five".

(30) In SECTION 5 of the bill, in added Section 61.031(c), Education Code (page 5, lines 48 through 57), strike the text of Subdivisions (1) through (10) and substitute the following:

(1) Sections 51.315 and 51.316;

(2) Section 51.3522;

(3) Section 51.3525;

(4) Section 51.3541;

(5) Section 51.9431; and

(6) Section 61.0522.

(31) In SECTION 5 of the bill, in added Section 61.031(d), Education Code (page 5, lines 60 and 61), strike "notarized, written complaint to the office by mail" and substitute "complaint to the office".

(32) In SECTION 5 of the bill, immediately following added Section 61.031(d), Education Code (page 6, between lines 3 and 4), insert the following:

(d-1) An individual who knowingly submits a false complaint under Subsection (d) shall be held responsible for any costs incurred by the office in conducting an investigation resulting from the false complaint. The office may refuse to investigate a future complaint filed by an individual who is found to have knowingly filed a false complaint.

(33) In SECTION 5 of the bill, in added Section 61.031(g), Education Code (page 6, line 25), strike "25th" and substitute "175th".

(34) In SECTION 5 of the bill, in added Section 61.031(g), Education Code (page 6, line 26), between "notice" and the underlined period, insert "unless the office has granted an extension for good cause".

(35) In SECTION 5 of the bill, in added Section 61.031(h), Education Code (page 6, line 32), immediately following the underlined period, add "This subsection may not be construed to require an institution to provide privileged information to the office.".

(36) In SECTION 5 of the bill, in added Section 61.031(k), Education Code (page 6, line 45), strike "30th" and substitute "180th".

(37) In SECTION 5 of the bill, in added Section 61.031(l), Education Code (page 6, lines 56 through 61), strike the text and substitute the following:

including recommending to the legislature that the institution not be allowed to spend money appropriated to the institution for a state fiscal year until the institution's governing board certifies compliance.

(38) In SECTION 5 of the bill, in added Section 61.031(n), Education Code (page 7, between lines 5 and 6), insert the following appropriately numbered subdivision and renumber subsequent subdivisions of the subsection accordingly:

(_) issue a civil investigative demand;

(39) In SECTION 5 of the bill, in added Section 61.031(o)(2), Education Code (page 7, line 19), between "conducted" and "by", insert "and substantiated".

(40) In SECTION 7 of the bill, in added Section 61.0522(c), Education Code (page 7, lines 45 and 46), strike the text of Subdivision (4) and substitute the following:

(4) representatives selected by the board in accordance with Subsection (c-1).

(41) In SECTION 7 of the bill, in added Section 61.0522, Education Code (page 7, between lines 46 and 47), insert the following:

(c-1) The board shall call for nominations from presidents, chancellors, and chief academic officers at all institutions of higher education for representatives to serve on the advisory committee. The board shall select six representatives from those nominated with nominees drawn equally from two-year and four-year institutions.

(42) In SECTION 11 of the bill, at the beginning of the nonamendatory language describing the abolishment of certain faculty councils or senates (page 8, line 56), between "SECTION 11." and "A faculty council", insert "(a)".

(43) In SECTION 11 of the bill, in the nonamendatory language describing the abolishment of certain faculty councils or senates (page 8, between lines 66 and 67), insert the following:

(b) A faculty council or senate authorized but not yet established at a public institution of higher education before the effective date of this Act may be established only in the manner prescribed by Section 51.3522, Education Code, as added by this Act.

(44) Add the following appropriately numbered SECTION to the bill and renumber subsequent SECTIONS of the bill accordingly:

SECTION ____. Sections 61.0512(a), (c), (e), (f), and (h), Education Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) A new degree [~~or certificate~~] program may be added at an institution of higher education only with specific prior approval of the board. A new degree [~~or certificate~~] program is considered approved if the board has not completed a review under this section and acted to approve or disapprove the proposed program before the first anniversary of the date on which an institution of higher education submits a completed application for approval to the board. The board may not summarily disapprove a program without completing the review required by this section. The board shall specify by rule the elements that constitute a completed application and shall make an administrative determination of the completeness of the application not later than the fifth business day after receiving the application. A request for additional information in support of an application that has been determined administratively complete does not toll the period within which the application is considered approved under this section.

(c) The board shall review each degree [~~or certificate~~] program offered by an institution of higher education at the time the institution requests to implement a new program to ensure that the program:

(1) is needed by the state and the local community and does not unnecessarily duplicate programs offered by other institutions of higher education or private or independent institutions of higher education;

(2) has adequate financing from legislative appropriation, funds allocated by the board, or funds from other sources;

(3) has necessary faculty and other resources to ensure student success; and

(4) meets academic standards specified by law or prescribed by board rule, including rules adopted by the board for purposes of this section, or workforce standards established by the Texas Workforce Investment Council.

(e) The board shall review each degree [~~or certificate~~] program offered by an institution of higher education at least every 10 years after a new program is established using the criteria prescribed by Subsection (c).

(f) Except as provided by Section 51.316, the [~~The~~] board may not order the consolidation or elimination of any degree [~~or certificate~~] program offered by an institution of higher education but may, based on the board's review under Subsections (d) and (e), recommend such action to an institution's governing board. If an institution's governing board does not accept recommendations to consolidate or eliminate a degree [~~or certificate~~] program, the university system or, where a system does not exist, the institution, must identify the programs recommended for consolidation or elimination on the next legislative appropriations request submitted by the system or institution.

(h) In approving a degree [~~or certificate~~] program under this section, the board:

(1) for a doctoral program, may not consider undergraduate graduation or persistence rates; and

(2) for a baccalaureate degree program proposed to be offered by a public junior college previously authorized by the board to offer baccalaureate degree programs under former Section 130.0012:

(A) shall approve the degree program within 60 days after the date the board receives notice of the degree program if the degree program:

(i) is approved by the governing board of the junior college district; and

(ii) is not an engineering program; and

(B) is considered to have approved the degree program after the date described by Paragraph (A) if the conditions of that paragraph are satisfied.

The amendment to CSSB 37 was read.

Senator Creighton moved to postpone further consideration of the bill to a time certain of 3:56 p.m. today.

The motion prevailed.

Question: Shall Floor Amendment No. 1 to CSSB 37 be adopted?

The President laid before the Senate CSSB 37 by Senator Creighton on its second reading. The bill had been read second time, an amendment offered, and further consideration postponed to a time certain of 3:56 p.m. today.

Question: Shall Floor Amendment No. 1 to CSSB 37 be adopted?

The amendment to CSSB 37 was adopted 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.

Senator Creighton offered the following amendment to the bill:

Floor Amendment No. 2

Amend CSSB 37 (senate committee report) in SECTION 5 of the bill, in amended Section 61.031, Education Code (page 5, between lines 44 and 45), by inserting the following appropriately lettered subsection and relettering subsequent subsections of the section accordingly:

( ) The governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, shall appoint a person to serve as ombudsman. The ombudsman serves at the pleasure of the governor.

The amendment to CSSB 37 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. 2 except as follows:

Nays: Cook.

Senator Gutierrez offered the following amendment to the bill:

Floor Amendment No. 3

Amend CSSB 37 (senate committee report) as follows:

(1) In SECTION 7 of the bill, in the recital amending Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code (page 7, line 30), strike "Section 61.0522" and substitute "Sections 61.0522 and 61.0523".

(2) In SECTION 7 of the bill, in amended Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code (page 7, between lines 65 and 66), insert the following:

Sec. 61.0523. TEXAS SCHOLARS TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. (a) The board shall establish and administer a tuition assistance program for students who enroll in high-performing degree programs identified under Section 51.316.

(b) A student is eligible to receive tuition assistance under this section if the student:

(1) graduated from a high school in this state with a grade point average in the top 10 percent of the student's high school graduating class;

(2) enrolls full-time, not later than the first fall semester following the student's high school graduation, in a degree program assigned the highest rating available under Section 51.316 at a public institution of higher education;

(3) submits a free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) or Texas application for state financial aid (TASFA);

(4) maintains satisfactory academic progress as determined by board rule; and

(5) has not previously earned a bachelor's degree.

(c) Tuition assistance awarded under this section may only be applied to the payment of tuition and mandatory fees at an institution of higher education.

(d) The board shall adopt rules for the administration of this section, including procedures to prioritize funding if funding for the program is insufficient to cover the cost of providing tuition assistance to all eligible students seeking to participate in the program.

(e) The board may use any available revenue, including legislative appropriations, and may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations from any public or private source for the purposes of this section.

(f) The total amount of expenditures under this section may not exceed $500 million per state fiscal year.

The amendment to CSSB 37 was read and failed of adoption by the following vote: Yeas 11, Nays 20.

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

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

CSSB 37 as amended was passed to engrossment 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.

MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE

HOUSE CHAMBER

Austin, Texas

Tuesday, April 15, 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:

HB 39

Lopez, Ray

Relating to information and data regarding the incidence of veteran deaths in this state.

HB 102

Wilson

Relating to early registration for students in military-related programs at public institutions of higher education.

HB 126

Tepper

Relating to the compensation and professional representation of prospective student athletes and student athletes participating in intercollegiate athletic programs at certain institutions of higher education.

HB 290

Lopez, Ray

Relating to assistance for tuition and fees at postsecondary educational institutions for certain members of the Texas military forces.

HB 300

Wilson

Relating to the Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program.

HB 2143

Metcalf

Relating to the designation of a portion of Farm-to-Market Road 1097 in Montgomery County as the Army Specialist Joey Lenz Memorial Highway.

THE HOUSE HAS GRANTED THE REQUEST OF THE SENATE FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ON THE FOLLOWING MEASURES:

SB 1 (88 Yeas, 56 Nays, 2 Present, not voting)

House Conferees with Instructions: Bonnen - Chair/González, Mary/Kitzman/Orr/Walle

Respectfully,

/s/Stephen Brown,

Chief Clerk

House of Representatives

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 762 ON THIRD READING

Senator Campbell moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSSB 762 at this time on its third reading and final passage:

CSSB 762, Relating to the display of flags in public schools; providing a civil penalty.

The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 23, Nays 8.

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

Nays: Alvarado, Cook, Eckhardt, Gutierrez, Menéndez, Miles, West, Zaffirini.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 23, Nays 8. (Same as previous roll call)

STATEMENT REGARDING SENATE BILL 762

Senator Blanco submitted the following statement regarding SB 762:

As a lawmaker, I believe public schools should be places of education and remain neutral in their public displays, providing space for students to learn and grow without feeling their identities or beliefs are overshadowed by external symbols.

Neutrality doesn't mean avoiding tough conversations about race, history, and inclusivity—those are critical to the development of our students and citizens. But the open door that allows displays of inclusivity, is also left open to displays of discrimination and hate like the Confederate flag, Nazi flag, and others.

My vote for Senate Bill 762 is not about limiting expression, but about upholding my commitment to ensuring that every student feels safe, respected, and valued in our schools. We can be both inclusive and intentional in creating a learning environment that upholds the dignity of every student.

BLANCO

RESOLUTION SIGNED

The President announced the signing of the following enrolled resolution in the presence of the Senate: SCR 47.

SENATE BILL 2695 REREFERRED

(Motion In Writing)

Senator Kolkhorst submitted a Motion In Writing requesting that SB 2695 be withdrawn from the Committee on Education K-16 and rereferred to the Committee on Health and Human Services.

The Motion In Writing was read and prevailed without objection.

SENATE RULES SUSPENDED

(Posting Rules)

On motion of Senator King and by unanimous consent, Senate Rule 11.10(a) and Senate Rule 11.18(a) were suspended in order that the Committee on Economic Development might meet upon recess today in the Press Room, 2E.9.

NOTICE GIVEN FOR

LOCAL AND UNCONTESTED CALENDAR

Senator A. Hinojosa announced that a Local and Uncontested Calendar had been furnished to each Member of the Senate. He then gave notice that the Local and Uncontested Calendar Session would be held at 1:00 p.m. tomorrow and that all bills and resolutions would be considered on second and third reading in the order in which they were listed.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 34

On motion of Senator Sparks, Senator J. Hinojosa will be shown as Co-author of SB 34.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 37

On motion of Senator Creighton, Senator Middleton will be shown as Co-author of SB 37.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 60

On motion of Senator Zaffirini, Senator West will be shown as Co-author of SB 60.

CO-AUTHORS OF SENATE BILL 269

On motion of Senator Perry, Senators Hall and Sparks will be shown as Co-authors of SB 269.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 310

On motion of Senator Hughes, Senator Kolkhorst will be shown as Co-author of SB 310.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 463

On motion of Senator Campbell, Senator Hall will be shown as Co-author of SB 463.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 527

On motion of Senator Schwertner, Senator Menéndez will be shown as Co-author of SB 527.

CO-AUTHORS OF SENATE BILL 546

On motion of Senator Menéndez, Senators Eckhardt and West will be shown as Co-authors of SB 546.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 636

On motion of Senator Johnson, Senator Blanco will be shown as Co-author of SB 636.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 819

On motion of Senator Kolkhorst, Senator Birdwell will be shown as Co-author of SB 819.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 846

On motion of Senator Hughes, Senator Middleton will be shown as Co-author of SB 846.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 912

On motion of Senator Blanco, Senator Perry will be shown as Co-author of SB 912.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 926

On motion of Senator Hancock, Senator Blanco will be shown as Co-author of SB 926.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 1026

On motion of Senator Hughes, Senator Middleton will be shown as Co-author of SB 1026.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 1124

On motion of Senator Huffman, Senator Perry will be shown as Co-author of SB 1124.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 1236

On motion of Senator Hughes, Senator Sparks will be shown as Co-author of SB 1236.

CO-AUTHORS OF SENATE BILL 1333

On motion of Senator Hughes, Senators Kolkhorst and Miles will be shown as Co-authors of SB 1333.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 1380

On motion of Senator Paxton, Senator Menéndez will be shown as Co-author of SB 1380.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 1410

On motion of Senator Campbell, Senator Hall will be shown as Co-author of SB 1410.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 1511

On motion of Senator A. Hinojosa, Senator Hagenbuch will be shown as Co-author of SB 1511.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 1541

On motion of Senator Bettencourt, Senator Creighton will be shown as Co-author of SB 1541.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 1662

On motion of Senator Zaffirini, Senator West will be shown as Co-author of SB 1662.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 1717

On motion of Senator Middleton, Senator Hall will be shown as Co-author of SB 1717.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 1960

On motion of Senator Schwertner, Senator Parker will be shown as Co-author of SB 1960.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 2010

On motion of Senator Bettencourt, Senator Middleton will be shown as Co-author of SB 2010.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 2062

On motion of Senator Parker, Senator Flores will be shown as Co-author of SB 2062.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 2119

On motion of Senator Sparks, Senator Hughes will be shown as Co-author of SB 2119.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 2365

On motion of Senator Creighton, Senator Hancock will be shown as Co-author of SB 2365.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 2397

On motion of Senator Perry, Senator Flores will be shown as Co-author of SB 2397.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 2626

On motion of Senator Campbell, Senator Hall will be shown as Co-author of SB 2626.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 2681

On motion of Senator Bettencourt, Senator Hall will be shown as Co-author of SB 2681.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 2717

On motion of Senator Menéndez, Senator Zaffirini will be shown as Co-author of SB 2717.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE RESOLUTION 393

On motion of Senator Perry, Senator Kolkhorst will be shown as Co-author of SR 393.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE RESOLUTION 409

On motion of Senator Eckhardt, Senator Zaffirini will be shown as Co-author of SR 409.

RECESS

On motion of Senator Zaffirini, the Senate at 4:20 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 15, 2025

BORDER SECURITY — CSSB 2201

STATE AFFAIRS — CSSB 1862

WATER, AGRICULTURE, AND RURAL AFFAIRS — SB 1583, SB 1055, SB 2660, CSSB 1898, CSSB 2662, CSSB 2161

STATE AFFAIRS — SB 2964, SB 2881, SB 1065, SB 801, CSSB 2743, CSSB 2533

WATER, AGRICULTURE, AND RURAL AFFAIRS — CSSB 1413

BILLS ENGROSSED

April 15, 2025

SB 34, SB 310, SB 762, SB 819, SB 1030, SB 1124, SB 1208, SB 1233, SB 1333, SB 1405, SB 1541, SB 1750, SB 1758, SB 1869, SB 2078, SB 2365, SB 2411

RESOLUTIONS ENROLLED

April 15, 2025

SR 322, SR 402, SR 407, SR 409