THIRTY-SECOND DAY
(Continued)
(Wednesday, April 30, 2025)
AFTER RECESS
The Senate met at 11:49 a.m. and was called to order by Senator Birdwell.
The Reverend Dr. Pamela Rivera, African Methodist Episcopal Church, Austin, offered the invocation as follows:
To our sovereign God of eternity who is alpha and omega, the beginning and the end, from everlasting to everlasting, we give You honor, praise and glory. We invoke the manifestation of Your presence in this Senate Chamber of the Capitol in Austin, Texas, to lead us, guide us, direct us, and empower us to exercise Godly wisdom, love, and compassion in our deliberations and decision-making for Your glory and the edification of all Your people. Bless us to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before You as vessels of transformation, transcendence, and liberation. Bless our state to continue to prosper and be a blessing at every level of our society from the youngest to the oldest. We offer this prayer in the name of Him who is king of kings and the lord of lords. Amen.
MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE
HOUSE CHAMBER
Austin, Texas
Wednesday, April 30, 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:
Relating to the issuance of permits for the movement of oversize and overweight vehicles in certain counties; authorizing a fee.
Proposing a constitutional amendment to dedicate a portion of the revenue derived from state sales and use taxes to the Texas water fund.
SB 326
King
Sponsor: Capriglione
|
Relating to the procedure for determining whether a student's violation of a public school's or public institution of higher education's student code of conduct was motivated by antisemitism.
(Amended)
Relating to making a donation to the operation game thief fund when applying for a hunting or fishing license.
SB 599
West
Sponsor: Davis, Aicha
|
Relating to the authority of a political subdivision to regulate a licensed, registered, or listed group day-care home or family home.
SB 767
Sparks
Sponsor: Fairly
|
Relating to creating a database of the firefighting equipment in the state available for use in responding to wildfires.
(Amended)
SB 769
Menéndez
Sponsor: González, Mary
|
Relating to a report by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board regarding enrollment and success in higher education for students with disabilities.
(Amended)
SB 783
Menéndez
Sponsor: Hernandez
|
Relating to certain regulations adopted by governmental entities for the construction or alteration of residential or commercial buildings.
(Amended)
SB 897
Blanco
Sponsor: Lopez, Ray
|
Relating to the administration of a grant program to support community mental health programs assisting veterans and their families.
SB 1035
Sparks
Sponsor: Spiller
|
Relating to equitable relief from the enforcement of certain governmental requirements that affect agricultural operations.
(Committee Substitute/Amended)
SB 1066
Perry
Sponsor: Metcalf
|
Relating to the requirement for performance and payment bonds from certain contractors of the Parks and Wildlife Department.
SB 1185
Creighton
Sponsor: Metcalf
|
Relating to an exemption from boiler registration and inspection requirements for certain boilers in medical equipment and autoclaves.
SB 1194
Flores
Sponsor: Buckley
|
Relating to creating the Central Texas Water Alliance; providing authority to issue bonds; granting the power of eminent domain; providing authority to impose fees.
SB 1215
Kolkhorst
Sponsor: Villalobos
|
Relating to the placement of a cultivated oyster in a natural oyster bed, a private oyster bed, or coastal waters.
SB 1271
Hancock
Sponsor: Frank
|
Relating to the concurrent jurisdiction of this state over United States military installations with respect to certain subject matters.
(Amended)
SB 1426
Huffman
Sponsor: Vasut
|
Relating to operation and management of the first capitol state historic site and replica by the Texas Historical Commission.
SB 1468
Schwertner
Sponsor: Dyson
|
Relating to the authority of the board of regents of The Texas A&M University System to construct, acquire, improve, extend, and equip utility systems located on university system property.
SB 1619
Zaffirini
Sponsor: Cortez
|
Relating to the use of an epinephrine delivery device by certain entities.
(Amended)
SB 1637
King
Sponsor: Hefner
|
Relating to the prosecution of the offense of deadly conduct.
(Amended)
SB 1706
Hinojosa, Adam
Sponsor: Ordaz
|
Relating to the authority of the governing board of a state governmental body to conduct a closed meeting to deliberate an issue involving certain defense, military, or aerospace issues.
SB 1738
Huffman
Sponsor: Bonnen
|
Relating to the Judicial Retirement System Plan Two, including resuming service in the retirement system and contributions to the retirement system.
SB 1806
Sparks
Sponsor: Craddick
|
Relating to the inspection, purchase, sale, possession, storage, transportation, and disposal of petroleum products, oil and gas equipment, and oil and gas waste; creating criminal offenses and increasing the punishment for an existing criminal offense.
(Amended)
SB 1930
Hinojosa, Juan "Chuy"
Sponsor: Metcalf
|
Relating to the use of proceeds from the sale of saltwater fishing stamps issued by the Parks and Wildlife Department.
SB 2065
Huffman
Sponsor: Bonnen
|
Relating to the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System.
SCR 13
Hinojosa, Adam
Sponsor: Longoria
|
Urging the U.S. Department of State and the United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission to take appropriate action to ensure that Mexico complies with the 1944 Treaty regarding shared water resources.
Respectfully,
/s/Stephen Brown,
Chief Clerk
House of Representatives
PHYSICIAN OF THE DAY
Senator Alvarado was recognized and presented Dr. Rosanne Popp of Houston as the Physician of the Day.
The Senate welcomed Dr. Popp and thanked her for her participation in the Physician of the Day program sponsored by the Texas Academy of Family Physicians.
GUESTS PRESENTED
Senator J. Hinojosa was recognized and introduced to the Senate City of Pharr firefighters, Battalion Chief Sergio Vasquez, Engineers Jesus Gonzalez and Charlie Cavazos, accompanied by Pharr Commissioner Roberto "Bobby" Carrillo, Fire Chief Pilar Rodriguez, Assistant Fire Chief Alberto Gonzalez, City Manager Jonathan Flores, and Assistant City Managers Cynthia Garza-Reyes and Hilda Pedraza.
The Senate welcomed its guests.
SENATE RESOLUTION 448
Senator Zaffirini, on behalf of Senator Nichols, offered the following resolution:
SR 448, Recognizing Stephen F. Austin State University Sylvans on their victory at the 66th Annual Association of Southern Forestry Clubs Conclave.
NICHOLS
The resolution was read and was adopted without objection.
GUESTS PRESENTED
Senator Zaffirini was recognized and introduced to the Senate Stephen F. Austin State University Sylvans.
The Senate welcomed its guests.
GUESTS PRESENTED
Senator Cook was recognized and introduced to the Senate a Texas Health Care Association delegation.
The Senate welcomed its guests.
MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR
The following Messages from the Governor were read and were referred to the Committee on Nominations:
April 30, 2025
Austin, Texas
TO THE SENATE OF THE EIGHTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, REGULAR SESSION:
I ask the advice, consent and confirmation of the Senate with respect to the following appointments:
To be members of the San Jacinto River Authority Board of Directors for terms to expire October 16, 2027:
Charles E. "Ed" Boulware, Jr.
Montgomery, Texas
Mark F. Micheletti
Kingwood, Texas
The individuals listed above are being reappointed.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/Greg Abbott
Governor
April 30, 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 State Preservation Board for a term to expire February 1, 2027:
Alethea Swann Bugg
San Antonio, Texas
(Ms. Bugg is being reappointed)
Respectfully submitted,
/s/Greg Abbott
Governor
SENATE RESOLUTIONS
The following resolutions were offered:
SR 466 by Middleton, In memory of former Friendswood Police Chief Robert Barrett Wieners.
SR 467 by Middleton, Recognizing Alvin Community College on the occasion of its 75th anniversary.
The resolutions were read and were adopted without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on adoption of the resolutions.
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 35
ON SECOND READING
Senator A. Hinojosa moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration HCR 35 at this time on its second reading:
HCR 35, Urging Congress to amend the Internal Revenue Code to make spaceports eligible for tax-exempt private activity bonds.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 27, Nays 4.
Yeas: Alvarado, Bettencourt, Birdwell, Blanco, Campbell, Creighton, Eckhardt, Flores, Hagenbuch, Hall, Hancock, A. Hinojosa, J. Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, Johnson, King, Kolkhorst, Middleton, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks, West, Zaffirini.
Nays: Cook, Gutierrez, Menéndez, Miles.
The resolution was read second time and was adopted by the following vote: Yeas 27, Nays 4. (Same as previous roll call)
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 2885 ON SECOND READING
On motion of Senator Flores and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration CSSB 2885 at this time on its second reading:
CSSB 2885, Relating to the use of reclaimed water that has been treated to meet certain standards as part of an aquifer storage and recovery project.
The bill was read second time and was passed to engrossment without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to engrossment.
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 2885 ON THIRD READING
Senator Flores moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSSB 2885 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 784 ON SECOND READING
On motion of Senator King and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration SB 784 at this time on its second reading:
SB 784, Relating to the transfer of certain public school students who are children of peace officers.
The bill was read second time and was passed to engrossment without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to engrossment.
SENATE BILL 784 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 784 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 127 ON SECOND READING
On motion of Senator Hall and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration SB 127 at this time on its second reading:
SB 127, Relating to the offense of failure to report child abuse or neglect by certain professionals and the statute of limitations for that offense; harmonizing other statute of limitations provisions.
The bill was read second time and was passed to engrossment without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to engrossment.
SENATE BILL 127 ON THIRD READING
Senator Hall moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that SB 127 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.
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 1568 ON SECOND READING
On motion of Senator Zaffirini and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration CSSB 1568 at this time on its second reading:
CSSB 1568, Relating to the issuance of animal friendly specialty license plates.
The bill was read second time and was passed to engrossment without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to engrossment.
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 1568 ON THIRD READING
Senator Zaffirini moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSSB 1568 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 771 ON SECOND READING
On motion of Senator J. Hinojosa and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration SB 771 at this time on its second reading:
SB 771, Relating to a credit or refund for diesel fuel taxes paid on diesel fuel used in this state by auxiliary power units or power take-off equipment.
The bill was read second time and was passed to engrossment without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to engrossment.
SENATE BILL 771 ON THIRD READING
Senator J. Hinojosa moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that SB 771 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.
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 2662 ON SECOND READING
On motion of Senator Perry and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration CSSB 2662 at this time on its second reading:
CSSB 2662, Relating to the enforcement of drought contingency plans by water and sewer utilities and the Public Utility Commission of Texas.
The bill was read second time and was passed to engrossment without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to engrossment.
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 2662 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 2662 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.
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 506 ON SECOND READING
Senator Bettencourt moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSSB 506 at this time on its second reading:
CSSB 506, Relating to requirements for certain petitions requesting an election and ballot propositions and to related procedures and provisions.
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 2843 ON SECOND READING
On motion of Senator Perry and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration CSSB 2843 at this time on its second reading:
CSSB 2843, Relating to a study of the effectiveness of rules and policies implemented by the Parks and Wildlife Department to manage and contain chronic wasting disease and of cervid resistance to chronic wasting disease.
The bill was read second time.
Senator Kolkhorst offered the following amendment to the bill:
Floor Amendment No. 1
Amend CSSB 2843 (senate committee report) as follows:
(1) In SECTION 2(a) of the bill (page 1, line 32), between "resources," and "the", insert "the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute at Texas A&M University--Kingsville,".
(2) In SECTION 4(a) of the bill (page 2, lines 7 and 8), between "2026," and "the", insert "the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute at Texas A&M University--Kingsville,".
(3) In SECTION 4(b) of the bill (page 2, line 19), between "The" and "Texas", insert "Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute at Texas A&M University--Kingsville, the".
The amendment to CSSB 2843 was read and was adopted without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1.
CSSB 2843 as amended was passed to engrossment without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to engrossment.
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 2843 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 2843 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.
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 506 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 CSSB 506 be placed on its third reading and final passage:
CSSB 506, Relating to requirements for certain petitions requesting an election and ballot propositions and to related procedures and provisions.
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, Middleton, Miles, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks, West, Zaffirini.
Nays: Alvarado, Cook, Eckhardt, Gutierrez, Johnson, Menéndez.
The bill was read third time and was passed 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.
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 2080 ON SECOND READING
On motion of Senator Alvarado and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration CSSB 2080 at this time on its second reading:
CSSB 2080, Relating to various matters pertaining to certain governmental entities that operate port facilities.
The bill was read second time.
Senator Alvarado offered the following amendment to the bill:
Floor Amendment No. 1
Amend CSSB 2080 (senate committee report) as follows:
(1) Strike SECTION 3 of the bill, amending Section 25.07(e), Tax Code (page 1, line 56, through page 2, line 22).
(2) Strike SECTION 5 of the bill, amending Section 60.403(a), Water Code (page 2, lines 42 through 52).
(3) Add the following appropriately number SECTION to the bill:
SECTION ____. Subchapter B, Chapter 5007, Special District Local Laws Code, is amended by adding Section 5007.229 to read as follows:
Sec. 5007.229. CONTRACTS: CERTAIN PURCHASES. Notwithstanding Section 60.403(a), Water Code, the port commission may delegate authority to an authorized designated officer of the port commission, the executive director of the authority, or an authorized representative of the executive director to make routine purchases or contracts in an amount not to exceed $500,000.
(4) Renumber SECTIONS of the bill accordingly.
The amendment to CSSB 2080 was read and was adopted without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1.
Senator Alvarado offered the following amendment to the bill:
Floor Amendment No. 2
Amend CSSB 2080 (senate committee report) in SECTION 4 of the bill by striking added Section 54.054(d), Transportation Code (page 2, lines 40 and 41), and substituting the following:
(d) Professional services shall be procured in accordance with Subchapter A, Chapter 2254, Government Code.
The amendment to CSSB 2080 was read and was adopted without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 2.
CSSB 2080 as amended was passed to engrossment without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to engrossment.
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 2080 ON THIRD READING
Senator Alvarado moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSSB 2080 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.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The Presiding Officer acknowledged the presence of John Barnett, serving today as an Honorary Senate Page.
The Senate welcomed John.
(Senator Flores in Chair)
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 2610 ON SECOND READING
On motion of Senator Blanco and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration CSSB 2610 at this time on its second reading:
CSSB 2610, Relating to a limitation on civil liability of business entities in connection with a breach of system security.
The bill was read second time.
Senator Blanco offered the following amendment to the bill:
Floor Amendment No. 1
Amend CSSB 2610 (senate committee report), in SECTION 1 of the bill, by striking added Sections 542.005 and 542.006, Business & Commerce Code (page 2, line 67, through page 3, line 4), and substituting the following:
Sec. 542.005. CONSTRUCTION OF CHAPTER; NO PRIVATE CAUSE OF ACTION. This chapter may not be construed to create a private cause of action or change a common law or statutory duty.
The amendment to CSSB 2610 was read and was adopted without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1.
CSSB 2610 as amended was passed to engrossment without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to engrossment.
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 2610 ON THIRD READING
Senator Blanco moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSSB 2610 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.
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 1531 ON SECOND READING
On motion of Senator J. Hinojosa and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration CSSB 1531 at this time on its second reading:
CSSB 1531, Relating to the electronic payment of ad valorem taxes; authorizing a fee.
The bill was read second time.
Senator J. Hinojosa offered the following amendment to the bill:
Floor Amendment No. 1
Amend CSSB 1531 (senate committee printing) in SECTION 2 of the bill as follows:
(1) In added Section 31.062(b), Tax Code (page 1, line 47), between "shall" and "establish", insert the following:
:
(1)
(2) In added Section 31.062(b), Tax Code (page 1, line 50), between "payment" and the underlined period, insert the following:
; and
(2) prominently display on the Internet website maintained by the collector, if the collector maintains an Internet website, the information necessary to make an electronic payment of taxes to the collector
(3) Strike added Section 31.062(c), Tax Code (page 1, lines 51 through 55), and reletter subsequent subsections and cross-references to those subsections accordingly.
The amendment to CSSB 1531 was read and was adopted without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1.
CSSB 1531 as amended was passed to engrossment without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to engrossment.
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 1531 ON THIRD READING
Senator J. Hinojosa moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSSB 1531 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 1681 ON SECOND READING
Senator Menéndez moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration SB 1681 at this time on its second reading:
SB 1681, Relating to an annual boarding home facility report for certain counties and municipalities.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 27, Nays 4.
Yeas: Alvarado, Bettencourt, Birdwell, Blanco, Campbell, Cook, Creighton, Eckhardt, Flores, Gutierrez, Hall, Hancock, J. Hinojosa, Huffman, Johnson, King, Kolkhorst, Menéndez, Miles, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks, West, Zaffirini.
Nays: Hagenbuch, A. Hinojosa, Hughes, Middleton.
The bill was read second time and was passed to engrossment by the following vote: Yeas 27, Nays 4. (Same as previous roll call)
SENATE BILL 1681 ON THIRD READING
Senator Menéndez moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that SB 1681 be placed on its third reading and final passage.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 27, Nays 4.
Yeas: Alvarado, Bettencourt, Birdwell, Blanco, Campbell, Cook, Creighton, Eckhardt, Flores, Gutierrez, Hall, Hancock, J. Hinojosa, Huffman, Johnson, King, Kolkhorst, Menéndez, Miles, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks, West, Zaffirini.
Nays: Hagenbuch, A. Hinojosa, Hughes, Middleton.
The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 27, Nays 4. (Same as previous roll call)
SENATE BILL 584 ON SECOND READING
Senator West moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration SB 584 at this time on its second reading:
SB 584, Relating to the responsibility of consumer reporting agencies to ensure compliance with certain consumer reporting laws.
The motion prevailed.
Senators Hughes and Schwertner asked to be recorded as voting "Nay" on suspension of the regular order of business.
The bill was read second time and was passed to engrossment without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to engrossment except as follows:
Nays: Hughes, Schwertner.
SENATE BILL 584 ON THIRD READING
Senator West moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that SB 584 be placed on its third reading and final passage.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 29, Nays 2.
Yeas: Alvarado, Bettencourt, Birdwell, Blanco, Campbell, Cook, Creighton, Eckhardt, Flores, Gutierrez, Hagenbuch, Hall, Hancock, A. Hinojosa, J. Hinojosa, Huffman, Johnson, King, Kolkhorst, Menéndez, Middleton, Miles, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Sparks, West, Zaffirini.
Nays: Hughes, Schwertner.
The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 29, Nays 2. (Same as previous roll call)
SENATE BILL 2041 ON SECOND READING
On motion of Senator Hancock and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration SB 2041 at this time on its second reading:
SB 2041, Relating to factors the Department of Family and Protective Services must consider when selecting a foster care placement for a child.
The bill was read second time and was passed to engrossment without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to engrossment.
SENATE BILL 2041 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 SB 2041 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.
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 1049 ON SECOND READING
Senator King moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSSB 1049 at this time on its second reading:
CSSB 1049, Relating to excused absences from public school for the purpose of attending a released time course.
The motion prevailed.
Senator Eckhardt asked to be recorded as voting "Nay" on suspension of the regular order of business.
The bill was read second time and was passed to engrossment without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to engrossment except as follows:
Nays: Eckhardt.
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 1049 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 CSSB 1049 be placed on its third reading and final passage.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1.
Nays: Eckhardt.
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 1383 ON SECOND READING
Senator Middleton moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSSB 1383 at this time on its second reading:
CSSB 1383, Relating to the regulation of referral agencies for senior living communities.
The motion prevailed.
Senator Hagenbuch asked to be recorded as voting "Nay" on suspension of the regular order of business.
The bill was read second time.
Senator Johnson offered the following amendment to the bill:
Floor Amendment No. 1
Amend CSSB 1383 (senate committee report) in SECTION 1 of the bill, immediately after added Section 121.005(b), Business & Commerce Code (page 2, between lines 66 and 67), by inserting the following:
(c) A referral agency may not offer or enter into a contract authorized under this section for compensation prohibited under 42 U.S.C. Section 1320a-7b or any other federal law or rule.
The amendment to CSSB 1383 was read and was adopted without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1.
CSSB 1383 as amended was passed to engrossment without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to engrossment except as follows:
Nays: Hagenbuch.
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 1383 ON THIRD READING
Senator Middleton moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSSB 1383 be placed on its third reading and final passage.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1.
Nays: Hagenbuch.
The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1. (Same as previous roll call)
SENATE BILL 2306 ON SECOND READING
Senator Parker moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration SB 2306 at this time on its second reading:
SB 2306, Relating to the provision of adoption cost information by a licensed child-placing agency.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
The bill was read second time and was passed to engrossment without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to engrossment.
SENATE BILL 2306 ON THIRD READING
Senator Parker moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that SB 2306 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.
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 2844 ON SECOND READING
Senator Perry moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSSB 2844 at this time on its second reading:
CSSB 2844, Relating to the regulation of deer breeding; creating criminal offenses.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 28, Nays 3.
Yeas: Alvarado, Bettencourt, Birdwell, Blanco, Campbell, Cook, Eckhardt, Flores, Gutierrez, Hall, Hancock, A. Hinojosa, J. Hinojosa, Huffman, Johnson, King, Kolkhorst, Menéndez, Middleton, Miles, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks, West, Zaffirini.
Nays: Creighton, Hagenbuch, Hughes.
The bill was read second time.
Senator Perry offered the following amendment to the bill:
Floor Amendment No. 1
Amend CSSB 2844 (senate committee printing) in SECTION 2 of the bill as follows:
(1) In added Section 43.365(a)(4), Parks and Wildlife Code (page 1, line 54), strike "timely".
(2) In added Section 43.365(a)(5), Parks and Wildlife Code (page 1, line 56), strike "timely".
The amendment to CSSB 2844 was read and was adopted without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1.
CSSB 2844 as amended was passed to engrossment by the following vote: Yeas 28, Nays 3.
Yeas: Alvarado, Bettencourt, Birdwell, Blanco, Campbell, Cook, Eckhardt, Flores, Gutierrez, Hall, Hancock, A. Hinojosa, J. Hinojosa, Huffman, Johnson, King, Kolkhorst, Menéndez, Middleton, Miles, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks, West, Zaffirini.
Nays: Creighton, Hagenbuch, Hughes.
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 2844 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 2844 be placed on its third reading and final passage.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 28, Nays 3.
Yeas: Alvarado, Bettencourt, Birdwell, Blanco, Campbell, Cook, Eckhardt, Flores, Gutierrez, Hall, Hancock, A. Hinojosa, J. Hinojosa, Huffman, Johnson, King, Kolkhorst, Menéndez, Middleton, Miles, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks, West, Zaffirini.
Nays: Creighton, Hagenbuch, Hughes.
The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 28, Nays 3. (Same as previous roll call)
SENATE BILL 1980 ON SECOND READING
Senator Hall moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration SB 1980 at this time on its second reading:
SB 1980, Relating to increasing the criminal penalty for the offense of assault committed against certain public servants and to the prosecution of the criminal offense of interference with public duties of those public servants.
The motion prevailed.
Senator Eckhardt asked to be recorded as voting "Nay" on suspension of the regular order of business.
The bill was read second time and was passed to engrossment without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to engrossment except as follows:
Nays: Eckhardt.
SENATE BILL 1980 ON THIRD READING
Senator Hall moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that SB 1980 be placed on its third reading and final passage.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1.
Nays: Eckhardt.
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 2392 ON SECOND READING
Senator King moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSSB 2392 at this time on its second reading:
CSSB 2392, Relating to notice to local law enforcement of certain offenses occurring on public or private school property or at school-sponsored or school-related activities; providing a civil penalty.
The motion prevailed.
Senators Cook and Eckhardt asked to be recorded as voting "Nay" on suspension of the regular order of business.
The bill was read second time.
Senator King offered the following amendment to the bill:
Floor Amendment No. 1
Amend CSSB 2392 (senate committee report) in SECTION 1 of the bill, amending Section 37.015, Education Code, as follows:
(1) In the recital to the SECTION (page 1, lines 29 and 30), strike "and (g)" and substitute "(g), and (g-1)".
(2) Immediately following added Section 37.015(g), Education Code (page 2, between lines 26 and 27), insert the following:
(g-1) The principal or chief administrative officer of a public primary or secondary school may not use state or local money of the school to pay a civil penalty assessed under Subsection (g).
The amendment to CSSB 2392 was read and was adopted without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1.
CSSB 2392 as amended was passed to engrossment without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to engrossment except as follows:
Nays: Cook, Eckhardt.
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 2392 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 CSSB 2392 be placed on its third reading and final passage.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 29, Nays 2.
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, West, Zaffirini.
Nays: Cook, Eckhardt.
The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 29, Nays 2. (Same as previous roll call)
SENATE BILL 2308 ON SECOND READING
Senator Parker moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration SB 2308 at this time on its second reading:
SB 2308, Relating to the establishment of a grant program to fund the United States Food and Drug Administration's drug development trials with ibogaine for the purpose of securing the administration's approval as a medication for treatment of opioid use disorder, co-occurring substance use disorder, and any other neurological or mental health conditions for which ibogaine demonstrates efficacy and the administration of that treatment.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 26, Nays 5.
Yeas: Alvarado, Bettencourt, Birdwell, Blanco, Campbell, Cook, Eckhardt, Flores, Gutierrez, Hall, Hancock, A. Hinojosa, J. Hinojosa, Hughes, Johnson, King, Kolkhorst, Menéndez, Middleton, Miles, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, West, Zaffirini.
Nays: Creighton, Hagenbuch, Huffman, Nichols, 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 2308 ON THIRD READING
Senator Parker moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that SB 2308 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, Hall, Hancock, A. Hinojosa, J. Hinojosa, Hughes, Johnson, King, Kolkhorst, Menéndez, Middleton, Miles, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, West, Zaffirini.
Nays: Creighton, Hagenbuch, Huffman, Nichols, Sparks.
The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 26, Nays 5. (Same as previous roll call)
(President in Chair)
MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE
HOUSE CHAMBER
Austin, Texas
Wednesday, April 30, 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:
Relating to prohibiting the investment of state money in certain countries and in certain private business entities in those countries.
Relating to the registration as a lobbyist of persons who engage in certain lobbying activities on behalf of a foreign adversary and to prohibitions on the receipt of compensation related to those lobbying activities; providing a civil penalty.
Relating to certain sister-city agreements between governmental entities and foreign countries and communities.
Relating to genetic information security for residents of this state; providing a civil penalty; providing a private cause of action.
Relating to the confidentiality of information used to prevent, detect, respond to, or investigate a hostile act of a foreign adversary of the United States.
Relating to committing the criminal offense of endangering a child, elderly individual, or disabled individual by engaging in certain conduct involving a controlled substance listed in Penalty Group 1-B of the Texas Controlled Substances Act.
Relating to notification of the execution of certain local economic development agreements by a municipality or county to local workforce development boards.
Relating to prohibiting a public institution of higher education from partnering with certain private entities for the construction of a student housing facility.
Relating to the continuation and functions of the Department of Information Resources, including the composition of the governing body of the department.
Relating to training on de-escalation, crisis intervention, and behavioral health for correctional officers and certain other employees of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Respectfully,
/s/Stephen Brown,
Chief Clerk
House of Representatives
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 2050 ON SECOND READING
On motion of Senator Birdwell and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration CSSB 2050 at this time on its second reading:
CSSB 2050, Relating to the recycling and disposal of consumer energy storage modules.
The bill was read second time.
Senator Birdwell offered the following amendment to the bill:
Floor Amendment No. 1
Amend CSSB 2050 (senate committee printing) in SECTION 1 of the bill as follows:
(1) In added Section 361.472, Health and Safety Code (page 1), strike line 37 and substitute the following:
apply to:
(1) a lead-acid battery governed by Subchapter O;
(2) an alkaline battery; or
(3) a battery that the commission by rule determines is safe for disposal.
(2) Strike the heading to added Section 361.476, Health and Safety Code (page 2, lines 15 and 16), and substitute the following:
Sec. 361.476. COMMISSION RULEMAKING REGARDING IDENTIFICATION OF COLLECTION BUSINESSES OR FACILITIES AND BATTERIES SAFE FOR DISPOSAL.
(3) In added Section 361.476, Health and Safety Code (page 2, line 16), immediately following "identify", insert the following:
:
(1)
(4) In added Section 361.476, Health and Safety Code (page 2, line 19), between "disposal" and the underlined period, insert the following:
; and
(2) types of batteries that the commission determines are safe for disposal for purposes of Section 361.472(3)
The amendment to CSSB 2050 was read and was adopted without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1.
CSSB 2050 as amended was passed to engrossment without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to engrossment.
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 2050 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 2050 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 2225 ON SECOND READING
Senator Hancock moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration SB 2225 at this time on its second reading:
SB 2225, Relating to the creation of a spirit cooler certificate; authorizing a fee.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 22, Nays 9.
Yeas: Alvarado, Bettencourt, Blanco, Creighton, Eckhardt, Flores, Hagenbuch, Hall, Hancock, A. Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, King, Kolkhorst, Middleton, Miles, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Schwertner, Sparks, West.
Nays: Birdwell, Campbell, Cook, Gutierrez, J. Hinojosa, Johnson, Menéndez, Perry, Zaffirini.
The bill was read second time.
Senator Hancock offered the following amendment to the bill:
Floor Amendment No. 1
Amend SB 2225 (senate committee report) by striking all below the enacting clause and substituting the following:
SECTION 1. Section 1.04, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is amended by amending Subdivision (3) and adding Subdivision (32) to read as follows:
(3) "Distilled spirits" means alcohol, spirits of wine, whiskey, rum, brandy, gin, or any liquor produced in whole or in part by the process of distillation, including all dilutions or mixtures of them[, and includes spirit coolers that may have an alcoholic content as low as four percent alcohol by volume and that contain plain, sparkling, or carbonated water and may also contain one or more natural or artificial blending or flavoring ingredients].
(32) "Ready-to-drink spirit beverage" means a beverage that:
(A) consists of:
(i) a distilled spirit; and
(ii) a nonalcoholic beverage and other blending or flavoring component or ingredient;
(B) has an alcoholic content of not more than 10 percent by volume; and
(C) is contained in a sealed container that does not exceed 3.75 liters.
SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 5, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is amended by adding Section 5.62 to read as follows:
Sec. 5.62. RULES REGARDING READY-TO-DRINK SPIRIT BEVERAGE. The commission shall adopt rules related to the manufacture, distribution, sale, and regulation of ready-to-drink spirit beverages, including rules:
(1) authorizing the holder of a distiller's and rectifier's permit to manufacture, store, dispense, sample, transport, and sell those beverages as provided by this code;
(2) authorizing the holder of a nonresident seller's permit to manufacture and sell those beverages to general and branch distributors as provided by this code;
(3) authorizing persons authorized to sell malt beverages at retail to purchase ready-to-drink spirit beverages from general and branch distributors and sell those beverages to consumers in this state;
(4) clarifying the applicability of Section 102.31 to the sales of those beverages; and
(5) clarifying the applicability of Section 101.671 to those beverages.
SECTION 3. Section 14.01, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 14.01. AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES. (a) The holder of a distiller's and rectifier's permit may:
(1) manufacture distilled spirits;
(2) rectify, purify, and refine distilled spirits and wines;
(3) mix wines, distilled spirits, or other liquors;
(4) bottle, label, and package the permit holder's finished products;
(5) sell the finished products in this state to holders of wholesaler's permits and to qualified persons outside the state;
(6) purchase distilled spirits, to be used only for manufacturing or rectification purposes, from holders of nonresident seller's permits or distiller's and rectifier's permits;
(7) dispense free distilled spirits for consumption on the permitted premises under Section 14.04 or at a temporary event under Section 14.09;
(8) sell bulk alcohol produced by the permit holder for purposes described by Section 38.01; [and]
(9) sell distilled spirits to ultimate consumers under Section 14.04 or 14.05;
(10) manufacture ready-to-drink spirit beverages;
(11) sell the finished ready-to-drink spirit beverages to holders of general and branch distributor's licenses and qualified persons outside this state;
(12) sell ready-to-drink spirit beverages to ultimate consumers in the same manner as distilled spirits under Section 14.04 or 14.05; and
(13) dispense free ready-to-drink spirit beverages for consumption on the permitted premises in the same manner as distilled spirits under Section 14.04 or at a temporary event under Section 14.09.
(b) The privileges granted to a distiller and rectifier are confined strictly to distilled spirits, ready-to-drink spirit beverages, and wines manufactured and rectified under the distiller's and rectifier's [his] permit.
SECTION 4. Section 14.07, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is amended by adding Subsection (h) to read as follows:
(h) The holder of a distiller's and rectifier's permit or the agent or employee of the holder of a distiller's and rectifier's permit may conduct a sampling of a ready-to-drink spirit beverage in the same manner as provided under this section for the sampling of distilled spirits.
SECTION 5. Section 14.071, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is amended by adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:
(e) The holder of a distiller's and rectifier's permit may transport ready-to-drink spirit beverages in the same manner as provided under this section for the transportation of liquor.
SECTION 6. Section 24.01(a), Alcoholic Beverage Code, is amended to read as follows:
(a) The holder of a wine only package store permit may:
(1) purchase wine and vinous liquors in this state from the holder of a winery, wholesaler's, or class B wholesaler's permit;
(2) purchase malt beverages and ready-to-drink spirit beverages from the holder of a general or branch distributor's license; and
(3) sell those beverages to consumers at retail on or from the licensed premises in unbroken original containers of not less than six ounces for off-premises consumption only and not for the purpose of resale.
SECTION 7. Section 25.01, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 25.01. AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES. The holder of a wine and malt beverage retailer's permit may sell:
(1) for consumption on or off the premises where sold, but not for resale, wine and malt beverages containing alcohol in excess of one-half of one percent by volume and not more than 17 percent by volume; [and]
(2) for consumption on the premises, the following beverages containing alcohol in excess of one-half of one percent by volume and not more than 24 percent by volume:
(A) traditional port or sherry;
(B) dessert-flavored wine; or
(C) rice wine; and
(3) for consumption on or off the premises where sold, but not for resale, ready-to-drink spirit beverages.
SECTION 8. Section 26.01(a), Alcoholic Beverage Code, is amended to read as follows:
(a) The holder of a wine and malt beverage retailer's off-premise permit may sell for off-premises consumption only, in unbroken original containers, but not for resale:
(1) [,] wine and malt beverages containing alcohol in excess of one-half of one percent by volume but not more than 17 percent by volume; and
(2) ready-to-drink spirit beverages.
SECTION 9. Sections 37.01(a) and (d), Alcoholic Beverage Code, are amended to read as follows:
(a) The holder of a nonresident seller's permit may:
(1) solicit and take orders for liquor from permittees authorized to import liquor into this state; [and]
(2) ship liquor into this state, or cause it to be shipped into this state, in consummation of sales made to permittees authorized to import liquor into the state; and
(3) ship ready-to-drink spirit beverages into this state, or cause them to be shipped into this state, in consummation of sales made to holders of a general or branch distributor's permit authorized to import those beverages into this state.
(d) The holder of a nonresident seller's permit or an agent or employee of the permit holder may provide samples or tastings of the kinds of distilled spirits and ready-to-drink spirit beverages the permit holder is authorized to produce in the manner authorized by Section 14.07 for the holder of a distiller's and rectifier's permit or the agent or employee of the holder of a distiller's and rectifier's permit. Distilled spirits and ready-to-drink spirit beverages may legally be transported by the holder of a nonresident seller's permit or the permit holder's agent or employee to a retailer's premises for the purpose of providing a sample or a tasting under this subsection. The cost of the distilled spirits and ready-to-drink spirit beverages provided for a sampling or tasting under this subsection is the responsibility of the holder of the nonresident seller's permit providing the sampling or tasting.
SECTION 10. Section 37.011(a), Alcoholic Beverage Code, is amended to read as follows:
(a) The holder of a nonresident seller's permit who owns a distillery outside of the state or whose affiliate owns a distillery outside of the state and holds a distiller's and rectifier's permit may enter into an agreement with the holder of a distiller's and rectifier's permit that allows the nonresident seller to engage in the following activities on the distiller's and rectifier's permitted premises:
(1) manufacture distilled spirits or ready-to-drink spirit beverages;
(2) rectify, purify, and refine distilled spirits, ready-to-drink spirit beverages, and wines;
(3) mix wines, distilled spirits, or other liquors;
(4) bottle, label, and package the nonresident seller's finished products; [and]
(5) except as provided by Subdivision (6), sell the finished products in this state to holders of distiller's and rectifier's permits and holders of wholesaler's permits and to authorized wholesalers and manufacturers outside the state; and
(6) sell finished ready-to-drink spirit beverages in this state to holders of distiller's and rectifier's permits, holders of general and branch distributor's licenses, and authorized wholesalers and manufacturers outside the state.
SECTION 11. Section 37.03, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 37.03. PERMIT REQUIRED. A nonresident seller's permit is required of any distillery, winery, importer, broker, or person who sells liquor or ready-to-drink spirit beverages to permittees authorized to import liquor or ready-to-drink spirit beverages into this state, regardless of whether the sale is consummated inside or outside the state.
SECTION 12. Section 37.07, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 37.07. PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES. No holder of a nonresident seller's permit, nor any officer, director, agent, or employee of the holder, nor any affiliate of the holder, regardless of whether the affiliation is corporate or by management, direction, or control, may do any of the following:
(1) hold or have an interest in the permit, business, assets, or corporate stock of a person authorized to import liquor into this state for the purpose of resale unless the interest was acquired on or before January 1, 1941, or unless the permittee is a Texas corporation holding a manufacturer's license and a brewer's permit issued before April 1, 1971;
(2) fail to make or file a report with the commission as required by a rule of the commission;
(3) sell liquor or ready-to-drink spirit beverages for resale inside this state that fail [fails] to meet the standards of quality, purity, and identity prescribed by the commission;
(4) advertise any liquor or ready-to-drink spirit beverages contrary to the laws of this state or to the rules of the commission, or sell liquor or ready-to-drink spirit beverages for resale in this state in violation of advertising or labeling rules of the commission;
(5) sell liquor or ready-to-drink spirit beverages for resale inside this state or cause them [it] to be brought into the state in a size of container prohibited by this code or by rule of the commission;
(6) solicit or take orders for liquor or ready-to-drink spirit beverages from a person not authorized to import liquor into this state for the purpose of resale;
(7) induce, persuade, or influence, or attempt to induce, persuade, or influence, a person to violate this code or a rule of the commission, or conspire with a person to violate this code or a rule of the commission; or
(8) exercise a privilege granted by a nonresident seller's permit while an order or suspension against the permit is in effect.
SECTION 13. Section 37.08, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 37.08. CANCELLATION OR SUSPENSION: NOTICE TO IMPORTERS. When a nonresident seller's permit is cancelled or suspended, the commission shall immediately notify in writing all permittees authorized to import liquor or ready-to-drink spirit beverages into the state.
SECTION 14. Section 37.09, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 37.09. RESTRICTION ON IMPORTATION. No person who holds a permit authorizing the importation of liquor or ready-to-drink spirit beverages, nor his agent or employee, may purchase or order liquor or ready-to-drink spirit beverages for importation from any person other than a nonresident seller's permittee. An importer may not purchase or order liquor or ready-to-drink spirit beverages from a nonresident seller's permittee whose permit is under suspension after the importer has received notice of the suspension.
SECTION 15. Sections 37.10(a) and (b), Alcoholic Beverage Code, are amended to read as follows:
(a) No holder of a nonresident seller's permit may solicit, accept, or fill an order for distilled spirits, ready-to-drink spirit beverages, or wine from a holder of any type of wholesaler's, distributor's, or winery permit unless the nonresident seller is the primary American source of supply for the brand of distilled spirits, ready-to-drink spirit beverages, or wine that is ordered.
(b) In this section, "primary American source of supply" means the distiller, the producer, the owner of the commodity at the time it becomes a marketable product, the bottler, or the exclusive agent of any of those. To be the "primary American source of supply" the nonresident seller must be the first source, that is, the manufacturer or the source closest to the manufacturer, in the channel of commerce from whom the product can be secured by Texas wholesalers, Texas distributors, and Texas wineries. Except as provided by Subsection (c), a product may have only one primary American source of supply to Texas.
SECTION 16. Section 37.13, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 37.13. SOLICITATION FROM HOLDER OF MIXED BEVERAGE OR PRIVATE CLUB PERMIT. A holder of a nonresident seller's permit may not solicit business directly or indirectly from a holder of a mixed beverage permit or a private club registration permit unless the nonresident seller's permit holder [he] is accompanied by the holder of a wholesaler's permit or the wholesaler's agent or, for the solicitation of business in relation to a ready-to-drink spirit beverage, the holder of a general or branch distributor's license or the distributor's agent.
SECTION 17. Section 37.14, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 37.14. MONTHLY REPORTS. The commission shall promulgate rules requiring holders of nonresident seller's permits to file monthly reports of liquor and ready-to-drink spirit beverages sold to persons within this state. The reports shall be supported by copies of invoices. The commission shall prescribe and furnish forms for this purpose.
SECTION 18. Section 64.01(a), Alcoholic Beverage Code, is amended to read as follows:
(a) The holder of a general distributor's license may:
(1) receive malt beverages in unbroken original packages from brewers and brewpubs and from general or branch distributors;
(2) distribute or sell malt beverages in the unbroken original packages in which they are received to general or branch distributors, to local distributor permittees, to permittees or licensees authorized to sell to ultimate consumers, to private club registration permittees, to authorized outlets located on any installation of the national military establishment, or to qualified persons for shipment and consumption outside the state; [and]
(3) serve free malt beverages and ready-to-drink spirit beverages for consumption on the licensed premises;
(4) receive ready-to-drink spirit beverages in unbroken original packages from holders of distiller's and rectifier's permits, holders of nonresident seller's permits, and general or branch distributors; and
(5) distribute or sell ready-to-drink spirit beverages in unbroken original packages in which they are received to general or branch distributors, to permittees or licensees authorized to sell to ultimate consumers, or to qualified persons for shipment and consumption outside this state.
SECTION 19. Section 64.04(a), Alcoholic Beverage Code, is amended to read as follows:
(a) Each holder of a general or branch distributor's license shall make and keep a daily record of every receipt of malt beverages and ready-to-drink spirit beverages and of every sale of malt beverages and ready-to-drink spirit beverages, including the name of each purchaser. Each transaction shall be recorded on the day it occurs. The licensee shall make and keep any other records that the commission or administrator requires.
SECTION 20. Sections 64.07(a) and (b), Alcoholic Beverage Code, are amended to read as follows:
(a) Any number of general and branch distributors may use the same delivery vehicles, premises, location, or place of business as licensed premises if the malt beverages and ready-to-drink spirit beverages owned and stored by each of the distributors are segregated.
(b) If delivery vehicles are shared by any number of distributors who also hold any class of wholesaler's permits, liquor, [or] malt beverages, or ready-to-drink spirit beverages may be transported.
SECTION 21. Chapter 64, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is amended by adding Section 64.091 to read as follows:
Sec. 64.091. READY-TO-DRINK SPIRIT BEVERAGES FOR EXPORT. (a) In this section, "ready-to-drink spirit beverages for export" means ready-to-drink spirit beverages a distributor holds for export to another state in which the distributor has been assigned a territory for the distribution and sale of the ready-to-drink spirit beverages. The term includes ready-to-drink spirit beverages that are illegal to sell in this state because of alcohol content, containers, packages, or labels.
(b) The holder of a general distributor's license who receives ready-to-drink spirit beverages for export from the holder of a distiller's and rectifier's permit or nonresident seller's permit may:
(1) store the ready-to-drink spirit beverages for export at the distributor's premises;
(2) transport the ready-to-drink spirit beverages for export outside the state in the distributor's own vehicles; or
(3) deliver the ready-to-drink spirit beverages for export to a common carrier for export and delivery outside the state.
(c) The holder of a general distributor's license is not liable for any state tax on the ready-to-drink spirit beverages for export.
SECTION 22. Section 64.10, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is amended by adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:
(e) The holder of a general distributor's license may import ready-to-drink spirit beverages into this state in the same manner as provided for the importation of malt beverages under this section except that the ready-to-drink spirit beverages may only be imported from the holder of a nonresident seller's permit.
SECTION 23. Chapter 66, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is amended by adding Section 66.12 to read as follows:
Sec. 66.12. READY-TO-DRINK SPIRIT BEVERAGES FOR EXPORT. (a) In this section, "ready-to-drink spirit beverages for export" means ready-to-drink spirit beverages a distributor holds for export to another state in which the distributor has been assigned a territory for the distribution and sale of the ready-to-drink spirit beverages. The term includes ready-to-drink spirit beverages that are illegal to sell in this state because of alcohol content, containers, packages, or labels.
(b) The holder of a branch distributor's license who receives ready-to-drink spirit beverages for export from the holder of a distiller's and rectifier's permit or nonresident seller's permit may:
(1) store the ready-to-drink spirit beverages for export at the distributor's premises;
(2) transport the ready-to-drink spirit beverages for export outside the state in the distributor's own vehicles; or
(3) deliver the ready-to-drink spirit beverages for export to a common carrier for export and delivery outside the state.
(c) The holder of a branch distributor's license is not liable for any state tax on the ready-to-drink spirit beverages for export.
SECTION 24. Section 71.01, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 71.01. AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES. The holder of a retail dealer's off-premise license may sell malt beverages and ready-to-drink spirit beverages in lawful containers to consumers, but not for resale and not to be opened or consumed on or near the premises where sold.
SECTION 25. Section 101.46(a), Alcoholic Beverage Code, is amended to read as follows:
(a) Except as provided by Subsections (b) and[,] (c), [and (d),] no person may import, sell, or possess with intent to sell any liquor in a container with a capacity of less than 20 milliliters. A container of liquor offered for sale that has a capacity of less than six fluid ounces must substantially conform to the labeling requirements of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms for larger containers in which liquor is sold. Holders of distiller's or rectifier's permits wishing to sell liquor bottled in containers of less than six fluid ounces to wholesalers must sell such containers of liquor to wholesalers in units of unbroken, sealed cases. Wholesalers shall sell liquor bottled in containers of less than six fluid ounces to package stores in units of unbroken, sealed cases.
SECTION 26. Section 101.66, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 101.66. BEVERAGES OF CERTAIN ALCOHOL CONTENT PROHIBITED. A person may not manufacture, sell, barter, or exchange a beverage that contains more than one-half of one percent alcohol by volume and not more than five percent alcohol by volume, except malt beverages, wine coolers, and ready-to-drink spirit beverages [coolers].
SECTION 27. Section 101.671, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is amended by adding Subsection (g) to read as follows:
(g) An authorized permittee must register and get approval in the manner provided by this section for distilled spirits before the permittee may ship a ready-to-drink spirit beverage within this state.
SECTION 28. Section 102.31(a), Alcoholic Beverage Code, is amended to read as follows:
(a) This section applies to:
(1) the sale of malt beverages or malt beverage containers or the original packages in which malt beverages are received, packaged, or contained by a distributor's licensee to a retail dealer's on-premise or off-premise licensee, a wine and malt beverage retailer's permittee, or a wine and malt beverage retailer's off-premise permittee; [and]
(2) the sale of malt beverages by a local distributor's permittee, or by any licensee authorized to sell those beverages for resale, to a mixed beverage permittee; and
(3) the sale of ready-to-drink spirit beverages by a distributor's licensee to the holder of a wine only package store permit, wine and malt beverage retailer's permit, wine and malt beverage retailer's off-premise permit, or retail dealer's off-premise license.
SECTION 29. Subchapter C, Chapter 102, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is amended by adding Section 102.501 to read as follows:
Sec. 102.501. APPLICABILITY OF SUBCHAPTER TO CERTAIN PERMITTEES AND LICENSEES. The holder of a distiller's and rectifier's permit or nonresident seller's permit shall designate territorial limits and enter into written agreements with general or branch distributor's licensees only with regards to the sale of ready-to-drink spirit beverages in the same manner as a provider for the sale of malt beverages under this subchapter.
SECTION 30. Subchapter D, Chapter 102, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is amended by adding Section 102.715 to read as follows:
Sec. 102.715. APPLICABILITY TO CERTAIN PERMITTEES AND LICENSEES. (a) In this subchapter, the term "brewer" includes a person permitted under Section 14.01 or 37.01 only with regards to the manufacture and sale of ready-to-drink spirit beverages.
(b) In this subchapter, the term "malt beverage" includes a ready-to-drink spirit beverage.
SECTION 31. Section 105.051, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 105.051. SALE OF CERTAIN ALCOHOLIC [MALT] BEVERAGES BY DISTRIBUTOR'S LICENSEE. The holder of a general or branch distributor's license may sell, offer for sale, or deliver malt beverages and ready-to-drink spirit beverages 24 hours a day Monday through Saturday and between midnight and 1 a.m. and between noon and midnight on Sunday.
SECTION 32. Chapter 105, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is amended by adding Section 105.052 to read as follows:
Sec. 105.052. HOURS OF SALE: READY-TO-DRINK SPIRIT BEVERAGES. A person may sell, offer for sale, or deliver ready-to-drink spirit beverages during the same hours as a person may sell malt beverages under Section 105.05.
SECTION 33. Section 105.081, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
(a) The holder of a distiller's and rectifier's permit may sell and offer for sale distilled spirits and ready-to-drink spirit beverages for on-premises consumption and a person may consume distilled spirits and ready-to-drink spirit beverages on the permitted premises during the same hours mixed beverages may be sold and offered for sale by a mixed beverage permit holder under Section 105.03(b).
(c) The holder of a distiller's and rectifier's permit may sell and offer for sale ready-to-drink spirit beverages to ultimate consumers for off-premises consumption during the same hours as a person may sell malt beverages under Section 105.05.
SECTION 34. Section 107.10, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 107.10. TRANSPORTATION OF WINE COOLERS [OR SPIRIT COOLERS]. [(a)] A holder of a wholesaler's or general class B wholesaler's permit may transport and sell wine coolers without a prior order if the holder complies with the provisions of this code and rules of the commission applicable to the transportation and sale of malt beverages by a holder of a distributor's license.
[(b)
A holder of a wholesaler's permit may transport and sell spirit coolers without a prior order if the holder complies with the provisions of this code and rules of the commission applicable to the transportation and sale of malt beverages by a holder of a distributor's license.]
SECTION 35. Section 201.02, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 201.02. "FIRST SALE" DEFINED. In this subchapter, "first sale":
(1) as applied to liquor imported into this state by the holder of a wholesaler's permit authorizing importation, means the first actual sale by the permittee to the holder of any other permit authorizing the retail sale of the beverage or to the holder of a local distributor's permit; and
(2) as applied to all other liquor, means the first sale, possession, distribution, or use in this state, except that the term does not include the first sale by:
(A) the holder of a winery permit to another holder of a winery permit or the holder of a wholesaler's permit; [or]
(B) the holder of a distiller's and rectifier's permit to the holder of a wholesaler's permit; or
(C) the holder of a distiller's and rectifier's permit or nonresident seller's permit to the holder of a general or branch distributor's license.
SECTION 36. Section 101.46(d), Alcoholic Beverage Code, is repealed.
SECTION 37. As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission shall adopt rules necessary to implement the changes in law made by this Act.
SECTION 38. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
The amendment was read.
Senator Hancock offered the following amendment to Floor Amendment No. 1:
Floor Amendment No. 2
Amend the proposed floor substitute to SB 2225 (2025S0364-1), in SECTION 2 of the substitute, in added Section 5.62, Alcoholic Beverage Code, as follows:
(1) On page 2, line 14, strike "and"
(2) On page 2, line 16, between "beverages" and the underlined period, insert:
; and
(6) clarifying that, for state tax purposes, ready-to-drink spirit beverages are classified as spirit beverages
The amendment to Floor Amendment No. 1 to SB 2225 was read and was adopted without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 2.
Question recurring on the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1 to SB 2225, the amendment as amended was adopted without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1 as amended.
SB 2225 as amended was passed to engrossment by the following vote: Yeas 22, Nays 9.
Yeas: Alvarado, Bettencourt, Blanco, Creighton, Eckhardt, Flores, Hagenbuch, Hall, Hancock, A. Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, King, Kolkhorst, Middleton, Miles, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Schwertner, Sparks, West.
Nays: Birdwell, Campbell, Cook, Gutierrez, J. Hinojosa, Johnson, Menéndez, Perry, Zaffirini.
SENATE BILL 2225 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 SB 2225 be placed on its third reading and final passage.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 25, Nays 6.
Yeas: Alvarado, Bettencourt, Birdwell, Blanco, Creighton, Eckhardt, Flores, Hagenbuch, Hall, Hancock, A. Hinojosa, J. Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, King, Kolkhorst, Middleton, Miles, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Schwertner, Sparks, West, Zaffirini.
Nays: Campbell, Cook, Gutierrez, Johnson, Menéndez, Perry.
The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 22, Nays 9.
Yeas: Alvarado, Bettencourt, Blanco, Creighton, Eckhardt, Flores, Hagenbuch, Hall, Hancock, A. Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, King, Kolkhorst, Middleton, Miles, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Schwertner, Sparks, West.
Nays: Birdwell, Campbell, Cook, Gutierrez, J. Hinojosa, Johnson, Menéndez, Perry, Zaffirini.
SENATE BILL 324 ON SECOND READING
Senator Kolkhorst moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration SB 324 at this time on its second reading:
SB 324, Relating to requiring state contractors, political subdivisions of this state, and private employers to participate in the federal electronic verification of employment authorization program, or E-verify.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 19, Nays 12.
Yeas: Bettencourt, Birdwell, Campbell, Creighton, Flores, Hagenbuch, Hall, Hancock, A. Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, King, Kolkhorst, Middleton, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks.
Nays: Alvarado, Blanco, Cook, Eckhardt, Gutierrez, J. Hinojosa, Johnson, Menéndez, Miles, Nichols, West, Zaffirini.
The bill was read second time.
Senator Kolkhorst offered the following amendment to the bill:
Floor Amendment No. 1
Amend SB 324 (senate committee printing) as follows:
(1) In the recital to SECTION 4 of the bill (page 1, line 51), strike "and 2264.103" and substitute "2264.103, and 2264.104".
(2) In SECTION 4 of the bill, in amended Subchapter C, Chapter 2264, Government Code (page 1, between lines 57 and 58), insert the following:
Sec. 2264.102. INAPPLICABILITY OF SUBCHAPTER. This subchapter does not apply to a purchase of goods or services:
(1) for which notice is not required to be posted in the electronic state business daily under Section 2155.083; or
(2) by a state agency under purchasing authority delegated to the agency under Section 2155.132 if competitive bidding is not required for the purchase under Subsection (e) of that section.
(3) In SECTION 4 of the bill, in added Section 2264.102, Government Code (page 1, line 58), strike "2264.102" and substitute "2264.103".
(4) In SECTION 4 of the bill, in added Section 2264.103, Government Code (page 2, line 21), strike "2264.103" and substitute "2264.104".
(5) In SECTION 4 of the bill, in added Section 2264.103, Government Code (page 2, line 26), strike "2264.102" and substitute "2264.103".
(6) In SECTION 7 of the bill (page 3, line 30), strike "2264.102(d)" and substitute "2264.103(d)".
(7) In SECTION 8 of the bill (page 3, line 33), strike "and 2264.103" and substitute "2264.103, and 2264.104".
The amendment to SB 324 was read and was adopted without objection.
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 SB 324 (senate committee printing) as follows:
(1) In the recital to SECTION 4 of the bill (page 1, line 51), strike "and 2264.103" and substitute "2264.103, and 22645.104".
(2) In SECTION 4 of the bill, in amended Subchapter C, Chapter 2264, Government Code (page 2, between lines 40 and 41), insert the following:
Sec. 2264.104. EMPLOYEE STATUS NOT AFFECTED. Nothing in this this subchapter may be construed to:
(1) require a contractor or subcontractor to terminate the employment of an employee on the basis of a report generated through the E-verify program; or
(2) authorize a contractor or subcontractor to terminate the employment of an employee who is legally authorized to work in the United States on the basis of information contained in a report generated through the E-verify program.
(3) In SECTION 5 of the bill, in added Chapter 53, Labor Code (page 3, between lines 10 and 11), insert the following:
Sec. 53.005. EMPLOYEE STATUS NOT AFFECTED. Nothing in this chapter may be construed to:
(1) require an employer to terminate the employment of an employee on the basis of a report generated through the E-verify program; or
(2) authorize an employer to terminate the employment of an employee who is legally authorized to work in the United States on the basis of information contained in a report generated through the E-verify program.
(4) In SECTION 6 of the bill, in added Chapter 181, Local Government Code (page 3, between lines 27 and 28), insert the following:
Sec.181.004. EMPLOYEE STATUS NOT AFFECTED. Nothing in this chapter may be construed to:
(1) require a political subdivision to terminate the employment of an employee on the basis of information contained in a report generated through the E-verify program; or
(2) authorize a political subdivision to terminate the employment of an employee who is legally authorized to work in the United States on the basis of information contained in a report generated through the E-verify program.
(5) In SECTION 8 of the bill, in the transition language (page 3, line 33), strike "and 2264.103" and substitute "2264.103, and 2264.104".
The amendment to SB 324 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.
Senator Johnson offered the following amendment to the bill:
Floor Amendment No. 3
Amend SB 324 (senate committee printing) as follows:
(1) In SECTION 8 of the bill (page 3, line 33), strike ", 2264.102,".
(2) Strike SECTION 10 of the bill (page 3, lines 42 through 44) and substitute the following:
SECTION 10. Sections 2264.102, Government Code, 53.003, Labor Code, and 181.002, Local Government Code, as added by this Act, apply beginning on the earlier of:
(1) the 90th day after the date on which the executive director of the Texas Workforce Commission publishes, in the manner provided by Section 752.104, Government Code, as added by this Act, a notice of the executive director's determination under that section that the number of guest workers working in the state under a guest worker program established under Subchapter D, Chapter 752, Government Code, as added by this Act, is sufficient to adequately address the state's workforce needs; or
(2) September 1, 2029.
(3) Add the following appropriately numbered SECTIONS to the bill and renumber subsequent SECTIONS and cross-references to those SECTIONS accordingly:
SECTION ____. Chapter 752, Government Code, is amended by adding Subchapter D to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER D. TEMPORARY GUEST WORKER PROGRAM
Sec. 752.101. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Program" means the temporary guest worker program established under this subchapter.
(2) "United States nonimmigrant visa" means a visa issued by the federal government as provided in 8 U.S.C. Sections 1101 and 1184.
Sec. 752.102. FEDERAL AUTHORIZATION; MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING. (a) The governor shall seek from the appropriate federal agency a waiver or other authorization necessary to establish and implement a temporary guest worker program in this state under this subchapter.
(b) On receipt of federal authorization under Subsection (a) and subject to that authorization and Section 752.103, the governor may negotiate and enter into a memorandum of understanding with the government of a state in Mexico to create a temporary guest worker program under which businesses in this state may obtain legal foreign temporary guest workers through use of United States nonimmigrant visas.
Sec. 752.103. REQUIREMENTS FOR PROGRAM AND MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING. (a) Under a memorandum of understanding entered into under Section 752.102, the governor may commit this state to work directly with officials of the government of the Mexican state selected for the program to encourage, facilitate, and support the migration of legal Mexican temporary guest workers from the Mexican state to this state for the purpose of filling jobs in this state.
(b) The program and memorandum of understanding must be compatible with the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. Section 1101 et seq., and federal policies, procedures, and requirements for issuing United States nonimmigrant visas to Mexicans qualified to participate in the program.
Sec. 752.104. ANNUAL EVALUATION; DETERMINATION. (a) In this section:
(1) "Commission" means the Texas Workforce Commission.
(2) "Executive director" means the executive director of the commission.
(b) Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, the executive director annually shall evaluate guest worker participation in the program to determine whether a sufficient number of guest workers are working in this state under the program to adequately address the state's workforce needs. This subsection does not apply if the executive director has previously:
(1) made an affirmative determination under this subsection; and
(2) published notice of the determination in accordance with Subsection (c).
(c) If the executive director makes an affirmative determination under Subsection (b), the commission shall publish notice of the determination in the Texas Register.
(d) This section expires September 1, 2029.
SECTION ____. Section 2264.102, Government Code, as added by this Act, applies only in relation to a contract for which the request for bids or proposals or other applicable expression of interest is made public on or after the date determined or described by Section 10 of this Act.
SECTION ____. As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, the governor shall seek from the appropriate federal agency a waiver or other authorization necessary to establish a temporary guest worker program in this state, as required by Section 752.102, Government Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION ____. The executive director of the Texas Workforce Commission shall conduct an initial evaluation under Section 752.104, Government Code, as added by this Act, not later than September 1, 2026.
The amendment to SB 324 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.
SB 324 as amended was passed to engrossment by the following vote: Yeas 19, Nays 12.
Yeas: Bettencourt, Birdwell, Campbell, Creighton, Flores, Hagenbuch, Hall, Hancock, A. Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, King, Kolkhorst, Middleton, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks.
Nays: Alvarado, Blanco, Cook, Eckhardt, Gutierrez, J. Hinojosa, Johnson, Menéndez, Miles, Nichols, West, Zaffirini.
(President Pro Tempore Creighton in Chair)
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 2330 ON SECOND READING
Senator Parker moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSSB 2330 at this time on its second reading:
CSSB 2330, Relating to payroll deductions for certain state and local government employee organizations.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 19, Nays 12.
Yeas: Bettencourt, Birdwell, Campbell, Creighton, Flores, Hagenbuch, Hall, Hancock, A. Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, King, Kolkhorst, Middleton, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks.
Nays: Alvarado, Blanco, Cook, Eckhardt, Gutierrez, J. Hinojosa, Johnson, Menéndez, Miles, Nichols, West, Zaffirini.
The bill was read second time.
Senator Parker offered the following amendment to the bill:
Floor Amendment No. 1
Amend CSSB 2330 (senate committee report) as follows:
(1) In SECTION 3 of the bill, in added Section 403.0165(l)(1)(A)(i), Government Code (page 1, line 56), strike "officers" and substitute "personnel".
(2) In SECTION 7 of the bill, in the heading to Section 141.008, Local Government Code (page 2, line 52), strike "OFFICERS" and substitute "PERSONNEL".
(3) In SECTION 8 of the bill, in added Section 141.008(a)(1), Local Government Code (page 2, line 59), strike "officers" and substitute "personnel".
(4) In SECTION 12 of the bill, in added Section 155.001(b)(1)(A), Local Government Code (page 4, line 10), strike "officers" and substitute "personnel".
The amendment to CSSB 2330 was read and was adopted without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1.
Senator Alvarado offered the following amendment to the bill:
Floor Amendment No. 2
Amend CSSB 2330 (senate committee printing) by striking SECTIONS 9, 10, and 11 of the bill, amending Section 146.002(2), Local Government Code, adding Section 146.003(e), Local Government Code, and amending Section 146.017, Local Government Code (page 3, lines 28 through 59), and renumbering subsequent SECTIONS of the bill accordingly.
The amendment to CSSB 2330 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 2330 as amended was passed to engrossment by the following vote: Yeas 19, Nays 12.
Yeas: Bettencourt, Birdwell, Campbell, Creighton, Flores, Hagenbuch, Hall, Hancock, A. Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, King, Kolkhorst, Middleton, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks.
Nays: Alvarado, Blanco, Cook, Eckhardt, Gutierrez, J. Hinojosa, Johnson, Menéndez, Miles, Nichols, West, Zaffirini.
MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE
HOUSE CHAMBER
Austin, Texas
Wednesday, April 30, 2025 - 3
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:
Relating to prohibiting use of social media platforms by children.
Relating to the authority of a Type A or Type B general-law municipality to change to a Type C general-law municipality.
Relating to certain presumptions applicable to claims for benefits or compensation for certain medical conditions brought by certain first responders.
Relating to certain statutes of limitations for criminal offenses, including the statute of limitations for the offense of improper relationship between educator and student, and to the applicability of sex offender registration requirements for the offense of improper relationship between educator and student.
Relating to a study by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service to determine standards for the appraisal for ad valorem tax purposes of certain agricultural land used to raise or keep bees.
Relating to the authority of a property owners' association to regulate the assembly, association, and speech of property owners or residents related to governmental officials or candidates for political office.
Relating to the peace officer's notification of emergency detention form for persons evidencing mental illness and retention of that form.
Relating to the creation of a list of priority facilities by electric utilities.
Respectfully,
/s/Stephen Brown,
Chief Clerk
House of Representatives
RECESS
On motion of Senator Zaffirini, the Senate at 3:57 p.m. recessed until 4:30 p.m. today.
AFTER RECESS
The Senate met at 4:51 p.m. and was called to order by Senator Flores.
SENATE BILL 2660 ON SECOND READING
On motion of Senator Perry and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration SB 2660 at this time on its second reading:
SB 2660, Relating to the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District; authorizing a fee.
The bill was read second time.
Senator Campbell offered the following amendment to the bill:
Floor Amendment No. 1
Amend SB 2660 (senate committee report) as follows:
(1) On page 1, between lines 22 and 23, insert the following new SECTION 1 and renumber existing SECTION 1 and the remaining SECTION numbers accordingly:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 8843, Special District Local Laws Code, is amended by adding Section 8843.102 to read as follows:
Sec. 8843.102. PROHIBITION ON REQUIRING METERING OF CERTAIN WELLS. The district may not require a meter to be placed on a well:
(1) used solely for domestic or agricultural purposes; and
(2) drilled, completed, and equipped so that the well is not capable of producing more than 25,000 gallons of groundwater per day.
SECTION 2. (1) On page 1, line 38, strike "38 cents" and insert "30 cents".
And strike "(2) the raw surface water cost of other wholesale water suppliers providing water to customers in the district."
(3) On page 1, line 47, strike "that is exempt" and substitute "used exclusively for domestic use that is exempt from the requirement to obtain a permit"
(4) On page 1, line 48 strike Section (3) and renumber accordingly.
SECTION 3. The following provisions of Chapter 8843, Special District Local Laws Code, are repealed:
(1) Section 8843.055;
(2) Section 8843.103;
(3) Section 8843.104; and
(4) Section 8843.152.
The amendment to SB 2660 was read and was adopted without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1.
SB 2660 as amended was passed to engrossment without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to engrossment.
SENATE BILL 2660 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 SB 2660 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.
MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE
HOUSE CHAMBER
Austin, Texas
Wednesday, April 30, 2025 - 4
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 923
Garcia Hernandez, Cassandra
|
Relating to the Texas Medical Disclosure Panel.
Relating to tuition and fee exemptions at public institutions of higher education for certain students who were under the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services.
Relating to the continuation of a health care provider participation program by the Harris County Hospital District.
Relating to the confinement or detention of certain individuals in a county jail or other facility operated by or for the county and to the compensation to the county for the costs of that confinement or detention.
Relating to changing the name of the offense of child pornography to child sexual abuse material and to updating references to conform to that terminology.
Relating to a grant program for hurricane and windstorm loss mitigation for single-family residential property.
Relating to an alert system for dangerous plant and wildlife pests and diseases administered by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
Relating to increasing the minimum term of imprisonment and changing the eligibility for community supervision, mandatory supervision, and parole for persons convicted of intoxication manslaughter.
Relating to the Texas Livestock and Rodeo Education and Continuation Grant Program.
Relating to a study on changes to performance tier funding for dual credit or dual enrollment courses under the public junior college state finance program and the capacity of the state's workforce to teach dual credit or dual enrollment courses.
Relating to designating November as Veterans Month.
Relating to compensation for the members of the Winkler County Juvenile Board.
Relating to the authority of certain property owners' associations to prohibit or restrict the keeping of chickens.
Relating to the qualifications, communications, and recordkeeping of a child custody evaluator and the admissibility of a child custody evaluation under certain circumstances.
Relating to the compensation and benefits for certain peace officers commissioned by the state fire marshal.
Relating to designating March 17 as Profound Autism Awareness Day.
Relating to the authority of a defense base development authority to employ and commission peace officers.
Relating to the authority of a development corporation created by the Gulf Coast Authority to finance certain projects.
Relating to the manner of solicitation of bids for certain purchases by the comptroller of public accounts and state agencies.
Relating to the contract requirements for a contract between a single source continuum contractor and the Department of Family and Protective Services.
Relating to the authority and responsibilities of the Texas Historical Commission; authorizing fees.
Relating to participation by certain municipal retirement systems in the proportionate retirement program.
Relating to the establishment of the STEM Excellence Graduate Fellowship program.
Respectfully,
/s/Stephen Brown,
Chief Clerk
House of Representatives
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 2986 ON SECOND READING
Senator Campbell moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSSB 2986 at this time on its second reading:
CSSB 2986, Relating to use by a religious organization of public school or institution of higher education facilities.
The motion prevailed.
Senator Gutierrez asked to be recorded as voting "Nay" on suspension of the regular order of business.
The bill was read second time.
Senator Menéndez offered the following amendment to the bill:
Floor Amendment No. 1
Amend CSSB 2986 (senate committee report) as follows:
(1) In SECTION 1 of the bill, in added Section 11.173(a), Education Code (page 1, line 42), strike "and".
(2) In SECTION 1 of the bill, in added Section 11.173(a), Education Code (page 1, between lines 42 and 43), insert the following subdivision and renumber subsequent subdivisions of the subsection accordingly:
(4) the religious organization is subject to the same rental terms for the use of the facilities that a nonreligious organization would be subjected to for that use; and
(3) In SECTION 1 of the bill, in added Section 11.173, Education Code (page 1, between lines 44 and 45), insert the following subsection and reletter subsequent subsections and cross-references to those subsections accordingly:
(b) A religious organization's use of a school district's or open-enrollment charter school's facilities interferes with the district's or school's primary educational mission for purposes of Subsection (a)(1) if:
(1) the organization engages in an activity described by Subsection (a) during regular school hours;
(2) the organization displays signage, symbols, books, or flyers on the district's or school's property during any period other than the period in which the district or school allows the organization to use the district's or school's facilities; or
(3) the district or school or an employee of the district or school promotes the organization's use of the facilities in any manner, including by distributing information or making an announcement regarding the organization or use or including an activity described by Subsection (a) on an academic calendar.
(4) In SECTION 2 of the bill, in added Section 51.984(b), Education Code (page 2, line 12), strike "and".
(5) In SECTION 2 of the bill, in added Section 51.984(b), Education Code (page 2, between lines 12 and 13), insert the following subdivision and renumber subsequent subdivisions of that subsection accordingly:
(4) the religious organization is subject to the same rental terms for the use of the facilities that a nonreligious organization would be subjected to for that use; and
(6) In SECTION 2 of the bill, in added Section 51.984, Education Code (page 2, between lines 14 and 15), insert the following subsection and reletter subsequent subsections and cross-references to those subsections accordingly:
(c) A religious organization's use of an institution of higher education's facilities interferes with the institution's primary educational mission for purposes of Subsection (b)(1) if:
(1) the organization engages in an activity described by Subsection (b) during regular instructional hours, as determined by the institution for purposes of this section;
(2) the organization displays signage, symbols, books, or flyers on the institution's property during any period other than the period in which the institution allows the organization to use the institution's facilities; or
(3) the institution or an employee of the institution promotes the organization's use of the facilities in any manner, including by distributing information or making an announcement regarding the organization or use or including an activity described by Subsection (b) on an academic calendar.
The amendment to CSSB 2986 was read and was adopted without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1.
CSSB 2986 as amended was passed to engrossment without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to engrossment except as follows:
Nays: Gutierrez.
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 2986 ON THIRD READING
Senator Campbell moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSSB 2986 be placed on its third reading and final passage.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1.
Nays: Gutierrez.
The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1. (Same as previous roll call)
SENATE BILL 2007 ON SECOND READING
On motion of Senator Hagenbuch and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration SB 2007 at this time on its second reading:
SB 2007, Relating to the voluntary disclosure by an applicant for registration of a motor vehicle of the applicant's military status.
The bill was read second time and was passed to engrossment without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to engrossment.
SENATE BILL 2007 ON THIRD READING
Senator Hagenbuch moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that SB 2007 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 463
Senator Bettencourt offered the following resolution:
SR 463, In memory of Pope Francis.
BETTENCOURT
GUTIERREZ
MILES
|
ALVARADO
J. HINOJOSA
PARKER
|
The resolution was read.
On motion of Senator Cook and by unanimous consent, the names of the Lieutenant Governor and Senators were added to the resolution as signers thereof.
On motion of Senator Bettencourt, the resolution was adopted by a rising vote of the Senate.
In honor of the memory of Pope Francis, the text of SR 463 will be printed in the Senate Journal upon adjournment of this legislative day.
SENATE BILL 735 ON SECOND READING
On motion of Senator Menéndez and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration SB 735 at this time on its second reading:
SB 735, Relating to Holocaust education and training provided to students enrolled at public schools and public institutions of higher education.
The bill was read second time.
Senator Menéndez offered the following amendment to the bill:
Floor Amendment No. 1
Amend SB 735 (senate committee report) in SECTION 3 of the bill, in added Section 29.90721(b) (page 1, line 58) by striking "From money appropriated for purposes for this section" and substituting "From money appropriated, received from gifts, grants, or donations, or otherwise available for purposes of this section".
The amendment to SB 735 was read and was adopted without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1.
Senator Cook offered the following amendment to the bill:
Floor Amendment No. 2
Amend SB 735 (senate committee report) as follows:
(1) In the recital to SECTION 2 of the bill (page 1, line 33), strike "(d) and (e)" and substitute "(d), (e), and (f)".
(2) In SECTION 2 of the bill, in added Section 29.9072, Education Code (page 1, between lines 47 and 48), insert the following:
(f) Not later than 60 days before the first day of the week designated by the governor as Holocaust Remembrance Week, the agency shall provide notice to each school district and open-enrollment charter school of the week to be known as Holocaust Remembrance Week in public schools, including the instruction and reporting requirements under Subsections (c) and (d).
The amendment to SB 735 was read and was adopted without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 2.
SB 735 as amended was passed to engrossment without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to engrossment.
SENATE BILL 735 ON THIRD READING
Senator Menéndez moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that SB 735 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.
MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE
HOUSE CHAMBER
Austin, Texas
Wednesday, April 30, 2025 - 5
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:
Relating to the authority of certain persons to obtain third-party review of plats and property development plans, permits, and similar documents, and the inspection of an improvement related to such a document.
Relating to the possession and administration of an epinephrine auto-injector by certain entities.
Relating to the financial crimes intelligence center.
Relating to the prosecution of the offense of fraudulent use or possession of credit card or debit card information.
Relating to required disclosures on certain political advertising that contains altered media; creating a criminal offense.
Relating to honey production operations and the harvesting and packaging of honey and honeycomb.
Relating to the dismissal of a criminal charge related to the illegal hunting of certain deer; authorizing fees.
Relating to the notification of certain persons concerning certain events related to children in the managing conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services.
Relating to the promotion of breast-feeding and the prohibition against interference with or restriction of the right to breast-feed.
Relating to a study conducted by the Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities regarding parking for certain individuals with disabilities.
Relating to the reporting of violations of law under the whistleblower protection laws.
Relating to expedited credentialing of certain physician assistants and advanced practice nurses by managed care plan issuers.
Relating to the issuance of permits for bovine producer dairy farms in certain areas of this state.
Relating to the care, custody, and display of the letter known as the victory or death letter, the Texas Constitution, and the Texas Declaration of Independence.
Relating to the task force on pollinator health.
Relating to the creation of the Lake Houston Dredging and Maintenance District; providing the authority to issue bonds.
Relating to the sale of charitable raffle tickets by certain nonprofit wildlife conservation associations.
Relating to the Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Program.
Relating to vehicle safety inspections of certain travel trailers.
Relating to the renewal of a certificate of registration by certain interior designers.
Relating to an exemption from ad valorem taxation of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a veteran who died as a result of a qualifying condition or disease.
Relating to the transport of female patients to a mental health facility or residential care facility.
Relating to establishing a certified caregiver pilot program in the Borderplex workforce development area.
Relating to the San Antonio River Authority.
Relating to the authority of the chief appraiser of an appraisal district to require a person allowed an exemption from ad valorem taxation of a residence homestead to file a new application or confirm the person's current qualification for the exemption.
Relating to the control by lethal means of white-tailed deer in certain areas.
Relating to the implementation of projects by the Gulf Coast Protection District.
Relating to the circumstances in which a rental company may void a damage waiver for a rental vehicle.
Relating to an alcoholic beverage tax credit for certain liquor or malt beverage byproducts donated for agricultural use in this state.
Relating to the promotion and sale of wine produced in this state; creating a farm winery permit; authorizing a fee.
Relating to the Rio Grande vegetative management program.
Relating to the participation of electric vehicles in the ERCOT market.
Relating to participation in reemployment services as a condition of eligibility for unemployment benefits.
Relating to initial claims under the unemployment compensation system.
Relating to the confidentiality and disclosure of certain financial information of perpetual care cemeteries and perpetual care trust funds.
Relating to the regulation of state banks.
Relating to the dissolution of the Rose City Municipal Utility District.
Relating to prosecution of the criminal offense of cruelty to livestock animals.
Relating to the creation of a task force to evaluate the school district property value study conducted by the comptroller of public accounts.
Relating to solicitation of patients and other prohibited marketing practices, the establishment of the task force on patient solicitation, and the prosecution of certain related criminal offenses.
Relating to the regulation of aquatic vegetation management by the Parks and Wildlife Department; providing a civil penalty; creating a criminal offense.
Relating to the elimination of the remittance of a portion of certain loan administration fees to the comptroller.
Relating to the elimination of the requirement that a portion of certain retail charge agreement delinquency fees be remitted to the comptroller.
Relating to the Texas presidential library promotion program and fund.
Respectfully,
/s/Stephen Brown,
Chief Clerk
House of Representatives
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 800 ON SECOND READING
On motion of Senator Zaffirini and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration CSSB 800 at this time on its second reading:
CSSB 800, Relating to a public institution of higher education's orientation on the institution's sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking policy.
The bill was read second time and was passed to engrossment without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to engrossment.
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 800 ON THIRD READING
Senator Zaffirini moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSSB 800 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 1972 ON SECOND READING
On motion of Senator Middleton and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration SB 1972 at this time on its second reading:
SB 1972, Relating to a limitation on rules, bylaws, and policies adopted by a school district's board of trustees.
The bill was read second time and was passed to engrossment without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to engrossment.
SENATE BILL 1972 ON THIRD READING
Senator Middleton moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that SB 1972 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.
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 2544 ON SECOND READING
On motion of Senator Hancock and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration CSSB 2544 at this time on its second reading:
CSSB 2544, Relating to eligibility for mediation of certain out-of-network health benefit claims.
The bill was read second time and was passed to engrossment without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to engrossment.
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 2544 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 2544 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 1065 ON SECOND READING
Senator Hall moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration SB 1065 at this time on its second reading:
SB 1065, Relating to a required provision in certain governmental entity contracts regarding the carrying of handguns by license holders; providing civil penalties.
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)
SENATE BILL 529 ON SECOND READING
Senator Sparks moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration SB 529 at this time on its second reading:
SB 529, Relating to the entitlement of certain municipalities to receive tax revenue from certain establishments located near a hotel and convention center project.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 27, Nays 4.
Yeas: Alvarado, Bettencourt, Birdwell, Blanco, Campbell, Cook, Creighton, Eckhardt, Flores, Gutierrez, Hagenbuch, A. Hinojosa, J. Hinojosa, Huffman, Johnson, King, Kolkhorst, Menéndez, Miles, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks, West, Zaffirini.
Nays: Hall, Hancock, Hughes, Middleton.
The bill was read second time and was passed to engrossment by the following vote: Yeas 27, Nays 4. (Same as previous roll call)
SENATE BILL 529 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 SB 529 be placed on its third reading and final passage.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 27, Nays 4.
Yeas: Alvarado, Bettencourt, Birdwell, Blanco, Campbell, Cook, Creighton, Eckhardt, Flores, Gutierrez, Hagenbuch, A. Hinojosa, J. Hinojosa, Huffman, Johnson, King, Kolkhorst, Menéndez, Miles, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks, West, Zaffirini.
Nays: Hall, Hancock, Hughes, Middleton.
The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 27, Nays 4. (Same as previous roll call)
SENATE BILL 2046 ON SECOND READING
Senator Bettencourt moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration SB 2046 at this time on its second reading:
SB 2046, Relating to penalties for certain offenses involving county competitive bidding requirements; increasing criminal penalties.
The motion prevailed.
Senators Cook and Eckhardt asked to be recorded as voting "Nay" on suspension of the regular order of business.
The bill was read second time and was passed to engrossment without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to engrossment except as follows:
Nays: Cook, Eckhardt.
SENATE BILL 2046 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 2046 be placed on its third reading and final passage.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 29, Nays 2.
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, West, Zaffirini.
Nays: Cook, Eckhardt.
The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 29, Nays 2. (Same as previous roll call)
MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE
HOUSE CHAMBER
Austin, Texas
Wednesday, April 30, 2025 - 6
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:
Relating to fees on and grants for fuel ethanol, renewable methane, biodiesel, and renewable diesel.
Relating to the issuance of Central Catholic High School specialty license plates.
Relating to civil liability arising from a firearm hold agreement.
Relating to the interment of certain cremated animal remains with human remains in perpetual care cemeteries and the eligibility of those cemeteries for an exemption from ad valorem taxation.
Relating to a study on mental health services provided to veterans through the Texas Veterans Commission.
Relating to limitation of certain liability of owners, lessees, and occupants of nonagricultural land.
Relating to the designation of a portion of State Highway 242 in Montgomery County as the Lance Corporal Armando Hernandez Memorial Bridge.
Relating to the designation of a portion of State Highway 48 in Cameron County as the Deputy Constable Ruben Garcia Memorial Highway.
Relating to including nursing school applications in a consolidated application service.
Relating to allowing the governing bodies of certain political subdivisions to call for a local option election relating to the sale of alcoholic beverages.
Relating to the use of automated traffic control systems by local authorities and law enforcement agencies.
Relating to the civil penalty for certain signs placed on the right-of-way of a public road.
Relating to certain enforcement powers of the banking commissioner regarding the regulation of money services businesses.
Relating to prohibited activities of a state trust company under supervision.
Relating to the authority of the Railroad Commission of Texas to impose an administrative penalty on a propane distribution system retailer.
Relating to the authority of a city to impose certain governmental requirements on an agricultural operation.
Relating to the collection of consumer debt incurred by certain individuals as a result of identity theft.
Relating to access to criminal history record information that relates to providers and provider applicants under Medicaid and other public benefits programs administered by the Health and Human Services Commission.
Relating to a study by the Teacher Retirement System of Texas on the feasibility of offering alternative service retirement benefits to certain members of the retirement system engaged in wildland firefighting or employed in positions related to wildland firefighting.
Respectfully,
/s/Stephen Brown,
Chief Clerk
House of Representatives
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 2858 ON SECOND READING
Senator Creighton moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSSB 2858 at this time on its second reading:
CSSB 2858, Relating to state preemption of certain municipal and county regulation.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 19, Nays 12.
Yeas: Bettencourt, Birdwell, Campbell, Creighton, Flores, Hagenbuch, Hall, Hancock, A. Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, King, Kolkhorst, Middleton, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks.
Nays: Alvarado, Blanco, Cook, Eckhardt, Gutierrez, J. Hinojosa, Johnson, Menéndez, Miles, Nichols, West, Zaffirini.
The bill was read second time.
Senator Creighton offered the following amendment to the bill:
Floor Amendment No. 1
Amend CSSB 2858 (senate committee printing) in SECTION 6 of the bill, immediately after added Section 102A.053(c), Civil Practice and Remedies Code (page 3, between lines 30 and 31), by inserting the following:
(d) Notwithstanding Subsection (a)(4), a municipality or county may receive state grant funds for grants provided for the purpose of:
(1) responding to a disaster declared under Chapter 418, Government Code, if:
(A) for a municipality, the municipality is located in a county or a county adjacent to a county that includes an area specified in the disaster declaration; and
(B) for a county, the county or a county adjacent to the county includes an area specified in the disaster declaration; or
(2) providing financial assistance to a municipal police department, sheriff's department, constable's office, district or county attorney's office, fire department, municipal or county jail, or other municipal or county department providing law enforcement or emergency response services.
The amendment to CSSB 2858 was read and was adopted without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1.
Senator Creighton offered the following amendment to the bill:
Floor Amendment No. 2
Amend CSSB 2858 (senate committee printing) in SECTION 6 of the substitute as follows:
(1) In added Section 102A.056(a)(2), Civil Practice and Remedies Code (page 3, line 68), between "signed" and the underscored period, insert ", less the amount the comptroller may retain under Subsection (b) of this section".
(2) Strike added Section 102A.056(b), Civil Practice and Remedies Code (page 3, line 69, through page 4, line 5), and substitute the following:
(b) Except as provided by this subsection, the comptroller shall, on receipt of a copy of the final judgment in an action brought under Section 102A.052, deposit the balance of the suspense account maintained for the municipality or county defending the action under Section 321.501 or 323.501, Tax Code, as applicable, as of the date the judgment is signed to the credit of the general revenue fund. The comptroller may retain in the suspense account maintained for the municipality or county an amount not to exceed five percent of the balance of the suspense account as of the date the judgment is signed for the purpose of making refunds for overpayments to the suspense account or redeeming dishonored checks and drafts deposited to the credit of the suspense account. Not later than the fourth anniversary of the date the comptroller retains an amount in a suspense account under this subsection, the comptroller shall deposit the balance of that retained amount, if any, to the credit of the general revenue fund.
(3) In added Section 102A.057, Civil Practice and Remedies Code (page 4, line 22), between "signed" and the underscored period, insert ", including any interest that accrued on the balance of the suspense account during the period the balance was withheld".
The amendment to CSSB 2858 was read and was adopted without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 2.
CSSB 2858 as amended was passed to engrossment by the following vote: Yeas 19, Nays 12.
Yeas: Bettencourt, Birdwell, Campbell, Creighton, Flores, Hagenbuch, Hall, Hancock, A. Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, King, Kolkhorst, Middleton, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks.
Nays: Alvarado, Blanco, Cook, Eckhardt, Gutierrez, J. Hinojosa, Johnson, Menéndez, Miles, Nichols, West, Zaffirini.
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 659 ON SECOND READING
Senator Schwertner moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSSB 659 at this time on its second reading:
CSSB 659, Relating to the prosecution and punishment of the offense of smuggling of persons.
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, King, Kolkhorst, Menéndez, Middleton, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks, West, Zaffirini.
Nays: Cook, Eckhardt, Johnson, Miles.
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 659 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 659 be placed on its third reading and final passage.
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, King, Kolkhorst, Menéndez, Middleton, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks, West, Zaffirini.
Nays: Cook, Eckhardt, Johnson, Miles.
The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 27, Nays 4. (Same as previous roll call)
SENATE BILL 2938 ON SECOND READING
On motion of Senator Menéndez and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration SB 2938 at this time on its second reading:
SB 2938, Relating to the verification of the veteran status of inmates and prisoners.
The bill was read second time.
Senator Schwertner offered the following amendment to the bill:
Floor Amendment No. 1
Amend SB 2938 (senate committee report) in SECTION 3 of the bill, in added Section 511.009(a)(17)(C), Government Code (page 3), as follows:
(1) On line 40, strike "daily" and substitute "weekly".
(2) On line 42, strike "day" and substitute "week".
The amendment to SB 2938 was read and was adopted without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1.
SB 2938 as amended was passed to engrossment without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to engrossment.
SENATE BILL 2938 ON THIRD READING
Senator Menéndez moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that SB 2938 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 2693 ON SECOND READING
Senator Perry moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration SB 2693 at this time on its second reading:
SB 2693, Relating to the role of advocacy and support groups in the juvenile justice system.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 21, Nays 10.
Yeas: Bettencourt, Birdwell, Campbell, Creighton, Flores, Hagenbuch, Hall, Hancock, A. Hinojosa, J. Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, King, Kolkhorst, Middleton, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks.
Nays: Alvarado, Blanco, Cook, Eckhardt, Gutierrez, Johnson, Menéndez, Miles, West, Zaffirini.
The bill was read second time.
Senator Perry offered the following amendment to the bill:
Floor Amendment No. 1
Amend SB 2693 (senate committee report) in SECTION 2 of the bill by striking added Section 242.056(e), Human Resources Code (page 1, line 60, through page 2, line 2), and substituting the following:
(e) The department shall allow admission of an advocacy or support group to a department facility as provided by this section if admission of the group is required by federal law or by a federal court order, to perform the specific functions authorized by federal law or by a federal court order.
The amendment to SB 2693 was read and was adopted without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1.
SB 2693 as amended was passed to engrossment by the following vote: Yeas 21, Nays 10.
Yeas: Bettencourt, Birdwell, Campbell, Creighton, Flores, Hagenbuch, Hall, Hancock, A. Hinojosa, J. Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, King, Kolkhorst, Middleton, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks.
Nays: Alvarado, Blanco, Cook, Eckhardt, Gutierrez, Johnson, Menéndez, Miles, West, Zaffirini.
SENATE BILL 2366 ON SECOND READING
Senator Hughes moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration SB 2366 at this time on its second reading:
SB 2366, Relating to a grant program to fund certain short line railroad projects.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 25, Nays 6.
Yeas: Alvarado, Bettencourt, Birdwell, Blanco, Campbell, Cook, Eckhardt, Flores, Gutierrez, Hancock, A. Hinojosa, J. Hinojosa, Hughes, Johnson, King, Menéndez, Miles, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks, West, Zaffirini.
Nays: Creighton, Hagenbuch, Hall, Huffman, Kolkhorst, Middleton.
The bill was read second time.
Senator Hughes offered the following amendment to the bill:
Floor Amendment No. 1
Amend SB 2366 (senate committee report) in SECTION 1 of the bill as follows:
(1) Strike added Section 201.981(a)(2), Transportation Code (page 1, lines 28 and 29), and renumber subsequent subdivisions of the subsection accordingly.
(2) In added Section 201.981(b), Transportation Code (page 1, lines 34 and 35), strike "or railroad companies".
(3) In added Section 201.981(c), Transportation Code (page 1, line 40), strike "or railroad company".
The amendment to SB 2366 was read and was adopted without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1.
SB 2366 as amended was passed to engrossment by the following vote: Yeas 25, Nays 6.
Yeas: Alvarado, Bettencourt, Birdwell, Blanco, Campbell, Cook, Eckhardt, Flores, Gutierrez, Hancock, A. Hinojosa, J. Hinojosa, Hughes, Johnson, King, Menéndez, Miles, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks, West, Zaffirini.
Nays: Creighton, Hagenbuch, Hall, Huffman, Kolkhorst, Middleton.
SENATE BILL 2366 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 2366 be placed on its third reading and final passage.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 25, Nays 6.
Yeas: Alvarado, Bettencourt, Birdwell, Blanco, Campbell, Cook, Eckhardt, Flores, Gutierrez, Hancock, A. Hinojosa, J. Hinojosa, Hughes, Johnson, King, Menéndez, Miles, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks, West, Zaffirini.
Nays: Creighton, Hagenbuch, Hall, Huffman, Kolkhorst, Middleton.
The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 25, Nays 6. (Same as previous roll call)
SENATE BILL 1754 ON SECOND READING
Senator Birdwell moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration SB 1754 at this time on its second reading:
SB 1754, Relating to the authority of a taxing unit to enter into an agreement to exempt from ad valorem taxation a portion of the value of property on which a renewable energy facility is located or is planned to be located.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 19, Nays 12.
Yeas: Bettencourt, Birdwell, Campbell, Creighton, Flores, Hagenbuch, Hall, Hancock, A. Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, King, Kolkhorst, Middleton, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks.
Nays: Alvarado, Blanco, Cook, Eckhardt, Gutierrez, J. Hinojosa, Johnson, Menéndez, Miles, Nichols, West, Zaffirini.
The bill was read second time and was passed to engrossment by the following vote: Yeas 19, Nays 12. (Same as previous roll call)
SENATE BILL 2807 ON SECOND READING
Senator Hagenbuch moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration SB 2807 at this time on its second reading:
SB 2807, Relating to the considerations when determining whether an operator of a motor vehicle is an employee of a motor carrier or an independent contractor.
The motion prevailed.
Senator Gutierrez asked to be recorded as voting "Nay" on suspension of the regular order of business.
The bill was read second time.
Senator Eckhardt, on behalf of Senator Johnson, offered the following amendment to the bill:
Floor Amendment No. 1
Amend SB 2807 (senate committee report) in SECTION 1 of the bill by striking added Section 644A.001(2), Transportation Code (page 1, lines 29 through 38) and substituting the following:
(2) "Motor carrier safety improvement" means any:
(A) device, equipment, software, or technology that is intended and primarily used to improve or facilitate:
(i) compliance with traffic safety or motor carrier safety laws;
(ii) safety of a motor vehicle;
(iii) safety of an operator of a motor vehicle; and
(iv) safety of third-party users of public roadways; or
(B) procedure, training, policy, program, or operational practice related to any device, equipment, software, or technology described by Paragraph (A).
The amendment to SB 2807 was read and was adopted without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1.
SB 2807 as amended was passed to engrossment without objection.
All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to engrossment except as follows:
Nays: Gutierrez.
SENATE BILL 2807 ON THIRD READING
Senator Hagenbuch moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that SB 2807 be placed on its third reading and final passage.
The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1.
Nays: Gutierrez.
The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1. (Same as previous roll call)
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 Business and Commerce might meet at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow in Room E1.028 and consider the following bills: SB 1652, SB 2327, SB 2344, SB 2696.
SENATE RULES SUSPENDED
(Posting Rules)
On motion of Senator Hughes and by unanimous consent, Senate Rule 11.10(a) and Senate Rule 11.18(a) were suspended in order that the Committee on State Affairs might meet at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow in the Senate Chamber and consider SB 2943.
SENATE RULES SUSPENDED
(Posting Rules)
On motion of Senator Creighton and by unanimous consent, Senate Rule 11.10(a) and Senate Rule 11.18(a) were suspended in order that the Committee on Education K-16 might meet upon adjournment tomorrow in Room E1.028 and consider SB 1414.
ADJOURNMENT
On motion of Senator Zaffirini, the Senate at 7:37 p.m. adjourned, in memory of Pope Francis, until 7:38 p.m. today.
In Memory
of
Pope Francis
Senate Resolution 463
WHEREAS, People the world over are mourning the loss of Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, shortly after offering his Easter Sunday blessing to the faithful gathered in the Vatican's Saint Peter's Square; and
WHEREAS, Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on December 17, 1936, Pope Francis was the son of Mario and Regina Bergoglio, and he was deeply influenced by his grandmother, Rosa Bergoglio, who had been active in the Catholic Action movement in Italy before the family emigrated to Argentina; at age 12, he entered a school run by Salesian priests, who instilled in him a sense of duty to the poor, and he accepted his calling at the age of 16; he was ordained as a Jesuit priest in 1969; and
WHEREAS, Pope Francis was appointed to lead the Jesuit order in Argentina in 1973; during the "Dirty War" that took place during the rule of the country's repressive military junta, he quietly worked to save the lives of many people; he went on to serve in Germany and then in the Argentine city of Córdoba; in 1992, he was named auxiliary bishop of the Buenos Aires diocese, and six years later, he became archbishop; during his time in that role, he helped relieve the suffering caused by Argentina's economic crisis, organizing food kitchens, tripling the number of priests assigned to the slums, and building schools and drug rehabilitation centers; and
WHEREAS, Named a cardinal in 2001, he became a leading voice in the church; by the time Pope Benedict XVI stepped down in 2013, Pope Francis was preparing for retirement; instead, he was elected pope, becoming the first Jesuit and the first member of the church from Latin America to serve as pontiff; he was also the first to choose the name Francis, and like St. Francis of Assisi, he embraced a humble life of service to the most vulnerable; demonstrating good humor and an avuncular charm that belied his steely determination, he became a global voice for justice and compassion; he took more than 40 trips abroad, many to places long overlooked, in order to meet with his flock and build interfaith bridges; at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, he offered hope and consolation via regular video livestreams; he involved Catholics worldwide in a process of renewal, engaging the laity, welcoming a variety of opinions, and choosing many cardinals from Latin America, Asia, and Africa; even as he grew frail and battled ill health, he continued to travel widely, especially striving to bring peace to war-torn regions; and
WHEREAS, Pope Francis was a transformative figure, and he will remain a tremendous source of inspiration, not only to his fellow Catholics, but to countless people who have been heartened by his message of enduring mercy and love; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 89th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Pope Francis and extend deepest condolences to all who mourn his passing.
BIRDWELL
A. HINOJOSA
PARKER
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