(Continued)

(Friday, May 16, 2025)

The Senate met at 9:14 a.m. and was called to order by the President.

Minister Jason Wilder, Church of Christ, Elgin, offered the invocation as follows:

Father God and creator of all things, I approach Your throne of grace this morning based solely on the blood that was shed by the savior and messiah, Jesus. I come to You as our source of life, love, peace, and righteousness. Father, Your holy word teaches that You are the ultimate authority, king of kings and lord of lords, and that there is no authority except that which You have established. So, Father, I thank You for these men and women who serve in this body. I pray that You will bring peace into their lives, into their homes, into their families, and that You will give them wisdom so that they will act in ways that brings glory to You and peace to our land. Father, I come to You confessing that we are not always the people You would have us to be. We have called good evil and evil good, for that we beg Your forgiveness. Purify us, Lord, from all ways that are not of You and give us a new heart and renewed spirit. I pray that You will give these men and women pure convictions and then boldness to pursue those convictions. I pray for love and not hate, mercy and not vengeance. I pray for unity and not division. I ask all these things in the name of our savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

HOUSE CHAMBER

Austin, Texas

Friday, May 16, 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 statutory construction, including restrictions on the use of certain aids to construction.

Relating to individuals whose name may be added to the central child abuse or neglect registry.

Relating to the adoption of a water conservation program by certain counties.

Relating to the training of prospective grand jurors.

Relating to fire safety standards and emergency operations plans for the operation of battery energy storage facilities; providing administrative penalties.

Relating to the review of school districts by the Sunset Advisory Commission.

Relating to the election of remedies in suits against certain veterinarians.

Respectfully,

/s/Stephen Brown,

Chief Clerk

House of Representatives

Senator Birdwell, on behalf of Senator West, was recognized and presented Dr. Austin Plumlee of Dallas as the Physician of the Day.

The Senate welcomed Dr. Plumlee, accompanied by Dr. Hamza Uddin, and thanked him for his participation in the Physician of the Day program sponsored by the Texas Academy of Family Physicians.

Senator Menéndez offered the following resolution:

WHEREAS, Senate District 26 Neighborhood Leaders Day at the State Capitol is taking place on May 16, 2025, providing a fitting opportunity to recognize the numerous neighborhood and homeowners associations in San Antonio for their contributions to the community; and

WHEREAS, These outstanding organizations empower and engage area citizens through advocacy and the coordination of projects and activities; the groups also play an instrumental role in local government by serving as a unified voice for residents and by bringing concerns to the attention of civic officials; and

WHEREAS, As important parts of the greater San Antonio community, neighborhood and homeowners associations contribute to the vibrancy and growth of a forward-looking city that is committed to the safety and beautification of its residential areas; and

WHEREAS, The vitality of a community depends in large measure on the vision and dedication of concerned citizens, and through their endeavors, the members of neighborhood and homeowners associations are helping to improve the quality of life in San Antonio; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 89th Texas Legislature hereby recognize May 16, 2025, as Senate District 26 Neighborhood Leaders Day at the State Capitol and extend to all those participating sincere best wishes for a productive event.

SR 523 was read and was adopted without objection.

Senator Menéndez, joined by Senator Zaffirini, was recognized and introduced to the Senate a Senate District 26 Neighborhood Leaders Day delegation including Laura Garcia-Lascurian, Jennifer Curfman, Irene Hays-Pierce, Richard Garcia, Rudy Lopez, Jesse Garcia, Nancy Reyna, Ramiro Cabrera, and Phyllis McNair.

The Senate welcomed its guests.

The Presiding Officer announced the signing of the following enrolled bills and resolutions in the presence of the Senate after the captions had been read:

SB 296, SB 462, SB 480, SB 682, SB 1146, SB 1265, SB 1666, SB 1844, SB 1921, SB 2039, SB 2052, SB 2173, SB 2284, SB 2925.

HB 21, HB 37, HB 116, HB 913, HB 1151, HB 1238, HB 1327, HB 1610, HB 1615, HB 1620, HB 1689, HB 1899, HB 2809, HB 2884, HB 2890, HB 4215, HB 5092, HCR 7, HCR 75, HCR 86, HCR 92, HCR 93, HCR 126.

The Presiding Officer announced that the introduction of bills and resolutions on first reading would be further postponed until the end of today's calendar.

There was no objection.

On motion of Senator Flores and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration HB 1261 at this time on its second reading:

HB 1261, Relating to the disposition of abandoned or unclaimed property seized by a peace officer.

The bill was read second time and was passed to third reading without objection.

All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to 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 HB 1261 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.

On motion of Senator Huffman and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration HB 1778 at this time on its second reading:

HB 1778, Relating to human trafficking, prostitution, and child pornography and to the prosecution of sexual or assaultive offenses or the prosecution of a failure to stop or report those offenses; amending and harmonizing certain statute of limitations provisions; creating a criminal offense; increasing a criminal penalty.

The bill was read second time and was passed to third reading without objection.

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

Senator Huffman moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that HB 1778 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.

On motion of Senator Perry and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration HB 2692 at this time on its second reading:

HB 2692, Relating to the San Antonio River Authority.

The bill was read second time and was passed to third reading without objection.

All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to 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 HB 2692 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.

On motion of Senator Hagenbuch and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration HB 303 at this time on its second reading:

HB 303, Relating to the authority of a Type A or Type B general-law municipality to change to a Type C general-law municipality.

The bill was read second time and was passed to third reading without objection.

All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to 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 HB 303 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.

On motion of Senator A. Hinojosa, on behalf of Senator J. Hinojosa, and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration HB 5238 at this time on its second reading:

HB 5238, Relating to the criminal offense of disrupting a meeting or procession.

The bill was read second time and was passed to third reading without objection.

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

Senator A. Hinojosa, on behalf of 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 HB 5238 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.

On motion of Senator A. Hinojosa and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration HB 210 at this time on its second reading:

HB 210, Relating to contracting with a school district or open-enrollment charter school by a vendor with whom a member of the board of trustees or governing body of the district or school or a related individual has certain business interests; creating a criminal offense.

The bill was read second time and was passed to third reading without objection.

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

Senator A. Hinojosa moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that HB 210 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.

On motion of Senator Zaffirini and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration HB 1041 at this time on its second reading:

HB 1041, Relating to the insurable interest of certain persons providing care to individuals with disabilities in the life of those individuals.

The bill was read second time and was passed to third reading without objection.

All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to 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 HB 1041 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.

On motion of Senator Blanco, on behalf of Senator Parker, and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration HB 1535 at this time on its second reading:

HB 1535, Relating to the Trinity River Authority of Texas, following recommendations of the Sunset Advisory Commission; specifying grounds for the removal of a member of the board of directors.

The bill was read second time and was passed to third reading without objection.

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

Senator Blanco, on behalf of 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 HB 1535 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.

On motion of Senator Zaffirini and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration HB 2596 at this time on its second reading:

HB 2596, Relating to the issuance of certain protective orders for certain burglary offenses.

The bill was read second time and was passed to third reading without objection.

All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to 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 HB 2596 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.

On motion of Senator Middleton and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration HB 11 at this time on its second reading:

HB 11, Relating to licensing reciprocity agreements entered into by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

The bill was read second time and was passed to third reading without objection.

All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to 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 HB 11 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.

On motion of Senator Zaffirini and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration HB 1188 at this time on its second reading:

HB 1188, Relating to the provision of information regarding a local intellectual and developmental disability authority to the parents or guardians of certain special education students.

The bill was read second time and was passed to third reading without objection.

All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to 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 HB 1188 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.

On motion of Senator Cook, on behalf of Senator Paxton, and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration HB 2742 at this time on its second reading:

HB 2742, Relating to the split-payment of ad valorem taxes.

The bill was read second time and was passed to third reading without objection.

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

Senator Cook, on behalf of Senator Paxton, moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that HB 2742 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.

Senator Cook moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSSB 2891 at this time on its second reading:

CSSB 2891, Relating to the establishment of the Health Professions Workforce Coordinating Council and the abolition of the statewide health coordinating council and the nursing advisory committee of that council.

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

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

Nays:  Creighton, Hagenbuch, Hughes, Middleton, Schwertner, Sparks.

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

Senator Cook moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSSB 2891 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, Hall, Hancock, A. Hinojosa, J. Hinojosa, Huffman, Johnson, King, Kolkhorst, Menéndez, Miles, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, West, Zaffirini.

Nays:  Creighton, Hagenbuch, Hughes, Middleton, Schwertner, Sparks.

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

Senator Hall moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration SB 128 at this time on its third reading and final passage:

SB 128, Relating to hospital reporting requirements regarding suspected child abuse, exploitation, or neglect; authorizing an administrative penalty.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 20, Nays 11.

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

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

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 20, Nays 11. (Same as previous roll call)

The President acknowledged the presence of students from Harrison Intermediate School in Wylie.

The Senate welcomed its guests.

On motion of Senator Nichols, on behalf of Senator King, and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration HB 1465 at this time on its second reading:

HB 1465, Relating to the prosecution of the criminal offense of invasive visual recording and the applicability of sex offender registration requirements to that offense.

The bill was read second time and was passed to third reading without objection.

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

Senator Nichols, on behalf of 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 HB 1465 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.

On motion of Senator Hughes, on behalf of Senator Schwertner, and by unanimous consent, the regular order of business was suspended to take up for consideration HB 5061 at this time on its second reading:

HB 5061, Relating to prohibiting certain activities by contractors and vendors of state agencies; providing administrative penalties.

The bill was read second time and was passed to third reading without objection.

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

Senator Hughes, on behalf of 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 HB 5061 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.

Senator Creighton moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration SB 2799 at this time on its second reading:

SB 2799, Relating to increasing the criminal penalty for the offense of reckless driving.

The motion prevailed.

Senators Cook and Hagenbuch 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, Hagenbuch.

Senator Creighton moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that SB 2799 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, Eckhardt, Flores, Gutierrez, Hall, Hancock, A. Hinojosa, J. Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, Johnson, King, Kolkhorst, Menéndez, Middleton, Miles, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks, West, Zaffirini.

Nays:  Cook, Hagenbuch.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 29, Nays 2. (Same as previous roll call)

Senator Birdwell at 11:12 a.m. announced the Senate would stand At Ease subject to the call of the Chair.

Senator Eckhardt at 12:56 p.m. called the Senate to order as In Legislative Session.

The Presiding Officer announced the signing of the following enrolled bills in the presence of the Senate after the captions had been read:

HB 30, HB 630, HB 879, HB 1593, HB 2703, HB 3012, HB 3526.

The following bills received from the House were read first time and referred to the committees indicated:

HB 27 to Committee on Education K-16.

HB 123 to Committee on Education K-16.

HB 127 to Committee on Education K-16.

HB 413 to Committee on Criminal Justice.

HB 1057 to Committee on Finance.

HB 1106 to Committee on Health and Human Services.

HB 1422 to Committee on Criminal Justice.

HB 1607 to Committee on Criminal Justice.

HB 1905 to Committee on Natural Resources.

HB 2011 to Committee on Local Government.

HB 2012 to Committee on Transportation.

HB 2040 to Committee on Education K-16.

HB 2070 to Committee on Health and Human Services.

HB 2421 to Committee on Local Government.

HB 2854 to Committee on Criminal Justice.

HB 2868 to Committee on Business and Commerce.

HB 3000 to Committee on Finance.

HB 3159 to Committee on Finance.

HB 3284 to Committee on Health and Human Services.

HB 3333 to Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs.

HB 3334 to Committee on Natural Resources.

HB 3372 to Committee on Education K-16.

HB 3424 to Committee on Local Government.

HB 3425 to Committee on Criminal Justice.

HB 3490 to Committee on Business and Commerce.

HB 3510 to Committee on Transportation.

HB 3514 to Committee on Transportation.

HB 3540 to Committee on Health and Human Services.

HB 3575 to Committee on Local Government.

HB 3629 to Committee on Education K-16.

HB 3641 to Committee on Local Government.

HB 3642 to Committee on Transportation.

HB 3664 to Committee on Criminal Justice.

HB 3666 to Committee on Business and Commerce.

HB 3812 to Committee on Health and Human Services.

HB 3824 to Committee on Business and Commerce.

HB 3849 to Committee on Transportation.

HB 3863 to Committee on Health and Human Services.

HB 3898 to Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs.

HB 3918 to Committee on State Affairs.

HB 3966 to Committee on Transportation.

HB 3986 to Committee on Transportation.

HB 4035 to Committee on Jurisprudence.

HB 4144 to Committee on Finance.

HB 4233 to Committee on Business and Commerce.

HB 4240 to Committee on Local Government.

HB 4271 to Committee on Natural Resources.

HB 4350 to Committee on Business and Commerce.

HB 4466 to Committee on Health and Human Services.

HB 4518 to Committee on Business and Commerce.

HB 4539 to Committee on Health and Human Services.

HB 4546 to Committee on State Affairs.

HB 4614 to Committee on Criminal Justice.

HB 4621 to Committee on State Affairs.

HB 4623 to Committee on Education K-16.

HB 4687 to Committee on Education K-16.

HB 4700 to Committee on Health and Human Services.

HB 4765 to Committee on Business and Commerce.

HB 4766 to Committee on Business and Commerce.

HB 5084 to Committee on Local Government.

HB 5147 to Committee on Health and Human Services.

HB 5323 to Committee on Business and Commerce.

HB 5381 to Committee on Education K-16.

HB 5383 to Committee on Criminal Justice.

HB 5431 to Committee on Local Government.

HB 5436 to Committee on Transportation.

HB 5515 to Committee on Education K-16.

HB 5534 to Committee on Local Government.

HB 5663 to Committee on Local Government.

HB 5686 to Committee on Local Government.

Senator Eckhardt introduced to the Senate Penelope Saxe, serving today as an Honorary Senate Page.

The Senate welcomed Penelope.

On motion of Senator Cook, Senators Alvarado, Bettencourt, and Blanco will be shown as Co-authors of SB 2891.

On motion of Senator Parker, Senator Hancock will be shown as Co-sponsor of HB 12.

On motion of Senator Hughes, Senator Kolkhorst will be shown as Co-sponsor of HB 34.

On motion of Senator Sparks, Senators Blanco and Kolkhorst will be shown as Co-sponsors of HB 48.

On motion of Senator Flores, Senator Eckhardt will be shown as Co-sponsor of HB 1261.

On motion of Senator Perry, Senator Blanco will be shown as Co-sponsor of HB 2187.

On motion of Senator Perry, Senator Menéndez will be shown as Co-sponsor of HB 2692.

On motion of Senator Zaffirini, Senator Cook will be shown as Co-sponsor of HB 3126.

On motion of Senator Cook, Senators Flores and Nichols will be shown as Co-sponsors of HB 3151.

On motion of Senator West, Senator Campbell will be shown as Co-sponsor of HB 3464.

On motion of Senator King, Senator Kolkhorst will be shown as Co-sponsor of HB 3700.

On motion of Senator A. Hinojosa, Senator Flores will be shown as Co-sponsor of HB 5014.

On motion of Senator Menéndez, Senator Blanco will be shown as Co-sponsor of HB 5342.

On motion of Senator Perry, Senators Campbell and Eckhardt will be shown as Co-sponsors of HB 5560.

On motion of Senator Zaffirini, the Senate at 1:06 p.m. adjourned until 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 19, 2025.

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

EDUCATION K-16 — CSHB 3126, HB 2856, SB 1319, HB 3114, HB 3041

BUSINESS AND COMMERCE — CSSB 1978

LOCAL GOVERNMENT — SB 3038, HB 3505, HB 4205, HB 5652, HB 3687, HB 5424, HB 4506, HB 3370, HB 2025, SB 3045, SJR 60, SB 1633

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES — CSHB 4273

SB 128, SB 2799, SB 2891

SR 523

SB 296, SB 462, SB 480, SB 682, SB 1146, SB 1265, SB 1666, SB 1844, SB 1921, SB 2039, SB 2052, SB 2173, SB 2284, SB 2925