(Monday, June 2, 2025)

The Senate met at 10:42 a.m. pursuant to adjournment and was called to order by President Pro Tempore Creighton.

The roll was called and the following Senators were present:  Alvarado, Bettencourt, Birdwell, Blanco, Campbell, Cook, Creighton, Eckhardt, Flores, Gutierrez, Hagenbuch, Hall, Hancock, A. Hinojosa, J. Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, Johnson, King, Kolkhorst, Menéndez, Middleton, Miles, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks, West, Zaffirini.

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

Minister Cole Mealer, Central Church of Christ, Victoria, offered the invocation as follows:

Lord of heaven and Earth, we are thankful for the opportunity and privilege to come before Your throne. We are grateful for the freedom and peace to publicly seek Your aid, and we owe a debt to our fellow citizens, our fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, and neighbors, who gave their lives for everything we do this day. Thank You for their sacrifice. Thank You for these men and women gathered here today, for the trust You have placed in them as Your servants who discharge their responsibilities in the work of governing. We come before You now to humbly seek Your blessings. Lord, may You watch over Your servants and grant them, these Senators, the courage to stand for what is good, to pursue justice, to uphold the peace, and to remember mercy. May they humbly discharge their responsibilities and commitments for Your glory and honor. Remind them, my king, that our enemies are not each other, that iron sharpens iron, and that it is a unique blessing we enjoy to be able to respectfully and peacefully contend together for the good of all Texans. Watch over us all now in our time of need, and may Your grace abound in this Chamber today. Thank You, my God and my king. And in all things, may Your will be done. In the name of Christ. Amen.

Senator Zaffirini moved that the reading of the Journal of the proceedings of the previous day be dispensed with and the Journal be approved as printed.

The motion prevailed without objection.

Senator Hagenbuch was recognized and presented Dr. Nancy Gegbe of Corinth as the Physician of the Day.

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

The President announced that the time had arrived for the election of President Pro Tempore Ad Interim of the 89th Legislature.

Senator Parker placed in nomination the name of Senator Charles Perry for the office of President Pro Tempore Ad Interim of the 89th Legislature.

The nominating speech by Senator Parker and the remarks made to second the nomination were ordered reduced to writing and printed in the Senate Journal as follows:

Senator Parker:  Thank you, Mr. President and Members, distinguished guests, and the many friends and family that are gathered here today. I stand before you today to place in nomination, a man whose life illuminates what is best and most durable about our state, Senator Charles Perry of Lubbock. Many of you have often heard Senator Perry say through the years, if a policy works for the $8 an hour man, it will work for everyone. That line, spoken so often by Senator Perry, you would half expect it to be printed on his Senate stationery. It captures his worldview so very well. It was forged in a crowded home of seven souls where dollars were scarce but faith, family, and work ethic were limitless. Senator Perry never felt poor because no one in that house measured wealth by earthly possessions, rather they measured it by living a life of purpose. As long as you rose at dawn, did your share, and bowed your head at church on Sunday, you were rich where it really mattered. Those humble beginnings did not predict public office. In fact, by Senator Perry's own admission, Senator Perry was once on a path to the county jail. One junior high football coach changed that trajectory forever by handing the skinniest kid on the team a helmet and two simple instructions, line up and hit somebody. In that moment, a young man discovered two truths that still define him to this very day, compete fiercely and honor everyone who believes in you along the journey of life. Years later, on the weathered stones of Jerusalem during a church pilgrimage, those truths met a calling. Disheartened by the direction of national politics and wary of the political game, Charles Perry prayed for guidance. One week before the filing deadline in December of 2009, and armed with nothing but conviction and passion, a personal check his family could barely spare, and a pledge to never go negative, he entered a three-way House race that no pollster in Texas gave him a chance to win. But he did win because voters recognized the same thing that coach saw in Charles Perry so many years earlier, a man who will do the hard things the hard way, and do them so very well. And he has done just that his entire life. Since arriving in this building, Senator Perry has tackled some of the toughest assignments that we can handle, or I should say, we could ever give to a lawmaker. In his first session as a Senator, he was appointed Chair of the Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs, an assignment, typically, that takes 10 years to achieve and lots of gray hair. He dove into the policy, he got deep into the financing, deep into engineering, and when he understood those items, he then took a deeper dive until he could recite aquifer recharge rates the way that most of us recite football scores on Sunday. The result was, as we all know, a multi-billion dollar state water fund. You all know that better than anybody because it passed in this Chamber with strong bipartisan support. And that bill will secure drinking water, industrial growth, and agricultural productivity for generations of Texans to come. But water, my friends, is only one chapter, one element of Senator Perry's portfolio of accomplishments. When rural hospitals were closing at the rate of five per year, Senator Perry refused to accept the quiet calamity of mothers driving two hours to deliver a baby, or grandparents enduring chest pains on winding, county roads. Session after session he filed bills, he amended budgets, and he convinced skeptical bean counters that a life in Dickens County is worth just as much as a life on Congress Avenue. In 2021, we reformed the Medicaid reimbursement formula, and since then rural hospital closures have been cut by more than half. And he is far from finished as we all know. Ask him what keeps him up at night and he will tell you without any hesitation, medically fragile children, infants on ventilators, toddlers with feeding tubes, Texans whose survival depends on loving parents and a state that does not look the other way. I can attest firsthand, working with Senator Perry for many years to address this issue, he thinks often of the least of these, and he has made clear that support for these children will be his next mission, our mission. Members, brace yourselves, when Senator Charles Perry decides to do something, what his next assignment will be, rest assured that spreadsheets will appear, stakeholders will line up, and excuses will evaporate. Now, anyone who knows him knows simply this, that everything that I've described and discussed, all flows from a singular, unshakeable foundation. It's his faith, it's his faith. Senator Perry found his salvation at a revival when he was just 12 years old. In 2019, lying on a gurney after a massive heart attack, that faith was, in fact, tested once again. As nurses prepped the cath lab, he told them, quote, unquote, if this is it, I know exactly where I'm going, so do your best and don't worry about me. That was Senator Perry's quote. Well, thank God for all of us, God granted him more time, and he vowed never again to miss an opportunity, whether in a committee hearing, a floor debate, or a quiet hallway conversation, he would never forget an opportunity to be a light to someone in need. His faith also explains his approach to politics, he is courteous but never equivocating, what he calls the balance of truth and grace. You may disagree with him, you may vote against him, but you will never doubt where he stands, and you never worry that tomorrow he will stand someplace else. Members on both sides of the aisle will testify that his word is a bond stronger than concrete poured on a July afternoon in Lubbock. Let me say a word about his family, because public service we all know, real public service, real sacrificial service and sacrifice, cannot happen without an inner circle willing to shoulder the burden. Senator Perry's wonderful wife, Jacklyn, is a nurturer, who has never once told him no when called to duty. Their children, Jordan and Matthew, and their grandchildren, have endured missed ballgames and delayed vacations so that Texas could benefit from the steady hand of their husband, father, and grandfather. We salute them today, too, because their sacrifice is also woven into every line of every bill that Senator Perry has ever passed. My friends, the Office of President Pro Tempore is not ceremonial fluff, it is a solemn trust, it requires a leader who can guide this body with humility, with consistency, and an ironclad work ethic, someone who can preside in a moment's notice to address a crisis, to represent the Senate at state functions, and if necessary, act as Governor of Texas. It calls for a person whose compass—moral, fiscal, and spiritual—never wavers. That individual, ladies and gentlemen, is our friend Senator Charles Perry. So, on behalf of the cotton farmers whose wells now draw clean water, the rural Texans who still have an emergency room within reach, the medically fragile babies waiting for our help, and every $8 an hour Texan who looks to Senator Perry to represent them, I am honored to place the name of our dear friend Senator Charles Perry in the nomination for President Pro Tempore of the Texas Senate. God bless you, Senator Perry, and may God continue to bless the great State of Texas.

President:  Thank you, Senator Parker. Senator Kolkhorst, you're recognized.

Senator Kolkhorst:  Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Senator Parker, for that nomination. What an honor it is to stand here to second that nomination for our good friend and our colleague, Senator Charles Perry. I first served with Senator Perry when he was Representative Perry in the Texas House. He was the quiet guy from Lubbock who just methodically went about his work, and he was a good State Representative. But it was when he came to the Senate that he hit his stride. In 2015, there were eight of us, eight Republicans, that came into the Texas Senate. Senator Menéndez joined us later in March. We came in with a new Lieutenant Governor and we came in with a bluster. It didn't take us long that us eight Republicans figured out, huh, there's eight of us and this Senate can't pass anything without us. And we quickly coalesced with a very conservative Lieutenant Governor. We actually called ourselves the Liberty Eight, and the Liberty Eight was an interesting group. I see Senator Bettencourt chuckling. It first started with, as Senator Parker described, Charles Perry out of all of us, being tapped as a freshman, as Chair of Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs. Wow. I remember when I heard it, I just said, Wow. Well, I will tell you that he set out to do good work and good work he did. I will tell you that Charles Perry, I have learned, we have learned, loves, in this order, Jesus Christ, his family, the South Plains and Panhandle, and water. There's a saying that water doesn't run uphill. Well, let me tell you, this session and the last couple of sessions, Charles Perry proves that water does run uphill. He has fought for water policy, he has said it over and over again, we cannot have water policy that is solved in a year, a two-year cycle, a decade, this is decades of planning. And that is what, Senator Perry, you have been doing. As Senator Parker says, coming out with a spreadsheet, my goodness, Mr. President, I don't know how many times he has met with you about water. After years of study, after years of talking and talking and talking to us very quietly, but very passionately, in Senate, in 2019, he passed Senate Bill 8, which not many people talk about, but it was a statewide water, statewide floodplain plan. I mean, he went after that after we had Harvey, we had hearings. I remember it so well, we were in your district, Senator Creighton, and he comes back with a flood plan. Over the next two or three sessions, he was able to secure, and it culminates in this session with $23.8 billion that will be funded through year 2047, 2047, 2047, I'm not sure we'll still be around, Senator Perry, I hope we are. But it will set forward a path for Texas that we have water in place for generations to come, and we will be the envy of this nation that we have water in place for this very dynamic, growing, big Texas. But while he has big plans and big things that he's done, one thing that I would like to point out, he remains very responsive to every Texan. I happen to live in Senate District 18 where we have plentiful aquifers. Senator Eckhardt, we had a very large debate the other night about this. And these big cities want to punch holes and they want to build those pipelines and they want to take it from our aquifers to all over the State of Texas, and sometimes that makes their wells go dry. I have watched Senator Perry sit here and listen to them, and he'll look down at me sometimes during those hearings and he'll go, well, we need to think about this. And think he does. He has allowed me to author and carry bills that are so very sensitive to people whose wells are going dry, and they don't have an extra 30,000 to redrill them, to lower down to the water table. You always have listened to the biggest and to the smallest among us, and for that I am forever grateful. He is a champion for rural Texas. In 2023, he led the efforts to protect farming and enshrining the right to farm in Texas Constitution through the passage of HJR 126, Proposition 1. Senator Perry is also not afraid to take on really hard issues. Mr. President, in 2017, you tapped him and he authored Senate Bill 4 that bans sanctuary cities. This session he took on the THC industry in SB 3 to protect our children, while balancing that with the expansion of TCUP, there's just many people that could do that. And then, this is so interesting, that I serve on his committee and he serves on my committee. He's the Vice-chair, Senator Blanco, as you know, of Health and Human Services. And as Tan has said, he tackles those issues with the same tenacity that he does water policy. In 2019, he passed Senate Bill 170, which in statute makes Medicaid reimbursement for rural hospitals at 100 percent of their costs. I literally said, I don't know if we can do this, Perry, and he goes, well, we're going to try. And he always pushed me in the budget, as y'all know, I am very fiscally, very fiscally conservative, and I go, I don't know if I can get it in the budget. Well, give it a try. And I did, and we did, and it happened and it's great. This session, he carried HB 18, which furthers those efforts to stave off the closure of our rural hospitals. He's always been a partner with me on that, and working with me on maternal mortality issues and so many other issues. Senate Bill 1096, Medicaid prescription drugs for STAAR kids, passed that. Senate Bill 1244, certification for managed care organizations, making sure that they actually can do what they say they're going to do. So many others, Senate Bill 269 this session, vaccine adverse events, mandating the reporting of certain vaccine related or drug related adverse events. So many issues that he has tackled on so many different areas. But I want to get back to this group of the Liberty Five now, Senator Bettencourt, sometimes we would call ourselves in a very hubris way, the Fab Five. Little do y'all know that the five of us, and that would be Senator Hall, Senator Bettencourt, Senator Perry, myself, and Senator Creighton, we try to have dinner every week. Now, Paul is the social chair, he's the one that sends out the text messages. But let me tell you why this is so important. You young people would say, it's when we touch grass, when we actually touch grass. Be real with yourself. It's a tough crowd to hang with. We talk about our faith, we talk about our families, and quite honestly, we tell each other when we're right, but more often we tell each other when we're wrong. That is the truth. I will tell you that I remember it was last session, man, I had a head of steam, I was going to pass Senate Bill 147, and I was going to keep China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran from buying our farmland. And Perry said, I don't like your bill. And I said, Why not? He goes, I'm for private property rights. And I said, Even when you're selling them to your adversarial nation? Well, I don't think everybody wants to do that. And he really did not like that bill, and he quietly sat right there and voted no. I couldn't believe it, what's wrong with you? I'm glad you saw the light, you voted for Senate Bill 17. But just like yesterday, I'm not sure if all of y'all caught this, but he had a little bill, Senate Bill 268, I really didn't like that bill. I don't know why I let it out of committee, maybe the Governor will veto it, Perry. But I will tell y'all this, I stood up in a very senatorial way, I tried to kind of clue y'all in, maybe I didn't like this bill so much. But I said in the end, I'll stick with you. What y'all didn't see, was Charles Perry walking over there to the rail when I was talking to my staff, and he goes, Hey, Sis, it's going to be alright, it's going to be alright. Well, I don't like your bill, Perry. And he goes, Yeah, I know, I know. And I go, Well, I'm going to change it next session if it doesn't go the way we think it is. Well, that's alright, too, Sis. And that's something I want to say about Sis. We sit on this floor, together, we sit on this floor together. There are a lot of late nights, crazy days like today, Mr. President, where we're still trying to pass a bill. And this I think explains the friendship, I was sitting here this session, I don't know, I crunched a piece of paper, I wasn't very happy and I kind of threw it at the trash can, and I missed the trash can. And it rolls over there between Senator Middleton and Senator Bettencourt, and I kind of look at it. Charles looks at me and he goes, Don't worry, Sis, I'll get it for you, and I go, Okay, thanks. He goes and gets the piece of paper, throws it in the trash can, goes, Anything else you need today? That's what I mean about the Senate being family, that's what I mean about the Senate being family, when we look at each other and we know that we're too tired to even get up and go pick up a piece of paper there, and the other one says, Hey, Sis, I'll get that for you. You okay, everything okay? That's what I want to end with in my nomination for Charles Perry. Jacklyn, thank you for sharing him with the State of Texas. Man, he's quiet but powerful. Jordan and Matthew, man, does he love y'all. But I'll tell you who he loves more, he loves Gavin and Gracelyn, and Grayson and Jaxon even more. There is not, it's about every other day that I sit right here and he'll wheel over in his chair and he'll say, Watch this video, look at this, look at how they're playing baseball, look at this dance recital. And it's awesome, because that's what we are, we're family, all of us. We celebrate together, and, Phil, we cry together. We remember Bella today as well, Josh. We are family, and there is no one better from our Senate family to take an oath today to become the next President Pro Tempore than Charles Perry. I'll end it with this, every Sunday, the last Sunday of a session, some of us gather, and we have a little church service in the Betty King Room. Some of us are asked to read scripture, and yesterday Charles shared this scripture with us, and I think it speaks to the person that he is, the father that he is, the husband, the grandfather, the friend that he is to all of us, and why he is going to be a great President Pro Tempore in representing the Texas Senate family and the State of Texas. It's Jeremiah 7, Jeremiah 17:7, but blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him, he will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes, its leaves are always green, it has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. From your little sis to my brother, I say, Amen, congratulations. It's my highest honor, one of my highest honors to nominate you, to second this to become the President Pro Tempore of the Texas Senate.

President:  Thank you, Senator. Well, well, it looks like, Senator Bettencourt, you have someone to compete with on impressions on the Senate floor.

Senator Bettencourt:  Well, I think I can, Mr. President.

President:  Senator Bettencourt.

Senator Bettencourt:  Thank you, Mr. President. And, Lois K., when I speak behind your mother, I don't know whether I got Lo K. or Lo Ko, but I got both today. Okay? And that's part of the family that the Senate is. To my friend, he has a singular set of attributes. This is probably the most consistent, Christian, compassionate, competent person I've known in my lifetime because he approaches everything by looking at it from a simple view of a consistent, Christian, competency. Now, I didn't know that when I first met him, he was a CPA, so as a numbers guy I had a natural affinity for him, because my brother is the CPA in the family, so I'm used to having arguments and teasing back and forth. But we soon became a numbers tandem, and I found out about maybe a wild past that he had, early days, you know, in the oil fields. Okay? And then he found the Lord and Jackie pulled him out of the ditch. Married up, okay, and brought him to where he is now. And my consistent, Christian, competent friend looks at everything the same way. So, when we had a problem, you can always count on him to come through with that exact same analysis. And he wouldn't waver, he doesn't waver from the path. And so, I first had a chance to meet both Jackie and Charles in detail when I invited up, I got invited, a city slicker, I'll say, Mr. President, a city slicker from H-town got invited to the High Plains of Lubbock, to the temple of Texas, well, not actually the temple of Texas, but close, to that big sky country that all you see is horizon to horizon. And when you see that, you're really talking about eternity, that's what I see when I would go visit. And we had a chance to, Charles has quite a sense of humor, it's rather dry, Senator Sparks, but he put me, you know, he kept telling me the night before, Now, we're going to have to get up early, we're going to go to this tax meeting. We have people driving from six and a half hours, Senator Cook, to come see us at a hearing. But we're going to have to get up because there's a lot of traffic here and there's, it's rush hour in Lubbock. Okay. And everybody knows I hate to get up early. I mean I hate it. So, we get up, get in the car, it's of course a truck, I can't remember how big it was, but it's a monster. And we're tooling down the road and there's no traffic, and I said, Charles, there's no traffic. He goes, That's what I was trying to tell you so you know we don't have any rush hour in Lubbock. And he would, this is how he teaches people. Okay? This is, he wants you to learn this, so he comes up with these, what I call Perry tests, they're little tests. Okay? So, after earning Charles' trust among the Fab Five for three years, he finally said, I've got a test for you, I need you to meet with 19 County Judges, it was on Senate Bill 2, back in 2019. Because they were sure that I was a wild-eyed, crazy, tax-cutting, you know, disaster coming up from Houston, because Houston's terrible. Well, Houston's kind of terrible and they're kind of worried about you, and I said, Okay, what do I have to say, he's just, Go listen to them, Paul, just listen to them. So, we're in a room right up there in the Supreme Room, and there's 16 of them, sure, and I'm going, I've never seen 16 County Judges ever, I live in an urban area, I only got one. And they wanted to talk to somebody about just a simple fact, some of these small judges, they need to buy a firetruck. And, of course, when we buy firetrucks in Harris County with my, oh, let's just say, less than efficient city at the time, we probably lose firetrucks, okay, after we buy. But to them it was a big deal, and they just wanted the ability to be able to buy one firetruck. And it was a test, and I said, This seems totally rational to me, we'll put something in the bill. And, again, everything he touches, he thinks constant, Christian, competency. And whether it's the flood bill or the water bill, he always thinks that. And when we sit on the, on the stage right side of the Finance Committee, it's quite an interesting conversation. Senator Perry, Senator, you know, Kolkhorst, us, our staffs, the Lieutenant Governor's staff, it's always about numbers and what's best for the public. Now, for my portion of comic relief, I'll say there's two things about Charles, he's stubborn as West Texas dirt, when he makes up his mind, you can kick it, you can try to vacuum it, you can try to move it, but there's always more there, and you're never going to get it, get him past it. And there's, but there's two things I know I can move him on, the littles. Okay? He calls y'all the littles. Right. Okay? Now, one of you littles, and I don't know which one, I think it's the big one in the front, you're going to be 6' 7", 300 pounds, did you know that? Because he's proclaimed it. Okay? And I happen to see the numbers on the growth charts and I agree. And the other thing that you can move him on is water, because this goes back to the theme of the consistent, Christian, competency. There's a theme in the Bible about living water. It is essential that we have living water in the state, it's essential that we have a vision about water. So, my friend from the High Plains, convinced this city slicker that water is more than just turning on the tap and out it comes in a city. You have to have supply. And so, he's had a vision for years that we're short on supply, and he's passed a bill, that means by 2047, and I hope the five of us are here, I hope all of us are here to see that vision come true. And when it does, and every town can turn that spigot on and that water comes out, at least I know I'll be thinking about Charles Perry who had it right back in 2025. And with that, I'm honored to nominate my friend, Charles Perry, for the position of Speaker Pro Tempore.

President:  Thank you, Senator. Senator Parker, you're recognized to close on the nomination.

Senator Parker:  Mr. President, it's my great privilege and honor to move that we elect our dear friend, Senator Charles Perry, for President Pro Tempore Ad Interim of the Texas Senate.

President:  The question is on the election of the Senator from Lubbock, Senator Charles Perry, to the office of President Pro Tempore Ad Interim to the Texas Senate of the 89th Legislature. Would all those in favor rise? The motion is adopted. Senator Perry is elected President Pro Tempore. Congratulations.

On motion of Senator Parker, Senator Perry was elected President Pro Tempore Ad Interim.

The President declared that the Honorable Charles Perry had been duly elected President Pro Tempore Ad Interim of the 89th Legislature by acclamation.

The President appointed the following committee to escort Senator Perry and his wife, Jacklyn; daughter, Jordan; son-in-law, Garrett; daughter-in-law, Chanel; son, Matthew; grandsons Grayson and Gavin; granddaughter, Gracelyn; and grandson, Jaxon to the President's Rostrum: Senators Flores, King, Creighton, Hall, and Sparks.

Senator Perry and his party were then escorted to the President's Rostrum by the committee.

Pastor Scot Wall offered the invocation as follows:

Heavenly Father, we come before You with humble hearts, grateful for the gift of this day and the sacred task of public service You've given the Members here. As this Texas Senate has gathered to inaugurate Senator Charles Perry as President Pro Tempore, we pause to acknowledge Your sovereignty over this Chamber and this great state. We thank You for the journey that has brought Senator Perry to this place, for the trust placed in him by his colleagues and by the people that he represents, and for the experiences that have shaped his convictions that we've heard a lot about from great speeches from his colleagues, Senators Parker, Kolkhorst, and Bettencourt. We thank You for Senator Perry's dedication to serve You, his steadfast commitment to the people of Texas, and his willingness to lead with conviction and integrity. Please continue to grant him wisdom beyond his understanding, strength to carry the burdens of leadership, and grace in times of conflict. I know he'd also want me to ask for blessings upon every Member of this Senate, regardless of party or perspective. As they continue their work into the interim and preparing for next session, may they work not as opponents but as partners seeking what is best for Texas with respect and honor. And please heal any division and bring about reconciliation where it is needed so that there can continue to be unity of purpose regardless of various views of the paths to get there. May Senator Perry's term as Pro Tempore be marked by truth, integrity, and compassion and love that reflects Your son, Jesus, which exemplified in his death, burial, and resurrection. And, finally, we asked You, we ask You to guide Senator Perry, that his leadership would honor You as he continues to serve the great State of Texas. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

The President administered the Constitutional Oath of Office to Senator Perry as follows:

I, Charles Perry, do solemnly swear, that I will faithfully execute the duties of the office of President Pro Tempore Ad Interim of the Senate of the State of Texas, and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States and of this state, so help me God.

President Pro Tempore Ad Interm Charles Perry addressed the Senate as follows:

I'm cognizant of the fact that the only thing between us, lunch, and going home is me. So, I'm also cognizant of the fact that this is not my comfort zone. But I do take it with humility and understand the seriousness of the position it is and the ceremonial value. But it's real and I hope I'm never called to serve as Governor for the wrong reasons. I'll just trust that I have your support in that day if it were to come. I want to thank a lot of people. First, I'm going to thank my Members. It's, you make it, you make it fun to be here, most of the time. The office staff, my staff, both from the district and in the office, they support me at every level. You guys know loyalty's important, but also loyalty that will have the courage to question you is more important. My staff get that well. Senate staff, you know, Patsy, down there, her diligent pursuit of protecting the integrity of the Senate, Karina, of the steady hands in which she ledges this dais, all the messengers, and all of the other folks that make our world work really well. I appreciate the voters for entrusting me the opportunity to live this long to be in this position this long. I'm reminded that longevity is a qualification for this, so if y'all are looking for competencies, you might have to look a little further sometimes. And most important, my family. My wife, Jacklyn, that has never said no when I'm told to go do something or fill led to be doing something. Jordan, Garrett, Matthew, and Chanel, and my four littles. They motivate me to do this. This is why I am here. I won't beleaguer where I came from. I think the nomination from Tan Parker and those that have spoke on my behalf are extremely humbling. I don't know that I recognize who they were talking about most times, but it was very, very kind. I will say, growing up pretty humble means, most everybody was in the same boat, but the first time I ever stepped foot in the Texas Capitol was being sworn in as a federal, as a Representative, House of Representatives. I'd never seen this building from the inside or the outside. So, you can imagine, perspective, me walking into that room and looking up. And I remember what I told somebody, it was my partner, at the time was Jim Landry, up out of Plainview, I said, We just changed 31 million people's lives when you hit that button or whatever the number was at the time. It's a humble responsibility. My message today's going to be a little different than most Pro Tempore speeches. I will be an equal opport– equal offender, I am certain. Most of you guys will be a little upset with me for some things that I've said, but I hope out at the end of the day you take home a little nugget, a little pause, a little something you can hang on to and reminisce about where you're at, what your purpose is in life. I call the message today a view from my rocking chair. For those that know me, can look across that way and see me rocking. I don't know if it's ADD or if it's just a nervous habit, but I enjoy rocking. I rock at home. That's what I do is rock. I think it's important that we take some time to reflect just how special the Texas Senate is and what a privilege it is to serve. I think sometimes we gloss over that, we get into the situation, the heats and the battles of the time, and we lose sight of just how special this place is. I will tell you one of the toughest parts of being nominated is picking your escorts and people. You don't ever want to single out people, but I would feel comfortable with any one of you guys. And I consider you all escorts of support for the reason I'm here today. I'm going to try to land this plane as succinctly as I can. We're going to start back from the beginning and end, I promise I'll try to take too long. Every day I see the providential thoughts of our founders, our founders on this Senate floor play out. I see the fragility of humanity by the Members. We each bring our life experiences, our baggage, our, the things that make who we are to this Senate floor every day, and we see it play out every day. The thought that you could put 31 people from the diversity of this state together and be effective at moving needles forward for the betterment of good was supernatural. The passion for betterment of humanity shared by all 31 Senators, the intellect of complex problem solving, and it comes from the strangest sources at the strangest times sometimes. But I'm amazed at the folks that are thinking the way they think and where it moves civilization to, the mountain highs and the valley lows, the good and the evil, the bottoms and the tops. And Patsy, looking over the top, from this view looking in you get to see the expressions. You know, they're supposed to be pretty much statues, but I've seen them laugh, and I see them cry, and I see them kind of giggle when we say something that we probably shouldn't laugh at, and it makes humanity. Patsy, looking over the top of her glasses and that's all you got to do, she commands that. And she's just looking out for this integrity of the Senate and the process and the things that make it special. As President Pro Tem, I can have many roles, acting Governor, Lieutenant Governor. One of those roles, and this is what I'll spend most of my time on is protect the integrity of the political process so that it works for all. Our constitutional republic is gifted us through divine providence. Regardless of the religious beliefs of the individual founders, the wisdom they employed is nothing short of supernatural. For a brief moment in time, they were united in granting the people the right to choose their destiny. They created a government by the people, at the same time giving us forewarnings of the pitfalls of the same governance. Our constitutional republic guarantees that the minority voice will be heard. It does not guarantee that they will triumph, that is a democracy. The victor will be the majority, hopefully both of minority and majority votes. But the majority minority concepts are not meant to be mutually exclusive, but in order for them to be relevant, it is up to the majority, with deliberate focus and responsibility, that we make sure that it is not mutually exclusive. The fatal flaw in any government is the people. The core threat to our republic as we, as well as civilization itself worship or idolatry. No individual is immune from it. There are foundational truths that I believe in my faith that I believe are probably true in most folks' lives. If you look at the story of creation, we were created in perfection. We were given a chance to live in that protection side-by-side by our Lord God, creator, by choice, not by force. My God, our God, creator is a God of choosing and not of God in imposition. He wants our relationship to be based on love and not force. However, since that day in the garden we chose a different path, leaving perfection in search of our own individual perfection. One other fundamental truth is the butterfly effect. We don't live in vacuums or silos. Everything we do is connected some way or another. The first document that our founders put their names to a declaration of independence, a declaration conceptually anchored to the original creation, but compromised by man's interpretation. Specifically, the founders named the creator, there can only be one creator. They referenced unalienable rights, and they were granted by, endowed by our creator. Specifically, the enumerated rights were as follows, life, liberty, pursuit of happiness. Here's where man got out of the way, got in it. Life under God's definition is, I am viable long before conception. He, I am part of His plan. In human life, in secular world, man decides viability. Liberty, God gave us the free will to choose where we would spend our eternity. Liberty under man's law is whatever our hearts desires. Pursuit of happiness synonymous once with accumulation of wealth on man's side, pursuit of happiness was living within God's purview. God grants us everything. He loans us the use of those, be it kids, family, wealth, et cetera. On man's side, we're self-created wealth. It's what we do. It's that separation that creates the biggest threat to this political process we call a constitutional republic. The irony is the Declaration of Independence, a document memorializing the separation from tyranny has become a manifesto of imprisonment of self-worship. So, how's that relevant to what we do here today? Every day, every session, we see a secular world play out, individual or corporate greed vying for a leg up, a policy to their benefit, external forces that gaslight with half-truths, false narratives that we have conditioned to respond to politically, using not to correct the narrative, but to contribute to the decline of the government that they petition because we encourage the narrative. As Members, we have the ability to abuse position for advantage which would undermine the public trust. And then the secular worldview from the biblical worldview over the debates of some of the most hardest conversation. That balance of truth and grace is real hard to find in some of these days, but we're called to have those conversations. A policy that reflects anything other than godly precepts is a perpetuation of one of the most deadliest forms of deception, a state-sponsored deception. So, my life application and my faith, and I hope I'm consistent if nothing else, is recognizing there is only one absolute truth, Jesus plus nothing, Jesus plus nothing is salvation. Recognizing who the enemy is, it's not party, it's not Members. It's the battle of flesh and blood. We are in a spiritual warfare for the souls of every individual on this floor, in this country, in this world. Living unashamedly as a public example of witness and conviction to only absolute truth, my success or failures will not be determined by the wins on a political level, but rather my Christian witness and spreading the gospel that guarantees an eternity of living for imperfection with our solvent creator. The 90th Legislature will be upon us before we know. My priorities are simple, infrastructure, water, grid, human capital workforce. We don't need any more new ideas. The budget's probably going to keep new ideas to a minimum next session and that's okay. We know what to do, we just need to do it. Efficiencies, I have a passion for IDD and MDCP kids. We need to do something different and better, but it doesn't have to cost more money. There are inefficiencies that we can go after and redo HHSC in a proper way where we can garner the money to set up some things a little different for those kids. One of the highest examples of true love is a parent that had a child at birth that requires 24-7 care, seven days a week. If you want to see true love, that's true love. And that's something that you can't, you can't, you can't really describe, but we need to do better making their life as better, much better as possible. As I finish up I want to be clear, I love every one of you people. There's not a guy in this world or a girl on this floor that I would not go to war with. I consider you a family. I speak these things not as a judge but as a believer in Christ, has made it clear. We all will be judged not for our works but for our faith, our non-faith in Him and Him alone. These are not my rules but His. First comes the decision by faith and then comes repentance and obedience. All of those are contrary to a secular world nature. As a legislator, we have the attenable task of finding a balance of all these demands. It is our job to question first the motive, the impact, and the need. To preserve the republic as long as possible, every chance to educate and form, not for political posturing, but for an informed electorate must be capitalized on. Texas is a very special place and there's no place that can do what needs to be done other than Texas. It will remain so if we recognize the threats for what they are. Interesting enough, whether it's internal in this Chamber or external, it's the same threat. It's the all about me is running the all about us. I share this today because it's my prayer that I see every one of you in eternity where there will be no more challenges. But until then we have the responsibility to run the race. I just hope that we all know and remember who the starter was and what the finish line holds. As we prepare for the 90th legislative session over the next few months, I ask each and every one of you to take an inventory. Who do you serve and what is your purpose, the agenda that will reflect your purpose that you decide upon? I will never miss an opportunity to share the gospel. I try to strike the balance of truth and grace. But it is about where we will spend our eternity, and for that I make no apologies when it comes to the opportunity to do it. I am put in this position for God's sovereignty and God's grace alone. I hope that you leave here with thoughts. Our constitutional republic demands an informed, educated, and engaged electorate. We, as a body, as politicians have earned what we have today with voter turnout. It's not policy, it's what we've shown. It's up to us to turn it, and it's up to us to have honest conversations in our districts when we go through this process. Because if we don't start telling the truth about really what's going on and allow somebody on the outside to tell them what to believe, what I saw this session beginning to come up at little bit higher level of tenor and tone that has not been there in the past but continually creeps up, will ruin what we are to Texas Senate. But, more importantly, it will ruin what we were given by God to govern with. So, with that, I have an eternal hope. I know we're not done, and I know that this group and everybody that sits in these chairs will fulfill what we need to do to better Texas lives. I have a responsibility to be the watchman. To see a threat before it's a threat or when the threat gets here and know how to respond, not only for the people of Texas but those that they elect. And I see this conversation, recognizing who the enemy is, that it comes from outside and it's more not about the policy, but what it's depending on us to do. We cannot fulfill every need of every person when it's self-centered, nor should we try. We have to have a broader conversation next session. I thank you for this privilege. I thank you for this opportunity. I'm thankful for the Lieutenant Governor's support on the things that we have gotten done, and I can't thank you enough for the privilege it is to be here today. With that, thank you.

HOUSE CHAMBER

Austin, Texas

Monday, June 2, 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:

Instructing the enrolling clerk of the House to make corrections to H.B. No. 46.

Instructing the enrolling clerk of the senate to make corrections in S.B. No. 1964.

Respectfully,

/s/Stephen Brown,

Chief Clerk

House of Representatives

The President laid before the Senate the following resolution:

WHEREAS, House Bill No. 46 has been adopted by the house of representatives and the senate and is being prepared for enrollment; and

WHEREAS, The bill contains a technical error that should be corrected; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas, That the enrolling clerk of the house of representatives be instructed to make the following corrections to the enrolled version of House Bill No. 46:

In SECTION 16 of the bill, in added Section 169.006(b), Occupations Code (page 11, lines 16-20), strike "Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, low-THC cannabis prescribed under Subsection (a) for pulmonary inhalation may exceed one percent by weight of tetrahydrocannabinols in each dosage unit of the substance to be aerosolized or vaporized.".

PERRY

HCR 171 was read.

On motion of Senator Perry and by unanimous consent, the resolution was considered immediately and was adopted by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

The President at 12:09 p.m. announced the Senate would stand At Ease subject to the call of the Chair.

The President at 2:03 p.m. called the Senate to order as In Legislative Session.

Senator Hughes offered the following resolution:

SR 629, In memory of Joshua Daniel King.

The resolution was read.

On motion of Senator Hughes, SR 629 was adopted by a rising vote of the Senate.

In honor of the memory of Joshua Daniel King, the text of the resolution will be printed in the Senate Journal upon adjournment of this legislative day.

Senator Hughes was recognized and introduced to the Senate family members of Joshua Daniel King including his father, Senator Phil King; his mother, Terry King; his wife, Sarah King; his daughter, Katie King; his sister, Hannah Jones; his brothers-in-law, Daniel Jones and Austin Haye; and his niece, Peyton Jones.

The Senate welcomed its guests and extended its sympathy.

On motion of Senator Huffman and by unanimous consent, all necessary rules were suspended as it relates to the Conference Committee Report on SB 293.

Senator Huffman called from the President's table the Conference Committee Report on SB 293. The Conference Committee Report was filed with the Senate on Monday, June 2, 2025.

On motion of Senator Huffman, the Conference Committee Report was adopted by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

HOUSE CHAMBER

Austin, Texas

Monday, June 2, 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:

Instructing the enrolling clerk of the senate to make corrections in S.B. No. 441.

Respectfully,

/s/Stephen Brown,

Chief Clerk

House of Representatives

The following Message from the Governor was read and was filed with the Secretary of the Senate:

STATE OF TEXAS

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

MESSAGE

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE EIGHTY-NINTH TEXAS LEGISLATURE, REGULAR SESSION:

Pursuant to Article IV, Section 14, of the Texas Constitution, I, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, do hereby disapprove and veto Senate Bill No. 378 of the 89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, due to the following objections:

Texas should be removing barriers for small businesses and occupational licensees. Senate Bill 378 by Schwertner does just the opposite by, among other things, prohibiting a licensed cosmetologist or barber from "making an incision into the dermis layer of a person's skin." Barbers who nick a customer's neck during a straight razor shave should not fear the loss of their licenses. As we work to make government more efficient and less intrusive for Texans and businesses, unnecessary and overly burdensome regulations are counterproductive. Therefore, I disapprove of this bill.

Since you remain gathered in regular session and continue to conduct formal business, I am delivering this disapproval message directly to you along with the unsigned official enrolled copy of the bill.

Respectfully submitted,

/s/Greg Abbott

Governor of Texas

Austin, Texas

June 2, 2025

The President laid before the Senate the following resolution:

WHEREAS, Senate Bill No. 441 has been adopted by the senate and the house of representatives and is being prepared for enrollment; and

WHEREAS, The bill contains a technical error that should be corrected; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas, That the enrolling clerk of the senate be instructed to make the following correction to the enrolled version of Senate Bill No. 441:

In SECTION 6 of the bill, in added Section 98B.0022(d)(2), Civil Practice and Remedies Code (page 8, line 17), strike "and how to track the status of the request".

J. HINOJOSA

HCR 172 was read.

On motion of Senator J. Hinojosa and by unanimous consent, the resolution was considered immediately and was adopted by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

Senator Hall offered the following resolution:

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes pride in honoring a highly respected longtime staff member, Kelvin Bass, by naming him the 2025 legislative recipient of the Betty King Public Service Award; and

WHEREAS, For 25 years, Kelvin Bass has served the Senate with honor and distinction as a valued staff member in the office of Senator Royce West; over the course of his career, he has handled his various responsibilities with diligence and dedication, and he is held in highest regard by the legislators and the many Capitol staff members with whom he works; and

WHEREAS, Kelvin joined the office of Senator West in November of 1999, and since that time, he has contributed immeasurably to the Texas Legislature; in his role as press secretary and senior legislative aide to Senator West, he is noted for his expertise, prudent judgment, and uncompromising work ethic; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure, Kelvin has been instrumental in the creation of sound public policy that has benefited the people of Texas; his extensive knowledge in areas of criminal justice, public safety, and transportation issues has informed his development of impactful legislation relating to wrongful convictions, identity misuse, and deferred adjudication; in addition, his legislative experience and acumen and his thorough understanding of media management have made him an invaluable asset to the senator's office; and 

WHEREAS, Among his numerous professional accomplishments, Mr. Bass helped to streamline the state's system for managing vehicle inspection and registration documentation, and he crafted important legislation regarding the collection, storage, and processing of DNA evidence; his comprehensive legislation relating to law enforcement's use of body-worn cameras is in application across the state, and he has made Texans safer through such efforts as the creation of an industry-specific statewide electronic reporting system and ending the use of temporary paper license plates on vehicles; and

WHEREAS, An exemplary legislative staff member, Kelvin Bass is a role model for anyone in public service, and he is admired and respected for his strength of character and his unwavering loyalty to the Texas Senate; his high standards, integrity, and commitment to excellence represent the finest qualities of this institution, and the Texas Senate takes pride in recognizing him with a 2025 Betty King Public Service Award; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th Legislature, hereby extend sincere appreciation to Kelvin Bass for his outstanding service to the Texas Senate and congratulations on earning a 2025 Betty King Public Service Award; and, be it further

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

SR 722 was read.

On motion of Senator Hall and by unanimous consent, the names of the Lieutenant Governor and Senators were added to the resolution as signers thereof.

On motion of Senator Hall, the resolution was adopted by a rising vote of the Senate.

Senator Hall offered the following resolution:

WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that the Texas Senate honors one of its most loyal and beloved staff members, Mike Campbell, by naming him the 2025 administrative recipient of the Betty King Public Service Award; and

WHEREAS, During his outstanding tenure as an employee of the Texas Senate, Mike Campbell has invariably exemplified the best in Senate service and tradition, and he has earned the enduring admiration and affection of the legislators and his Capitol colleagues; and

WHEREAS, Mike Campbell began his Senate employment in 1992, and his distinguished record of service to the State of Texas spans more than four decades; in his role as director of Senate Publications and Printing and throughout his career, he has managed his wide-ranging responsibilities with dedication and skill and has upheld the high standards and commitment to excellence that define the Texas Senate; and

WHEREAS, Among his duties as director of Publications and Printing, Mike oversees the prompt and accurate production of a multitude of documents on behalf of all Senate offices; he maintains unwavering diligence and dependability in the fulfillment of his responsibilities, and the operations of his department are carried out with utmost care, consideration, and precision; and

WHEREAS, A trusted and valued employee, Mike is known for his professionalism, his expertise and steady leadership, and the positive attitude and uplifting energy he brings to his work; his genuine warmth and engaging sense of humor have earned him the camaraderie and friendship of numerous legislators and staff members throughout the Capitol, and his gracious presence and loyal service are invaluable to the efficient and effective functioning of the Texas Senate; and

WHEREAS, Mike Campbell is a treasured Senate employee who is highly respected by his staff, his colleagues, and the members of the Senate; his strong character, admirable work ethic, and dedication to carrying out the duties of his position reflect the highest ideals of public service, and the Texas Senate takes pride in honoring him with a 2025 Betty King Public Service Award; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th Legislature, hereby commend Mike Campbell for his worthy contributions to the Texas Senate and extend to him congratulations on earning a 2025 Betty King Public Service Award; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for him as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.

SR 723 was read.

On motion of Senator Hall and by unanimous consent, the names of the Lieutenant Governor and Senators were added to the resolution as signers thereof.

On motion of Senator Hall, the resolution was adopted by a rising vote of the Senate.

Senator Zaffirini offered the following Motion In Writing:

Mr. President:

I move that all the remarks made during the Senate proceedings for election of the President Pro Tempore Ad Interim be reduced to writing and placed in the journal.

ZAFFIRINI

The Motion In Writing was read and prevailed without objection.

Senator Zaffirini offered the following resolution:

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1.  CAUCUS REPORT. At a caucus held on June 2, 2025, and attended by 31 members of the senate, the caucus made the recommendations for the operation of the senate contained in this resolution.

SECTION 2.  EMPLOYEES. (a)  The lieutenant governor may employ the employees necessary for the operation of the office of the lieutenant governor from the closing of this session and until the convening of the next session. The lieutenant governor and the secretary of the senate shall be furnished postage, telegraph, telephone, express, and all other expenses incident to their respective offices.

(b)  The secretary of the senate is the chief executive administrator and shall be retained during the interval between adjournment of this session and the convening of the next session of the legislature. The secretary of the senate may employ the employees necessary for the operation of the senate and to perform duties as may be required in connection with the business of the state from the closing of this session and until the convening of the next session.

(c)  Each senator may employ secretarial and other office staff for the senator's office.

(d)  The chairman of the administration committee is authorized to retain a sufficient number of staff employees to conclude the work of the enrolling clerk, calendar clerk, journal clerk, and sergeant-at-arms. The administration committee shall establish the salaries for the senate staff.

SECTION 3.  SENATE OFFICERS. (a)  The following elected officers of the 89th Legislature shall serve for the interval between adjournment of this session and the convening of the next session of the legislature:

(1)  Secretary of the Senate--Patsy Spaw;

(2)  Calendar Clerk--Nicole Albers;

(3)  Doorkeeper--Matthew Peabody;

(4)  Enrolling Clerk--Patience Worrel;

(5)  Journal Clerk--Lourdes Litchfield; and

(6)  Sergeant-at-Arms--Austin Osborn.

(b)  All employees and elected officers of the senate shall operate under the direct supervision of the secretary of the senate during the interim.

(c)  Officers named in this section serve at the will of the senate.

SECTION 4.  PARLIAMENTARIAN AND ASSISTANT PARLIAMENTARIAN. The parliamentarian, Karina Davis, and the assistant parliamentarian, Colby Beuck, are named by the lieutenant governor and are officers of the senate. They shall serve for the interval between adjournment of this session and the convening of the next session of the legislature.

SECTION 5.  DUTIES OF CHAIRMAN OF ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE. (a)  The chairman of the administration committee shall place the senate chamber in order and purchase supplies and make all necessary repairs and improvements between the adjournment of this session and the convening of the next session of the legislature.

(b)  The chairman shall make an inventory of all furniture and fixtures in the senate chamber and in the private offices of the members, as well as of the supplies and equipment on hand in the purchasing and supply department, and shall close the books for the Regular Session of the 89th Legislature.

(c)  The chairman shall not acquire any equipment on a rental/purchase plan unless the equipment is placed on the senate inventory at the termination of the plan.

(d)  The chairman shall examine records and accounts payable out of the contingent expense fund as necessary to approve all claims and accounts against the senate, and no claim or account shall be paid without the consent and approval of the chairman.

(e)  The chairman and any member of the administration committee shall be entitled to receive actual and necessary expenses incurred during the interim.

(f)  In addition to the duties of the administration committee expressly imposed by this resolution, the committee shall take actions necessary to ensure that the administrative operations of the senate comply with applicable law and are conducted effectively and efficiently.

SECTION 6.  JOURNAL. (a)  The secretary of the senate shall have 225 volumes of the Senate Journal of the Regular Session of the 89th Legislature printed. Two hundred and twenty-five copies shall be bound in buckram and delivered to the secretary of the senate who shall forward one volume to each member of the senate, the lieutenant governor, and each member of the house of representatives on request.

(b)  The printing of the journals shall be done in accordance with the provisions of this resolution under the supervision of the chairman of the administration committee. The chairman shall refuse to receive or receipt for the journals until corrected and published in accordance with the preexisting law as finally approved by the chairman of the administration committee. When the accounts have been certified by the chairman of the administration committee, the accounts shall be paid out of the contingent expense fund of the 89th Legislature.

SECTION 7.  PAYMENT OF SALARIES AND EXPENSES. (a)  Salaries and expenses authorized by this resolution shall be paid out of the per diem and contingent expense fund of the 89th Legislature as provided by this section.

(b)  The senate shall request the comptroller of public accounts to issue general revenue warrants for:

(1)  payment of the employees of the lieutenant governor's office, the lieutenant governor, members of the senate, employees of the senate committees, and employees of the senate, except as provided by Subchapter H, Chapter 660, Government Code, upon presentation of the payroll account signed by the chairman of the administration committee and the secretary of the senate; and

(2)  the payment of materials, supplies, and expenses of the senate, including travel expenses for members and employees, upon vouchers signed by the chairman of the administration committee and the secretary of the senate.

SECTION 8.  EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT AND PER DIEM. (a)  In furtherance of the legislative duties and responsibilities of the senate, the administration committee shall charge to the individual member's office budget:

(1)  the reimbursement of all actual expenses incurred by the member when traveling in performance of legislative duties and responsibilities or incident to those duties; and

(2)  the payment of all other reasonable and necessary expenses for the operation of the office of the individual senator during any period the legislature is not in session. Expenditures for these services by the administration committee are authorized as an expense of the senate and shall not be restricted to Austin but may be incurred in individual senatorial districts. Such expenses shall be paid from funds appropriated for the use of the senate on vouchers approved by the chairman of the administration committee and the secretary of the senate in accordance with regulations governing such expenditures.

(b)  Each senator shall be permitted a payroll of $73,150 per month to employ secretarial and other office staff and for intrastate travel expenses for staff employees. This payroll amount accrues on the first day of the month and may not be expended prior to the month in which it accrues, but any unexpended portion for a month may be carried forward from month to month until the end of the fiscal year. An unexpended amount remaining at the end of each fiscal year, not to exceed $20,000, may be carried forward to the next fiscal year. Other expenses, including travel expenses or other reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the furtherance and performance of legislative duties or in operation of the member's office or incident thereto, shall be provided in addition to the maximum salary authorized.

(c)  The secretary of the senate may order reimbursement for legislative expenses consistent with this resolution and the establishment by the Texas Ethics Commission of per diem rates.

(d)  Any member of the senate and the lieutenant governor are eligible to receive such reimbursement on application of the member or the lieutenant governor to the secretary of the senate.

(e)  On the application of a member of the senate or the lieutenant governor, the applicant shall be entitled to reimbursement for legislative expenses for each legislative day.

(f)  For purposes of this section, a legislative day includes each day of a regular or special session of the legislature, including any day the legislature is not in session for a period of four consecutive days or less, and all days the legislature is not in session if the senator or lieutenant governor attends a meeting of a joint, special, or legislative committee as evidenced by the official record of the body, and each day, limited to 12 days per month for non-chairs or 16 days per month for chairs and the lieutenant governor, the senator or the lieutenant governor, including those living within a 50-mile radius, is otherwise engaged in legislative business as evidenced by claims submitted to the chairman of the administration committee.

SECTION 9.  MEMBER'S EMPLOYEE LEAVE POLICY. (a)  An employee of a senator accrues vacation leave, compensatory leave, or sick leave in accordance with policies adopted by the senator consistent with the requirements of this section.

(b)  An employee may accrue vacation leave, compensatory leave, or sick leave only if the employee files a monthly time record with the senate human resources office. Time records are due not later than the 10th day of the following month.

(c)  Compensatory time must be used not later than the last day of the 24th month following the month in which the time was accrued.

(d)  An employee is not entitled to compensation for accrued but unused compensatory time.

SECTION 10.  DESIGNATION FOR ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS AND FUNCTIONS. (a)  The lieutenant governor may appoint any member of the senate, the secretary of the senate, or any other senate employee to attend meetings of the National Conference of State Legislatures and other similar meetings. Necessary and actual expenses are authorized upon the approval of the chairman of the administration committee and the secretary of the senate.

(b)  The lieutenant governor may designate a member of the senate to represent the senate at ceremonies and ceremonial functions. The necessary expenses of the senator and necessary staff for this purpose shall be paid pursuant to a budget approved by the administration committee.

SECTION 11.  MEETINGS DURING INTERIM. (a)  Each of the standing committees and subcommittees of the senate of the 89th Legislature may continue to meet at such times and places during the interim as determined by such committees and subcommittees and to hold hearings, recommend legislation, and perform research on matters directed either by resolution, the lieutenant governor, or as determined by majority vote of each committee.

(b)  Each continuing committee and subcommittee shall continue to function under the rules adopted during the legislative session where applicable.

(c)  Expenses for the operation of these committees and subcommittees shall be paid pursuant to a budget prepared by each committee and approved by the administration committee.

(d)  The operating expenses of these committees shall be paid from the contingent expense fund of the senate, and committee members shall be reimbursed for their actual expenses incurred in carrying out the duties of the committees.

SECTION 12.  SENATE OFFICES. Members not returning for the 90th Legislature shall vacate their senate offices by December 1, 2026.

SECTION 13.  FURNISHING OF INFORMATION BY SENATE EMPLOYEE. An employee of the senate may not furnish any information to any person, firm, or corporation other than general information pertaining to the senate and routinely furnished to the public.

SECTION 14.  OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT. An employee of the senate may not be employed by and receive compensation from any other person, firm, or corporation during the employee's senate employment without the permission of the employee's senate employer.

SECTION 15.  REMOVAL OF SENATE PROPERTY. The secretary of the senate is specifically directed not to permit the removal of any of the property of the senate from the senate chamber or the rooms of the senate except as authorized by the chairman of the administration committee.

SR 721 was read and was adopted without objection.

HOUSE CHAMBER

Austin, Texas

Monday, June 2, 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 ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORTS:

SB 293 (114 Yeas, 26 Nays, 4 Present, not voting)

Respectfully,

/s/Stephen Brown,

Chief Clerk

House of Representatives

The President at 3:46 p.m. announced the Senate would stand At Ease subject to the call of the Chair.

The President at 3:57 p.m. called the Senate to order as In Legislative Session.

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

SB 8, SB 12, SB 13, SB 15, SB 268, SB 379, SB 568, SB 571, SB 650.

HB 40, HB 119, HB 145, HB 493, HB 705, HB 1545, HB 2017, HB 2516, HB 2885, HB 2963, HB 3642, HB 3909, HB 5246, HCR 146, HCR 148, HCR 149, HCR 155, HCR 157.

Senator Huffman submitted the following Conference Committee Report:

Austin, Texas

June 2, 2025

Honorable Dan Patrick

President of the Senate

Honorable Dustin Burrows

Speaker of the House of Representatives

Sirs:

We, your Conference Committee appointed to adjust the differences between the Senate and the House of Representatives on SB 293 have had the same under consideration, and beg to report it back with the recommendation that the bill do pass in the form and text as provided below:

(1)  the House amendments, as concurred in by the Senate except SECTION 24 of the House committee substitute; and

(2)  that SECTIONS 23 and 24 of the House committee substitute be amended by striking the text from the committee substitute and inserting the following in lieu thereof:

SECTION 23. Section 814.103, Government Code, is amended by amending Subsections (a), (a-1), and (b) and adding Subsections (a-2) and (a-3) to read as follows:

(a)  Except as provided by Subsection (a-1) or (b) and subject to Subsection (a-2), the standard service retirement annuity for service credited in the elected class of membership is an amount equal to the number of years of service credit in that class, times 2.3 percent of $175,000 [the state base salary, excluding longevity pay payable under Section 659.0445 and as adjusted from time to time, being paid to a district judge as set by the General Appropriations Act in accordance with Section 659.012(a)].

(a-1)   Except as provided by Subsection (b), the standard service retirement annuity for service credited in the elected class of membership for a member of the class under Section 812.002(a)(3) whose effective date of retirement is on or after September 1, 2019, is an amount equal to the number of years of service credit in that class, times 2.3 percent of the state salary, excluding longevity pay payable under Section 659.0445 [and as adjusted from time to time], being paid in accordance with Section 659.012 to a district judge who has the same number of years of contributing service credit as the member on the member's last day of service as a district or criminal district attorney, as applicable.

(b)  The standard service retirement annuity for service credited in the elected class may not exceed at any time 100 percent of, as applicable:

(2)  the state salary of a district judge on which the annuity is based under Subsection [(a) or] (a-1) [, as applicable].

SECTION 24.  Section 820.053(c), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(c)  For purposes of this section, a member of the elected class of membership under Section 812.002(a)(2) shall have the member's accumulated account balance computed as if the contributions to the account were based on the dollar amount on which the standard service retirement annuity is based under Section 814.103(a), subject to adjustment under Section 814.103(a-2) [the state base salary, excluding longevity pay payable under Section 659.0445, being paid a district judge as set by the General Appropriations Act in accordance with Section 659.012(a)].

(3)  that the Senate enrolling and engrossing clerk be instructed to prepare the enrolled bill in accordance with the foregoing for the signature of each house's presiding officers.

Respectfully submitted,

The Conference Committee Report on SB 293 was filed with the Secretary of the Senate.

On motion of Senator Zaffirini, the Senate of the 89th Legislature, Regular Session, at 4:00 p.m. agreed to adjourn sine die, in memory of Joshua Daniel King, subject to the completion of administrative duties.

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

SB 293, SB 441.

HCR 172.

SB 1405, SB 1540, SB 1610, SB 1637, SB 1660, SB 1964, SB 2024, SB 2217, SB 2268, SB 2308, SB 2587, SB 2753, SB 2878, SB 2900, SB 2972, SB 3059, SCR 54, SCR 55, SCR 56.

HB 46, HCR 171.

SB 13, SB 268, SB 293, SB 441, SB 568, SB 571, SB 1405, SB 1964, SB 2308, SB 2753, SB 2878, SB 3059, SCR 54, SCR 55, SR 629, SR 721, SR 722, SR 723

SB 1

SJR 5, SJR 27, SJR 59

SB 37, SB 260, SB 331, SB 447, SB 457, SB 506, SB 763, SB 865, SB 973, SB 1494, SB 1506, SB 1566, SB 1579, SB 1946, SB 2018, SB 2121, SB 2221, SB 2337, SB 2373, SB 2431, SB 2477, SB 2601, SB 2615, SB 2807, SB 2965, SB 3039, SB 3047, SB 3070

SB 378

SB 2268

SCR 54, SCR 55, SCR 56

SB 8, SB 12, SB 13, SB 15, SB 268, SB 293, SB 379, SB 441, SB 568, SB 571, SB 650, SB 1405, SB 1540, SB 1610, SB 1637, SB 1660, SB 1964, SB 2024, SB 2217, SB 2268, SB 2308, SB 2587, SB 2753, SB 2878, SB 2900, SB 2972, SB 3059

SB 1

WHEREAS, The family and friends of Joshua Daniel King of Weatherford suffered an immeasurable loss with his passing on April 5, 2025, at the age of 37; and

WHEREAS, Born in Fort Worth on December 29, 1987, Josh King was the son of Phil and Terry King, and he grew up in Weatherford with the companionship of five sisters, Kristy, Sarah, Hannah, Mary, and Leah; after graduating from Trinity Christian Academy, he attended Dallas Baptist University, where he played tennis and earned a bachelor's degree in business; he later received an MBA; and

WHEREAS, Mr. King enjoyed a successful career in business; he became a partner at Steergate Payment Solutions and also held positions at Call Box and as a professional tennis coach with Four Seasons Hotels; he helped build the company Select Mat, and over the years, he served as its CEO and executive vice president; and

WHEREAS, An immensely proud family man, Mr. King married the love of his life, the former Sarah Renfro, in 2020, and the couple were blessed with a daughter, Katelyn; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his life, Mr. King was sustained by a deep and abiding faith, and he won the affection of all who knew him with his authenticity, optimism, and integrity; his family was deeply encouraged by his unwavering faith during his heroic battle with brain cancer, and he often reminded them that "God is not failing us. He is fulfilling His promises to us"; Mr. King further expressed his strong spiritual beliefs through his participation in the Cultivate men's Bible study group; in his leisure time, he took pleasure in fishing, pickleball, rooting for the Texas Rangers, and playing with his 17 nieces and nephews; and

WHEREAS, Deeply devoted to his family and his faith, Josh King made a meaningful difference in countless lives, and he leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire all who knew him; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 89th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Joshua Daniel King and extend deepest condolences to the members of his family: to his wife, Sarah King; to his daughter, Katelyn King; to his parents, State Senator Phil King and Terry King; to his grandmother, Barbara King; to his sisters, Kristy Moseley and her husband, Ric, Sarah Holt and her husband, Jacob, Hannah Jones and her husband, Daniel, Mary Haye and her husband, Austin, and Leah King; and to his other relatives and many friends; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Josh King.