SENATE FLOOR ACTION

Thursday

April 30, 2015

The Senate suspended the necessary rules to consider and finally pass:

Relating to the appointment and training of volunteer deputy registrars.

Relating to a notification requirement if a school counselor is not assigned to a public school campus in certain school districts.

1 Floor Amendment

Relating to the offenses of the violation of civil rights of and improper sexual activity with individuals in custody; imposing a criminal penalty.

Relating to a bailiff administering the selection of names of persons for jury service in certain counties.

Relating to sworn statements and other documentation provided to support the issuance of a search warrant.

Relating to the motor vehicle sales tax applicable to motor vehicles used by transportation companies for certain purposes.

Relating to the assessment of court costs and fees on conviction of multiple offenses or on conviction of multiple counts of the same offense.

1 Floor Amendment

Relating to a report made by the Texas Education Agency regarding the property and casualty insurance costs of school districts and open-enrollment charter schools.

Relating to performance-based tuition limitations for certain public institutions of higher education.

5 Floor Amendments

Relating to permissible locations of open-enrollment charter schools created by certain institutions of higher education.

Relating to the provision of funding for indigent defense services.

Relating to the issuance of certain permits for the movement of oversize or overweight vehicles.

Relating to the removal of a precinct or county chair for abandonment of office.

Relating to the creation of regional emergency communication districts; authorizing a fee.

Relating to the functions of the Public Utility Commission of Texas in relation to the economic regulation of water and sewer service.

Relating to excluding certain students from the computation of dropout and completion rates for purposes of public school accountability.

Relating to a study of the feasibility and benefits to this state of abolishing the property tax assistance division of the office of the comptroller of public accounts and transferring its powers and duties to an independent agency.

Relating to eligibility requirements for issuance of a teaching certificate to an applicant who holds a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps instructor teaching certification.

Relating to counting time spent by students participating in certain approved off-campus instructional programs in calculation of the average daily attendance for a school district or open-enrollment charter school.

Relating to the offense of leaving a motor vehicle unattended.

Relating to the establishment of a pilot program to provide protective services to certain persons determined to be at risk of future harm from abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

Relating to the transparent and equitable application of ad valorem taxation procedures.

2 Floor Amendments

Relating to the exemption of certain vehicles from towing regulations.

Relating to requiring a peace officer to obtain a warrant to search a cellular telephone or other wireless communications device.

The Senate suspended the regular order, read third time and finally passed:

Relating to an exemption from the sales tax for firearms and hunting supplies for a limited period.

Relating to insurance claims and certain prohibited acts and practices in or in relation to the business of insurance; amending provisions that are or may be subject to a criminal penalty.

1 Floor Amendment

The Senate suspended the regular order, read second time and passed to engrossment:

Relating to special three-judge district courts convened to hear certain cases.

The Senate adopted the following resolutions:

Recognizing the Dark Skies of Texas at Big Bend Ranch State Park.

The following bills were passed on the Local and Uncontested Bills Calendar:

Authorizing the lieutenant governor and speaker to appoint interim joint committees.

Designating Quitaque as the official Bison Capital for a 10-year period beginning in 2015.

Designating Hico as the official Steak Capital of Texas.

Urging Congress to expedite natural gas exports.

Designating September 8 as Major Jefferson Van Horne Day for a 10-year period beginning in 2015.

Urging Congress to encourage the Department of Defense to relocate the United States Africa Command to Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base in Houston.

Relating to the offense of hazing.

Relating to the acknowledgment by management of risks identified in state agency information security plans.

Relating to a study of the participation of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities in public higher education.

Relating to strategic fiscal reviews of state agencies and programs.

Relating to making a voluntary contribution to the Special Olympics Texas fund when registering a motor vehicle or renewing a motor vehicle registration.

Relating to the transfer to the Health and Human Services Commission of contracting authority for children's advocacy centers and volunteer advocate programs.

Relating to the punishment for certain offenses against property or against public administration.

Relating to designating the first week of May as Jury Appreciation Week.

Relating to regulation of rates and policy forms for certain commercial lines of insurance.

Relating to the adoption of a training manual for certain state officers.

Relating to coordinated county transportation authorities.

Relating to the designation of certain optometrists, therapeutic optometrists, and ophthalmologists as preferred providers.

Relating to the authority of certain municipalities to provide sewer service to areas within the municipal boundaries without obtaining a certificate of public convenience and necessity.

Relating to the sale of distilled spirits to ultimate consumers by the holder of a distiller's and rectifier's permit.

Relating to the authority of an independent school district to contract with a municipality for the design, improvement, or construction of an instructional facility, stadium, or other athletic facility.

Relating to the sale of distilled spirits to ultimate consumers by the holder of a distiller's and rectifier's permit.

Relating to voting methods in a property owners' association election or vote.

Relating to secret ballots in a property owners' association election or vote.

Relating to the compensation of county auditors for certain counties.

Relating to energy and water management planning and reporting requirements for state agencies and institutions of higher education.

Relating to the delivery of personal automobile and residential property insurance policies; adding provisions that may be subject to a criminal penalty.

Relating to the regulation of crafted precious metal dealers.

Relating to the designation of February 19 as Iwo Jima Day.

Relating to the filing of a copy of certain records related to the release of an accused person on personal bond.

Relating to requirements for certain farm vehicles when operating on a highway.

Relating to decedents' estates.

Relating to the issuance of school district teaching permits to persons who teach career and technical education.

Relating to the authority of certain domestic life, health, and accident insurance companies to make investments in mezzanine real estate loans.

Relating to the decertification of a certified capital company.

Relating to reporting requirements for certain unclaimed property.

Relating to the authority of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation to determine applicant eligibility for a license and to discipline license holders.

Relating to the authority to determine the supply of groundwater in certain regional water plans.

Relating to fire inspections by the state fire marshal for state-owned and state-leased buildings.

Relating to rulemaking authority for annuity contracts.

Relating to a program allowing certain military voters on active duty overseas to cast a ballot electronically.

Relating to a notice or document sent by mail or electronic mail by a court, justice, judge, magistrate, or clerk of a judicial court.

Relating to the transportation of a person with a mental illness.

Relating to certain purchasing methods by state agencies and local governments.

Relating to the nonsubstantive revision of certain local laws concerning water and wastewater special districts, including conforming amendments.

Relating to the insurance reporting program operated by the Title IV-D agency.

Relating to a study on the feasibility of requiring certain researchers to make research papers available to the public.

Relating to the regulation of funding agreements, guaranteed investment contracts, and synthetic guaranteed investment contracts issued by a life insurer; clarifying certain provisions relating to insurer receivership.

Relating to the creation of a commission to recommend a new system for student assessment and public school accountability.

Relating to the value of property that may be transferred to a custodian or other person for the benefit of a minor under certain circumstances.

Relating to exemptions from the applicability of the Texas Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act of 2009 and other laws applicable to residential mortgage loan originators.

Relating to authorizing certain distributions of income from a nonprofit corporation to members of the corporation who are certain nonprofit corporations.

Relating to designated emergency infant care providers for certain abandoned children.

Relating to the authority of a local government to participate in a cooperative purchasing program with local governments of this state or another state.

Relating to food and beverage consumption in certain public swimming pools.

Relating to the maximum cumulative period allowed for restoration of a defendant's competency to stand trial and to certain time credits awarded against that cumulative period.

Relating to the procedure for claiming an exemption from ad valorem taxation by the Dallas County Utility and Reclamation District of certain property subject to a tax abatement agreement with the district and to the validation of certain actions of the district.

Relating to the removal of a tenant's personal property after a writ of possession has been issued in an eviction suit.

Relating to transferring to the Texas Workforce Commission certain duties of the comptroller related to the Jobs and Education for Texans Grant Program.

Relating to the Texas Military Preparedness Commission and strategic planning regarding military bases and defense installations.

Relating to holding a primary election for a political party in a county without party leadership.

Relating to the authority of certain municipalities to propose a fire control, prevention, and emergency medical services district.

Relating to certain required reports, plans, and other documents prepared by state agencies and institutions of higher education.

Relating to authorizing the collection of a service charge on certain electronic toll collection customer account payments.

Relating to the eligibility for participation in veterans court programs.

Relating to the educational needs of homeless students.

Relating to the creation and regulation of a law enforcement agency or police department.

Relating to the appointment of an associate commissioner for veterans services at the Health and Human Services Commission.

Relating to the authority of the Health and Human Services Commission and the Department of Aging and Disability Services to obtain criminal history record information regarding certain applicants for employment and current employees.

Relating to the interests of certain holding companies in certain repair facilities.

Relating to the regulation of rates for certain personal automobile insurance.

Relating to the regulation of chemical dependency treatment facilities and certain other facilities.

Relating to the authority of the TexAmericas Center to incorporate a nonprofit corporation for certain purposes and to the tax treatment of such a nonprofit corporation.

Relating to the creation and operations of health care provider participation programs in certain counties.

Relating to the employment of persons under 18 years of age on the premises of certain businesses selling or serving alcoholic beverages; adding a provision that is subject to a criminal penalty.

Relating to the administration of the scholarship program for certain students graduating in the top 10 percent of the students' high school graduating class.

Relating to excepting manufacturers engaged in certain commercial research and development from certain provisions of the Texas Controlled Substances Act.

Relating to the euthanasia of animals in animal shelters located in certain counties.

Relating to access to a financial institution account of a person who dies intestate.

Relating to awarding the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor.

Relating to the designation of a portion of State Highway 151 as the Specialist Dane Balcon Memorial Bridge.

Relating to the definition of peace officer for purposes of intercepting or collecting information in relation to certain communications in an investigation conducted by an arson investigating unit.

Relating to the establishment and functions of the Interagency Data Transparency Commission.

Relating to authorizing the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas to establish a statewide program for the prevention and detection of certain criminal offenses.

Relating to the development and maintenance by each state agency of a data use agreement for the state agency's employees and to training related to that agreement.

Relating to a study on the feasibility of implementing more secure access requirements for certain electronically stored information held by the state.

Relating to a requirement that a county report the number of certain persons with mental illness detained in that county's jail.

Relating to the definition of neglect of a child, the exclusion of certain information from the Department of Family and Protective Services central registry of child abuse or neglect cases, and the report of certain information regarding those cases to the legislature.

Relating to the appointment of an attorney ad litem for a parent in certain suits affecting the parent-child relationship.

Relating to the regulation of certain motor vehicle auctions.

Relating to day activity and health services facilities.

Relating to the composition of the Texas Violent Gang Task Force.

Relating to the creation of the Cameron County Healthcare District; granting the authority to impose a tax and issue bonds; granting the power of eminent domain.

Designating Dripping Springs as the Wedding Capital of Texas.

The following bills were removed from the Local and Uncontested Bills Calendar:

Relating to the amount that may be donated by contract by certain populous counties to crime stoppers or crime prevention organizations.

Relating to the designation of May as Postpartum Depression Awareness Month.

Relating to the transfer of certain inmates to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice following pronouncement of the inmate's sentence.

Relating to the administration of rabies vaccine under a local rabies control program.

Committee referral on the following:

Relating to information printed by school districts on high school diplomas.

Education

Relating to the information required to be posted by the Texas Water Development Board on the board's Internet website regarding the use of the state water implementation fund for Texas.

Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs

Relating to the issuance of "In God We Trust" specialty license plates.

Transportation

Relating to the monitoring of the Internet access of certain sex offenders placed on community supervision or released on parole or to mandatory supervision.

Criminal Justice

Relating to adapting the public school physical education curriculum to accommodate the needs of students with mental disabilities.

Education

Relating to the ability to mow, bale, shred, or hoe material on a state highway right-of-way.

Transportation

Relating to transfer of the regional emergency medical dispatch resource centers program to the Commission on State Emergency Communications.

Health & Human Services

Relating to the designation of a segment of Farm-to-Market Road 1301 in Wharton County as the Master Sergeant Mike C. Peña Memorial Highway.

Transportation

Relating to designating the second full week in September as Direct Support Professionals Week.

Health & Human Services

Relating to the procedures for discharging bail in certain criminal proceedings.

Criminal Justice

Relating to the production of public information available on the website of a political subdivision of this state.

Business & Commerce

Relating to the creation of regional emergency communications districts; authorizing the issuance of bonds; authorizing a fee.

Intergovernmental Relations

Relating to caregiver screening and training by substitute care providers for children in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services.

Health & Human Services

Relating to the Haskell County Hospital District; authorizing the issuance of bonds.

Intergovernmental Relations

Relating to the Hunt Memorial Hospital District; authorizing the issuance of bonds.

Intergovernmental Relations

Relating to planning for the use of and liability resulting from prescribed burns by the Parks and Wildlife Department.

Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs

Relating to the provision of information relating to the modification of a child support order in certain suits affecting the parent-child relationship.

State Affairs

Relating to the qualifications for appointment as a veterans county service officer.

Veteran Affairs & Military Installations

Relating to the continuation and duties of the Red River Boundary Commission.

Natural Resources & Economic Development

Relating to the designation of the Route 66 Historic Corridor.

Transportation

Relating to the composition of the Texas Military Preparedness Commission.

Veteran Affairs & Military Installations

Relating to the investment training requirement for certain municipal officers.

Intergovernmental Relations

Relating to uniform weighing procedures requirements for motor vehicle weight enforcement officers.

Transportation

Relating to certain diseases or illnesses suffered by firefighters and emergency medical technicians.

State Affairs

Relating to establishment or use of cemeteries in certain municipalities.

Intergovernmental Relations

Relating to the procedure for canceling an exemption from ad valorem taxation of the residence homestead of an individual who is 65 years of age or older.

Finance

Relating to the award of diligent participation credit to defendants confined in a state jail felony facility.

Criminal Justice

Relating to the administration of epinephrine by pharmacists.

Health & Human Services

Relating to disclosure of pregnancy or the existence of a gestational agreement in a suit for the dissolution of a marriage and standing of an intended parent under a gestational agreement to file a suit affecting the parent-child relationship.

State Affairs

Relating to the administration of rabies vaccine under a local rabies control program.

Administration

Relating to the board of trustees of and distribution of certain benefits by a retirement system for firefighters in certain municipalities.

State Affairs

Relating to reports of certain missing children and to the administration of missing or exploited children prevention grants.

Criminal Justice

Relating to employment of a statewide data coordinator in the Department of Information Resources.

Business & Commerce

Relating to the Beef Promotion and Research Council of Texas.

Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs

Relating to the definitions of "convention center facilities" and "eligible central municipality" for purposes of the municipal hotel occupancy tax.

Business & Commerce

Relating to authorizing counties to require the submission of digital maps in connection with the county plat approval process.

Intergovernmental Relations

Relating to the rescission of nonjudicial foreclosure sales.

Business & Commerce

Relating to the determination of the appraised value of property for purposes of an ad valorem tax protest or appeal.

Finance

Relating to the functions and operation of the State Office of Administrative Hearings.

State Affairs

Relating to surety bond requirements for reserve deputy sheriffs.

Criminal Justice

Relating to the sale of a new motor vehicle to certain manufacturers or distributors.

Finance

Relating to the repeal of the statutory provision regarding the abolishment of health care funding districts in certain counties located on the Texas-Mexico border.

Intergovernmental Relations

Relating to leases and other agreements relating to real property entered into by certain hospital districts.

Intergovernmental Relations

Relating to the standards for boiler inspection agencies.

Business & Commerce

Relating to increasing the punishment for certain offenses involving oil, gas, or condensate or equipment designed for the exploration or production of oil and gas; creating an offense.

Natural Resources & Economic Development

Relating to changing the name of the Medical Advisory Committee appointed by the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation to the Combative Sports Advisory Board and allowing the board to address a broader range of issues.

Business & Commerce

Relating to the appointment of the commissioners of certain financial regulatory agencies by the Finance Commission of Texas.

Business & Commerce

Relating to standards for elevators, escalators, and related equipment; authorizing a fee.

Business & Commerce