SENATE FLOOR ACTION

Wednesday

May 20, 2015

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

Relating to the amount of a sales and use tax refund for tangible personal property used to provide cable television service, Internet access service, or telecommunications services.

Relating to an alternative means of payment of certain past due criminal fines and court costs.

Relating to the rates of sales and use taxes imposed by municipalities; authorizing an increase or decrease in the rate of those taxes.

Relating to a prohibition on the sale or transfer of certain law enforcement vehicles before removal of certain equipment and insignia.

Relating to the operation of certain managed care plans with respect to certain physicians and health care providers; amending provisions subject to a criminal penalty.

Relating to the procedure for claiming an exemption from ad valorem taxation of property on which a solar or wind-powered energy device is installed or constructed.

Relating to authorizing a fee for county records technology and infrastructure costs in certain counties.

Relating to the confinement of pregnant prisoners in county jails.

Relating to the Texas military forces oath of affirmation.

1 Floor Amendment

Relating to building energy efficiency performance standards.

1 Floor Amendment

Relating to the donation of sick leave by state employees.

Relating to job performance on behalf of a fire fighter or police officer who is recovering from an off-duty injury.

Relating to suits brought by local governments for violations of certain laws under the jurisdiction of, or rules adopted or orders or permits issued by, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; affecting civil penalties.

Relating to the development and implementation of a statewide strategy for legacy system modernization.

Relating to the applicability of certain provisions concerning invasive species.

1 Floor Amendment

Relating to the authority of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to authorize an injection well used for oil and gas waste disposal to be used for the disposal of nonhazardous brine produced by a desalination operation or nonhazardous drinking water treatment residuals.

Relating to the creation of a safety reimbursement program for employers participating in the workers' compensation system.

Relating to a sales and use tax exemption for certain equipment used for digital audio broadcasting.

Relating to the deregulation of hair braiding.

Relating to recovery of covered unemployment compensation debt through participation in the federal Treasury Offset Program.

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

Relating to the issuance of interest-bearing time warrants by school districts.

The Senate adopted the following resolutions:

Recognizing David Michael Copeland and Claudette Anderson Copeland on the 30th anniversary of New Creation Christian Fellowship Church.

Directing the governor of the State of Texas to posthumously award the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor to Marcelino Serna.

The Senate concurred in House amendments to the following:

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.

The Senate refused to concur in House amendments and requested the appointment of a Conference Committee on the following:

Relating to state agency contracting; authorizing fees; creating an offense.

Relating to the creation of a grant program to support community mental health programs for veterans with mental illness.

Relating to regulation of the sale of fireworks by certain municipalities.

The Senate granted the request for the appointment of a Conference Committee on the following:

Relating to governmental entities subject to the sunset review process.

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

Relating to payment of covered claims based on assignment.

Relating to the issuance of general obligation bonds by the Lynn County Hospital District.

Relating to the creation of the Hays County Municipal Utility District No. 7; granting a limited power of eminent domain; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes.

Relating to strategic fiscal reviews of state agencies and programs.

Relating to the practice of barbering and cosmetology at certain events.

Relating to the purchase of food and beverages by the Texas Division of Emergency Management for certain division personnel.

Relating to interstate cooperation to address regional water issues.

Relating to requiring certain public institutions of higher education to post information regarding mental health resources on the institution's Internet website.

Relating to the designation of Farm-to-Market Road 1293 in Hardin County as the Game Warden Wesley W. Wagstaff Memorial Highway.

Relating to storage of flammable liquids at retail service stations in unincorporated areas and certain municipalities.

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

Relating to designating May 24 as Lung Cancer Awareness Day.

Relating to the acceptance of employment applications through the online system for listing state agency employment openings maintained by the Texas Workforce Commission.

Relating to the use of a court order as an occupational license.

Relating to allowing the holder of a brewpub license to sell beer, ale, and malt liquor to certain wholesalers, distributors, and qualified persons outside the state.

Relating to the applicability of the law governing saltwater pipeline facilities located in the vicinity of public roads.

Relating to the designation of a segment of State Highway 21 in Nacogdoches County as the Bob Luman Memorial Highway.

Relating to the designation of a portion of State Highway 207 in Armstrong County as the William Hamblen Memorial Highway.

Relating to the installation of solar-powered stop signs by a property owners' association.

Relating to the issuance of specialty license plates for antique buses.

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

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

Relating to the verification of the veteran status of inmates and prisoners.

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

Relating to civil liability of shareholders and members of certain legal entities that engage in the trafficking of persons.

Relating to the designation of the Route 66 Historic Corridor.

Relating to the establishment of stormwater control and recapture planning authorities in certain counties.

Relating to the eligibility for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of the residence homestead of certain persons with a life estate in the homestead property.

Relating to the liability of certain sports officials and organizations.

Relating to designating September as Hydrocephalus Awareness Month.

Relating to persons who may operate a public water supply system.

Relating to the designation of a segment of U.S. Highway 287 in Midlothian as the Chris Kyle Memorial Highway.

Relating to the annexation of certain territory by the Wise County Water Control and Improvement District No. 1.

Relating to the transfer of compensation experience for purposes of the Texas Unemployment Compensation Act.

Relating to the comptroller's report on the effect of certain tax provisions.

Relating to the preservation of toxicological evidence collected in connection with certain intoxication offenses.

Relating to the confidentiality of identifying information of victims of stalking; creating a criminal offense.

Relating to the treatment and recycling for beneficial use of certain waste arising out of or incidental to the drilling for or production of oil or gas.

Relating to the creation of the Cotton Center Municipal Utility District No. 1; granting a limited power of eminent domain; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes.

Relating to establishment or use of cemeteries in certain municipalities.

Relating to peace officer identification cards.

Relating to the administration of housing funds set aside for persons with disabilities through the homebuyer assistance program.

Relating to Parks and Wildlife Department procedures for the transfer of ownership of boats or outboard motors; providing penalties; creating a criminal offense.

Relating to certain temporary orders in a suit for modification of an order in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship.

Relating to investment options for property recovered in a suit by a next friend or guardian ad litem on behalf of a minor or incapacitated person.

Relating to the methods by which a political subdivision may submit contributions to the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System.

Relating to the composition of local boards of the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System.

Relating to the online renewal of driver's licenses of certain active duty military personnel and relatives.

Relating to the date for the election of directors of the Hill Country Underground Water Conservation District.

Relating to agreements of certain counties to acquire, construct, maintain, or operate a toll bridge.

Relating to the regulation and use of graywater and alternative onsite water.

Relating to the deadline for counties and municipalities to provide notice of a proposed property tax rate.

Relating to the designation of a portion of State Highway 87 as the Texas Game Warden Michael C. Pauling Memorial Highway.

Relating to the granting of undergraduate course credit by advanced placement examination at public institutions of higher education.

Relating to legal representation for certain emergency services districts.

Relating to voter information provided by a voter registrar to the secretary of state.

Relating to loss damage waivers in connection with the rental of certain heavy equipment; providing penalties.

Relating to the initial inspection period for motor vehicles purchased by certain commercial fleet buyers.

Relating to hearings that concern the issuance of permits by a groundwater conservation district.

Relating to designating the Interstate Highway 45 causeway to Galveston the George and Cynthia Mitchell Memorial Causeway.

Relating to a developmentally disabled offender program established by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Relating to the foreclosure sale of property subject to an oil or gas lease.

Relating to the regulation of medical waste; adding and amending provisions subject to a criminal penalty.

Relating to the transfer or termination of certain timeshare interests.

Relating to the certification by the comptroller to the commissioner of education of the taxable value of property in each school district.

Relating to consumption of alcoholic beverages in public entertainment facilities.

Relating to the establishment of a task force to promote uniformity in the collection and reporting of information relating to family violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking.

Relating to authority to establish, operate, and maintain a foreign trade zone at or adjacent to the Pharr port of entry.

Relating to expenditures made by emergency services districts and the sale of district property.

Relating to the powers and duties of the Canyon Falls Municipal Utility District No. 1 of Denton County; providing authority to issue bonds and impose a tax.

Relating to certain hospital districts and to certain corporations or organizations formed by those districts.

Relating to the development and alignment by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board of curricula for certain educational programs.

Relating to the abolishment of certain programs administered by the Texas Economic Development Bank.

Relating to the sale of alcoholic beverages in certain areas annexed by a municipality.

Relating to the powers, duties, and administration of groundwater conservation districts; amending provisions that authorize fees.

Relating to the authority of a retail public water utility to require an operator of a correctional facility to comply with water conservation measures.

Relating to the municipal sales and use tax for street maintenance.

Relating to compliance with federal voting system standards.

Relating to the appointment of counsel in certain suits affecting the parent-child relationship.

Relating to the Jobs and Education for Texans Grant Program.

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

Relating to the creation of an advisory committee to recommend a uniform pre-nursing curriculum for undergraduate professional nursing programs offered by public institutions of higher education.

Relating to training requirements for peace officers appointed to supervisory positions.

Relating to qualified nonprofit corporations acting for and on behalf of two or more cities.

Relating to training and education for state agency administrators and employees.

Relating to the Fisher County Hospital District.

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

Relating to the adoption of the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act of 2008.

Relating to the establishment of an infrastructure improvement council by the Rio Grande Regional Water Authority; providing authority to impose a voluntary assessment.

Relating to certain administrative procedures and enforcement authority relating to state banks, state trust companies, and bank holding companies.

Relating to the confidentiality of certain information stored as part of the preparation of reports and personal financial statements required to be filed with the Texas Ethics Commission.

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

Relating to the designation of Westside Drive in El Paso County as the Don Juan de Onate Trail.

Relating to the creation of the Foster Municipal Utility District No. 1 of Montgomery County; granting a limited power of eminent domain; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes.

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

Designating the western honey bee as the official State Pollinator of Texas.

Designating the city of Jasper as the official Butterfly Capital of Texas.

Authorizing the State Preservation Board to approve and permit the construction of a monument at the state Capitol Complex, at a site outside the historic Capitol grounds, honoring veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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

Relating to a prohibition on the sale or transfer of certain law enforcement vehicles before removal of certain equipment and insignia.

Relating to the creation of the East Houston Management District; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, or taxes.

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

Relating to the appointment by insurers, health maintenance organizations, and their agents of holders of a temporary agent's license.

Committee referral on the following:

Relating to the powers and duties of the Texas Ethics Commission; creating a criminal offense.

State Affairs

Relating to the consideration of the performance of students of limited English proficiency on state assessment instruments and inclusion of related information in campus report cards.

Education

Relating to the regulation of raw milk and raw milk products; adding a provision subject to a criminal penalty.

Health & Human Services

Relating to a database of employers penalized for failure to pay wages or convicted of certain offenses involving wage theft.

Natural Resources & Economic Development

Relating to the consideration of criminal history record information regarding applicants for state employment.

Natural Resources & Economic Development

Relating to energy savings performance contracts entered into by public institutions of higher education.

Business & Commerce

Relating to the restructuring of certain fund accounts of the Texas County and District Retirement System.

State Affairs

Relating to coverage for serious mental illness under certain group health benefit plans.

Business & Commerce

Relating to requirements for construction and maintenance work zones; amending provisions subject to a criminal penalty.

Transportation

Relating to the renewal or amendment of certain permits issued by groundwater conservation districts.

Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs

Relating to the eligibility of certain persons for the supplemental nutrition assistance program.

Health & Human Services

Relating to public school interventions for truancy and eliminating a criminal penalty and authorizing a civil penalty for truancy.

Criminal Justice

Relating to the designation of certain areas as banking or credit union development districts to encourage the establishment of branches of banks or credit unions in those areas.

Business & Commerce

Relating to the liability of certain persons for damages arising from training exercises to prepare the persons to respond to certain emergencies.

State Affairs

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

State Affairs

Relating to a volume-based exemption from reporting requirements for certain accidental discharges or spills from wastewater facilities.

Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs

Relating to health benefit plan coverage for injuries related to certain conduct of a covered individual.

Business & Commerce

Relating to removing a criminal penalty and authorizing a civil penalty for truancy.

Criminal Justice

Relating to the allocation of state hotel occupancy tax revenue to certain barrier island coastal municipalities.

Business & Commerce

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

Intergovernmental Relations

Relating to the authority of certain domestic life, health, and accident insurance companies to make certain investments; adding provisions that may be subject to a criminal penalty.

Business & Commerce

Relating to the authority of the office of independent ombudsman with the Texas Juvenile Justice Department in regard to juveniles in custody in certain facilities.

Criminal Justice

Relating to the regulation of state trust companies.

Business & Commerce

Relating to certain criminal record information; authorizing a fee.

Criminal Justice

Relating to the exemption from ad valorem taxation of property owned by the National Hispanic Institute.

Finance

Requesting the speaker and lieutenant governor to create a joint interim committee to study seawater desalination on the Texas coast.

Administration

Requesting the speaker of the house of representatives and the lieutenant governor to create a joint interim committee to study the issue of advertising public notices.

Administration

Requesting the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house of representatives to create a joint interim committee to study human trafficking in Texas.

Administration