SENATE FLOOR ACTION

Sunday

May 25, 2025

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

Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of all or part of the market value of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a veteran who died as a result of a condition or disease that is presumed under federal law to have been service-connected.

Relating to the establishment and administration of certain programs and services providing health care services to rural counties.

Relating to a peer support network for first responders.

1 Floor Amendment

Relating to the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority and certain programs administered by the authority.

1 Floor Amendment

Relating to the treatment and beneficial use of fluid oil and gas waste and related material, including a limitation on liability for that treatment or use.

Relating to the duty of a magistrate to make written findings in certain criminal proceedings.

Relating to the creation and maintenance of a database of taxing unit bond, tax, and bond-related project information; providing a civil penalty.

1 Floor Amendment

Relating to college, career, and military readiness in public schools, including career and technology education programs, the Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) program, and the Rural Pathway Excellence Partnership (R-PEP) program, funding for those programs under the Foundation School Program, and workforce reporting to support those programs, to the public school accountability system, and to the new instructional facility allotment and the permissible uses of funding under the Foundation School Program.

1 Floor Amendment

Relating to the possession and administration of epinephrine delivery systems by certain entities.

Relating to itemized billing for health care services and supplies provided by health care providers.

1 Floor Amendment

Relating to the release of certain defendants detained in jail pending trial.

Relating to the removal of certain restrictions imposed on driver's licenses; authorizing a fee.

1 Floor Amendment

Relating to the determination and reporting of the number of residence homesteads of certain property owners for which the owner is receiving certain ad valorem tax benefits.

1 Floor Amendment

Relating to the rights of victims of sexual assault and other sex offenses, the offense of continuous sexual abuse, and the prosecution, punishment, and collateral consequences of certain sex offenses; creating a criminal offense; increasing criminal penalties; changing the eligibility for community supervision, mandatory supervision, and parole for persons convicted of certain sex offenses.

Relating to school district and open-enrollment charter school policies regarding student use of personal communication devices.

Relating to the sunset review process and certain governmental entities subject to that process.

Relating to massage student permits.

Relating to an exemption from required immunizations for school enrollment.

Relating to the regulation of massage therapy.

Relating to legislative leave for correctional officers employed by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Relating to the disposition of certain surplus motor vehicles and other law enforcement equipment by the Texas Facilities Commission to certain school districts.

Relating to the jurisdiction of a court in a suit to divide certain property not divided or awarded on the dissolution of a marriage.

Relating to information regarding certain charges for services provided by municipally owned utility systems.

Relating to the election of the board of directors of the Somervell County Hospital District.

Relating to the designation of a portion of State Highway 25 in Archer County as the U.S. Army Gary C. and U.S.M.C. Gary S. Johnston Memorial Highway.

Relating to declination, cancellation, or nonrenewal of insurance policies.

1 Floor Amendment

Relating to a study by the Texas Veterans Commission regarding the provision of veterans benefits in this state.

Relating to the election of the members of the board of directors of the Sweeny Hospital District.

Relating to developing a strategic plan for the improvement and expansion of early learning and educational opportunities for young children with disabilities.

Relating to the authority of a municipality to regulate a home-based business.

Relating to an exemption from ad valorem taxation of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a veteran who died as a result of a qualifying condition or disease.

Relating to the recovery of fees, court costs, and expenses in family law proceedings.

Relating to special appointments in suits affecting the parent-child relationship.

Relating to municipal and county hotel occupancy taxes and the authority of certain municipalities to receive certain tax revenue derived from a hotel and convention center project and to pledge certain tax revenue for the payment of obligations related to the project; authorizing the imposition of taxes.

1 Floor Amendment

Relating to fentanyl prevention and drug poisoning awareness education for students enrolled in public institutions of higher education.

Relating to cancellation of certain solid waste disposal permits issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Relating to certain duties of the owner or operator of a residential child detention facility.

Relating to the contents of a request for disclosure in a civil action brought under the Family Code.

Relating to eligibility for a master plumber license.

Relating to the authority of a political subdivision to regulate construction and renovation of structures owned by certain counties.

Relating to the regulation of real estate appraisers and appraisal management companies.

Relating to the prosecution of the offense of theft of service.

Relating to artificial intelligence training programs for certain employees and officials of state agencies and local governments.

Relating to subdivision plat requirements in certain counties; authorizing a fee; authorizing a civil penalty; creating a criminal offense.

Relating to compliance by a fire department with certain minimum standards adopted by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection.

Relating to the establishment of the Health Professions Workforce Coordinating Council and a workgroup on nursing career pathways and the abolition of the statewide health coordinating council and the nursing advisory committee of that council.

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

Relating to the regulation of money services businesses.

Relating to certain expenditures by public institutions of higher education and university systems that are eligible for certain tax credits.

Relating to the contract requirements for a contract between a single source continuum contractor and the Department of Family and Protective Services.

Relating to exemptions from the taxes imposed on the sale, use, or rental of a motor vehicle for a vehicle purchased, used, or rented by a nonprofit food bank or a provider of housing and related services.

Relating to the establishment of a hike and bike trail to be known as the Bicentennial Trail.

Relating to the retention of certain genetic material and genetic information by the Department of Family and Protective Services.

Relating to electronic submission and delivery of public securities and records of proceedings for those securities.

Relating to the eligibility of the American Performance Horseman and the American Rodeo for funding under the major events reimbursement program.

Relating to COVID-19 vaccine administration requirements.

Relating to the authority of the Public Utility Commission of Texas to retain assistance for regional proceedings affecting certain electric utilities and consumers.

Relating to the establishment of the Quad-Agency Child Care Initiative and the Quad-Agency Child Care Initiative Commission.

1 Floor Amendment

Relating to restricting the collection and use of DNA samples from children in the managing conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services.

Relating to the Joint Admission Medical Program Council.

1 Floor Amendment

Relating to an alternative capital recovery process for certain utilities.

Relating to the enforceability of certain state agency and local government contract language regarding required security incident notifications.

Relating to an exception to the titling requirement for certain motor vehicles; creating a criminal offense; providing for a fee.

Relating to the creation of the San Benito 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 the election of the commissioners of the Jefferson County Drainage District No. 7.

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

Relating to the amount of the reimbursement fee paid by a defendant for a peace officer's services in executing or processing an arrest warrant, capias, or capias pro fine.

Relating to the removal from office of certain officers of political subdivisions.

Relating to allowing the chair of the State Board of Education to employ personnel to assist in performing the board's duties.

Relating to the authority of this state to implement a motor vehicle emissions inspection and maintenance program.

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

Relating to prohibiting the regulation of home school programs.

Relating to the construction of structures exceeding a certain height in certain counties containing national wildlife refuges and in adjacent counties; authorizing injunctive relief.

1 Floor Amendment

The Senate adopted the following resolutions:

Expressing support for the strengthening of our partnership with Taiwan.

The Senate concurred in House amendments to the following:

Relating to the regulation of products derived from hemp, including consumable hemp products and hemp beverages and the hemp-derived cannabinoids contained in those products; requiring occupational licenses and permits; imposing fees; creating criminal offenses; authorizing civil penalties; imposing taxes.

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

Relating to the establishment and administration of the Texas Strategic Bitcoin Reserve for the purpose of investing in cryptocurrency and the investment authority of the comptroller of public accounts over the reserve and certain other state funds.

Relating to prohibiting the purchase of sweetened soft drinks under the supplemental nutrition assistance program.

Relating to increasing access to and reducing taxation of Internet services.

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

Relating to a study on digital court reporting conducted by the Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System.

Relating to the confidentiality of certain information for commissioners and employees whose duties relate to the administration of the judicial branch of state government and the commissioners' and employees' family members.

Relating to the creation of the Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No. 286; granting a limited power of eminent domain; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes.

Relating to the designation of a portion of State Highway 315 in Panola County as the Hamby-Webb Memorial Highway.

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

Relating to procedures for changes to a zoning regulation or district boundary.

Relating to certain sister-city agreements between governmental entities and foreign countries and communities.

Relating to a uniform coordination of benefits questionnaire for health benefit plans.

Relating to honey production operations and the harvesting and packaging of honey and honeycomb.

Relating to the cleaning of a structure used to grow oysters for cultivated oyster mariculture.

Relating to rates established by municipalities for water or sewer service for certain entities.

Relating to the ballot application requirements for the election of a precinct chair.

Relating to the renewal by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality of certain expired occupational licenses and registrations.

Relating to price estimates and billing requirements for certain health care facilities.

Relating to the compensation of counsel appointed to provide representation and services to indigent individuals in criminal and juvenile proceedings.

Relating to the armed security officers required to be present at public schools and the appointment of reserve police officers by a school district police department.

Relating to notice of a meeting held under the open meetings law.

Relating to an alert system for dangerous plant and wildlife pests and diseases administered by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

Relating to notice provided to a retail electric customer of the procedure for requesting vegetation management near a transmission or distribution line.

Relating to direct payment for certain health care provided by a hospital.

Relating to the criteria considered by groundwater conservation districts before granting or denying a permit or permit amendment.

Relating to the filing for record of a plat, replat, or amended plat or replat of a subdivision of real property or a condominium.

Relating to the designation of a portion of State Highway 242 in Montgomery County as the Lance Corporal Armando Hernandez Memorial Bridge.

Relating to the instructions for an application form for an early voting ballot.

Relating to the delegation of certain authority of a county judge in certain counties.

Relating to training required or offered by the Health and Human Services Commission for long-term care facility surveyors, personnel, and providers and ICF-IID program providers.

Relating to the date of dissolution of the Save Historic Muny District.

Relating to the use of installment premium payment plans on Texas Windstorm Insurance Association policies.

Relating to establishment of the temporary certified and insured prescribed burn manager self-insurance pool; authorizing a fee.

Relating to the practice and procedures for summoning prospective grand jurors and petit jurors and the exemption of certain persons from grand jury and petit jury service.

Relating to the repeal of a municipal civil service system for firefighters and police officers in certain municipalities.

Relating to powers and duties of the Texas Workforce Commission with respect to the procurement of goods and services for the provision of vocational rehabilitation services.

Relating to a study by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board on the feasibility of implementing a statewide system for coordinating clinical training placements.

Relating to the view of the State Capitol.

Relating to the election of certain entities to participate in the uniform group coverage program for active school employees; imposing a fee.

Relating to patient data maintained by pharmacy benefit managers.

Relating to a deduction from the amount of taxable sales used to calculate the amount of sales and use taxes that the owners of restaurants that participate in an oyster shell recycling program are required to remit to the comptroller of public accounts.

Relating to the continuation and operation of a health care provider participation district created by certain local governments to administer a health care provider participation program.

Relating to public hearing requirements for issuing a license for or expanding certain residential child-care facilities.

Relating to crime victims' compensation.

Relating to the confidentiality and disclosure of certain financial information of perpetual care cemeteries and perpetual care trust funds.

Relating to the regulation of state banks.

Relating to prohibited activities of a state trust company under supervision.

Relating to information regarding consumer access to health care records.

Relating to a special right of access under the public information law for a member of a governing board.

Relating to the elimination of the remittance of a portion of certain loan administration fees to the comptroller.

Relating to the sale of fireworks on and before the Lunar New Year holiday.

Relating to the continuation of the maternal opioid misuse model of care for certain Medicaid recipients.

Relating to the issuance of a diploma to a student graduating from a public institution of higher education that has undergone a merger, acquisition, or name change.

Relating to the chairman of the juvenile board of Parker County.

Relating to the creation of the Montgomery County Management District No. 3; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes.

Designating the first Saturday of every month as Small Business Saturday for a 10-year period ending in 2035.

Designating May 23 as Family Abduction Awareness Day for a 10-year period ending in 2035.

Designating Slaton as the official Banana Pudding Capital of Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2035.

Designating Fort Worth as the official Aviation and Defense Capital of Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2035.

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

Relating to cooperation by economic development program participants with local workforce development boards.

Relating to itemized billing for health care services and supplies provided by health care providers.

Relating to the authority of a municipality to regulate a home-based business.

Relating to authorizing a beneficiary designation that transfers a manufactured home classified as personal property at the owner's death.

Relating to the eligibility of the American Performance Horseman and the American Rodeo for funding under the major events reimbursement program.

Committee referral on the following:

Relating to the implementation of a statewide homeless data sharing network to share real-time data on homelessness.

Local Government

Relating to the creation of the Fort Bend County Water Control and Improvement District No. 13; granting a limited power of eminent domain; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes.

Administration

Relating to the powers and duties and validating certain acts and proceedings of the Cole Ranch Improvement District No. 1 of Denton County, Texas.

Administration

Relating to the powers and duties and validating certain acts and proceedings of the Hunter Ranch Improvement District No. 1 of Denton County, Texas.

Administration