FORTY-NINTH DAY --- MONDAY, MAY 17, 2021

The house met at 1:18 p.m. and was called to order by the speaker.

The roll of the house was called and a quorum was announced present (Record 1210).

Present — Mr. Speaker(C); Allen; Allison; Anchia; Anderson; Ashby; Bailes; Beckley; Bell, C.; Bell, K.; Bernal; Bonnen; Buckley; Bucy; Burns; Burrows; Button; Cain; Campos; Canales; Capriglione; Cason; Clardy; Cole; Coleman; Collier; Cook; Cortez; Craddick; Crockett; Cyrier; Darby; Davis; Deshotel; Dominguez; Dutton; Ellzey; Fierro; Frank; Frullo; Gates; Geren; Gervin-Hawkins; Goldman; González, J.; González, M.; Goodwin; Guerra; Guillen; Harless; Harris; Hefner; Hernandez; Herrero; Hinojosa; Holland; Howard; Huberty; Hull; Hunter; Israel; Jetton; Johnson, A.; Johnson, J.D.; Johnson, J.E.; Kacal; King, K.; King, P.; King, T.; Klick; Krause; Kuempel; Lambert; Landgraf; Larson; Leach; Leman; Longoria; Lopez; Lozano; Lucio; Martinez; Martinez Fischer; Metcalf; Meyer; Meza; Middleton; Minjarez; Moody; Morales, C.; Morales, E.; Morales Shaw; Morrison; Muñoz; Murphy; Murr; Neave; Noble; Oliverson; Ordaz Perez; Ortega; Pacheco; Paddie; Parker; Patterson; Paul; Perez; Price; Ramos; Raney; Raymond; Reynolds; Rodriguez; Rogers; Romero; Rose; Rosenthal; Sanford; Schaefer; Schofield; Shaheen; Sherman; Shine; Slaton; Slawson; Smith; Spiller; Stephenson; Stucky; Swanson; Talarico; Thompson, E.; Thompson, S.; Tinderholt; Toth; Turner, C.; Turner, J.; VanDeaver; Vasut; Vo; Walle; White; Wilson; Wu; Zwiener.

Absent, Excused — Biedermann; Bowers; Dean; Smithee; Thierry.

The invocation was offered by Representative C. Turner as follows:

Heavenly Father, as we enter the final two weeks of our legislative session, we ask that you watch over our families who continue to sacrifice while we are all away from home. We ask that you provide strength and inspiration to our exhausted legislative staff members who, as we all know, do much of the real work around here. We pray that you bless the administrative staff who keep this Capitol building running day and night and in pristine condition at all times. Please look after the law enforcement officers who protect all who visit and work here.

And we ask that you provide those of us entrusted to represent the people of Texas with the wisdom and compassion invoked in the prayer of St. Francis: Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light. Where there is sadness, joy. O divine master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive. It is in pardoning that we are pardoned. It is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

The chair recognized Representative Gates who led the house in the pledges of allegiance to the United States and Texas flags.

The following member was granted leave of absence for today because of illness in the family:

Biedermann on motion of Slaton.

The following members were granted leaves of absence for today because of important business in the district:

Bowers on motion of Deshotel.

Smithee on motion of Darby.

The following member was granted leave of absence for today and tomorrow because of important business in the district:

Dean on motion of Oliverson.

The following member was granted leave of absence for today because of important business:

Thierry on motion of Patterson.

A message from the senate was received at this time (see the addendum to the daily journal, Messages from the Senate, Message No. 1).

Notice was given at this time that the speaker had signed bills and resolutions in the presence of the house (see the addendum to the daily journal, Signed by the Speaker, House List No. 22).

Bills and joint resolutions were at this time laid before the house, read first time, and referred to committees. Resolutions were at this time laid before the house and referred to committees. (See the addendum to the daily journal, Referred to Committees, List Nos. 1 and 2.)

The following member was granted leave of absence for the remainder of today because of important business in the district:

Coleman on motion of Herrero.

At 1:31 p.m., the following committee meeting was announced:

Higher Education, upon final adjournment or recess or bill referral, if permission is granted, today, Desk 98, for a formal meeting, to consider pending and referred business.

The following bills were laid before the house as postponed business:

CSSB 155, A bill to be entitled An Act relating to the use of information from the lists of noncitizens and nonresidents excused or disqualified from jury service.

CSSB 155 was read second time on May 13, amendments were offered and disposed of, and CSSB 155 was postponed until 10 a.m. today.

REPRESENTATIVE KLICK: Members, this is the bill that we postponed from last week. It adds the nonresident list of those excused from jury duty to the voter list maintenance protocols.

Representative Bucy offered the following amendment to CSSB 155:

Amend CSSB 155 (house committee printing) as follows:

(1)  On page 1, lines 13 and 14, strike "or a resident of the county in which the voter is registered to vote".

(2)  On page 2, line 13, immediately following the underlined semicolon, insert "and".

(3)  On page 2, line 14, strike "; and" and substitute ".".

(4)  On page 2, strike lines 15 through 17.

REPRESENTATIVE BUCY: Members, this amendment simply is aiming to ensure proper list maintenance and accurate voter rolls without needlessly ensnaring Texans who may have recently moved or who are in college and registered in the college where they attend school or similar good faith actors in needless criminal investigations. In a nutshell, it's saying if you claim to not be a resident of a county, we don't need to send that to the attorney general. We can send it, under this bill, to the secretary of state. They can do proper list maintenance. But why go to the attorney general? Why add these frivolous cases? So I'm asking y'all to vote for this amendment so we don't involve the attorney general in these things that will come up mainly with our college kids.

REPRESENTATIVE ISRAEL: Representative Bucy, this bill is about the voter rolls and the accuracy of voter rolls. I think what your amendment is about is taking into account that there's a lot of people who move from one county to another county and haven't updated their voter registration. Can you explain that situation in the law as it is right now?

BUCY: Well, what this amendment would do is say don't send those cases to the attorney general. The bill adds for it to go to the secretary of state. Your county elections administrators can look in the list maintenance and do this. So we're just saying this doesn't need to go to the attorney general. Let's keep it right now at home. We're not talking about not having list maintenance. We're just saying we don't need to send it in a way that will create more criminal investigations.

ISRAEL: And this list maintenance happens right now, correct?

BUCY: At the local level, yes––at the county level.

ISRAEL: At the county level they share information on who's moving and where they moved and it's a periodic update to the list, correct?

BUCY: That's correct.

KLICK: Members, this bill deals with those who self-identify as either noncitizens or nonresidents of a county. This amendment is not acceptable, and I would encourage you to vote against the amendment.

ISRAEL: Chair Klick, would you agree that Texas has been growing in exponential numbers and we are a young and diverse state––from all accounts from demographers who have been presenting to us––we're a young state and we move a lot?

KLICK: We absolutely do, but this bill deals with the issue of when somebody's called up for jury duty and they self-identify as no longer being a resident of the county or a citizen.

ISRAEL: But the heart of your bill is about the accuracy of the voter rolls and you're pulling data from those who signed up or didn't sign up for jury duty, correct?

KLICK: These are the folks that have self-identified as no longer residing in the county. And then therefore, they are not eligible to serve on a jury.

ISRAEL: So if they're moving a lot in the State of Texas, why wouldn't you allow those who have moved and just not updated their voter status the ability to not be considered as a part of this bill? It's a pretty sweeping bill that you're proposing today.

KLICK: But we do have folks that identify as no longer being a resident of the county. They may have moved, but they're not eligible to vote if they've moved outside of the county. And they're not eligible to serve on a jury either.

ISRAEL: So in reference to the conversation I was having with Representative Bucy when he was at the mic, you're acknowledging the fact that at the county level they do a lot of this cleanup already, correct?

KLICK: We're not changing any of the cleanup protocol at all. Members, I would encourage you to vote against this amendment.

BUCY: Again, this amendment is saying we don't need to send these types of issues to the attorney general. Let's let the secretary of state and let's let your county elections administration deal with this list maintenance. We don't need that burden and those criminal investigations sent to the attorney general's office. Please vote yes for the amendment.

A record vote was requested by Representative Bucy.

Amendment No. 2 failed of adoption by (Record 1211): 63 Yeas, 77 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

Yeas — Allen; Anchia; Beckley; Bernal; Bucy; Campos; Canales; Cole; Collier; Cortez; Crockett; Davis; Deshotel; Dominguez; Dutton; Fierro; Gervin-Hawkins; González, J.; González, M.; Goodwin; Guerra; Guillen; Hernandez; Herrero; Hinojosa; Howard; Israel; Johnson, A.; Johnson, J.D.; Johnson, J.E.; King, T.; Longoria; Lopez; Lucio; Martinez; Martinez Fischer; Meza; Minjarez; Moody; Morales, C.; Morales, E.; Morales Shaw; Muñoz; Neave; Ordaz Perez; Ortega; Pacheco; Perez; Ramos; Raymond; Reynolds; Rodriguez; Romero; Rosenthal; Sherman; Talarico; Thompson, S.; Turner, C.; Turner, J.; Vo; Walle; Wu; Zwiener.

Nays — Allison; Anderson; Ashby; Bailes; Bell, C.; Bell, K.; Bonnen; Buckley; Burns; Burrows; Button; Cain; Capriglione; Cason; Clardy; Cook; Craddick; Cyrier; Darby; Ellzey; Frank; Frullo; Gates; Geren; Goldman; Harris; Hefner; Holland; Huberty; Hull; Hunter; Jetton; Kacal; King, K.; King, P.; Klick; Krause; Kuempel; Lambert; Landgraf; Larson; Leach; Leman; Lozano; Metcalf; Meyer; Middleton; Morrison; Murphy; Murr; Noble; Oliverson; Paddie; Parker; Patterson; Paul; Price; Raney; Rogers; Rose; Sanford; Schaefer; Schofield; Shaheen; Slaton; Slawson; Spiller; Stephenson; Stucky; Swanson; Thompson, E.; Tinderholt; Toth; VanDeaver; Vasut; White; Wilson.

Present, not voting — Mr. Speaker(C).

Absent, Excused — Biedermann; Bowers; Coleman; Dean; Smithee; Thierry.

Absent — Harless; Shine; Smith.

When Record No. 1211 was taken, I was shown voting no. I intended to vote yes.

Rose

Representative J. González offered the following amendment to CSSB 155:

Amend CSSB 155 (house committee printing) as follows:

(1)  On page 2, line 13, insert "and" after the underlined semicolon.

(2)  On page 2, line 14, strike "; and" and substitute ".".

(3)  On page 2, strike lines 15 through 17.

REPRESENTATIVE J. GONZÁLEZ: This bill deals with persons who have been reported that are not citizens of the U.S. The bill's purpose is to remove those ineligible persons from the rolls. It takes a final step to send those names to the county or the district attorney or the Texas AG for possible investigation. Do you really want your constituents to be investigated in this way? It's not against the law in Texas to simply relocate from one county to another for school, employment, or other legitimate reasons. Let's not put thousands of people's names on an investigation list like this. Let's fix the problem by adopting this amendment.

KLICK: Members, this bill deals with those who have self-identified as being noncitizens or nonresidents of a county. This amendment is not acceptable to the author, and I urge you to vote no.

J. GONZÁLEZ: Again, this bill opens up folks to being investigated over not committing a crime at all. I think this is unnecessary, and I encourage you to vote for this amendment.

A record vote was requested by Representative Israel.

Amendment No. 3 failed of adoption by (Record 1212): 65 Yeas, 76 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

Yeas — Allen; Anchia; Beckley; Bernal; Bucy; Campos; Canales; Cole; Collier; Cortez; Crockett; Davis; Deshotel; Dominguez; Dutton; Fierro; Gervin-Hawkins; González, J.; González, M.; Goodwin; Guerra; Guillen; Hernandez; Herrero; Hinojosa; Howard; Israel; Johnson, A.; Johnson, J.D.; Johnson, J.E.; King, T.; Larson; Longoria; Lopez; Lucio; Martinez; Martinez Fischer; Meza; Minjarez; Moody; Morales, C.; Morales, E.; Morales Shaw; Muñoz; Neave; Ordaz Perez; Ortega; Pacheco; Perez; Ramos; Raymond; Reynolds; Rodriguez; Romero; Rose; Rosenthal; Sherman; Talarico; Thompson, S.; Turner, C.; Turner, J.; Vo; Walle; Wu; Zwiener.

Nays — Allison; Anderson; Ashby; Bailes; Bell, C.; Bell, K.; Bonnen; Buckley; Burns; Burrows; Button; Cain; Capriglione; Cason; Clardy; Cook; Craddick; Cyrier; Darby; Ellzey; Frank; Frullo; Gates; Geren; Goldman; Harless; Harris; Hefner; Holland; Huberty; Hull; Hunter; Jetton; Kacal; King, K.; King, P.; Klick; Krause; Kuempel; Lambert; Landgraf; Leach; Leman; Lozano; Metcalf; Meyer; Middleton; Morrison; Murr; Noble; Oliverson; Paddie; Parker; Patterson; Paul; Price; Raney; Rogers; Sanford; Schaefer; Schofield; Shaheen; Shine; Slaton; Slawson; Spiller; Stephenson; Stucky; Swanson; Thompson, E.; Tinderholt; Toth; VanDeaver; Vasut; White; Wilson.

Present, not voting — Mr. Speaker(C); Murphy.

Absent, Excused — Biedermann; Bowers; Coleman; Dean; Smithee; Thierry.

Absent — Smith.

Representative J. González offered the following amendment to CSSB 155:

Amend CSSB 155 (house committee printing) by adding the following appropriately numbered SECTION to the bill and renumbering subsequent SECTIONS of the bill accordingly:

SECTION ____.  Subchapter B, Chapter 15, Election Code, is amended by adding Section 15.029 to read as follows:

J. GONZÁLEZ: All right, members, this amendment is really simple. If a person receives notice that they may not reside in the county, the county's voter registrar will mail to the voter's most recent address or their most recent known address a letter to the voter informing them that they may need to reregister to vote in their new county and a blank voter registration application so that the individual may complete it and return it via mail. We should give folks a chance to avoid a drastic investigation by criminal prosecutors by simply filling out a new voter registration application with their new address and their new county.

KLICK: Members, whenever a voter is identified as no longer living in the county, they do get an opportunity to register. This amendment is unnecessary. Again, these are voters that are self-identifying as either noncitizens, who are not eligible to vote, or those who are not residents of a county, who are not eligible to vote in that county nor are they eligible for jury duty.

REPRESENTATIVE COLLIER: Chair Klick, I just want to ask about the address change. So if somebody moves since completing their voter registration card, is there any requirement under the law to change their address within a certain number of days?

KLICK: What they typically do if they know, like in the case that a voter registration card has been returned, they are put on the suspense voter list. And if they confirm that they have in fact moved, they can reregister at their new location. That's already part of the process.

COLLIER: Well, what I'm trying to pick up on is if I've moved since filling out the voter registration card and then it just so happens that I'm called in because I've changed my driver's license––which is required to be changed within 30 days is my understanding––and I'm called into jury duty as a result of my new county and it happens in between that time, would they be in violation of the law? Because I didn't change my voter registration?

KLICK: This is for those who have gone to jury service and say that they are no longer a resident of the county or they're not a citizen. That's who this is dealing with.

COLLIER: But correct me if I'm wrong––I didn't get to hear everything. Under this particular amendment that's being proposed, is it attempting to provide an affirmative defense if I've moved since completing the voter registration and I, it just so happens, am no longer living in the county since that time?

KLICK: The amendment? Is that what you're speaking of?

COLLIER: Yes, I'm trying to see if it addresses that concern.

KLICK: That's part of our ongoing list maintenance protocols, and the amendment is not necessary.

COLLIER: But it doesn't hurt.

KLICK: The amendment is not acceptable to the author. Members, I would encourage you to vote no on this amendment.

REPRESENTATIVE ANCHIA: I just wanted to ask you about the process by which a person is removed. And I was listening to your explanation earlier where a person, for example, who might be in the jury wheel, ready for jury service, would be excused from jury service if they mark a box saying they're not a citizen of the United States or otherwise not a resident of the county. And I know that we've had this issue in the past. Last decade, when we were doing the strict photo ID bill, this was offered up as evidence that a person was not a citizen of the United States because they had checked that box saying that they were not. What I found difficult about that situation is that you had a statement by a person that said they were not a citizen in the jury wheel but that they were a citizen on their voter registration application. And the question to you is, does that prove dispositively one way or another that they are a citizen or not?

KLICK: You know, the jury wheel, they self-identify, and we're not changing the process at all. All we're doing is allowing additional notification of those situations in which someone has self-identified that they are either not a resident of the county or a citizen.

ANCHIA: At that point, do they get a letter asking them to confirm one way or another?

KLICK: Generally speaking, that is the normal process of list maintenance.

ANCHIA: And that does not change under your bill.

KLICK: It does not change anything under my bill.

ANCHIA: The voter would be asked then, say, "Hey, we have two conflicting statements from you. We have your voter registration card. We have your jury wheel statement." When we looked into this––I was a member of the Elections Committee––we looked into that extensively last decade, and it turned out that people just wanted to get out of service of jury duty and they would check the box. Then, when they would receive the letter, they would offer up some other evidence to stay on the rolls. Is that preserved under your bill?

KLICK: Mr. Anchia, as an officer of the court, if somebody completed false information denying when they showed up for jury service that they were eligible, is that a crime?

ANCHIA: I think they clearly are answering something under penalty of perjury, and they could absolutely be prosecuted for that. My question is more about the process by which they would be either removed or be able to offer up some evidence showing that they were either a resident or otherwise a citizen of the United States.

KLICK: Representative Anchia, we are not changing that process. All this is is allowing additional notification of those individuals that have self-identified as either not being a resident of the county or a noncitizen. We are not changing that process at all.

ANCHIA: Thank you, Madame Chair. If you could help me understand as well, what is the additional notification itself? What does that consist of?

KLICK: The additional notification in the bill goes to the attorney general. They're also added to that list.

ANCHIA: And for what purpose?

KLICK: You know, they have statewide jurisdiction. You could have folks that could potentially be registered to vote in more than one county.

ANCHIA: Oftentimes, when there is a referral to the attorney general, it is for prosecution. Is this additional step of notification––is it your intent that that would be for prosecution?

KLICK: Not necessarily for prosecution but for at least someone to look at it for investigation purposes.

ANCHIA: For investigation? Okay, thank you.

J. GONZÁLEZ: Again, this will create an opportunity for folks to be able to reregister when they identify themselves as either not being a resident of the county or a noncitizen. In lots of situations, there are people that may have naturalized since then, and so we need to give them the opportunity to be able to register to vote, and we can do that by passing this amendment. It is highly doubtful that a person who is a noncitizen who is trying to naturalize will lie just to be able to register to vote. It's already difficult enough for us to get Americans to go vote, and so let's just do right by Texans, and let's just allow for them to get notification and allow them to submit a new application to register to vote.

A record vote was requested by Representative Israel.

Amendment No. 4 failed of adoption by (Record 1213): 64 Yeas, 79 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

Yeas — Allen; Anchia; Beckley; Bernal; Bucy; Campos; Canales; Cole; Collier; Cortez; Crockett; Davis; Deshotel; Dominguez; Dutton; Fierro; Gervin-Hawkins; González, J.; González, M.; Goodwin; Guerra; Guillen; Hernandez; Herrero; Hinojosa; Howard; Israel; Johnson, A.; Johnson, J.D.; Johnson, J.E.; King, T.; Longoria; Lopez; Lucio; Martinez; Martinez Fischer; Meza; Minjarez; Moody; Morales, C.; Morales, E.; Morales Shaw; Muñoz; Neave; Ordaz Perez; Ortega; Pacheco; Perez; Ramos; Raymond; Reynolds; Rodriguez; Romero; Rose; Rosenthal; Sherman; Talarico; Thompson, S.; Turner, C.; Turner, J.; Vo; Walle; Wu; Zwiener.

Nays — Allison; Anderson; Ashby; Bailes; Bell, C.; Bell, K.; Bonnen; Buckley; Burns; Burrows; Button; Cain; Capriglione; Cason; Clardy; Cook; Craddick; Cyrier; Darby; Ellzey; Frank; Frullo; Gates; Geren; Goldman; Harless; Harris; Hefner; Holland; Huberty; Hull; Hunter; Jetton; Kacal; King, K.; King, P.; Klick; Krause; Kuempel; Lambert; Landgraf; Larson; Leach; Leman; Lozano; Metcalf; Meyer; Middleton; Morrison; Murphy; Murr; Noble; Oliverson; Paddie; Parker; Patterson; Paul; Price; Raney; Rogers; Sanford; Schaefer; Schofield; Shaheen; Shine; Slaton; Slawson; Smith; Spiller; Stephenson; Stucky; Swanson; Thompson, E.; Tinderholt; Toth; VanDeaver; Vasut; White; Wilson.

Present, not voting — Mr. Speaker(C).

Absent, Excused — Biedermann; Bowers; Coleman; Dean; Smithee; Thierry.

Representative J. González offered the following amendment to CSSB 155:

Amend CSSB 155 (house committee printing) by adding the following appropriately numbered SECTION to the bill and renumbering subsequent SECTIONS of the bill accordingly:

SECTION ____.  Chapter 273, Election Code, is amended by adding Subchapter F to read as follows:

J. GONZÁLEZ: If we're sending a list of thousands of people to investigatory bodies for possible investigation, we need to make sure that the law is being applied equitably and that we're not prosecuting or investigating one group more than the other. We've seen in recent months some reporting that under the AG's election fraud unit, people of color make up an overwhelming majority of people currently being investigated by the AG's office. This amendment would require the AG's office to track race and demographic information for people being investigated under this bill. You know, we were told time and time again in the Elections Committee that this information is not tracked. I find that highly doubtful. But as the legislature passes more voter suppression legislation this session and empowers the AG to play a role in intimidating voters, it's important that we collect and report data to ensure that the law is being applied in an equitable way and not targeting minority communities. Texas has a history of doing this in the past, and just because Section 5 doesn't exist anymore does not mean that there aren't bad actors out there that will apply this law in a way that targets people of color.

REPRESENTATIVE WU: The bill on its face does not have any obvious racial implications. Would that be a fair statement?

J. GONZÁLEZ: Yes.

WU: Okay. But as we know, and as you know as an attorney, many times legislation can have disparate racial impacts. Would that be fair?

J. GONZÁLEZ: Yes, absolutely.

WU: Even if it is not discriminatory on its face.

J. GONZÁLEZ: Yes.

WU: And some of the populations that this bill would affect would be people who live in more temporary housing, such as people who live in apartments, correct?

J. GONZÁLEZ: Absolutely.

WU: And would it be fair to say that generally that that would be a population made up of a larger percentage of minority communities?

J. GONZÁLEZ: Yes, that's accurate.

WU: And the intent of your legislation, of the amendment you're offering, is to help make sure that while the bill on its face is not intentionally discriminatory, that if there are discriminatory effects, discriminatory outcomes, that we would be able to track it.

J. GONZÁLEZ: Yes, sir.

WU: So a rejection of this amendment would be to purposely blind ourselves to probably a very obvious racial discrimination that likely would be created by this legislation.

J. GONZÁLEZ: Yes, I would agree with that.

KLICK: Members, this amendment is not acceptable to the author, and I would encourage you to vote against it.

J. GONZÁLEZ: Again, members, look, I spent some time working at the Department of Justice in the voting rights section. I saw what this type of legislation can do. And as Representative Wu mentioned, although this bill may not on its face show that it is discriminatory, the impact that this bill can have on communities of color will be daunting, and so I encourage you to vote for this amendment.

A record vote was requested by Representative Israel.

Amendment No. 5 failed of adoption by (Record 1214): 64 Yeas, 78 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

Yeas — Allen; Anchia; Beckley; Bernal; Bucy; Campos; Canales; Cole; Collier; Cortez; Crockett; Davis; Deshotel; Dominguez; Dutton; Fierro; Gervin-Hawkins; González, J.; González, M.; Goodwin; Guerra; Guillen; Hernandez; Herrero; Hinojosa; Howard; Israel; Johnson, A.; Johnson, J.D.; Johnson, J.E.; King, T.; Longoria; Lopez; Lucio; Martinez; Martinez Fischer; Meza; Minjarez; Moody; Morales, C.; Morales, E.; Morales Shaw; Muñoz; Neave; Ordaz Perez; Ortega; Pacheco; Perez; Ramos; Raymond; Reynolds; Rodriguez; Romero; Rose; Rosenthal; Sherman; Talarico; Thompson, S.; Turner, C.; Turner, J.; Vo; Walle; Wu; Zwiener.

Nays — Allison; Anderson; Ashby; Bailes; Bell, C.; Bell, K.; Bonnen; Buckley; Burns; Burrows; Button; Cain; Capriglione; Cason; Clardy; Cook; Craddick; Cyrier; Darby; Ellzey; Frank; Frullo; Gates; Geren; Goldman; Harless; Harris; Hefner; Holland; Huberty; Hull; Hunter; Jetton; Kacal; King, K.; King, P.; Klick; Krause; Kuempel; Lambert; Landgraf; Larson; Leach; Leman; Lozano; Metcalf; Meyer; Middleton; Morrison; Murr; Noble; Oliverson; Paddie; Parker; Patterson; Paul; Price; Raney; Rogers; Sanford; Schaefer; Schofield; Shaheen; Shine; Slaton; Slawson; Smith; Spiller; Stephenson; Stucky; Swanson; Thompson, E.; Tinderholt; Toth; VanDeaver; Vasut; White; Wilson.

Present, not voting — Mr. Speaker(C); Murphy.

Absent, Excused — Biedermann; Bowers; Coleman; Dean; Smithee; Thierry.

ISRAEL: I understand there will be some more questions for the author, but I wanted to speak against this bill for a number of reasons. One of the issues that I have advocated in this body is the concept of online voter registration, making sure that the voter rolls are accurate, González with a "z" not with an "s." Didn't cost a dime––small software change and it's done. We haven't had a hearing on that in two sessions. We haven't had a real hearing on that ever. Now, over 40 states have it. As it relates to this bill, this bill is not doing anything to help with the accuracy. It's more punitive than anything else, from my view, and we're doing this bill to codify the purging of the voter rolls. And last session, as we began this session, then-Secretary of State Whitley was given the mandate to purge the voter rolls, and it was done in a very embarrassing way. Texas got national recognition, yet again, because we purged 100,000 people from the voter rolls. We ended up paying $450,000 in legal fees for an exercise in futility and embarrassment again.

So now we're codifying it and saying that four times a year, the attorney general's office is going to take a look at this. There's a zero fiscal note on this, but my understanding from those who were involved in the Appropriations process is that there will likely be more resources given to the attorney general's office for this type of activity. And by this type of activity, I mean a snipe hunt looking for those crimes, and we're looking in a situation in a state that has grown and in the numbers that we have grown. We are saying to people who move from one county to the next and didn't update their voter status, you're a part of this. We're looking at people, as was made known two years ago, people who became citizens afterward and are legitimately able to vote and they're caught up in this. I know Chair Klick is going after those who signed up for jury duty. It's a shock to those of us here that there are people who lie on their jury duty form and say, "Well, I don't live here" or "I'm not a citizen." This is a very, in my view, an unjust way to handle this situation, and I harken back to the two years back when Secretary of State Whitley did this, and it was an embarrassment to the state. My concern is that we are repeating that same mistake here on the floor today. So I would urge you to vote no.

KLICK: Under current law, when a person is summoned for jury duty but identifies him or herself as a noncitizen or nonresident of that county, they are excused from jury service. Their name is then sent to the appropriate officials to have their name removed from the voter rolls. Members, I would encourage you to vote yes on this bill.

REPRESENTATIVE A. JOHNSON: I had a question about the provision that adds what seems to be an additional amount of power to Attorney General Ken Paxton, and that is under Section 3(b), Subsection (3), that "the attorney general and the county or district attorney for an investigation of whether the person committed an offense under Section 13.007, Election Code, or other law." I'm worried about the breadth of that term "other law." Is there a limiting definition to "other law"?

KLICK: We have not changed the other process that is involved in list maintenance. All we've done is added the attorney general to the list of those notified so that they can compare the list quarterly.

A. JOHNSON: I know. But my concern is and my understanding of the process is the attorney general can't just waltz into a county and begin a prosecution. That attorney general generally asks for permission from the local county attorney and the district attorney or the local district attorney or county attorney will ask the attorney general for assistance. It seems that this provision is adding blanket authority to the attorney general to potentially investigate this grouping of individuals not for just Election Code violations but other law. And my concern is "other law" could be a Class C, Class B, Class A misdemeanor, could be any felony range.

KLICK: Ms. Johnson, the list that we're talking about already goes to the county or district attorney. They are on the distribution list already.

A. JOHNSON: I know. I understand that, and that would be appropriate because the local county attorney or district attorney is elected by the citizens of that individual county to make the determination of prosecutorial discretion. My concern is this would seem to give the attorney general the authority to prosecute any individual for any offense in any county based on this statutory change.

KLICK: It allows them to compare the list.

A. JOHNSON: No, it doesn't. It says that they can engage in investigation for any crime.

KLICK: Correct.

A. JOHNSON: Well, that––I pulled up the attorney general's website just now to see if I was correct in his job. The attorney general's job is to enforce child support orders, protect against consumer fraud, enforce open government laws, and provide legal advice to the state officials. And unfortunately, in this climate, Attorney General Ken Paxton has even been criticized by republican U.S. Senator Ben Sasse for the manner in which he has used our office for political purposes. And it scares the dickens out of me to think that this provision that we're about to vote on would give Ken Paxton the authority to waltz into any county and investigate any citizen off of this list for "other law." That opens up the entire––it gives him an incredible amount of power that the attorney general, in my view, should never have, much less this attorney general. And I wondered if that was the intent of this law?

KLICK: The intent is to remove those that have self-identified as not a resident of the county or a noncitizen and to verify that that is removed and they have not been voting in elections that they're not eligible to vote in.

A. JOHNSON: And if that is appropriately handled by the reference to 13.007, Election Code, then what's the need for "or other law"?

KLICK: You know, currently under state law, these lists can be available under an open records request, but they are not allowed to compare it to see if these individuals who are not citizens and nonresidents actually voted in a recent election.

A. JOHNSON: I don't disagree with you on what you're saying about the intent of the election integrity.

KLICK: That's what we're trying to fix.

A. JOHNSON: My concern is that under Subsection 3(b)(3), it seems to expand the attorney general's legal and prosecutorial authority into every county, into anyone on this list, for "other law"––"or" other law, not "and" other law––not tied to the Election Code violation and another law. It's either the Election Code violation "or other law," and that would seem to give the attorney general authority to take anybody off of this list and attempt to prosecute them for any potential offense. And that seems to be an extremely broad authority that is never given to an attorney general, much less one that has been criticized by republicans for being overly partisan with his use of our office.

KLICK: I would encourage you, Representative Johnson, to go to Section (c), right under the section you cited, where it says the "list compiled under this section may not be used for a purpose other than a purpose described by Subsection (b) or Section 15.081."

A. JOHNSON: So if that is the case, it may be that Subsection (b) and Subsection (c) are giving us different intents. Because if the intent is just for the Election Code, could this be amended to say that it's an "other law" in connection with the Election Code violation and make it an "and" as opposed to an "or"?

KLICK: I believe that the drafting is pretty clear as to what this means, and all we're doing is adding the AG to the list of folks that already get this notification and going through the normal voter list maintenance.

WU: Representative Klick, the legislation you're proposing would create a list of people who respond that they were not citizens, correct?

KLICK: Correct.

WU: To a jury summons?

KLICK: Correct.

WU: Would it be fair to say that when people get jury summons, there's not a certain timeline of how often they get it? That you can get two in a year or you could not get one inside of five years?

KLICK: I'm not advised.

WU: Is that possible? Is it within the realm of possibility?

KLICK: I'm not advised.

WU: Okay. In your personal experience, have you ever experienced that? Have you ever gotten a jury summons?

KLICK: I have.

WU: Do you know how long it was between your jury summons?

KLICK: Maybe a decade.

WU: A decade? Okay. Are you aware that people can change their citizenship status?

KLICK: Absolutely.

WU: In fact, almost 100,000 Texans became citizens in 2019 alone. Were you aware of that?

KLICK: I believe that is correct.

WU: Does this legislation create a process to check to see if people have become citizens within the last year?

KLICK: Mr. Wu, we have not changed any of the list maintenance protocols that are already in play, and that is part of the process.

WU: Does this legislation create any type of process to remove the names of people who have become citizens?

KLICK: Mr. Wu, existing law that we are not dealing with before us today does that. All we're doing is adding to the notification list. We're not changing the protocol.

WU: So I'm going to take by your answer twice now and the legislation itself, that it does not have a process to take the names off this list, okay?

KLICK: It's not in this bill. It's already in other statute that we're not touching.

WU: So this bill is going to check every time and create a list, and if someone becomes a citizen, is it the intent of this legislation for them to have to get their name off this list before they can register to vote?

KLICK: The bill does not provide for that.

WU: So if someone becomes a citizen in between the time they were sent a jury summons card, and they returned it saying they were not a citizen yet, and they became a citizen the following year, do they have to take their name off the list manually?

KLICK: Mr. Wu, we are not changing the protocol.

WU: This is a very simple question.

KLICK: They investigate this first before anybody would be referred for prosecution. We're not changing that process. The protocols are––

WU: That's not the question. The question isn't––we're not to the prosecution yet. We're just talking about whether somebody can register to vote legally. If someone is already on this list because they returned their jury summons card and they become a citizen––100,000 Texans, potentially, have become citizens in the last year. They want to register to vote. Do they have to manually take their name off this list before they can register?

KLICK: Mr. Wu, I'm not advised. We're not changing––

WU: This is your legislation. How are you not advised?

KLICK: We're not changing the protocols for list maintenance. All we're doing is adding the attorney general to the notification list.

WU: Representative Klick, you are creating a possible criminal prosecution and you cannot tell someone, tell the average Texan, whether or not they will be prosecuted for doing what they feel is their constitutionally protected right. You're creating legislation, creating a law, that subjects someone to possible criminal prosecution, and you are leaving it vague enough where they don't know how to act.

KLICK: Mr. Wu, all we are doing is adding the attorney general to the list that gets notified. Those notifications are quarterly.

WU: So let me ask you then, if the attorney general gets a list––they have a list that said someone turned in a card that says that they are not a citizen for the purposes of jury service, but they have become a citizen within the last year––is that person now subject to criminal prosecution?

KLICK: There's generally an investigation before somebody is charged with a crime.

WU: I'm not in the AG's office. I don't do any investigations. Is that person subject to prosecution under your law?

KLICK: If they are not a citizen, they could be.

WU: And if they are? They're now conflicting. They now have a conflict in the law.

KLICK: There's a means to prove that.

WU: I'm sorry?

KLICK: There is a means to prove that they have passed and became a citizen.

WU: So I want to be sure. In order for these people, these 100,000 Texans who become citizens every year––they would have to have a separate approval, a separate showing of evidence, before they're allowed to properly exercise their vote? Otherwise, they're under threat of criminal prosecution.

KLICK: Mr. Wu, how many of those 100,000 folks that you spoke of that have become new citizens have declined to do jury service and self-identified as noncitizens?

WU: I'm sorry. I can't hear anything.

KLICK: How many of those new citizens you're speaking about have been called up for jury service and have self-identified as noncitizens?

WU: I don't know. I would assume 100,000 of them a year would say they were not a citizen before the beginning of the year and they became a citizen during the year––100,000 Texans every single year.

REPRESENTATIVE C. TURNER: So you would agree that it's fairly routine for individuals to live temporarily away from the address at which they are registered to vote, right?

KLICK: Sure.

C. TURNER: Okay. So let me run through some hypotheticals with you. Could a voter who is serving abroad in the U.S. military and could be excused from jury duty for not residing in the county at the time––that happens frequently––under this bill, would that voter's name be sent to the attorney general for investigation and possible prosecution?

KLICK: Not likely, unless they had gone for jury service and self-identified that they were not a resident or a citizen.

C. TURNER: Well, they would be ineligible to serve because they are not presently in the county if they're deployed. So in that instance, they were ineligible to serve because they were physically not there in the county. Would they be referred to the attorney general for investigation and prosecution?

KLICK: How we go about determining residency, a person can claim a primary residence in one location at a time.

C. TURNER: Well, that's not the question. The question is if I'm a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and I'm deployed, I get called for jury duty––this happens. You would agree this happens all the time, right? Someone gets called for jury duty, they're deployed overseas or even elsewhere in the United States––you would agree that that happens?

KLICK: I'm not advised, but I would say that it's within the realm of possibilities.

C. TURNER: Okay. I'll represent to you that members of the U.S. Armed Forces do get deployed and they would therefore be unavailable to serve on a jury when they are deployed. So when that happens, will that voter's name be referred to the attorney general?

KLICK: I would not think so.

C. TURNER: Okay, that's good. Where in your bill does it say that?

KLICK: They got a normal exemption because they are out serving––

C. TURNER: So where in your bill does it say that that would not happen?

KLICK: That is in another section of statute in code that we are not touching.

C. TURNER: What section of statute is that?

KLICK: I'm sorry. I don't have that here in front of me. I'm not advised.

C. TURNER: Okay, because I'm not aware of what that section of statute is. So I would think we'd want to make sure. Let me go through a couple of other hypotheticals. So what about a voter who's attending college outside their county and they're excused from jury duty because they're not residing in the county? Would that voter's name be referred to the attorney general?

KLICK: You know, college students can be residents of where their college towns are but have a driver's license from their hometown. A college student is a resident wherever a college student identifies their primary residence to be. However, college students can only vote in one town at a time.

C. TURNER: Sure, but that's not my question. My question is if a college student is called to jury duty––let's say a student in Tarrant County, where you and I both live, is called for jury duty in Tarrant County but they're attending college at The University of Texas at Austin. They're not available to serve on a jury in Tarrant County. Would that be correct?

KLICK: I believe that that could be difficult for them.

C. TURNER: In the jury system, we don't make a college student skip a week of class to come back and serve on a jury. That's a valid excuse not to serve on a jury. Is that correct?

KLICK: College students can be residents of where they go to college but they can also have their driver's license from their hometown. That student is a resident wherever that student identifies their primary residence to be.

C. TURNER: But the question is not about residency. It's simply about if they get called for jury duty, they're unable to serve because they're not living in the county at that time because they're away at school, is that student going to be referred to the attorney general under your bill?

KLICK: I do not think so.

C. TURNER: But you're not sure. So what about a voter who is caring for a sick relative on a long-term basis outside the county? That happens to a lot of us. We go and take care of an ailing parent or a relative. They're unable to serve on a jury. They're exempted from jury duty. Would they then be referred to the attorney general?

KLICK: No. A person can claim primary residence in one location at a time. However, a person's residency does not have to be the address listed on the person's driver's license. The courts have ruled that residency is very subjective and ultimately is decided by a court if challenged.

C. TURNER: So you're not sure with respect to a member of the military or a college student. And I think those are questions the body would like to get clarified before we vote on this bill. But I know other members have questions, so I'll yield the microphone.

J. GONZÁLEZ: Representative Klick, in 2019, the secretary of state attempted to purge nearly 100,000 unregistered voters from our voter rolls. Are you aware of this event and the fact that the secretary of state resigned from his position because of that?

KLICK: I am aware that there were news stories about that.

J. GONZÁLEZ: Are you aware that at least 18,000 of the 95,000 voters in the attempted purge were naturalized citizens and 100 percent eligible to vote? Some of which were my constituents.

KLICK: I'm not advised.

J. GONZÁLEZ: Are you aware that this scandal cost Texas taxpayers $450,000?

KLICK: I'm not advised.

J. GONZÁLEZ: Your bill addresses notification of the authorities when someone in Texas has been excused from jury duty because they are a noncitizen or because they are no longer a resident of this county. Is there a mechanism in your bill that ensures that these two categories, noncitizen and no longer in the county, are not conflated?

A record vote was requested by Representative Cason.

CSSB 155, as amended, was passed to third reading by (Record 1215): 79 Yeas, 64 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

Yeas — Allison; Anderson; Ashby; Bailes; Bell, C.; Bell, K.; Bonnen; Buckley; Burns; Burrows; Button; Cain; Capriglione; Cason; Clardy; Cook; Craddick; Cyrier; Darby; Ellzey; Frank; Frullo; Gates; Geren; Goldman; Harless; Harris; Hefner; Holland; Huberty; Hull; Hunter; Jetton; Kacal; King, K.; King, P.; Klick; Krause; Kuempel; Lambert; Landgraf; Larson; Leach; Leman; Lozano; Metcalf; Meyer; Middleton; Morrison; Murphy; Murr; Noble; Oliverson; Paddie; Parker; Patterson; Paul; Price; Raney; Rogers; Sanford; Schaefer; Schofield; Shaheen; Shine; Slaton; Slawson; Smith; Spiller; Stephenson; Stucky; Swanson; Thompson, E.; Tinderholt; Toth; VanDeaver; Vasut; White; Wilson.

Nays — Allen; Anchia; Beckley; Bernal; Bucy; Campos; Canales; Cole; Collier; Cortez; Crockett; Davis; Deshotel; Dominguez; Dutton; Fierro; Gervin-Hawkins; González, J.; González, M.; Goodwin; Guerra; Guillen; Hernandez; Herrero; Hinojosa; Howard; Israel; Johnson, A.; Johnson, J.D.; Johnson, J.E.; King, T.; Longoria; Lopez; Lucio; Martinez; Martinez Fischer; Meza; Minjarez; Moody; Morales, C.; Morales, E.; Morales Shaw; Muñoz; Neave; Ordaz Perez; Ortega; Pacheco; Perez; Ramos; Raymond; Reynolds; Rodriguez; Romero; Rose; Rosenthal; Sherman; Talarico; Thompson, S.; Turner, C.; Turner, J.; Vo; Walle; Wu; Zwiener.

Present, not voting — Mr. Speaker(C).

Absent, Excused — Biedermann; Bowers; Coleman; Dean; Smithee; Thierry.

The following bills were laid before the house and read second time:

SB 2212, A bill to be entitled An Act relating to the duty of a peace officer to request and render aid for an injured person.

Representative S. Thompson moved to postpone consideration of SB 2212 until 10 a.m. Thursday, May 20.

The motion prevailed.

Representative Wu moved to print all remarks on CSSB 155.

The motion prevailed.

CSSB 601, A bill to be entitled An Act relating to the creation and activities of the Texas Produced Water Consortium.

CSSB 601 was passed to third reading.

CSSB 153, A bill to be entitled An Act relating to the exclusion of certain payment processing services from the definition of "data processing service" for purposes of sales and use taxes.

CSSB 153 was passed to third reading.

SB 884, A bill to be entitled An Act relating to the management and operation by The University of Texas System of a multi-institution center in the city of Laredo.

SB 884 was passed to third reading.

SB 1354, A bill to be entitled An Act relating to the prosecution of the offense of injury to a child, elderly individual, or disabled individual.

SB 1354 was passed to third reading.

SB 313, A bill to be entitled An Act relating to a sales and use tax exemption for firearm safety equipment.

Representative Meyer offered the following amendment to SB 313:

Amend SB 313 (house committee printing) on page 1, line 9, between "trigger lock," and "or", by inserting "a firearm safety training manual or electronic publication,".

Amendment No. 1 was adopted.

SB 313, as amended, was passed to third reading.

SB 581, A bill to be entitled An Act relating to regulation by a property owners' association of certain religious displays.

SB 581 was passed to third reading.

SB 383, A bill to be entitled An Act relating to disclosure requirements of certain facilities that provide care for persons with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders.

Representative Raymond offered the following amendment to SB 383:

Amend SB 383 (house committee report) as follows:

(1)  On page 1, line 9, between "facility" and "shall", insert "that advertises that the facility provides memory care services".

(2)  On page 2, line 22, immediately following "facility", insert "that advertises that the facility provides memory care services".

Amendment No. 1 was adopted.

REPRESENTATIVE RAYMOND: I'd like to establish some legislative intent. Is it your intent under this bill, as amended, that any assisted living facility or nursing facility which advertises to provide memory care services would have to follow the disclosure process required by the bill?

REPRESENTATIVE PEREZ: Yes, it is.

RAYMOND: Also, is it your intent that "advertising," including any written communication, verbal communication, anything posted on the website, or any other suggestion made that the facility provides memory care or Alzheimer's services, would meet the bill's disclosure requirements and by law be required to make the disclosure?

PEREZ: Yes, any type of communication, suggestion, or implication, whether verbal or written.

Representative Raymond moved to print remarks between Representative Perez and Representative Raymond on SB 383.

The motion prevailed.

A record vote was requested by Representative Tinderholt.

SB 383, as amended, was passed to third reading by (Record 1216): 98 Yeas, 42 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

Yeas — Allen; Allison; Anchia; Anderson; Ashby; Bailes; Beckley; Bernal; Bonnen; Bucy; Burrows; Button; Canales; Capriglione; Clardy; Cole; Collier; Cook; Cortez; Crockett; Darby; Davis; Deshotel; Dominguez; Dutton; Fierro; Frank; Frullo; Geren; Gervin-Hawkins; Goldman; González, J.; González, M.; Goodwin; Guerra; Guillen; Hernandez; Herrero; Hinojosa; Howard; Huberty; Hull; Hunter; Israel; Johnson, A.; Johnson, J.D.; Johnson, J.E.; Kacal; King, K.; King, T.; Klick; Kuempel; Lambert; Larson; Longoria; Lopez; Lozano; Lucio; Martinez; Martinez Fischer; Meyer; Meza; Minjarez; Moody; Morales, C.; Morales, E.; Morales Shaw; Muñoz; Murphy; Neave; Oliverson; Ordaz Perez; Ortega; Pacheco; Paddie; Perez; Price; Ramos; Raney; Raymond; Reynolds; Rodriguez; Rogers; Romero; Rose; Rosenthal; Schofield; Sherman; Shine; Stephenson; Talarico; Thompson, E.; Turner, C.; Turner, J.; Vo; Walle; Wu; Zwiener.

Nays — Bell, C.; Bell, K.; Buckley; Burns; Cain; Cason; Craddick; Cyrier; Ellzey; Gates; Harless; Harris; Hefner; Holland; Jetton; King, P.; Krause; Landgraf; Leach; Leman; Metcalf; Middleton; Murr; Noble; Parker; Patterson; Paul; Sanford; Schaefer; Shaheen; Slaton; Slawson; Smith; Spiller; Stucky; Swanson; Tinderholt; Toth; VanDeaver; Vasut; White; Wilson.

Present, not voting — Mr. Speaker(C).

Absent, Excused — Biedermann; Bowers; Coleman; Dean; Smithee; Thierry.

Absent — Campos; Morrison; Thompson, S.

When Record No. 1216 was taken, I was shown voting yes. I intended to vote no.

Klick

When Record No. 1216 was taken, I was shown voting yes. I intended to vote no.

Lambert

When Record No. 1216 was taken, I was in the house but away from my desk. I would have voted yes.

S. Thompson

SB 922, A bill to be entitled An Act relating to contracts for fingerprinting services entered into by the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas.

SB 922 was passed to third reading.

Representative Middleton moved that the house recess until 10 a.m. tomorrow.

The motion prevailed.

The house accordingly, at 2:31 p.m., recessed until 10 a.m. tomorrow.

The following bills and joint resolutions were today laid before the house, read first time, and referred to committees, and the following resolutions were today laid before the house and referred to committees. If indicated, the chair today corrected the referral of the following measures:

List No. 1

HR 1161 (By Ramos), Congratulating the softball team of Berkner High School in Richardson on its achievements during the 2021 season.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1162 (By Ramos), Honoring RAC-TX, the statewide affiliate of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, for its political and civic engagement.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1163 (By Hinojosa), In memory of Julian Otis Read of Austin.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1164 (By Stucky), Congratulating Brynn Brown on her outstanding accomplishments as a member of the girls' track and cross country teams at Guyer High School in Denton.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1165 (By A. Johnson), Congratulating Lamar High School in Houston on receiving a 2021 Landmark Award from the Houston Business Journal.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1166 (By Cole), Congratulating Judy Moore on being named Teacher Advocate of the Year by the Texas Public Charter Schools Association.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1167 (By Cole), Congratulating Gregory Harrington on being named Parent Advocate of the Year by the Texas Public Charter Schools Association.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1168 (By Neave), Congratulating Pam Sherrill of the Mesquite Independent School District on her induction into the 2021 class of DFW Great 100 Nurses.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1169 (By Neave), Congratulating Porter Elementary School in Mesquite ISD on its nomination for a 2021 U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School award.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1170 (By Neave), Congratulating Karen Mira Lopez of Lakeview Centennial High School in Garland on her selection as a 2021 Dell Scholar.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1171 (By Neave), Commemorating the grand opening of the nonprofit Well Grounded Coffee Community in Dallas.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1172 (By Neave), Congratulating Robert Richard Fegraeus of Dallas on his 100th birthday.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1173 (By Neave), Congratulating Diego Barron of Mesquite on being named to the 2021 USA Boxing Junior High Performance Squad as the nation's top-ranked boxer in his division.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1174 (By Murr), In memory of retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Patricia Ellen Frain.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1175 (By Sanford), Congratulating Collin College on its receipt of a 2020-2021 Innovation of the Year Award from the League for Innovation in the Community College.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1176 (By Sanford), In memory of Carroll Homer Maxwell Jr. of McKinney.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1177 (By Sanford), In memory of Frederick William "Rick" Herzberger, chief building official for the City of McKinney.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1178 (By Fierro), Honoring Vista Hills Elementary School principal Judith Calderon for her contributions to education in the El Paso community.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1179 (By Lucio), Congratulating Jose Garcia of Harlingen High School on his medal-winning performances at the 2021 UIL Track & Field State Meet.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1180 (By S. Thompson and Geren), In memory of former state representative Michael "Tuffy" Hamilton.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1181 (By Jetton), Honoring the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Center for its service to the Sugar Land community.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1182 (By Jetton), Honoring Mission BE A Resource of Sugar Land for its service to the community.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1183 (By Jetton), Commemorating the Lunar New Year on February 1, 2022.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1184 (By E. Morales), Recognizing the Eagle Pass Jeep Club for its contributions to the community.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1185 (By E. Morales), Honoring Enrique and Margarita Ramos of Eagle Pass for their activism.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1186 (By Jetton), Recognizing the festival of Diwali 2022.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1187 (By C. Turner), Commending Nora Melhem for her service as constituent correspondence manager in the office of State Representative Chris Turner.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1188 (By C. Turner), Commending Lynn Garavaglia for her service as a social work intern in the office of State Representative Chris Turner during the 87th Legislative session.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1189 (By C. Turner), Commending Veronikah Sanford for her service as a legislative aide in the office of State Representative Chris Turner.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1190 (By C. Turner), Commending Raychel Polk for her service as a legislative aide in the office of State Representative Chris Turner.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1191 (By C. Turner), Commending Brittany Reed for her service as a legislative aide and social media manager in the office of State Representative Chris Turner.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1192 (By Hernandez), In memory of Enrique "Rick" Dovalina of Houston.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1193 (By Smithee), In memory of Robert Earl Stout of Dalhart.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1194 (By Smithee), In memory of Baron Williams Corbitt Truitt of Dalhart.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1195 (By Smithee), In memory of Levi James Drew of Dalhart.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1196 (By C. Turner), Honoring Tammy Dubberke of Arlington for her service as director of constituent services and office manager in the office of State Representative Chris Turner.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1197 (By Smithee), In memory of John Delmas "Rusty" Hancock of Dalhart.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1198 (By C. Turner), In memory of Nina Jo McKinley Baker of Fort Worth.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1199 (By Smithee), In memory of Larry Clinton "Chip" Formby of Hereford.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1200 (By Smithee), In memory of Robert Douglas Josserand of Hereford.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1201 (By Dutton), Congratulating James Joe Joseph of Houston on his receipt of a 2021 Outstanding Texan Award from the Texas Legislative Black Caucus.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1202 (By Dutton), In memory of Gerald Morris Jr. of Houston.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1203 (By Dutton), In memory of Earl B. Middleton Sr. of Houston.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1204 (By Leman), Congratulating the Brenham High School Marine Corps Junior ROTC team on winning the overall title at the 2021 national championship.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1205 (By Leman), In memory of Stephen Kent Balas of Eagle Lake.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1206 (By Cook), Congratulating Julie Short on her reelection to the Mansfield City Council.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1207 (By Cook), In memory of former Fort Worth city councilperson Clyde Wendell Picht.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1208 (By Cook), Congratulating the Kennedale High School girls' track team on winning the 4A championship at the 2021 UIL Track & Field State Meet.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1209 (By Cook), Commending Nicole Wren for her service as a legislative aide in the office of State Representative David Cook.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1210 (By Smithee), In memory of Randall County Judge Ernie Houdashell of Amarillo.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1211 (By Ordaz Perez), Honoring Melody Tsutsumi Cruz of Silva Health Magnet High School for assisting with vaccination efforts at the El Paso County Coliseum.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1212 (By Ordaz Perez), Honoring Alonzo Jordan Ruelas of Silva Health Magnet High School for assisting with vaccination efforts at the El Paso County Coliseum.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1213 (By Ordaz Perez), Honoring Graciela Ortiz of Silva Health Magnet High School for assisting with vaccination efforts at the El Paso County Coliseum.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1214 (By Ordaz Perez), Honoring Jia Moreno of Silva Health Magnet High School for assisting with vaccination efforts at the El Paso County Coliseum.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1215 (By Ordaz Perez), Honoring Ashley Houser of Silva Health Magnet High School for assisting with vaccination efforts at the El Paso County Coliseum.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1216 (By Ordaz Perez), Honoring Mariana Hernandez of Silva Health Magnet High School for assisting with vaccination efforts at the El Paso County Coliseum.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1217 (By Ordaz Perez), Honoring Zayra Gomez of Silva Health Magnet High School for assisting with vaccination efforts at the El Paso County Coliseum.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1218 (By Ordaz Perez), Honoring Georgina Bugarini of Silva Health Magnet High School for assisting with vaccination efforts at the El Paso County Coliseum.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1219 (By Dean), In memory of Andrew George Khoury of Longview.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1220 (By K. King), Congratulating the 2021 Texas Commission on the Arts honorees.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1221 (By K. King), Congratulating the 2022 Texas Commission on the Arts honorees.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1222 (By Martinez Fischer), Honoring chef Steve McHugh for his contributions to San Antonio.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1223 (By Martinez Fischer), Commending Endeavors for its service to vulnerable people in crisis.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1224 (By Martinez Fischer), Commending Vanessa Chebli for her service as a legislative aide in the office of State Representative Trey Martinez Fischer.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1225 (By Martinez Fischer), Commending Elena Tamez on her service as a legislative aide in the office of State Representative Trey Martinez Fischer during the 87th Legislative Session.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1226 (By Jetton), Congratulating Sarah Sutar of Sienna Crossing Elementary School on being named the 2021 Texas Teacher of the Year by Texas Teachers of Tomorrow.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1227 (By Jetton), In memory of Deputy Caleb Daniel Rule of the Fort Bend County Precinct 4 Constable's Office.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1228 (By Jetton), Recognizing April 1, 2022, as Hindu New Year.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1229 (By Fierro), Honoring the El Paso Community College Student Government Association for its work with the Tejanos Against Tobacco campaign.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1230 (By J.D. Johnson), Congratulating State Representative Senfronia Thompson on the dedication of the auditorium at Booker T. Washington High School and the High School for Engineering Professions in her honor.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1231 (By Holland), Congratulating Dr. Bill Dean on his retirement from Texas Tech University.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1232 (By Martinez Fischer), Honoring God'swill Osa for his service as a legislative aide in the office of Representative Trey Martinez Fischer during the 87th Legislative Session.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1233 (By Metcalf), Recognizing the Legislative Budget Board for its work during the 87th Legislative Session.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1234 (By Metcalf), Commending Robert Haney and the staff of the Chief Clerk's Office for their service during the 87th Legislative Session.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1235 (By Metcalf), Commending Region VII of the Texas Department of Public Safety for its outstanding service to the Capitol Complex in Austin.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1236 (By Metcalf), Recognizing the staff of the Texas Legislative Council.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1237 (By Metcalf), Commending the staff of the State Preservation Board for their service during the 87th Legislative Session.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1238 (By Metcalf), Commending Ginger McGalin for her service as Capitol nurse practitioner during the 87th Texas Legislature.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1239 (By Metcalf), Commending the members of the House Committee Coordinator's Office for their work during the 87th Legislative Session.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1241 (By Metcalf), Commending Jennifer Teigen Doran and the staff of the House Journal Clerk's Office for their service during the 87th Legislative Session.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1242 (By Metcalf), Commending the House Business Office staff for its work during the 87th Legislative Session.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1243 (By Metcalf), Commending the Office of the House Sergeant-at-Arms for its work during the 87th Legislative Session.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1244 (By Button), In memory of the Reverend Gerald Lee Nichols of Richardson.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1245 (By Cole), Congratulating Carlyle Morris of the Liberal Arts and Science Academy in Austin on finishing in the top 100 contestants in the 2021 CyberStart America National Cyber Scholarship Competition.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1246 (By Cole), Congratulating Jeriah Yu of the Liberal Arts and Science Academy in Austin on finishing in the top 100 contestants in the 2021 CyberStart America National Cyber Scholarship Competition.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1247 (By Spiller), In memory of Wheeler County Judge Jerry Dan Hefley.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1248 (By Longoria), Congratulating Jose Garcia of Harlingen High School on his medal-winning performances at the 2021 UIL Track & Field State Meet.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1249 (By Murr), Congratulating Mark McDaniel on his retirement as Kerrville City Manager.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1250 (By Murr), Recognizing Emma Cullins Holland of Heath on being the first person to lose a tooth on the floor of the Texas House of Representatives during a legislative session.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1251 (By Cook), Congratulating the Stephen F. Austin State University softball team on winning the 2021 Southland Conference regular season title.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1252 (By Cook), Congratulating Raul H. Gonzalez on his election to the Arlington City Council.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1253 (By Bucy), Congratulating Sara-ann and Ian Groff on their 25th wedding anniversary.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1254 (By Frullo), Honoring the Lubbock Police Department on its 100th anniversary.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1255 (By Lopez), Congratulating Mario Jorge of San Antonio on his retirement from the Texas Department of Transportation.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1256 (By Lopez), Congratulating Mario Jorge of San Antonio on his retirement from the Texas Department of Transportation.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1257 (By Lopez), Congratulating Ricardo Castañeda of New Braunfels on his retirement from the Texas Department of Transportation.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1258 (By Lopez), Congratulating Maribel P. Fuentes on her selection as the 2018-2019 Teacher of the Year at Roosevelt Elementary School in San Antonio.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1259 (By Lopez), Congratulating Gabriela Garcia on her selection as the 2018-2019 Teacher of the Year at Gus Garcia Middle School in San Antonio.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1260 (By Lopez), Congratulating Ida Tello on her selection as the 2018-2019 Teacher of the Year at Winston Elementary School in San Antonio.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1261 (By Lopez), Congratulating Cynthia Kelly on her selection as the 2018-2019 Teacher of the Year for Gardendale Elementary School in San Antonio.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1262 (By Lopez), Congratulating Cynthia Ramirez de Lopez on her selection as the 2018-2019 Teacher of the Year at Henry B. Gonzalez Elementary School in San Antonio.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1263 (By Lopez), Congratulating Megan Prado on her selection as the 2018-2019 Teacher of the Year at Brentwood Middle School in San Antonio.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1264 (By Lopez), Congratulating Rosalie Rodriguez on her selection as the 2018-2019 Teacher of the Year at Memorial High School in San Antonio.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1265 (By Lopez), Congratulating Celeste Foster on her selection as the 2018-2019 Teacher of the Year at Roy Cisneros Elementary School in San Antonio.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1266 (By Lopez), Congratulating Evangelina Perez on her selection as the 2018-2019 Teacher of the Year at Loma Park Elementary School in San Antonio.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1267 (By Lopez), Congratulating Robert J. Lopez on his selection as the 2018-2019 Teacher of the Year at the Emma Frey Disciplinary Alternative Education Program in San Antonio.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1268 (By Lopez), Congratulating Zoila Vela on her selection as the 2018-2019 Teacher of the Year at Lyndon B. Johnson Elementary School in San Antonio.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1269 (By Lopez), Congratulating Patricia Preciado-Ramon on her selection as the 2018-2019 Teacher of the Year for Jose Cardenas Early Childhood Center in San Antonio.

To Resolutions Calendars.

HR 1270 (By Lopez), Congratulating John Leos on his selection as the 2018-2019 Teacher of the Year at Las Palmas Elementary School in San Antonio.

To Resolutions Calendars.

SB 113 to Ways and Means.

SB 585 to Licensing and Administrative Procedures.

SB 962 to Public Health.

SB 993 to Public Health.

SB 1059 to Human Services.

SB 1572 to Elections.

SB 1984 to Pensions, Investments, and Financial Services.

SB 2089 to Ways and Means.

SB 2232 to Elections.

List No. 2

SB 487 to Land and Resource Management.

SB 734 to Ways and Means.

SB 1471 to Insurance.

SB 2193 to Natural Resources.

SB 2230 to Pensions, Investments, and Financial Services.

SB 2247 to Homeland Security and Public Safety.

The following bills and resolutions were today signed in the presence of the house by the speaker:

House List No. 22

HB 773, HB 1957, HB 2390, HB 2431, HB 3399, HJR 125

The following messages from the senate were today received by the house:

MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE

SENATE CHAMBER

Austin, Texas

Monday, May 17, 2021

The Honorable Speaker of the House

House Chamber

Austin, Texas

Mr. Speaker:

I am directed by the senate to inform the house that the senate has taken the following action:

THE SENATE HAS PASSED THE FOLLOWING MEASURES:

Relating to the applicability of certain laws to open-enrollment charter schools.

Relating to an exemption from ad valorem taxation of property owned by a charitable organization that provides services related to the placement of a child in a foster or adoptive home.

Relating to eligibility to establish a multiple employer welfare arrangement.

Relating to the creation of the Matthews Ranch Water Control and Improvement District No. 1 of Blanco County; granting a limited power of eminent domain; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes.

Relating to the acquisition of real property or construction of buildings for the purpose of operating the Texas Bullion Depository.

Relating to the removal of a fee for the issuance of an original, duplicate, modified, or renewed license to carry a handgun.

Respectfully,

Patsy Spaw

Secretary of the Senate

Favorable reports have been filed by committees as follows:

Business and Industry - SB 2099

County Affairs - SB 504

Criminal Jurisprudence - SB 109, SB 335

Elections - SB 598, SB 1116

Homeland Security and Public Safety - SB 181, SB 741, SB 1359

Human Services - SB 764, SB 1136, SB 1917

Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence - SB 6, SB 1179

Licensing and Administrative Procedures - SB 766, SB 2062

Natural Resources - SB 387, SB 1949

Pensions, Investments, and Financial Services - SB 186, SB 1372

Public Education - SB 1365

State Affairs - SB 14

Transportation - SB 782, SB 1123, SB 1814, SB 1815, SB 1816, SB 1817, SB 1865, SB 1907

Urban Affairs - SB 591, SB 2185

Ways and Means - SB 296, SB 334, SB 794, SB 1315, SB 1421, SB 1764

May 14 - HB 41, HB 318, HB 461, HB 578, HB 740, HB 929, HB 1032, HB 1306, HB 1400, HB 1467, HB 1480, HB 1507, HB 1516, HB 1524, HB 1548, HB 1591, HB 1631, HB 1633, HB 1678, HB 1754, HB 1852, HB 1907, HB 1914, HB 1971, HB 2001, HB 2022, HB 2147, HB 2156, HB 2179, HB 2182, HB 2183, HB 2290, HB 2333, HB 2352, HB 2371, HB 2384, HB 2391, HB 2409, HB 2416, HB 2435, HB 2534, HB 2554, HB 2629, HB 2675, HB 2696, HB 2710, HB 2726, HB 2740, HB 2746, HB 2769, HB 2795, HB 2815, HB 2864, HB 3013, HB 3044, HB 3068, HB 3110, HB 3126, HB 3140, HB 3157, HB 3250, HB 3253, HB 3264, HB 3266, HB 3340, HB 3363, HB 3375, HB 3385, HB 3433, HB 3436, HB 3467, HB 3533, HB 3598, HB 3601, HB 3630, HB 3635, HB 3691, HB 3720, HB 3740, HB 3750, HB 3759, HB 3802, HB 3889, HB 3906, HB 3920, HB 3925, HB 3941, HB 3951, HB 3985, HB 4124, HB 4176, HB 4179, HB 4338, HB 4472, HB 4486, HB 4487, HB 4509, HB 4525, HB 4535, HB 4580, HB 4584, HB 4590, HB 4591, HB 4597, HB 4615, HB 4616, HB 4617, HB 4619, HB 4627, HB 4628, HB 4629, HB 4630, HB 4634, HB 4639, HB 4642, HB 4645, HB 4647, HB 4648, HB 4649, HB 4652, HB 4654, HB 4658, HB 4659, HB 4662, HB 4663, HB 4667, HCR 7, HCR 103

May 16 - HB 105, HB 140, HB 162, HB 205, HB 244, HB 285, HB 396, HB 424, HB 545, HB 558, HB 572, HB 639, HB 643, HB 662, HB 1157, HB 1302, HB 1530, HB 1586, HB 1744, HB 2027, HB 2134, HB 2222, HB 2269, HB 2681, HB 2983, HB 3255, HB 3331, HB 3438, HB 3462, HB 3472, HB 3503, HB 3531, HB 3658, HB 3767, HB 3798, HB 3880, HB 3916, HB 3929, HB 4023, HB 4058, HB 4107, HB 4110, HB 4184, HB 4361, HB 4368, HB 4420, HB 4539, HB 4555, HB 4589, HB 4605, HB 4623, HB 4624, HB 4635, HB 4638, HB 4641, HB 4650, HB 4664, HB 4665, HCR 1, HCR 5, HCR 54, HCR 66, HCR 67, HCR 84

May 14 - HB 773, HB 1957, HB 2390, HB 2431, HB 3399, HJR 125

May 14 - HB 16, HB 33, HB 54, HB 454, HB 604, HB 636, HB 977, HB 1057, HB 1363, HB 1585, HB 1763, HB 2127, HB 3529

May 14 - HB 4654, HB 4657, HB 4658, HB 4659

May 15 - HB 362, HB 723, HB 735, HB 780, HB 786, HB 917, HB 1070, HB 1081, HB 1325, HB 1428, HB 1658, HB 1689, HB 1755, HB 1787, HB 1831, HB 2005, HB 2089, HB 2429, HB 2536, HB 2660, HB 2677, HB 2678, HCR 90

May 15 - HB 567, HB 1116, HB 1472