FIFTH DAY --- MONDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2023

The house met at 4:12 p.m. and was called to order by the speaker.

The roll of the house was called and a quorum was announced present (Record 6).

Present — Mr. Speaker(C); Allen; Anchía; Anderson; Ashby; Bailes; Bell, C.; Bell, K.; Bernal; Bhojani; Bonnen; Bowers; Bryant; Buckley; Bucy; Bumgarner; Burns; Burrows; Button; Cain; Campos; Canales; Capriglione; Clardy; Cole; Collier; Cook; Cortez; Craddick; Cunningham; Darby; Davis; Dean; DeAyala; Dorazio; Dutton; Flores; Frank; Frazier; Gámez; Gates; Gerdes; Geren; Gervin-Hawkins; Goldman; González, J.; González, M.; Goodwin; Guerra; Guillen; Harless; Harris, C.E.; Harris, C.J.; Harrison; Hayes; Hefner; Hernandez; Herrero; Hinojosa; Holland; Howard; Hull; Hunter; Isaac; Jetton; Johnson, A.; Johnson, J.D.; Johnson, J.E.; Jones, J.; Jones, V.; Kacal; King, K.; King, T.; Kitzman; Klick; Kuempel; Lalani; Lambert; Landgraf; Leach; Longoria; Lopez, J.; Lopez, R.; Lozano; Lujan; Martinez; Martinez Fischer; Metcalf; Meyer; Meza; Moody; Morales, C.; Morales, E.; Morales Shaw; Morrison; Muñoz; Murr; Neave Criado; Noble; Oliverson; Ordaz; Orr; Ortega; Patterson; Paul; Perez; Plesa; Price; Ramos; Raney; Raymond; Reynolds; Rogers; Romero; Rose; Rosenthal; Schaefer; Schatzline; Schofield; Shaheen; Sherman; Shine; Slawson; Smith; Smithee; Spiller; Stucky; Swanson; Talarico; Tepper; Thierry; Thimesch; Thompson, E.; Thompson, S.; Tinderholt; Toth; Troxclair; Turner; VanDeaver; Vasut; Vo; Walle; Wilson; Wu; Zwiener.

Absent, Excused — Allison; Garcia; Leo-Wilson; Manuel.

The invocation was offered by the Reverend Callan Sweeney, chaplain, as follows:

Almighty God, we thank you for this day, sustained once more by your grace. We give you thanks for rain today that even the sacred soil of our home may be renewed. Finally, we thank you for the great privilege of gathering here in service to you and the people of Texas.

In humble prayer we ask you to look with favor upon our labors this day. Embolden us in the truth and cover over our earthly weaknesses. May our efforts redound for the good of all, that your peace may reign across this land. Though one may plant and another water, we implore you, O God, to bring the growth, for true fruit can come no other way.

We lift up these things and all our prayers through your holy name, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

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

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

Allison on motion of Ashby.

Leo-Wilson on motion of Hayes.

Manuel on motion of J.D. Johnson.

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

Garcia on motion of Gervin-Hawkins.

On motion of Representative Metcalf and by unanimous consent, the reading and referral of bills was postponed until just prior to final recess.

Representative M. González moved that the house grant permission for all committees and subcommittees to meet while the house is in session, through and including Wednesday, October 25, pursuant to their committee postings.

Permission to meet was granted.

Representative M. González moved to suspend all necessary rules to take up and consider at this time HR 19.

The motion prevailed.

The following resolution was laid before the house:

HR 19, Congratulating Dr. Andy Schwartz on his retirement as state veterinarian and executive director of the Texas Animal Health Commission.

HR 19 was adopted.

At 4:19 p.m., Representative Metcalf moved that, at the conclusion of the reading of bills and resolutions on first reading and referral to committees and the receipt of messages, the house recess until 10 a.m. Wednesday, October 25.

The motion prevailed.

The chair called the house to order at 9:56 a.m. Wednesday, October 25.

In accordance with a previous motion, the house, at 9:56 a.m. Wednesday, October 25, recessed until 10 a.m. today.