EIGHTH DAY --- TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2025

The house met at 2:12 p.m. and was called to order by the speaker.

The roll of the house was called and a quorum was announced present (Record 81).

Present — Mr. Speaker(C); Alders; Allen; Anchía; Ashby; Barry; Bell, C.; Bell, K.; Bernal; Bhojani; Bonnen; Bowers; Bryant; Buckley; Bucy; Bumgarner; Button; Cain; Canales; Capriglione; Cole; Collier; Cook; Cortez; Craddick; Cunningham; Curry; Darby; Davis, A.; Davis, Y.; Dean; DeAyala; Dorazio; Dutton; Dyson; Fairly; Flores; Frank; Gámez; Garcia, L.; Garcia Hernandez; Gates; Gerdes; Gervin-Hawkins; González, J.; González, M.; Goodwin; Guerra; Guillen; Harless; Harris; Harris Davila; Harrison; Hayes; Hefner; Hernandez; Hickland; Hinojosa; Holt; Hopper; Howard; Hull; Hunter; Isaac; Johnson; Jones, J.; Jones, V.; Kerwin; King; Kitzman; LaHood; Lalani; Lambert; Landgraf; Leach; Leo Wilson; Little; Longoria; Lopez, J.; Lopez, R.; Louderback; Lowe; Lozano; Lujan; Luther; Manuel; Martinez; Martinez Fischer; McLaughlin; McQueeney; Metcalf; Meyer; Meza; Money; Moody; Morales, E.; Morgan; Muñoz; Olcott; Oliverson; Ordaz; Orr; Patterson; Paul; Perez, M.; Perez, V.; Pierson; Plesa; Raymond; Richardson; Romero; Rose; Rosenthal; Schatzline; Schofield; Schoolcraft; Shaheen; Shofner; Simmons; Slawson; Smithee; Spiller; Swanson; Talarico; Tepper; Thompson; Tinderholt; Toth; Troxclair; Turner; VanDeaver; Vasut; Villalobos; Virdell; Walle; Ward Johnson; Wharton; Wilson; Wu; Zwiener.

Absent, Excused — Campos; Geren; Morales Shaw; Noble; Phelan; Reynolds; Vo.

Absent — Garcia, J.; Morales, C.; Rodríguez Ramos.

Representative Moody moved to print all remarks on SB 12 and HJR 1 on second reading.

The motion prevailed. [The text of the debate was not available at the time of printing.]

On motion of Representative Buckley and by unanimous consent, all members who were granted leaves of absence on the previous legislative day were granted leaves for this legislative day.

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

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

SB 3, A bill to be entitled An Act relating to outdoor warning sirens in flash flood-prone areas.

SB 3 was passed by (Record 82): 136 Yeas, 0 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

Yeas — Alders; Allen; Anchía; Ashby; Barry; Bell, C.; Bernal; Bhojani; Bonnen; Bowers; Bryant; Buckley; Bucy; Bumgarner; Cain; Canales; Capriglione; Cole; Collier; Cook; Cortez; Craddick; Cunningham; Curry; Darby; Davis, A.; Davis, Y.; Dean; DeAyala; Dorazio; Dutton; Dyson; Fairly; Flores; Frank; Gámez; Garcia, L.; Gates; Gerdes; Gervin-Hawkins; González, J.; González, M.; Goodwin; Guerra; Guillen; Harless; Harris; Harris Davila; Harrison; Hayes; Hefner; Hernandez; Hickland; Hinojosa; Holt; Hopper; Howard; Hull; Hunter; Isaac; Johnson; Jones, J.; Jones, V.; Kerwin; King; Kitzman; LaHood; Lalani; Lambert; Landgraf; Leach; Leo Wilson; Little; Longoria; Lopez, J.; Lopez, R.; Louderback; Lowe; Lozano; Lujan; Luther; Manuel; Martinez; Martinez Fischer; McLaughlin; McQueeney; Metcalf; Meyer; Meza; Money; Moody; Morales, E.; Morgan; Muñoz; Olcott; Oliverson; Ordaz; Orr; Patterson; Paul; Perez, M.; Perez, V.; Pierson; Plesa; Raymond; Richardson; Romero; Rose; Rosenthal; Schatzline; Schofield; Schoolcraft; Shaheen; Shofner; Simmons; Slawson; Smithee; Spiller; Swanson; Talarico; Tepper; Thompson; Tinderholt; Toth; Troxclair; Turner; VanDeaver; Vasut; Villalobos; Virdell; Walle; Ward Johnson; Wharton; Wilson; Wu; Zwiener.

Present, not voting — Mr. Speaker(C).

Absent, Excused — Campos; Geren; Morales Shaw; Noble; Phelan; Reynolds; Vo.

Absent — Bell, K.; Button; Garcia, J.; Garcia Hernandez; Morales, C.; Rodríguez Ramos.

When Record No. 82 was taken, I was in the house but away from my desk. I would have voted yes.

K. Bell

When Record No. 82 was taken, I was in the house but away from my desk. I would have voted yes.

Button

When Record No. 82 was taken, I was in the house but away from my desk. I would have voted yes.

Garcia Hernandez

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

Representative Smithee moved to suspend Rule 8, Section 5(d), of the House Rules to designate as joint sponsors and co-sponsors for SB 11 all joint authors and co-authors for HB 252.

The motion prevailed.

SB 11, A bill to be entitled An Act relating to an affirmative defense to prosecution for certain victims of trafficking of persons or compelling prostitution.

SB 11 was passed by (Record 83): 137 Yeas, 1 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

Yeas — Alders; Allen; Anchía; Ashby; Barry; Bell, C.; Bell, K.; Bernal; Bhojani; Bonnen; Bowers; Bryant; Buckley; Bucy; Bumgarner; Button; Cain; Canales; Capriglione; Cole; Collier; Cook; Cortez; Craddick; Cunningham; Curry; Darby; Davis, A.; Davis, Y.; Dean; DeAyala; Dorazio; Dutton; Dyson; Fairly; Flores; Frank; Gámez; Garcia, L.; Gates; Gerdes; Gervin-Hawkins; González, J.; González, M.; Goodwin; Guerra; Guillen; Harless; Harris; Harris Davila; Harrison; Hayes; Hefner; Hernandez; Hickland; Hinojosa; Holt; Hopper; Howard; Hull; Hunter; Isaac; Johnson; Jones, J.; Jones, V.; Kerwin; King; Kitzman; LaHood; Lalani; Lambert; Landgraf; Leach; Leo Wilson; Little; Longoria; Lopez, J.; Lopez, R.; Louderback; Lowe; Lozano; Lujan; Luther; Manuel; Martinez; Martinez Fischer; McLaughlin; McQueeney; Metcalf; Meyer; Meza; Money; Moody; Morales, E.; Morgan; Muñoz; Olcott; Oliverson; Ordaz; Orr; Patterson; Paul; Perez, M.; Pierson; Plesa; Raymond; Richardson; Romero; Rose; Rosenthal; Schatzline; Schofield; Schoolcraft; Shaheen; Shofner; Simmons; Slawson; Smithee; Spiller; Swanson; Talarico; Tepper; Thompson; Tinderholt; Toth; Troxclair; Turner; VanDeaver; Vasut; Villalobos; Virdell; Walle; Ward Johnson; Wharton; Wilson; Wu; Zwiener.

Nays — Perez, V.

Present, not voting — Mr. Speaker(C).

Absent, Excused — Campos; Geren; Morales Shaw; Noble; Phelan; Reynolds; Vo.

Absent — Garcia, J.; Garcia Hernandez; Morales, C.; Rodríguez Ramos.

When Record No. 83 was taken, I was excused because of a family medical emergency. I would have voted yes.

Noble

When Record No. 83 was taken, I was shown voting no. I intended to vote yes.

V. Perez

Representative Smithee moved to suspend Rule 8, Section 5(d), of the House Rules to designate Representatives Anchía, Ashby, Cain, and DeAyala as additional sponsors to SB 16.

The motion prevailed.

SB 16, A bill to be entitled An Act relating to real property theft and real property fraud; establishing recording requirements for certain documents concerning real property; creating the criminal offenses of real property theft and real property fraud and establishing a statute of limitations, restitution, and certain procedures with respect to those offenses.

SB 16 was passed by (Record 84): 138 Yeas, 0 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

Yeas — Alders; Allen; Anchía; Ashby; Barry; Bell, C.; Bell, K.; Bernal; Bhojani; Bonnen; Bowers; Bryant; Buckley; Bucy; Bumgarner; Button; Cain; Canales; Capriglione; Cole; Collier; Cook; Cortez; Craddick; Cunningham; Curry; Darby; Davis, A.; Davis, Y.; Dean; DeAyala; Dorazio; Dutton; Dyson; Fairly; Flores; Frank; Gámez; Garcia, L.; Garcia Hernandez; Gates; Gerdes; Gervin-Hawkins; González, J.; González, M.; Goodwin; Guerra; Guillen; Harless; Harris; Harris Davila; Harrison; Hayes; Hefner; Hernandez; Hickland; Hinojosa; Holt; Hopper; Howard; Hull; Hunter; Isaac; Johnson; Jones, J.; Jones, V.; Kerwin; King; Kitzman; LaHood; Lalani; Lambert; Landgraf; Leach; Leo Wilson; Little; Longoria; Lopez, J.; Lopez, R.; Louderback; Lowe; Lozano; Lujan; Luther; Manuel; Martinez Fischer; McLaughlin; McQueeney; Metcalf; Meyer; Meza; Money; Moody; Morales, E.; Morgan; Muñoz; Olcott; Oliverson; Ordaz; Orr; Patterson; Paul; Perez, M.; Perez, V.; Pierson; Plesa; Raymond; Richardson; Romero; Rose; Rosenthal; Schatzline; Schofield; Schoolcraft; Shaheen; Shofner; Simmons; Slawson; Smithee; Spiller; Swanson; Talarico; Tepper; Thompson; Tinderholt; Toth; Troxclair; Turner; VanDeaver; Vasut; Villalobos; Virdell; Walle; Ward Johnson; Wharton; Wilson; Wu; Zwiener.

Present, not voting — Mr. Speaker(C).

Absent, Excused — Campos; Geren; Morales Shaw; Noble; Phelan; Reynolds; Vo.

Absent — Garcia, J.; Martinez; Morales, C.; Rodríguez Ramos.

When Record No. 84 was taken, I was excused because of family medical emergency. I would have voted yes.

Noble

SB 14, A bill to be entitled An Act relating to the provision by a political subdivision of credits against impact fees to builders and developers for certain water conservation and reuse projects.

SB 14 was passed by (Record 85): 133 Yeas, 6 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

Yeas — Alders; Allen; Anchía; Ashby; Barry; Bell, C.; Bell, K.; Bernal; Bhojani; Bonnen; Bowers; Bryant; Buckley; Bucy; Bumgarner; Button; Cain; Canales; Capriglione; Cole; Collier; Cook; Cortez; Craddick; Cunningham; Curry; Darby; Davis, A.; Davis, Y.; Dean; DeAyala; Dorazio; Dutton; Dyson; Fairly; Flores; Frank; Gámez; Garcia, L.; Garcia Hernandez; Gates; Gerdes; Gervin-Hawkins; González, J.; González, M.; Goodwin; Guerra; Guillen; Harless; Harris; Harris Davila; Harrison; Hayes; Hefner; Hernandez; Hickland; Hinojosa; Holt; Howard; Hull; Hunter; Isaac; Johnson; Jones, J.; Jones, V.; King; Kitzman; LaHood; Lalani; Lambert; Landgraf; Leach; Leo Wilson; Longoria; Lopez, J.; Lopez, R.; Louderback; Lozano; Lujan; Manuel; Martinez; Martinez Fischer; McLaughlin; McQueeney; Metcalf; Meyer; Meza; Money; Moody; Morales, E.; Morgan; Muñoz; Oliverson; Ordaz; Orr; Patterson; Paul; Perez, M.; Perez, V.; Pierson; Plesa; Raymond; Richardson; Romero; Rose; Rosenthal; Schatzline; Schofield; Schoolcraft; Shaheen; Shofner; Simmons; Slawson; Smithee; Spiller; Swanson; Talarico; Tepper; Thompson; Tinderholt; Toth; Troxclair; Turner; VanDeaver; Vasut; Villalobos; Virdell; Walle; Ward Johnson; Wharton; Wilson; Wu; Zwiener.

Nays — Hopper; Kerwin; Little; Lowe; Luther; Olcott.

Present, not voting — Mr. Speaker(C).

Absent, Excused — Campos; Geren; Morales Shaw; Noble; Phelan; Reynolds; Vo.

Absent — Garcia, J.; Morales, C.; Rodríguez Ramos.

When Record No. 85 was taken, I was shown voting no. I intended to vote yes.

Kerwin

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

HB 8, A bill to be entitled An Act relating to public school accountability and transparency, including the implementation of an instructionally supportive assessment program and the adoption and administration of assessment instruments in public schools, indicators of achievement, public school performance ratings, and interventions and sanctions under the public school accountability system, a grant program for school district local accountability plans, and actions challenging Texas Education Agency decisions related to public school accountability.

Representative Buckley offered the following amendment to HB 8:

Amend HB 8 on third reading in added Section 39.02301, Education Code, by striking added Subsection (d-1) as substituted by Amendment No. 2 by Anchia and substituting the following:

Amendment No. 1 was adopted.

HB 8, as amended, was passed by (Record 86): 82 Yeas, 56 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

Yeas — Alders; Ashby; Barry; Bell, C.; Bell, K.; Bonnen; Buckley; Bumgarner; Button; Cain; Capriglione; Cook; Craddick; Cunningham; Curry; Dean; DeAyala; Dorazio; Dyson; Fairly; Frank; Gates; Gerdes; González, M.; Guillen; Harless; Harris; Harris Davila; Hayes; Hefner; Hickland; Holt; Hopper; Hull; Hunter; Isaac; Kerwin; King; Kitzman; LaHood; Lambert; Landgraf; Leach; Leo Wilson; Lopez, J.; Louderback; Lowe; Lozano; Lujan; Luther; McLaughlin; McQueeney; Metcalf; Meyer; Money; Morgan; Olcott; Oliverson; Orr; Patterson; Paul; Pierson; Richardson; Schatzline; Schofield; Schoolcraft; Shaheen; Shofner; Slawson; Smithee; Spiller; Swanson; Tepper; Tinderholt; Toth; Troxclair; VanDeaver; Vasut; Villalobos; Virdell; Wharton; Wilson.

Nays — Allen; Anchía; Bernal; Bhojani; Bowers; Bryant; Bucy; Canales; Cole; Collier; Cortez; Darby; Davis, A.; Davis, Y.; Dutton; Flores; Gámez; Garcia, L.; Garcia Hernandez; Gervin-Hawkins; González, J.; Goodwin; Guerra; Harrison; Hernandez; Hinojosa; Howard; Johnson; Jones, J.; Jones, V.; Lalani; Little; Longoria; Lopez, R.; Manuel; Martinez; Martinez Fischer; Meza; Moody; Morales, E.; Muñoz; Ordaz; Perez, M.; Perez, V.; Plesa; Raymond; Romero; Rose; Rosenthal; Talarico; Thompson; Turner; Walle; Ward Johnson; Wu; Zwiener.

Present, not voting — Mr. Speaker(C).

Absent, Excused — Campos; Geren; Morales Shaw; Noble; Phelan; Reynolds; Vo.

Absent — Garcia, J.; Morales, C.; Rodríguez Ramos; Simmons.

When Record No. 86 was taken, I was shown voting no. I intended to vote yes.

Anchía

When Record No. 86 was taken, I was shown voting yes. I intended to vote no.

M. González

When Record No. 86 was taken, I was shown voting yes. I intended to vote no.

Lambert

When Record No. 86 was taken, I was excused because of a family medical emergency. I would have voted yes.

Noble

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

SB 12, A bill to be entitled An Act relating to the duty of the attorney general to prosecute criminal offenses prescribed by the election laws of this state.

SB 12 was passed by (Record 87): 85 Yeas, 54 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

Yeas — Alders; Ashby; Barry; Bell, C.; Bell, K.; Bonnen; Buckley; Bumgarner; Button; Cain; Capriglione; Cook; Craddick; Cunningham; Curry; Darby; Dean; DeAyala; Dorazio; Dyson; Fairly; Frank; Gates; Gerdes; Guillen; Harless; Harris; Harris Davila; Harrison; Hayes; Hefner; Hickland; Holt; Hopper; Hull; Hunter; Isaac; Kerwin; King; Kitzman; LaHood; Lambert; Landgraf; Leach; Leo Wilson; Little; Lopez, J.; Louderback; Lowe; Lozano; Lujan; Luther; McLaughlin; McQueeney; Metcalf; Meyer; Money; Morgan; Olcott; Oliverson; Orr; Patterson; Paul; Pierson; Raymond; Richardson; Schatzline; Schofield; Schoolcraft; Shaheen; Shofner; Slawson; Smithee; Spiller; Swanson; Tepper; Tinderholt; Toth; Troxclair; VanDeaver; Vasut; Villalobos; Virdell; Wharton; Wilson.

Nays — Allen; Anchía; Bernal; Bhojani; Bowers; Bryant; Bucy; Canales; Cole; Collier; Cortez; Davis, A.; Davis, Y.; Dutton; Flores; Gámez; Garcia, L.; Garcia Hernandez; Gervin-Hawkins; González, J.; González, M.; Goodwin; Guerra; Hernandez; Hinojosa; Howard; Johnson; Jones, J.; Jones, V.; Lalani; Longoria; Lopez, R.; Manuel; Martinez; Martinez Fischer; Meza; Moody; Morales, E.; Muñoz; Ordaz; Perez, M.; Perez, V.; Plesa; Romero; Rose; Rosenthal; Simmons; Talarico; Thompson; Turner; Walle; Ward Johnson; Wu; Zwiener.

Present, not voting — Mr. Speaker(C).

Absent, Excused — Campos; Geren; Morales Shaw; Noble; Phelan; Reynolds; Vo.

Absent — Garcia, J.; Morales, C.; Rodríguez Ramos.

When Record No. 87 was taken, I was excused because of a family medical emergency. I would have voted yes.

Noble

The following resolutions were laid before the house and read third time:

HJR 1, A joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment specifying the authority of the attorney general to prosecute a criminal offense prescribed by the election laws of this state.

HJR 1 failed of adoption (not receiving the necessary two-thirds vote) by (Record 88): 84 Yeas, 53 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

Yeas — Alders; Ashby; Barry; Bell, C.; Bell, K.; Bonnen; Buckley; Bumgarner; Button; Cain; Capriglione; Cook; Craddick; Cunningham; Curry; Darby; Dean; DeAyala; Dorazio; Dyson; Fairly; Frank; Gates; Gerdes; Guillen; Harless; Harris; Harris Davila; Harrison; Hayes; Hefner; Hickland; Hopper; Hull; Hunter; Isaac; Kerwin; King; Kitzman; LaHood; Lambert; Landgraf; Leach; Leo Wilson; Little; Lopez, J.; Louderback; Lowe; Lozano; Lujan; Luther; McLaughlin; McQueeney; Metcalf; Meyer; Money; Morgan; Olcott; Oliverson; Orr; Patterson; Paul; Pierson; Raymond; Richardson; Schatzline; Schofield; Schoolcraft; Shaheen; Shofner; Slawson; Smithee; Spiller; Swanson; Tepper; Tinderholt; Toth; Troxclair; VanDeaver; Vasut; Villalobos; Virdell; Wharton; Wilson.

Nays — Allen; Anchía; Bernal; Bhojani; Bowers; Bryant; Bucy; Canales; Cole; Collier; Cortez; Davis, A.; Davis, Y.; Dutton; Flores; Gámez; Garcia, L.; Garcia Hernandez; Gervin-Hawkins; González, J.; González, M.; Goodwin; Guerra; Hernandez; Hinojosa; Howard; Johnson; Jones, J.; Jones, V.; Lalani; Longoria; Lopez, R.; Manuel; Martinez; Martinez Fischer; Meza; Moody; Morales, E.; Muñoz; Ordaz; Perez, M.; Perez, V.; Romero; Rose; Rosenthal; Simmons; Talarico; Thompson; Turner; Walle; Ward Johnson; Wu; Zwiener.

Present, not voting — Mr. Speaker(C).

Absent, Excused — Campos; Geren; Morales Shaw; Noble; Phelan; Reynolds; Vo.

Absent — Garcia, J.; Holt; Morales, C.; Plesa; Rodríguez Ramos.

When Record No. 88 was taken, I was excused because of a family medical emergency. I would have voted yes.

Noble

Representative Harris moved that the house grant permission for all committees and subcommittees to meet while the house is in session, through and including tomorrow, pursuant to their committee postings.

Permission to meet was granted.

At 2:27 p.m., Representative Buckley moved that, at the conclusion of the reading of bills and resolutions on first reading and referral to committees, the receipt of messages, and granting the request of the senate to appoint conferees, the house recess until 10 a.m. tomorrow.

The motion prevailed.

Bills and joint resolutions were at this time laid before the house, read first time, and referred to committees. (See the addendum to the daily journal, Referred to Committees, List No. 1.)

At 2:29 p.m., the chair announced that the house would stand at ease.

The chair called the house to order at 9:47 a.m. Wednesday, August 27.

In accordance with a previous motion, the house, at 9:47 a.m. Wednesday, August 27, recessed until 10 a.m. today.

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

HB 295 (By Swanson, Cain, Schofield, and Gerdes), Relating to election procedures regarding accepting a voter with a residence address that is not current and the immediate effect of a voter's registration after the registrar's receipt of certain change of address notices.

To Elections.

HB 298 (By Cain, Harris, Gerdes, McQueeney, and Leo Wilson), Relating to a vacancy in the office of senator or representative due to excessive absence.

To State Affairs.

Favorable reports have been filed by committees as follows:

Intergovernmental Affairs - HB 26, HB 192

Public Health - HB 25, HB 265

August 25 - HB 16, HB 17, HB 23, HB 27

August 25 - HB 4