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

When Record No. 82 was taken, I was away from my desk in protest of the special session. I would have voted yes.

C. Morales

When Record No. 82 was taken, I was away from my desk in protest of the special session. I would have voted yes.

Rodríguez Ramos

Representative C. Morales submitted the following reason for vote to be printed in the journal:

When the record vote on SB 3 was cast, I was away from my desk in protest of this special session's redistricting scheme and the harm the proposed map would impose. I would have voted yes on SB 3 because promoting public safety, climate resilience, and equity in emergency preparedness is essential in the modern era as climate change accelerates the frequency and damage from extreme weather events, particularly in rural, low-income, and historically neglected areas.

Representative Rodríguez Ramos submitted the following reason for vote to be printed in the journal:

When the record vote for SB 3 was taken, I was away from my desk in protest of the special session called to pass a racially gerrymandered redistricting scheme. I would have voted yes on SB 3 because promoting public safety, climate resilience, and equity in emergency preparedness is essential in the modern era as climate change accelerates the frequency and damage from extreme weather events, particularly in rural, low-income, and historically neglected areas.

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 in the house but away from my desk. I would have voted yes.

Garcia Hernandez

When Record No. 83 was taken, I was away from my desk in protest of the special session. I would have voted yes.

C. Morales

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

When Record No. 83 was taken, I was away from my desk in protest of the special session. I would have voted yes.

Rodríguez Ramos

Representative C. Morales submitted the following reason for vote to be printed in the journal:

When the record vote on SB 11 was cast, I was away from my desk in protest of this special session's redistricting scheme and the harm the proposed map would impose. I would have voted yes on SB 11 to promote a justice system that protects survivors, reduces retraumatization, and recognizes the realities of exploitation. SB 11 reflects an evolving understanding that many trafficking victims are criminalized for actions they were forced into, such as theft, drug transport, or prostitution.

Representative Rodríguez Ramos submitted the following reason for vote to be printed in the journal:

When the record vote for SB 11 was taken, I was away from my desk in protest of the special session called to pass a racially gerrymandered redistricting scheme. I would have voted yes on SB 11 to promote a justice system that protects survivors, reduces retraumatization, and recognizes the realities of exploitation. SB 11 reflects an evolving understanding that many trafficking victims are criminalized for actions they were forced into, such as theft, drug transport, or prostitution.

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 away from my desk in protest of the special session. I would have voted yes.

C. Morales

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

Noble

When Record No. 84 was taken, I was away from my desk in protest of the special session. I would have voted yes.

Rodríguez Ramos

Representative C. Morales submitted the following reason for vote to be printed in the journal:

When the record vote on SB 16 was cast, I was away from my desk in protest of this special session's redistricting scheme and the harm the proposed map would impose. I would have voted yes on SB 16 because it addresses a real issue in Texas: fraudulent real estate transfer scams that target elderly homeowners, disabled individuals, and low-income working families, often through deed theft or forged documents.

Representative Rodríguez Ramos submitted the following reason for vote to be printed in the journal:

When the record vote for SB 16 was taken, I was away from my desk in protest of the special session called to pass a racially gerrymandered redistricting scheme. I would have voted yes on SB 16 because it addresses a real issue in Texas: fraudulent real estate transfer scams that target elderly homeowners, disabled individuals, and low-income working families, often through deed theft or forged documents.

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

When Record No. 85 was taken, I was away from my desk in protest of the special session. I would have voted yes.

C. Morales

When Record No. 85 was taken, I was away from my desk in protest of the special session. I would have voted yes.

Rodríguez Ramos

Representative C. Morales submitted the following reason for vote to be printed in the journal:

When the record vote on SB 14 was cast, I was away from my desk in protest of this special session's redistricting scheme and the harm the proposed map would impose. I would have voted yes on SB 14 because it promotes sustainable development by encouraging water-efficient practices. The policy helps lower long-term infrastructure costs, supports conservation goals, and incentivizes builders to adopt technologies that protect local water resources.

Representative Rodríguez Ramos submitted the following reason for vote to be printed in the journal:

When the record vote for SB 14 was taken, I was away from my desk in protest of the special session called to pass a racially gerrymandered redistricting scheme. I would have voted yes on SB 14 because it promotes sustainable development by encouraging water-efficient practices. The policy helps lower long-term infrastructure costs, supports conservation goals, and incentivizes builders to adopt technologies that protect local water resources.

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 away from my desk in protest of the special session. I would have voted no.

C. Morales

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

Noble

When Record No. 86 was taken, I was away from my desk in protest of the special session. I would have voted no.

Rodríguez Ramos

Representative C. Morales submitted the following reason for vote to be printed in the journal:

When the record vote on HB 8 was cast, I was away from my desk in protest of this special session's redistricting scheme and the harm the proposed map would impose. I would have voted no on HB 8 because it significantly increases the burden of standardized testing by mandating three state assessments, effectively tripling the number of TEA-required testing days for Texas students. This expanded TEA testing regime will increase disruptions to instruction and disproportionately impact underfunded campuses, while doing nothing to contribute to genuine student learning.

Representative Rodríguez Ramos submitted the following reason for vote to be printed in the journal:

When the record vote for HB 8 was taken, I was away from my desk in protest of the special session called to pass a racially gerrymandered redistricting scheme. I would have voted no on HB 8 because it significantly increases the burden of standardized testing by mandating three state assessments, effectively tripling the number of TEA-required testing days for Texas students. This expanded TEA testing regime will increase disruptions to instruction and disproportionately impact underfunded campuses, while doing nothing to contribute to genuine student learning.

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 away from my desk in protest of the special session. I would have voted no.

C. Morales

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

Noble

When Record No. 87 was taken, I was away from my desk in protest of the special session. I would have voted no.

Rodríguez Ramos

Representative C. Morales submitted the following reason for vote to be printed in the journal:

When the record vote on SB 12 was cast, I was away from my desk in protest of this special session's redistricting scheme and the harm the proposed map would impose. I would have voted no on SB 12. The Office of the Texas Attorney General (AG) has already shown a pattern of politicizing election issues. Instead of making it easier for working families to vote, SB 12 grants the AG unilateral power to prosecute election crimes: a power which will be weaponized to suppress voting rights and intimidate political opponents under the guise of election integrity.

Representative Rodríguez Ramos submitted the following reason for vote to be printed in the journal:

When the record vote for SB 12 was taken, I was away from my desk in protest of the special session called to pass a racially gerrymandered redistricting scheme. I would have voted no on SB 12. The Office of the Texas Attorney General (AG) has already shown a pattern of politicizing election issues. Instead of making it easier for working families to vote, SB 12 grants the AG unilateral power to prosecute election crimes: a power which will be weaponized to suppress voting rights and intimidate political opponents under the guise of election integrity.

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 away from my desk in protest of the special session. I would have voted no.

C. Morales

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

Noble

When Record No. 88 was taken, I was away from my desk in protest of the special session. I would have voted no.

Rodríguez Ramos

Representative C. Morales submitted the following reason for vote to be printed in the journal:

When the record vote on HJR 1 was cast, I was away from my desk in protest of this special session's redistricting scheme and the harm the proposed map would impose. I would have voted no because HJR 1 proposes a constitutional amendment that would give the Texas Attorney General new authority to prosecute families trying to vote, local officials, and election workers, even when local prosecutors see no case. In Texas, it should be easier to vote and harder to abuse power. HJR 1 would have done the opposite.

Representative Rodríguez Ramos submitted the following reason for vote to be printed in the journal:

When the record vote for HJR 1 was taken, I was away from my desk in protest of the special session called to pass a racially gerrymandered redistricting scheme. I would have voted no because HJR 1 proposes a constitutional amendment that would give the Texas Attorney General new authority to prosecute families trying to vote, local officials, and election workers, even when local prosecutors see no case. In Texas, it should be easier to vote and harder to abuse power. HJR 1 would have done the opposite.

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