Thursday, August 28, 2025

TENTH DAY --- THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2025

The house met at 9:57 p.m. and was called to order by the speaker.

The roll of the house was called and a quorum was announced present (Record 133).

Present — Mr. Speaker(C); Alders; Allen; Anchía; Ashby; Barry; Bell, C.; Bell, K.; Bernal; Bhojani; Bonnen; Bowers; Bryant; Buckley; Bucy; Bumgarner; Button; Cain; Campos; Canales; Capriglione; Cole; Collier; Cook; Cortez; Craddick; Cunningham; Curry; Darby; Davis, Y.; Dean; DeAyala; Dorazio; Dutton; Dyson; Fairly; Flores; Frank; Garcia, L.; Garcia Hernandez; Gates; Gerdes; Gervin-Hawkins; González, J.; González, M.; Goodwin; Guillen; Harless; Harris; Harris Davila; Harrison; Hayes; Hefner; Hickland; Hinojosa; Holt; Hopper; Howard; Hull; Hunter; Isaac; Jones, J.; Jones, V.; Kerwin; King; Kitzman; LaHood; Lalani; Lambert; Landgraf; Leach; Leo Wilson; Little; Lopez, J.; Lopez, R.; Louderback; Lowe; Lozano; Lujan; Luther; Manuel; Martinez; McLaughlin; McQueeney; Metcalf; Meyer; Money; Moody; Morales Shaw; Morgan; Muñoz; Olcott; Oliverson; Orr; Patterson; Paul; Perez, M.; Perez, V.; Phelan; 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; Vo; Ward Johnson; Wharton; Wilson; Wu; Zwiener.

Absent, Excused — Davis, A.; Gámez; Geren; Guerra; Hernandez; Johnson; Longoria; Martinez Fischer; Meza; Morales, E.; Noble; Ordaz; Walle.

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

LEAVES OF ABSENCE GRANTED

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

REGULAR ORDER OF BUSINESS SUSPENDED

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

GENERAL STATE CALENDAR
SENATE BILLS
THIRD READING

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

SB 8 ON THIRD READING
(Orr, Metcalf, Bonnen, Leach, Harris, et al. - House Sponsors)

SB 8, A bill to be entitled An Act relating to the designation and use of certain spaces and facilities according to sex; authorizing a civil penalty and a private civil right of action.

REMARKS ORDERED PRINTED

Representative Plesa moved to print all remarks on SB 8 and HB 7 on second and third reading.

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

SB 8 was passed by (Record 134): 86 Yeas, 45 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; Little; Lopez, J.; Louderback; Lowe; Lozano; Lujan; Luther; McLaughlin; McQueeney; Metcalf; Meyer; Money; Morgan; Muñoz; Olcott; Oliverson; Orr; Patterson; Paul; Phelan; 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; Campos; Canales; Cole; Collier; Cortez; Davis, Y.; Dutton; Flores; Garcia, L.; Garcia Hernandez; Gervin-Hawkins; González, J.; González, M.; Goodwin; Hinojosa; Howard; Jones, J.; Jones, V.; Lalani; Lopez, R.; Manuel; Martinez; Moody; Morales Shaw; Perez, M.; Perez, V.; Plesa; Romero; Rose; Rosenthal; Simmons; Talarico; Thompson; Turner; Vo; Ward Johnson; Wu; Zwiener.

Present, not voting — Mr. Speaker(C).

Absent, Excused — Davis, A.; Gámez; Geren; Guerra; Hernandez; Johnson; Longoria; Martinez Fischer; Meza; Morales, E.; Noble; Ordaz; Walle.

Absent — Garcia, J.; Leo Wilson; Morales, C.; Reynolds; Rodríguez Ramos.

STATEMENTS OF VOTE

When Record No. 134 was taken, I was away from my desk in protest of the special session. I would have voted no.

C. Morales

When Record No. 134 was taken, I was excused because of a family medical emergency. I would have voted yes.

Noble

When Record No. 134 was taken, I was away from my desk in protest of the special session. I would have voted no.

Rodríguez Ramos

REASONS FOR VOTE

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

When the record vote on SB 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. I would have voted no. SB 8 targets transgender Texans, especially youth and women, for exclusion from public spaces and services, discriminating based on gender identity. This bill creates state-sanctioned barriers to access, particularly at family violence shelters and correctional facilities, and continues a pattern of centralization of state authority to enforce social control over local governments, schools, shelters, and health providers. This Big Brother-style government surveillance of bathrooms creates costly legal uncertainty for schools, local governments, shelters, and businesses, making Texas a hostile and expensive place to invest.

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

When the record vote for SB 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. SB 8 targets transgender Texans, especially youth and women, for exclusion from public spaces and services, discriminating based on gender identity. This bill creates state-sanctioned barriers to access, particularly at family violence shelters and correctional facilities, and continues a pattern of centralization of state authority to enforce social control over local governments, schools, shelters, and health providers. This Big Brother-style government surveillance of bathrooms creates costly legal uncertainty for schools, local governments, shelters, and businesses, making Texas a hostile and expensive place to invest.

GENERAL STATE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILLS
THIRD READING

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

HB 7 ON THIRD READING
(by Leach, Hickland, Troxclair, Pierson, Metcalf, et al.)

HB 7, A bill to be entitled An Act relating to prohibitions on the manufacture and provision of abortion-inducing drugs, including the jurisdiction of and effect of certain judgments by courts within and outside this state with respect to the manufacture and provision of those drugs, and to protections from certain counteractions under the laws of other states and jurisdictions; authorizing qui tam actions.

HB 7 was passed by (Record 135): 82 Yeas, 48 Nays, 3 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; Hayes; Hefner; Hickland; Holt; Hopper; Hull; Hunter; Isaac; Kerwin; King; Kitzman; LaHood; Lambert; Landgraf; Leach; Leo Wilson; Little; Lopez, J.; Louderback; Lozano; Lujan; Luther; McLaughlin; McQueeney; Metcalf; Meyer; Morgan; Olcott; Oliverson; Orr; Patterson; Paul; Phelan; 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; Campos; Canales; Cole; Collier; Cortez; Davis, Y.; Dutton; Flores; Garcia, L.; Garcia Hernandez; Gervin-Hawkins; González, J.; González, M.; Goodwin; Harrison; Hinojosa; Howard; Jones, J.; Jones, V.; Lalani; Lopez, R.; Manuel; Martinez; Moody; Morales Shaw; Muñoz; Perez, M.; Perez, V.; Plesa; Raymond; Romero; Rose; Rosenthal; Simmons; Talarico; Thompson; Turner; Vo; Ward Johnson; Wu; Zwiener.

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

Absent, Excused — Davis, A.; Gámez; Geren; Guerra; Hernandez; Johnson; Longoria; Martinez Fischer; Meza; Morales, E.; Noble; Ordaz; Walle.

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

STATEMENTS OF VOTE

When Record No. 135 was taken, I was away from my desk in protest of the special session. I would have voted no.

C. Morales

When Record No. 135 was taken, I was excused because of a family medical emergency. I would have voted yes.

Noble

When Record No. 135 was taken, I was away from my desk in protest of the special session. I would have voted no.

Rodríguez Ramos

REASONS FOR VOTE

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

I voted for HB 7 out of a deep conviction that I must vote for any piece of legislation that could save the life of even one unborn child. I am proud to have taken that vote. I also support equal protection for the unborn and respect my colleagues who spoke out on the importance of passing legislation that completely abolishes abortion. I will continue to co-author and support bills that protect the unborn, whether in steps or in a whole measure, and look forward to the day when the intentional killing of the unborn is completely unthinkable.

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

When the record vote on HB 7 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. HB 7 silences and intimidates communities by turning private citizens into bounty hunters, even if the claimant is not injured, while creating an avenue for "charitable" private entities to recover up to $90,000 in damages. HB 7 will hurt women and intimidate working families considering whether to start a family. This bill profits from restricting health care and funnels the money into shadowy anti-choice organizations

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

I voted for HB 7 because I support any legislation that saves life. I will continue to co-author and support bills that protect the unborn whether in steps or in a whole measure.

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

When the record vote for HB 7 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. HB 7 silences and intimidates communities by turning private citizens into bounty hunters, even if the claimant is not injured, while creating an avenue for "charitable" private entities to recover up to $90,000 in damages. HB 7 will hurt women and intimidate working families considering whether to start a family. This bill profits from restricting health care and funnels the money into shadowy anti-choice organizations.

HB 15 ON THIRD READING
(by Hefner, Ashby, and Cook)

HB 15, A bill to be entitled An Act relating to certain files maintained by a law enforcement agency regarding certain employees of the agency.

HB 15 was passed by (Record 136): 90 Yeas, 41 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

Yeas — Alders; Ashby; Barry; Bell, C.; Bell, K.; Bhojani; Bonnen; Buckley; Bumgarner; Button; Capriglione; Cook; Cortez; Craddick; Cunningham; Curry; Darby; Dean; DeAyala; Dorazio; Dyson; Fairly; Frank; Gates; Gerdes; Guillen; Harless; Harris; Harris Davila; Hayes; Hefner; Hickland; Holt; Hopper; Hull; Hunter; Isaac; Kerwin; King; Kitzman; LaHood; Lambert; Landgraf; Leach; Leo Wilson; Little; Lopez, J.; Lopez, R.; Louderback; Lowe; Lozano; Lujan; Luther; McLaughlin; McQueeney; Metcalf; Meyer; Money; Moody; Morgan; Muñoz; Olcott; Oliverson; Orr; Patterson; Paul; Phelan; Pierson; Plesa; 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; Bowers; Bryant; Bucy; Campos; Canales; Cole; Collier; Davis, Y.; Dutton; Flores; Garcia, L.; Garcia Hernandez; Gervin-Hawkins; González, J.; González, M.; Goodwin; Harrison; Hinojosa; Howard; Jones, J.; Jones, V.; Lalani; Manuel; Martinez; Morales Shaw; Perez, M.; Perez, V.; Romero; Rose; Rosenthal; Simmons; Talarico; Thompson; Turner; Vo; Ward Johnson; Wu; Zwiener.

Present, not voting — Mr. Speaker(C).

Absent, Excused — Davis, A.; Gámez; Geren; Guerra; Hernandez; Johnson; Longoria; Martinez Fischer; Meza; Morales, E.; Noble; Ordaz; Walle.

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

STATEMENTS OF VOTE

When Record No. 136 was taken, I was shown voting yes. I intended to vote no.

Bhojani

When Record No. 136 was taken, I was away from my desk in protest of the special session. I would have voted no.

C. Morales

When Record No. 136 was taken, I was away from my desk in protest of the special session. I would have voted no.

Rodríguez Ramos

REASONS FOR VOTE

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

When the record vote on HB 15 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 15 because the public has a right to know if officers have a pattern of abuse or misconduct. This bill hides those records from public view, even when a community's safety may be at risk. By shielding complaint documents and hiding evaluations from public oversight, HB 15 reduces accountability and limits the public's ability to identify patterns of abuse or misconduct. With the hindsight that the senate would strip the amendment that would allow the families of Robb Elementary students to obtain these records– supporting this bill would be an affront to them and the 22 families that were destroyed in Uvalde.

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

When the record vote for HB 15 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 15 because the public has a right to know if officers have a pattern of abuse or misconduct. This bill hides those records from public view, even when a community's safety may be at risk. By shielding complaint documents and hiding evaluations from public oversight, HB 15 reduces accountability and limits the public's ability to identify patterns of abuse or misconduct. This could prevent the families of the Robb Elementary tragedy from getting the answers and closure they deserve.

HB 265 ON THIRD READING
(by Hull, Meyer, Slawson, Leo Wilson, Leach, et al.)

HB 265, A bill to be entitled An Act relating to governmental oversight of youth camps, including youth camp rules, duties, and the advisory committee.

HB 265 was passed by (Record 137): 128 Yeas, 3 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; Campos; Canales; Capriglione; Cole; Cook; Cortez; Craddick; Cunningham; Curry; Darby; Davis, Y.; Dean; DeAyala; Dorazio; Dutton; Dyson; Fairly; Flores; Frank; Garcia, L.; Garcia Hernandez; Gates; Gerdes; Gervin-Hawkins; González, J.; González, M.; Goodwin; Guillen; Harless; Harris; Harris Davila; Hayes; Hefner; Hickland; Hinojosa; Holt; Hopper; Howard; Hull; Hunter; Isaac; Jones, J.; Jones, V.; Kerwin; King; Kitzman; LaHood; Lalani; Lambert; Landgraf; Leach; Leo Wilson; Little; Lopez, J.; Lopez, R.; Louderback; Lowe; Lozano; Lujan; Luther; Manuel; Martinez; McLaughlin; McQueeney; Metcalf; Meyer; Moody; Morales Shaw; Morgan; Muñoz; Olcott; Oliverson; Orr; Patterson; Paul; Perez, M.; Perez, V.; Phelan; Pierson; Plesa; Raymond; Richardson; Romero; Rose; Rosenthal; Schofield; Schoolcraft; Shaheen; Shofner; Simmons; Slawson; Smithee; Spiller; Swanson; Talarico; Tepper; Thompson; Tinderholt; Toth; Troxclair; Turner; VanDeaver; Vasut; Villalobos; Virdell; Vo; Ward Johnson; Wharton; Wilson; Wu; Zwiener.

Nays — Collier; Harrison; Money.

Present, not voting — Mr. Speaker(C).

Absent, Excused — Davis, A.; Gámez; Geren; Guerra; Hernandez; Johnson; Longoria; Martinez Fischer; Meza; Morales, E.; Noble; Ordaz; Walle.

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

STATEMENTS OF VOTE

When Record No. 137 was taken, I was away from my desk in protest of the special session. I would have voted yes.

C. Morales

When Record No. 137 was taken, I was excused because of a family medical emergency. I would have voted yes.

Noble

When Record No. 137 was taken, I was away from my desk in protest of the special session. I would have voted yes.

Rodríguez Ramos

REASONS FOR VOTE

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

When the record vote on HB 265 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. The July 4 flooding in the Hill Country highlighted the need for the state to ensure that youth camps follow health and safety standards to protect young campers. HB 265 provides commonsense safety guidelines and closes previous loopholes that undermined protections for families and campers.

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

When the record vote for HB 265 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. The July 4 flooding in the Hill Country highlighted the need for the state to ensure that youth camps follow health and safety standards to protect young campers. HB 265 provides commonsense safety guidelines and closes previous loopholes that undermined protections for families and campers.

PROVIDING FOR RECESS

At 10:50 p.m., Representative Leach moved that, at the conclusion of the reading of bills and resolutions on first reading and referral to committees, the receipt of messages, granting the request of the senate to appoint conferees, and administrative actions, the house recess until 12 p.m. Tuesday, September 2.

The motion prevailed.

Friday, August 29

(Bonnen in the chair)

The chair called the house to order at 3:52 p.m. Friday, August 29.

RESOLUTIONS 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 - August 29.)

HOUSE AT EASE

At 3:53 p.m. Friday, August 29, the chair announced that the house would stand at ease.

Tuesday, September 2

(Speaker in the chair)

The chair called the house to order at 11:42 a.m. Tuesday, September 2.

RECESS

In accordance with a previous motion, the house, at 11:42 a.m. Tuesday, September 2, recessed until 12 p.m. today.

ADDENDUM

REFERRED TO COMMITTEES

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 108 (By V. Perez), Congratulating Michael Neff of Montwood High School on his selection as the 2025 Secondary Teacher of the Year in Socorro ISD.