SENATE JOURNAL
EIGHTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE — REGULAR SESSION


AUSTIN, TEXAS


PROCEEDINGS

TWENTY-SIXTH DAY
(Wednesday, March 15, 2017)

The Senate met at 12:00 p.m. pursuant to adjournment and was called to order by the President.

The roll was called and the following Senators were present:  Bettencourt, Birdwell, Buckingham, Burton, Campbell, Creighton, Estes, Garcia, Hall, Hancock, Hinojosa, Huffines, Huffman, Hughes, Kolkhorst, Lucio, Menéndez, Miles, Nelson, Nichols, Perry, Rodríguez, Schwertner, Seliger, Taylor of Galveston, Taylor of Collin, Uresti, Watson, West, Whitmire, Zaffirini.

The President announced that a quorum of the Senate was present.

Pastor Stephen Johnson, Upper Zion Baptist Church, Marlin, was introduced by Senator Birdwell and offered the invocation as follows:

O God, creator and maker of the universe, You've been our help in ages past, You're our hope for years to come, You've been our shelter in the times of storms. Eternal and everlasting God, we thank You for this great country in which we live, the United States of America. We pray, dear God, and ask that You would bless all of the men and women that are assembled here today, and especially those who have been elected to serve the people of the great State of Texas. We pray and ask that You would lead, guide, and direct the Senate Members in their decision-making process. We are reminded today that Your word says to lean not to our own understanding, but in all of our ways acknowledge You, and You shall direct our paths. We pray and ask now for wisdom and understanding. We praise You and we honor You, in Jesus' name. Amen.

Senator Whitmire moved that the reading of the Journal of the proceedings of the previous day be dispensed with and the Journal be approved as printed.

The motion prevailed without objection.

PHYSICIAN OF THE DAY

Senator Garcia was recognized and presented Dr. Rosanne Popp of Houston as the Physician of the Day.

The Senate welcomed Dr. Popp and thanked her for her participation in the Physician of the Day program sponsored by the Texas Academy of Family Physicians.

(Senator Perry in Chair)

GUESTS PRESENTED

Senator Birdwell was recognized and introduced to the Senate a City of Waco delegation.

The Senate welcomed its guests.

GUESTS PRESENTED

Senator Nichols, joined by Senator Kolkhorst, was recognized and introduced to the Senate a Parent Association for the Retarded of Texas delegation.

The Senate welcomed its guests.

(President in Chair)

GUESTS PRESENTED

Senator West was recognized and introduced to the Senate Student Advisory Committee members from Senate District 23.

The Senate welcomed its guests.

GUEST PRESENTED

Senator Campbell was recognized and introduced to the Senate Walter Penk.

The Senate welcomed its guest.

INTRODUCTION OF
BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS POSTPONED

The President announced that the introduction of bills and resolutions on first reading would be postponed until the end of today's session.

There was no objection.

SENATE RULE 11.13 SUSPENDED
(Consideration of Bills in Committees)
(Motion In Writing)

Senator Hancock submitted the following Motion In Writing:

Mr. President:

I move to suspend Senate Rule 11.13 so that committees may meet during the reading and referral of bills.

HANCOCK

The Motion In Writing was read and prevailed without objection.

CONCLUSION OF MORNING CALL

The President at 12:34 p.m. announced the conclusion of morning call.

COMMITTEE  SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 6 ON THIRD READING

Senator Kolkhorst moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSSB 6 at this time on its third reading and final passage:

CSSB 6, Relating to regulations and policies for entering or using a bathroom or changing facility; authorizing a civil penalty.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 21, Nays 10.

Yeas:  Bettencourt, Birdwell, Buckingham, Burton, Campbell, Creighton, Estes, Hall, Hancock, Huffines, Huffman, Hughes, Kolkhorst, Lucio, Nelson, Nichols, Perry, Schwertner, Seliger, Taylor of Galveston, Taylor of Collin.

Nays:  Garcia, Hinojosa, Menéndez, Miles, Rodríguez, Uresti, Watson, West, Whitmire, Zaffirini.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 21, Nays 10. (Same as previous roll call)

STATEMENT REGARDING SENATE BILL 6

Senator Zaffirini submitted the following statement regarding SB 6:

As a member of the State Affairs Committee, I listened intently to the testimony for and against Senate Bill 6. Out of respect for both the lieutenant governor and the author of the bill, both of whom I thank for their leadership and effectiveness in addressing this issue, as well as their fairness, I promised both that I would do so and that if I were 50-50 on the bill, I would vote for it. The more I listened, however, the stronger my opposition grew.
Although Senate Bill 6 requires men and women to use the restroom associated with the gender markers on their birth certificates, and Texas allows these markers to be changed on birth certificates and drivers licenses, I learned that this is difficult, expensive, embarrassing, and, in some cases, impossible to achieve.
I saw and I listened to transgender men, some of whom had deep voices and heavy facial hair, and I realized that they had no business in women's restrooms–that their presence there would disturb any woman who doesn't want a man in the women's restroom, whether he is cisgender or a transgender male.
I saw and listened to transgender women, some of whom had breasts and feminine voices, and I realized that they had no business in men's restrooms–that their presence there could disturb many men, and that they could be physically, verbally, or sexually assaulted, perhaps even killed.
I saw and listened to transgender boys and girls and their parents, and realized that this bill could result in unintended physical and emotional harm to these children, simply because their gender identifications differ from the gender markers on their birth certificates.
I listened and gained insight into using respectful language, for example, that a cisgender person is one whose gender identity aligns with the sex he or she was assigned at birth–and might have trouble understanding the needs, interests, and challenges faced by those who are transgender; that a transgender man is not a woman who chooses to be a man, but, rather, is a man who was assigned the female sex at birth; and that a transgender woman is not a man who chooses to be a woman, but, rather, is a woman who was assigned the male sex at birth.
I was moved by the anguish and dismay expressed by transgender men and women and by the love and insight articulated by mental health experts and religious leaders. The statistics regarding suicide, for example, were disconcerting: Studies have shown the prevalence of suicide attempts among transgender persons to be at least 40 percent. Descriptions about the beatings, humiliations, bullying, and insults endured by transgender men, women, and children were difficult to endure. It broke my heart to realize the extent to which so many have suffered, and I did not want to add to their burden.
I strongly agree with supporters of Senate Bill 6 that men should not be in women's restrooms, but I also believe that neither should transgender men. Equally important, I strongly believe that transgender women should not be in men's restrooms–and that their using those facilities could put them in harm's way. My concern is that Senate Bill 6 will have an unintended consequence of causing great harm to transgender men and women, boys and girls. Accordingly, I respectfully voted "no."

ZAFFIRINI

STATEMENT REGARDING SENATE BILL 6

Senator Garcia submitted the following statement regarding SB 6:

I am strongly opposed to this discriminatory bill because there are traumatizing and sometimes deadly experiences our transgender Texans live through on a day-to-day basis while just trying to simply survive.
Tragically, 85% of transgender Texans have experienced harassment because of their gender identity or expression and that 46% have experienced physical assault.
It gets worse, 73% of Texans who were out or perceived as transgender at some point between Kindergarten and the 12th grade experienced some form of mistreatment, such as being verbally harassed, disciplined more harshly, or physically or sexually assaulted just because people thought they were transgender.
And yet, there are no reported cases of a cis-gender woman being harmed in a public bathroom by a cis-gender man dressed as a woman.
This bill will be emotionally and mentally traumatizing for our Transgender students and children who are already used to certain inclusive policies that protect their basic right to pee, who will suddenly be forced in front of all of their peers to use a separate but allegedly equal bathroom.
Imagine a young trans girl like one of the many witnesses you heard from last week being forced to go pee with boys.
Already, we are seeing that 61% of Transgender Texans avoid using a public restroom within the past year because they were afraid of confrontations or other problems they might experience and this bill is only going to make things worse.
Over and over again we heard in committee how Transgender Texans are already at an exceptionally higher risk of attempting suicide because of the severity of discrimination they already face.
And I know the fact that 41% of transgender people have attempted suicide has not deterred you to change your vote but you should also know that 4.6% of the U.S. population has attempted suicide, now you look at that huge disparity and still tell me we are doing the right thing here.
According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, "suicidal behaviors in LGBT populations...stems from the cultural and social prejudice attached to sexual orientation and gender identity. Individual and institutional discrimination have been found to be associated with social isolation, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. These negative outcomes, rather than sexual orientation or gender identity per se, appear to be the key risk factors for LGBT suicidal ideation and behavior."
In other words, a bill like this contributes to the high suicide rates of our trans communities.
This legislation only moves us, as a society, backwards similar to a time when we thought Blacks and other people of color like myself should be separated from Whites in bathrooms and water fountains.
This bill leads us back to an environment of exclusion rather than inclusion, and encourages more of the discrimination that LGBTQ people, our youth especially, already face in the workplace, in school, and in public life.
And it will lead to more profiling.
But unfortunately forcing us to vote on this very discriminatory bill without any consideration for the vulnerable communities it'll impact, communicates that this is more focused on political posturing than doing the people's work.
271 Texans testified against SB 6 into literally the next morning and 1,302 registered against this discriminatory bill is a sign that we are not doing the people's work by passing this bill.
We have not done anything to stop the violent deaths of our Transgender Texans this year or even simply investigate the root causes of high trans suicides and murders.
Senator Uresti, did you know that Veronica Banks Cano, transwoman was murdered in your district on February 19, 2017.
Senator Miles, Shante Thompson and just two weeks ago Chyna Gibson, were both murdered and are from your district.
Senator Buckingham and Senator Watson, Monica Loera was murdered on January 22nd this year and was from Austin.
And my dear friend Sen. Rodriguez, I'm sad to tell you that Erykah Tijerina was stabbed 24 times and died. She was from El Paso.
This is a total of 5 transgender women in Texas who have been murdered this year just for being who they are.
If we cannot do this for anyone else, we should do this for our children and for the lives already lost.
So I must respectfully vote "NO" on SB 6 because it's bad for business, for our economy, for local control, and most importantly for the safety of ALL of our communities.

GARCIA

LEAVE OF ABSENCE

On motion of Senator Whitmire, Senator Menéndez was granted leave of absence for the remainder of the day on account of an illness in the family.

COMMITTEE  SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 8 ON SECOND READING

Senator Schwertner moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSSB 8 at this time on its second reading:

CSSB 8, Relating to certain prohibited abortions and the treatment and disposition of a human fetus and human fetal tissue; creating a civil cause of action; creating offenses.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 24, Nays 6.

Yeas:  Bettencourt, Birdwell, Buckingham, Burton, Campbell, Creighton, Estes, Hall, Hancock, Hinojosa, Huffines, Huffman, Hughes, Kolkhorst, Lucio, Nelson, Nichols, Perry, Schwertner, Seliger, Taylor of Galveston, Taylor of Collin, Uresti, Zaffirini.

Nays:  Garcia, Miles, Rodríguez, Watson, West, Whitmire.

Absent-excused:  Menéndez.

The bill was read second time.

Senator Zaffirini offered the following amendment to the bill:

Floor Amendment No. 1

Amend CSSB 8 (senate committee printing) in SECTION 2 of the bill, in added Section 173.005(b), Health and Safety Code (page 3, line 2), between "abortion" and the underlined period, by inserting "unless the woman from whose pregnancy the fetal tissue is obtained requests that the fetal tissue be donated for use in research".

The amendment to CSSB 8 was read and failed of adoption by the following vote:  Yeas 10, Nays 20.

Yeas:  Garcia, Hinojosa, Lucio, Miles, Rodríguez, Uresti, Watson, West, Whitmire, Zaffirini.

Nays:  Bettencourt, Birdwell, Buckingham, Burton, Campbell, Creighton, Estes, Hall, Hancock, Huffines, Huffman, Hughes, Kolkhorst, Nelson, Nichols, Perry, Schwertner, Seliger, Taylor of Galveston, Taylor of Collin.

Absent-excused:  Menéndez.

CSSB 8 was passed to engrossment by the following vote:  Yeas 24, Nays 6.

Yeas:  Bettencourt, Birdwell, Buckingham, Burton, Campbell, Creighton, Estes, Hall, Hancock, Hinojosa, Huffines, Huffman, Hughes, Kolkhorst, Lucio, Nelson, Nichols, Perry, Schwertner, Seliger, Taylor of Galveston, Taylor of Collin, Uresti, Zaffirini.

Nays:  Garcia, Miles, Rodríguez, Watson, West, Whitmire.

Absent-excused:  Menéndez.

COMMITTEE  SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 8 ON THIRD READING

Senator Schwertner moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSSB 8 be placed on its third reading and final passage.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 24, Nays 6.

Yeas:  Bettencourt, Birdwell, Buckingham, Burton, Campbell, Creighton, Estes, Hall, Hancock, Hinojosa, Huffines, Huffman, Hughes, Kolkhorst, Lucio, Nelson, Nichols, Perry, Schwertner, Seliger, Taylor of Galveston, Taylor of Collin, Uresti, Zaffirini.

Nays:  Garcia, Miles, Rodríguez, Watson, West, Whitmire.

Absent-excused:  Menéndez.

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote:  Yeas 24, Nays 6. (Same as previous roll call)

STATEMENT REGARDING SENATE BILL 8

Senator Zaffirini submitted the following statement regarding SB 8:

I voted for Senate Bill 8 for a very simple reason: I am pro-life. While many disagree about when life begins, I do not understand how anyone can condone partial-birth abortion. This bill tracks the federal law, making it clear that our state prohibits this procedure.
I disagree, however, with the bill's provisions prohibiting the research use of fetal tissue from elective abortions. Fetal tissue research has been critical to our understanding and treatment of diseases and medical conditions that that have impacted millions of Texans, including polio, hepatitis A, measles, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, stroke, organ failure, and spinal cord injuries. What's more, this research helps doctors prevent pregnancy loss and understand and prevent maternal and fetal health conditions. Because I am pro-life, I strongly oppose abortion, and because I am pro-life, I also support allowing the use of available fetal tissue for research that saves lives.
In spite of my objection to the bill's fetal tissue provisions, however, I voted for Senate Bill 8 because of my deep conviction that partial birth abortion must be prohibited in Texas.

ZAFFIRINI

STATEMENT REGARDING SENATE BILL 8

Senator Rodríguez submitted the following statement regarding SB 8:

I submit this statement to explain my vote against Senate Bill 8. The bill purports to protect women's health, yet there is no medical benefit afforded by restricting a woman's choice to donate fetal tissue remains. It is an element of a woman's autonomy to be able to choose to donate her fetal tissue remains to medical research in the state, including research in Alzheimer's, diabetes, and in preventing miscarriages and gestational complications. Restricting that choice disenfranchises women who seek abortion care, and contributes to their stigmatization. This provision provides no medical benefit to women, and instead heightens the trauma they are already undergoing.
This legislation restricting fetal tissue donation arose from hysteria surrounding widely circulated videos claiming to unearth illegal or out-of-protocol disposition of fetal remains by Planned Parenthood facilities. These videos, the product of an extremist smear campaign on Planned Parenthood, have been discredited by experts and the media as well as a number of state criminal investigations. Less edited versions of the video make clear that selling fetal tissue was not the PPFA staff's objective, nor were they profiting from fetal tissue transactions. These videos were manipulatively edited to portray Planned Parenthood as malicious traders of fetal tissue, which has been soundly disproven.
We cannot afford to let a visceral response to sensationalized, discredited videos lead us into policy that places an undue burden on women, and compromises their health care. My opposition to S.B. 8 stems from my determination to improve the welfare and empowerment of women in Texas, and ensure their right to seek appropriate and dignified reproductive health care services.

RODRÍGUEZ

(Senator Kolkhorst in Chair)

SENATE BILL 415 ON SECOND READING

Senator Perry moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration SB 415 at this time on its second reading:

SB 415, Relating to a prohibition on the performance of dismemberment abortions; providing penalties; creating a criminal offense.

The motion prevailed by the following vote:  Yeas 22, Nays 8.

Yeas:  Bettencourt, Birdwell, Buckingham, Burton, Campbell, Creighton, Estes, Hall, Hancock, Huffines, Huffman, Hughes, Kolkhorst, Lucio, Nelson, Nichols, Perry, Schwertner, Seliger, Taylor of Galveston, Taylor of Collin, Zaffirini.

Nays:  Garcia, Hinojosa, Miles, Rodríguez, Uresti, Watson, West, Whitmire.

Absent-excused:  Menéndez.

The bill was read second time.

(President in Chair)

Senator Watson offered the following amendment to the bill:

Floor Amendment No. 1

Amend SB 415 (senate committee printing) in SECTION 1 of the bill, in added Section 171.102, Health and Safety Code, as follows:
(1)  In the section heading (page 1, line 40), between "PROHIBITED" and the underlined period, insert "; EXCEPTION".
(2)  In Subsection (a) (page 1, line 40), strike "A" and substitute "Except as provided by Subsection (c), a".
(3)  Immediately following Subsection (b) (page 1, between lines 48 and 49), insert the following:
(c)  A physician may perform a dismemberment abortion if the physician determines the dismemberment abortion is the safest abortion procedure available to the pregnant woman.

The amendment to SB 415 was read and failed of adoption by the following vote:  Yeas 8, Nays 22.

Yeas:  Garcia, Hinojosa, Miles, Rodríguez, Uresti, Watson, West, Whitmire.

Nays:  Bettencourt, Birdwell, Buckingham, Burton, Campbell, Creighton, Estes, Hall, Hancock, Huffines, Huffman, Hughes, Kolkhorst, Lucio, Nelson, Nichols, Perry, Schwertner, Seliger, Taylor of Galveston, Taylor of Collin, Zaffirini.

Absent-excused:  Menéndez.

SB 415 was passed to engrossment by the following vote:  Yeas 22, Nays 8.

Yeas:  Bettencourt, Birdwell, Buckingham, Burton, Campbell, Creighton, Estes, Hall, Hancock, Huffines, Huffman, Hughes, Kolkhorst, Lucio, Nelson, Nichols, Perry, Schwertner, Seliger, Taylor of Galveston, Taylor of Collin, Zaffirini.

Nays:  Garcia, Hinojosa, Miles, Rodríguez, Uresti, Watson, West, Whitmire.

Absent-excused:  Menéndez.

RECESS AND MOTION TO ADJOURN

On motion of Senator Whitmire and by unanimous consent, the Senate at 3:09 p.m. agreed to recess, until 2:00 p.m. tomorrow for the introduction of bills and resolutions on first reading.

The Senate further agreed to adjourn, in memory of William "Iron Bill" Dowling, upon completion of the introduction of bills and resolutions on first reading, until 2:00 p.m. Monday, March 20, 2017.

TWENTY-SIXTH DAY
(Continued)
(Thursday, March 16, 2017)

AFTER RECESS

The Senate met at 2:00 p.m. and was called to order by Senator Burton.

SENATE BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS ON FIRST READING

The following bills and resolutions, filed on or before Friday, March 10, 2017, were introduced, read first time, and referred to the committees indicated:

SB 319 by Watson, Hinojosa, Schwertner, Taylor of Collin
Relating to the continuation and functions of the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners; authorizing a reduction in fees; providing penalties.
To Committee on Agriculture, Water, and Rural Affairs.

SB 1351 by Watson
Relating to allowing the placement and maintenance of traffic-control signals in municipalities to permit emergency vehicles to safely enter a highway.
To Committee on Transportation.

SB 1352 by Watson
Relating to notice of facility fees charged by freestanding emergency medical care facilities.
To Committee on Business and Commerce.

SB 1353 by Taylor of Galveston
Relating to state financial assistance for a school district to which an academically unacceptable school district is annexed.
To Committee on Education.

SB 1354 by West
Relating to the authority of certain municipalities to pledge certain tax revenue for the payment of obligations related to hotel projects.
To Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development.

SB 1355 by West
Relating to the calculation of absences for truancy purposes and to attendance at truancy court adjudication hearings by certain parents.
To Committee on Criminal Justice.

SB 1356 by Hall
Relating to distracted driving collisions; creating an offense.
To Committee on Transportation.

SB 1357 by Hall
Relating to the right of public officers to information of certain governmental entities; creating a criminal offense.
To Committee on Business and Commerce.

SB 1358 by Hall
Relating to the sunset review of the Legislative Budget Board and a study by the comptroller on the accuracy of fiscal notes prepared by the Legislative Budget Board.
To Committee on Finance.

SB 1359 by Watson
Relating to the use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or tobacco products on property owned by or leased for a state agency.
To Committee on State Affairs.

SB 1360 by Watson
Relating to the provision to a property owner by certain tax officials of certain information regarding the ad valorem taxes imposed on the owner's property.
To Committee on Finance.

SB 1361 by Creighton
Relating to the powers and duties of the Sabine-Neches Navigation District of Jefferson County.
To Committee on Agriculture, Water, and Rural Affairs.

SB 1362 by Campbell, Buckingham, Kolkhorst, Nelson, Zaffirini
Relating to notification and informational materials regarding mutual consent voluntary adoption registries.
To Committee on State Affairs.

SB 1363 by Uresti
Relating to diaper changing stations in restrooms in buildings operated by a governmental entity.
To Committee on Business and Commerce.

SB 1364 by Miles
Relating to the dissemination of information about historically underutilized businesses and the expansion of the small business development center network.
To Committee on Business and Commerce.

SB 1365 by Miles
Relating to the use of municipal hotel occupancy tax revenue by certain municipalities.
To Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development.

SB 1366 by Menéndez
Relating to eligibility for membership and funding of benefits for certain law enforcement, custodial, and other peace officers.
To Committee on State Affairs.

SB 1367 by Menéndez
Relating to policies and training regarding the use of epinephrine auto-injectors by public institutions of higher education; providing immunity.
To Committee on Higher Education.

SB 1368 by Menéndez
Relating to a study on the provision of vision services benefits to older individuals in this state.
To Committee on Health and Human Services.

SB 1369 by Menéndez
Relating to the prosecution for the offense of injury to a child, elderly individual, or disabled individual.
To Committee on Criminal Justice.

SB 1370 by Menéndez
Relating to the designation of a portion of Loop 1604 in Bexar County as the Borinqueneers Memorial Overpass.
To Committee on Transportation.

SB 1371 by Menéndez
Relating to the issuance of specialty license plates to honor recipients of the Commendation Medal, Commendation Medal with Valor, and Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.
To Committee on Transportation.

SB 1372 by Menéndez
Relating to the operation of an electric unicycle.
To Committee on Transportation.

SB 1373 by Menéndez
Relating to the applicability of municipal zoning ordinances to certain open-enrollment charter schools.
To Committee on Intergovernmental Relations.

SB 1374 by Menéndez
Relating to the expunction of records in residential eviction suits.
To Committee on State Affairs.

SB 1375 by Buckingham
Relating to the use of clinical decision support software and laboratory benefits management programs by physicians and health care providers in connection with provision of clinical laboratory services to health benefit plan enrollees.
To Committee on Business and Commerce.

SB 1376 by Buckingham
Relating to a joint interim study regarding the state's response to modifications to federal health care laws.
To Committee on Health and Human Services.

SB 1377 by Buckingham
Relating to human trafficking signs at abortion facilities and offenses associated with human trafficking and coerced abortion; increasing criminal penalties.
To Committee on State Affairs.

SB 1378 by Zaffirini
Relating to the abatement of a pending sale to foreclose an ad valorem tax lien on a residence homestead.
To Committee on Finance.

SB 1379 by Zaffirini
Relating to the additional tax imposed if the use of land located in certain counties and appraised for ad valorem tax purposes as open-space land is changed.
To Committee on Finance.

SB 1380 by Seliger
Relating to alternative education loans and to the use of higher education private activity bonds by qualified alternative education loan lenders.
To Committee on Higher Education.

SB 1381 by Hughes
Relating to photo identification for certain debit or credit card transactions.
To Committee on Business and Commerce.

SB 1382 by Hughes
Relating to the use of local government energy savings performance contracts for measures that avoid expected future operating or maintenance costs.
To Committee on Business and Commerce.

SB 1383 by Perry
Relating to the operation of vehicles transporting fluid milk; authorizing a fee.
To Committee on Transportation.

SB 1384 by Perry
Relating to the designation of certain legislation on contract carriers as the Justin Little Act.
To Committee on Transportation.

SB 1385 by Campbell
Relating to enforcement of certain regulations by the acquisition of a conservation easement.
To Committee on State Affairs.

SB 1386 by Taylor of Collin, Estes
Relating to the use of habitual toll violator remedies by certain toll project entities.
To Committee on Transportation.

SB 1387 by Hinojosa
Relating to certain requirements for designation as a qualified business under the enterprise zone program.
To Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development.

SB 1388 by Hinojosa
Relating to the termination by an insurer of a contract with a preferred provider.
To Committee on Business and Commerce.

SB 1389 by Hinojosa
Relating to a franchise tax credit for enterprise projects for certain capital investments.
To Committee on Finance.

SB 1390 by Hinojosa
Relating to taxes and fees imposed on cigarettes and other tobacco products, including an exemption to the cigarette tax, related administrative matters, and the elements of certain related offenses.
To Committee on Finance.

SB 1391 by Hinojosa
Relating to penalties imposed on a holder of an alcoholic beverage license or permit on the basis of a criminal prosecution.
To Committee on Business and Commerce.

SB 1392 by Perry
Relating to groundwater conservation districts.
To Committee on Agriculture, Water, and Rural Affairs.

SB 1393 by Estes
Relating to the services that require a structural pest control license; changing the applicability of an occupational license.
To Committee on Business and Commerce.

SB 1394 by Hughes
Relating to the calculation of longevity pay for state judges and justices.
To Committee on State Affairs.

SB 1395 by Creighton
Relating to the powers and duties of navigation districts and port authorities.
To Committee on Transportation.

SB 1396 by Seliger
Relating to the Clarendon College District.
To Committee on Higher Education.

SB 1397 by Nichols
Relating to notice by a property owner to a mortgage servicer that the owner intends to enter into a contract with a property tax lender.
To Committee on Business and Commerce.

SB 1398 by Lucio
Relating to the placement and use of video cameras in certain self-contained classrooms or other settings providing special education services.
To Committee on Education.

SB 1399 by Whitmire
Relating to the creation of a pretrial drug diversion program
To Committee on Criminal Justice.

SB 1400 by Campbell
Relating to state banks, state bank holding companies, and branches of foreign banks.
To Committee on Business and Commerce.

SB 1401 by Campbell
Relating to the regulation of banks and trust companies.
To Committee on Business and Commerce.

SB 1402 by Campbell
Relating to the regulation of cemeteries and the administration of perpetual care trust funds.
To Committee on Business and Commerce.

SB 1403 by Campbell
Relating to the regulation of money services businesses.
To Committee on Business and Commerce.

SB 1404 by Hughes
Relating to requiring school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to report certain information regarding voluntary after-school programs and voluntary summer programs.
To Committee on Education.

SB 1405 by Creighton
Relating to the public sale of real property under a power of sale in a security instrument.
To Committee on Business and Commerce.

SB 1406 by Creighton, Campbell
Relating to the authority of the commissioner of insurance to request a state innovation waiver for certain small group health benefit plans of certain federal actuarial value and level of coverage requirements.
To Committee on Business and Commerce.

SB 1407 by Taylor of Collin
Relating to the information required to be included in or with a school district ad valorem tax bill.
To Committee on Finance.

SB 1408 by Huffines
Relating to the carrying of a handgun by certain first responders and volunteer emergency services personnel.
To Committee on State Affairs.

SB 1409 by Menéndez
Relating to a breach of system security of a business that exposes consumer credit card or debit card information; providing a civil penalty.
To Committee on Business and Commerce.

SB 1410 by Menéndez
Relating to establishing a pilot program to assist small business in obtaining capital.
To Committee on Business and Commerce.

SB 1411 by Menéndez
Relating to the consumption of alcoholic beverages on certain premises; providing a criminal penalty and authorizing a fee.
To Committee on Business and Commerce.

SB 1412 by Schwertner
Relating to the powers and duties of certain prescribers and dispensers of controlled substances and to the regulatory agencies that issue a license, certification, or registration to the prescribers or dispensers.
To Committee on Health and Human Services.

SB 1413 by Schwertner
Relating to health maintenance organization contracts with certain entities to provide health care services.
To Committee on Business and Commerce.

SB 1414 by Schwertner
Relating to a recipient's disenrollment from a Medicaid managed care plan.
To Committee on Health and Human Services.

SB 1415 by Hughes
Relating to certain procedures in suits affecting the parent-child relationship.
To Committee on Health and Human Services.

SB 1416 by Perry
Relating to the requirements for construction contracts for certain water supply projects, treatment works, and flood control measures.
To Committee on Agriculture, Water, and Rural Affairs.

SB 1417 by Taylor of Collin
Relating to a requirement that a hospital allow a patient to designate a caregiver to receive aftercare instruction regarding the patient.
To Committee on Health and Human Services.

SB 1418 by West
Relating to a landlord's duty to maintain property and casualty insurance coverage for loss of or damage to a leased premises.
To Committee on Business and Commerce.

SB 1419 by Creighton
Relating to eliminating the automatic admission of students to certain public institutions of higher education and scholarships for certain students who qualify for automatic admission.
To Committee on Higher Education.

SB 1420 by Zaffirini
Relating to the registration and regulation of health clubs.
To Committee on Business and Commerce.

SB 1421 by Estes
Relating to access to criminal history record information by the Railroad Commission of Texas.
To Committee on Criminal Justice.

SB 1422 by Estes
Relating to the protection and use of intellectual property by the Railroad Commission of Texas.
To Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development.

SB 1423 by Hinojosa
Relating to the supervision of water districts by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
To Committee on Agriculture, Water, and Rural Affairs.

SB 1424 by Buckingham
Relating to grand jury proceedings; providing a penalty for contempt of court.
To Committee on Criminal Justice.

SB 1425 by Hancock
Relating to the regulation of business entities that provide assistance animals; providing a civil penalty.
To Committee on Business and Commerce.

SCR 29 by Campbell
Designating Dripping Springs as the official Wedding Capital of Texas for a 10-year period beginning in 2017.
To Committee on Administration.

SCR 30 by Hall
Granting Barbara Stegall permission to sue the Texas Municipal League, TML MultiState Intergovernmental Employee Benefits Pool, Inc., and UMR, Inc.
To Committee on State Affairs.

SCR 31 by Uresti, Hinojosa, Lucio, Rodríguez, Zaffirini
Expressing opposition to using eminent domain for the construction of a wall or fence along the U.S.-Mexico border.
To Committee on State Affairs.

SCR 32 by Taylor of Galveston
Urging Congress to provide sufficient federal funding for the construction of a storm surge barrier along the Texas coast.
To Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development.

SCR 33 by Kolkhorst
Approving the amended 2009 settlement agreement between the State of Texas and the U.S. Department of Justice.
To Committee on Health and Human Services.

SJR 49 by Hinojosa
Proposing a constitutional amendment on professional sports team charitable foundations conducting charitable raffles.
To Committee on State Affairs.

SJR 50 by Whitmire
Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the denial of pretrial release of a person accused of a noncapital offense if necessary to ensure the person's appearance in court and the safety of the community and the victim of the alleged offense.
To Committee on Criminal Justice.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 10

On motion of Senator Hancock, Senator Buckingham will be shown as Co-author of SB 10.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 18

On motion of Senator Seliger, Senator Hall will be shown as Co-author of SB 18.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 28

On motion of Senator Creighton, Senator Kolkhorst will be shown as Co-author of SB 28.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 77

On motion of Senator Nelson, Senator Zaffirini will be shown as Co-author of SB 77.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 83

On motion of Senator Hall, Senator Taylor of Galveston will be shown as Co-author of SB 83.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 113

On motion of Senator Huffines, Senator Taylor of Galveston will be shown as Co-author of SB 113.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 160

On motion of Senator Rodríguez, Senator Menéndez will be shown as Co-author of SB 160.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 176

On motion of Senator Schwertner, Senator Taylor of Galveston will be shown as Co-author of SB 176.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 277

On motion of Senator Campbell, Senator Hughes will be shown as Co-author of SB 277.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 329

On motion of Senator Creighton, Senator Miles will be shown as Co-author of SB 329.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 361

On motion of Senator Nichols, Senator Campbell will be shown as Co-author of SB 361.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 415

On motion of Senator Perry, Senator Lucio will be shown as Co-author of SB 415.

CO-AUTHORS OF SENATE BILL 586

On motion of Senator Perry, Senators Schwertner and Uresti will be shown as Co-authors of SB 586.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 674

On motion of Senator Schwertner, Senator Perry will be shown as Co-author of SB 674.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 840

On motion of Senator Zaffirini, Senator Uresti will be shown as Co-author of SB 840.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 1152

On motion of Senator Menéndez, Senator Rodríguez will be shown as Co-author of SB 1152.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 1153

On motion of Senator Menéndez, Senator Rodríguez will be shown as Co-author of SB 1153.

CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 1341

On motion of Senator Garcia, Senator Watson will be shown as Co-author of SB 1341.

CO-AUTHORS OF SENATE BILL 1588

On motion of Senator Huffines, Senators Menéndez and Miles will be shown as Co-authors of SB 1588.

CO-AUTHORS OF SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1

On motion of Senator Buckingham, Senators Birdwell, Creighton, Estes, Hughes, Kolkhorst, Nichols, Perry, and Schwertner will be shown as Co-authors of SCR 1.

RESOLUTIONS OF RECOGNITION

The following resolutions were adopted by the Senate:

Memorial Resolutions

SCR 44 by Hughes, In memory of Frances Debora McBride Collins.

SCR 45 by Hughes, In memory of Dennis H. Boerner.

SR 427 by Uresti, In memory of Lisa Gonzales Ortiz.

Congratulatory Resolutions

SCR 43 by Kolkhorst, Recognizing Ginger Fagan for her contributions to this state.

SR 425 by Creighton, Recognizing Richard J. Tramm for his contributions to the Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District.

SR 428 by Nichols, Recognizing parents and family members of individuals with intellectual disabilities.

SR 429 by Watson, Recognizing Alex Graves, Tex "T." Mitchell IV, Aaron Walls, and Jake Yepez for their courage.

SR 430 by Watson, Recognizing Charles F. Pelphrey on the occasion of his 100th birthday.

SR 431 by Taylor of Galveston, Recognizing Galveston College on the occasion of its 50th anniversary.

SR 432 by Kolkhorst, Recognizing the Treasury Operations division of the Office of the Comptroller of Public Accounts.

SR 433 by Kolkhorst, Recognizing Pam Bennett Young on the occasion of her retirement.

SR 434 by Kolkhorst, Recognizing Martha Haydon on the occasion of her retirement.

SR 435 by Kolkhorst, Recognizing the Brenham Children's Chorus on the occasion of its 15th anniversary.

SR 436 by Lucio, Recognizing Fred Farias III for being selected as the 2016 Optometrist of the Year.

SR 437 by Hall, Recognizing the Forney BBQ Cook-Off and Festival.

SR 438 by Hughes, Recognizing Nikita Fridia for her appointment as justice of the peace.

SR 439 by Hughes, Recognizing Franklin and Marjorie Willis on the occasion of their 70th wedding anniversary.

SR 441 by Nelson, Recognizing members and alumni of Leadership Grapevine for their civic leadership.

ADJOURNMENT

Pursuant to a previously adopted motion, the Senate at 2:17 p.m. Thursday, March 16, 2017, adjourned, in memory of William "Iron Bill" Dowling, until 2:00 p.m. Monday, March 20, 2017.



APPENDIX




COMMITTEE REPORTS

The following committee reports were received by the Secretary of the Senate in the order listed:

March 15, 2017

CRIMINAL JUSTICE — SB 227, SB 326, SB 581, SB 920, SB 1124

HIGHER EDUCATION — SB 1066, SB 1091, SB 1033

BUSINESS AND COMMERCE — SB 679, SB 79, SB 29

TRANSPORTATION — SB 87, SB 278, SB 312

March 16, 2017

FINANCE — SB 946, SB 945, SB 870, SB 731, SB 730, SB 629, SB 448, SB 330, CSSB 2

HIGHER EDUCATION — CSSB 802

TRANSPORTATION — CSSB 88

BUSINESS AND COMMERCE — CSSB 20, SB 377, CSSB 680, CSSB 559, CSSB 507


BILLS ENGROSSED

March 14, 2017

SB 26, SB 40, SB 454


RESOLUTIONS ENROLLED

March 14, 2017

SR 416, SR 417, SR 418, SR 419, SR 420, SR 421, SR 422, SR 423