The House and Senate adjourned and recessed, respectively, until Tuesday, January 17th, when they will meet in Joint Session to Inaugurate the Governor.
House
After nearly three hours of debate, the House passed HR 4, adopting the rules of the House for the 88th Legislature. The new rules removed House Rule 16, the COVID policy rule, and Rep. Todd Hunter (R-Corpus Christi) noted that health & safety concerns can be brought to House Administration with existing procedures. Amendments on the floor also added penalties for member absent for the purpose of impeding the actions of the House.
The House also passed HR 3, the housekeeping resolution, outlining the powers and duties of the Speaker of the House and House Administration. The housekeeping resolution added one new provision this session:
“SECTION 5.11. USE OF HOUSE RESOURCES FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES PROHIBITED. Pursuant to Section 51, Article III, Texas Constitution, house resources may be used only for a public purpose. A house member, committee, officer, or employee may not use or direct the use of any house resources to further any political purpose. In this section, “house resources” includes appropriated funds, property, services, personnel, or any other thing of value belonging to the government that comes into the custody, possession, or control of a house member, committee, officer, or employee by virtue of public office or employment.”
On Tuesday, Rep. Dade Phelan, (R-Beaumont) was again elected by record vote today as House Speaker for the 88th Legislative Session with 145 ayes.
On Thursday, House Speaker Phelan announced that committee preference cards were due Thursday, January 26th.
Senate
The Senate adopted rules for the 88th session through SR 8 with no discussion. The rules are similar to those adopted during the 87th session, but makes changes to the number of members for specific committees. The rules also reflect a new subcommittee on Higher Education within the Education Committee.
- Committee on Border Security is now a standing committee with 5 members
- Committee on Business & Commerce adds two members, now 11 total
- Committee on Education adds two members, now 13 total
- Committee on Finance adds two members, now 17 total
The Senate adopted rules for the Redistricting Committee through SR 2 which is similar to the operating rules adopted for the 87th legislature. The resolution includes provisions to allow for virtual testimony to be provided at the committee’s regional hearing they are holding January 25-28.
The Senate referred SB 375 (Huffman), relating to composition of Districts of the Texas Senate, to the Senate Special Committee on Redistricting. The following members were assigned to the committee:
- Sen. Joan Huffman (R-Houston) – Chair
- Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D-McAllen) – Vice Chair
- Sen. Carol Alvarado (D-Houston)
- Sen. Brian Birdwell (R-Granbury)
- Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe)
- Sen. Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills)
- Sen. Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville)
- Sen. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock)
- Sen. Drew Springer (R-Muenster)
- Sen. Royce West (D-Dallas)
- Sen. Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo)
As redistricting just occurred, the Senators drew lots to determine their senatorial terms. Below is the result of that drawing:
Two Year Terms: Alvarado, Bettencourt, Blanco, Campbell, Eckhardt, Hinojosa, Huffman, Johnson, King, LaMantia, Parker, Paxton, Springer, West, and Whitmire.
Four Year Terms: Birdwell, Creighton, Flores, Gutierrez, Hall, Hancock, Hughes, Kolkhorst, Menéndez, Middleton, Miles, Nichols, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks, and Zaffirini
Sen. Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills) was elected as the President Pro Tempore of the Texas Senate on Tuesday.