Modifying parole eligibility for crime of second degree murder and voluntary manslaughter

What it does: On the version voted Mar 11, 2026: Lengthens prison terms for second-degree murder to 15 to 60 years and voluntary manslaughter to 5 to 25 years, sets minimum time served before parole for each, and raises minimum time before parole for life sentences. (AI-written summary of the bill; the official record shows the exact version voted)

Question before the chamber: Amendment rejected

Amends the bill to keep the minimum voluntary manslaughter sentence and minimum time before parole eligibility at three years, rather than raising each to five years. (AI-written)

Yes 45 · No 47 · Democrats 9–0 · Republicans 36–47

E-Verify Safe Harbor Act

What it does: As passed by the House, requires all employers to register with E-Verify, check new hires' work authorization and keep records, gives employers who use E-Verify a legal defense, removes some criminal penalties, and sets escalating sanctions from warnings to state-contract bans and business-license revocation. (AI-written summary of the bill; the official record shows the exact version voted)

Question before the chamber: Amendment adopted

A yes vote adopted an amendment to HB 4198 requiring employers to register for E-Verify and verify new hires, with fines of $500 to $2,500 per offense and escalating penalties for repeat violations. (AI-written)

Yes 48 · No 46 · Democrats 0–9 · Republicans 48–37

Repealing obsolete and outdated sections of the Education code.

What it does: As first passed by the House, before Senate and later House amendments, repeals education code sections on teacher professional development, a behavior interventionist pilot program, use of school buildings as child care facilities, and the High School Graduation Improvement Act. (AI-written summary of the bill; the official record shows the exact version voted)

Question before the chamber: Motion to consider rejected

Yes 47 · No 49 · Democrats 9–0 · Republicans 38–49

Relating to requirements for school nutrition programs

What it does: As passed by the Senate, bars 23 more food additives, including some preservatives and artificial sweeteners, from school meals starting August 2027, phases down added sugars to 5% of daily calories by 2029, requires online menu ingredient lists, and allows waivers if compliant products are unavailable or costlier. (AI-written summary of the bill; the official record shows the exact version voted)

Question before the chamber: Floor amendments rejected

A yes vote would have adopted Senator Oliverio's amendment to SB 745 exempting Class I milk and certain USDA commodity foods, such as high-protein yogurt and cheeses, from the school nutrition added-sugar limits. (AI-written)

Yes 17 · No 17 · Democrats 2–0 · Republicans 15–17

Executive Branch Reorganization

What it does: On the version voted Apr 11, 2025: Folds the Department of Economic Development into the Department of Commerce as a division, and places new hires and transferring employees in Commerce and that division in exempt civil service with no access to state grievance procedures starting July 1, 2025. (AI-written summary of the bill; the official record shows the exact version voted)

Question before the chamber: Tarr amendments to committee amendment rejected

A yes vote would have amended HB 2008's committee amendment to keep economic development as a separate Department of Economic Development with its own secretary, and struck other provisions including Chapter 31G. (AI-written)

Yes 17 · No 17 · Democrats 2–0 · Republicans 15–17

Relating to vaccine requirements

What it does: As passed by the Senate, adds religious and philosophical exemptions to school and child care vaccine requirements, lets a doctor's, physician assistant's or nurse practitioner's note grant medical exemptions without state review, bars excluding exempt children from extracurriculars or school events, and allows lawsuits. (AI-written summary of the bill; the official record shows the exact version voted)

Question before the chamber: Committee amendment adopted

Yes 51 · No 44 · Democrats 0–9 · Republicans 51–35

Relating to vaccine requirements

What it does: As passed by the Senate, adds religious and philosophical exemptions to school and child care vaccine requirements, lets a doctor's, physician assistant's or nurse practitioner's note grant medical exemptions without state review, bars excluding exempt children from extracurriculars or school events, and allows lawsuits. (AI-written summary of the bill; the official record shows the exact version voted)

Question before the chamber: Amendment adopted

A yes vote adopted an amendment to SB 460's committee amendment adding an exemption from school immunization requirements for children whose parents state that the requirements conflict with their religious beliefs. (AI-written)

Yes 52 · No 44 · Democrats 0–9 · Republicans 52–35

Clarifying Commissioner of Agriculture's authority to regulate bees

What it does: As introduced, makes the Agriculture Commissioner the sole regulator of beekeeping and apiaries, overriding local rules, and requires clear and convincing evidence of damage for lawsuits against nearby farm operations. (AI-written summary of the bill; the official record shows the exact version voted)

Question before the chamber: Amendment adopted

Yes 49 · No 40 · Democrats 0–9 · Republicans 49–31

Repealing obsolete and outdated sections of the Education code.

What it does: As first passed by the House, before Senate and later House amendments, repeals education code sections on teacher professional development, a behavior interventionist pilot program, use of school buildings as child care facilities, and the High School Graduation Improvement Act. (AI-written summary of the bill; the official record shows the exact version voted)

Question before the chamber: Motion for previous quesstion rejected

Yes 40 · No 52 · Democrats 9–0 · Republicans 31–52

Exempting certain employees from the classified civil service system

What it does: On the version voted Mar 14, 2026: Exempts new hires and promoted employees in the Departments of Health Facilities, Human Services and Health from the classified civil service system and state grievance procedures starting July 1, 2026. Secretaries may restore coverage where federal law requires; bars nepotism and favoritism in decisions. (AI-written summary of the bill; the official record shows the exact version voted)

Question before the chamber: Passed House

Yes 51 · No 38 · Democrats 0–9 · Republicans 51–29

Relating to inflammation of the eyes of newborns.

What it does: Repeals state laws on preventing and reporting inflammation of the eyes of newborns, including the required preventive eye medication at birth and related duties and penalties. (AI-written summary of the bill; the official record shows the exact version voted)

Question before the chamber: Passed Senate

Yes 18 · No 15 · Democrats 0–2 · Republicans 18–13

Creating Pharmacist Prescribing Authority Act

What it does: On the version voted Apr 12, 2025: Lets pharmacists prescribe certain non-controlled drugs after a positive rapid test for flu, COVID-19 or RSV, or to refill an expired epinephrine injector prescription, with physician notification and a 30-day supply limit within six months. (AI-written summary of the bill; the official record shows the exact version voted)

Question before the chamber: Floor amendment rejected

A yes vote would have replaced SB 526 with a Pharmacist Prescribing Authority Act limited to non-controlled drugs for self-limiting conditions confirmed by a waived test, with notice to the patient's primary care provider. (AI-written)

Yes 14 · No 17 · Democrats 2–0 · Republicans 12–17