The Texas Senate convened on May 26, 2025, to discuss significant legislative measures concerning election integrity, particularly focusing on House Bill 5115, which addresses penalties for election fraud. The session began with a motion from Senator Hughes to suspend the regular order of business to expedite the discussion of this bill.

Senator Hughes emphasized the importance of ensuring that the punishment for election-related offenses aligns with the severity of the crime. He highlighted that election workers who commit fraud should face serious consequences, particularly if they knowingly count invalid votes or refuse to count valid ones. The discussion underscored the necessity of establishing a clear mental state requirement for these offenses, specifically that the actions must be taken "knowingly" rather than through negligence.

Senators engaged in a detailed dialogue about the implications of the bill, with Senator Hughes clarifying that the burden of proof would rest on the state to demonstrate that an individual acted with knowledge of the invalidity of the votes in question. This aspect of the bill aims to strengthen accountability among election officials.

Following the discussions, Senator Hughes moved for the bill to proceed to a third reading. Despite some objections, the motion passed with a vote of 23 in favor and 8 against, allowing House Bill 5115 to advance in the legislative process.

The session concluded with a recognition of the importance of maintaining the integrity of the electoral process, setting the stage for further discussions and potential amendments as the bill moves forward.