The Texas Senate convened on May 30, 2025, to discuss critical amendments to Senate Bill 293, primarily focusing on judicial pay raises. The session began with a resolution to agree on the House amendments to the bill, excluding one non-germane provision.
Senator West initiated the discussion by confirming that the Senate was in support of the pay raises for judges, a significant point of contention among lawmakers. He noted that judges had been actively reaching out to senators, seeking clarity on the Senate's stance regarding their compensation. The resolution aimed to solidify the Senate's agreement with the House on the pay raises, emphasizing that this was the only outstanding issue preventing the bill from moving forward.
Senator Bettencourt then moved to adopt the resolution, highlighting that it served as an alternative method to the traditional conference committee process. He reiterated that the Senate concurred with all House amendments except for the one deemed non-germane. This clarification was crucial, as it indicated that the Senate was ready to support the judiciary's pay increase, which had garnered significant attention from judges and constituents alike.
Following a series of inquiries and confirmations regarding the resolution's implications, the Senate proceeded to a roll call vote. The resolution was adopted with 30 votes in favor and one present but not voting.
In conclusion, the Senate's actions on this day underscored a commitment to judicial compensation, with the resolution paving the way for the bill to be enrolled and sent to the governor by the following afternoon. The session concluded with a motion to recess until noon on May 31, 2025, marking a significant step in legislative progress regarding judicial pay in Texas.