[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6307061,"mediaKeyId","2435466-96626ad989d1a4e6a23249315e509d2e","parentId",2435466,"title","Votes at a glance: Senate adopts ceremonial resolutions recognizing city delegations and advocacy days","audioSeconds",62,"startMs",97000,"endMs",159000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2435466-96626ad989d1a4e6a23249315e509d2e&start=97&end=159","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2435466-96626ad989d1a4e6a23249315e509d2e/thumbnail_97000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6307061/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Senate-adopts-ceremonial-resolutions-recognizing-city-delegations-and-advocacy-days","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307061-05373593f2e8e8e6c2f7339e049938f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775630462&Signature=FYW-29nP64aqWQHwmwJGvbm~V0b1bfoLSpVNx3RfHgm~G6hl8NsyK0n2tj1T5YLGcj3XTwbh3abfEAB8NKbuOreKj1qLUHEBarOi~J9iYiRNUeelIFuGeZllymtMKQOXb6105zO75jBI0ZxZznorTnlSMLNOvHebIXB54wDvBYL5zITu8RX4KHsOsA9oRfK5Toslo-fIlbXKc6rZbob7y8Ut60RG4-QX1J6VtnTaIcL44ZbgbtiiD2RBBKxlbkJDd9ZRz5lC4VVMBtHDsyDB8bkLarSt7c0v1d84ZxAOnXU-vZB-oWkTjd1ZLLEb8dLrQc2tIrRNNCqkAMTJCe17jQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Texas State Legislature","date","2025-02-27T00:00:00Z","article","During the floor session the Senate adopted a series of ceremonial resolutions and recorded several scheduling announcements.

Resolutions adopted by voice vote included those read by the secretary earlier in the session: Senate Resolution 127 (West), Senate Resolution 144 (Parker), Senate Resolution 169 (Birdwell), and Senate Resolution 170 (Johnson et al.). The chamber also adopted Senate Resolution 168 by Senator Paxton recognizing “Allen Days” at the State Capitol and Senate Resolution 131 (Johnson and West) recognizing “Grand Prairie Days.” Senator Goodhue presented Senate Resolution 174 recognizing 02/27/2025 as Texas Majority to End Gun Violence Advocacy Day; the resolution was adopted with no recorded objection.

The chair announced the resolutions and, where members rose to speak, brief welcoming remarks and acknowledgments were recorded (for example, Senator Paxton introduced a delegation from Allen and Senator Johnson introduced a delegation from Grand Prairie). Most of these items were adopted by voice vote; in multiple cases the chair said “the resolution is adopted” after hearing no objection.

Other floor business

- The secretary read nominations submitted by Governor Greg Abbott for several boards and commissions (e.g., Texas Juvenile Justice Board; Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired; Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas oversight committee); the transcript records the reading of nominations but does not record confirmation votes in this excerpt.
- Committee scheduling announcements: the chair and committee chairs announced upcoming committee hearings and reconvening times for State Affairs, Finance, and Business & Commerce.
- The Senate adopted a motion to recess and later announced the Senate will reconvene for reading and referral of bills and adjourn until an announced March date; the clerk read the schedule into the record.

Ending

These actions on ceremonial resolutions and scheduling were procedural and adopted without recorded opposition in the transcript excerpt. No appropriations or binding policy changes were attached to these ceremonial resolutions in the recorded transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Session February 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate adopted a series of ceremonial resolutions recognizing delegations from Allen and Grand Prairie, several commemorative resolutions, and a gun‑violence advocacy day; business also included committee scheduling and an announced recess.","taxTitle","Senate, Legislative, Texas","taxId",16215,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6307066,"Senate adopts resolution recognizing February 2025 as Black History Month after floor debate",1398,1861000,3259000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2435466-96626ad989d1a4e6a23249315e509d2e&start=1861&end=3259","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2435466-96626ad989d1a4e6a23249315e509d2e/thumbnail_1861000.jpg","/articles/6307066/Texas/Senate-adopts-resolution-recognizing-February-2025-as-Black-History-Month-after-floor-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307066-69e5dd992aeb2d06dcfc58b992a86b9e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775630462&Signature=Pa04aHFQet5YkguhQnJihMfT4chGRQVYEfl7Ob8g7ftjYaZaHdq7hqkt-sdLNdxw7efVm3A2jIC3upF8ipAcdLIAF0q8hc14yGI4V7faSGcq6JuV1O8umIamvCEhAhWJBYjrOs3GJjAM592bryCO~6MIFz17V2uJ6yy1ojKnlF5DKfQIngL8XtCPt5g8xPTP02rXMwTNnF6aLW~XbTXo1vmL7JEHgwZCwctR7sexUYJPMq-gfF-BttCJQhC3WSDbGOHNbKeQdunsb8qXes4nH4xi0xyM7MxQegioEkCA5PLlfowUMgVEwaP0A66iZsajwCVf19aAe5MgF2zn~7elsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Texas Senate adopted Senate Resolution 175, authored by Senator Royce West and coauthors, recognizing February 2025 as Black History Month and urging citizens to learn more about the contributions of African Americans in Texas.

Senator Royce West, sponsor of the resolution, urged colleagues to acknowledge both historical contributions and ongoing concerns about racial disparities. “When is it gonna stop being an issue?” West asked on the floor as he urged senators to listen to constituents and consider how policy choices affect communities of color.

Several senators spoke in support. Senator Royce West noted historical examples and encouraged senators to engage constituents on race‑related issues. Senator Nathan Johnson and Senator Miles each emphasized that Black history is American history and highlighted past leaders including Barbara Jordan and George T. Ruby. Senator Miles said, “Black history is American history,” and called on colleagues to ensure younger generations learn the full story.

Senator Jane Hancock reminded colleagues that the first Black senator to this body was elected as a Republican and argued recognition of Black History Month is not a partisan issue. Senator Bettencourt and Senator Campbell also spoke in support, with Campbell saying she looks forward to “a time when we say let’s celebrate history month, it’s celebrating history for all of us.”

The resolution was moved for adoption and — with no objection — was adopted by the Senate.

Why it matters

Senators used debate on the resolution to call attention to both the achievements and continuing challenges facing African Americans in Texas, including representation and access to opportunity. Multiple speakers framed the resolution as a reminder that lawmakers should engage with constituents across demographics and remain mindful of the historical context of policy decisions.

Ending

Senator West moved adoption and the chair announced the resolution adopted. The transcript records supportive floor remarks and the adoption but does not record any associated appropriations, directives to agencies, or binding policy changes.","The Senate unanimously adopted SR 175, a resolution acknowledging Black History Month; senators used the debate to stress the continuing relevance of history in public policy.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6307071,"Senate passes bill to ban phone- and internet-facilitated lottery play after floor probe",1010,3990000,5000000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2435466-96626ad989d1a4e6a23249315e509d2e&start=3990&end=5000","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2435466-96626ad989d1a4e6a23249315e509d2e/thumbnail_3990000.jpg","/articles/6307071/Texas/Senate-passes-bill-to-ban-phone-and-internet-facilitated-lottery-play-after-floor-probe","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307071-fa4a678b12e139ea8c7754c8b2001ca6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775630462&Signature=HEB3KgkbTKiRiKXKUkSuZd27XfAL1Gu4NLSLJjgi-YTYuI4S7APLsl-pofRVThJ~kh6YSLUiBH6w6T2bXoIqo1-lOfxyRUReHZZ05FECtEmdnJGRF2GAYmqQ7-Ctqm1l~guqXyFzINBEuazzxAXU3j6RS3GAkSyVTg5K8t3fg-YS9q9D3uPtUh90KvaY2PQfLmiKn~4pYNGacW~gtmCPPH6tvaTMGnYEtdFkmwz3VMX9RwhHZHdHThDy7tGJbEejiMTakz47JKij5Ul--v4iiOrUWWw~OC9IzvwpxmZNzzc836YIkerOoUrA33YgqepxfVJf9LCOFvUyRa3-be89Ig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Texas Senate on final passage approved SB 28, a bill that creates criminal offenses for lottery games played or facilitated by telephone or through an internet or mobile application, after a floor debate prompted by allegations that courier operations and agency rule changes enabled widespread fraud.

Senator Brian Hall, sponsor of SB 28, told colleagues the bill responds to years of what he described as the Texas Lottery Commission’s failure to enforce statutory guardrails. “The illegal organized crime lottery operation we now have is not the result of some smart people outside of the government figuring out how to beat the lottery system,” Hall said on the floor, arguing that commission staff and commissioners created loopholes that allowed courier services to operate in ways the legislature never intended.

The Senate rejected an amendment by Senator José Menéndez Gutierrez that would have narrowed SB 28 to exclude online scratch‑off ticket sales that fund veterans’ programs. The amendment failed on a roll call, 11 yes to 20 no. Senator Gutierrez said his change aimed to preserve revenue that supports veterans programs; he noted the veterans fund has received “$262,000,000” from scratch‑off ticket sales since the lottery’s inception.

After the failed amendment, senators voted to engross the bill and to suspend the constitutional three‑day rule for third reading. On final passage the Senate recorded 31 ayes and no nays; the clerk reported the tally as “31 ayes and no nays.” Senator Hall moved final passage.

Hall summarized several specific allegations on the floor: he said the commission adopted rules that he called “counter or inconsistent with the guardrails the legislature had carefully crafted,” allowed group and telephone purchases, and permitted underage gambling. He described evidence that courier operations purchased massive combinations of tickets—“26,000,000 in 72 hours,” he said—and recounted a 1994 contested prize claim to illustrate past enforcement controversies.

The bill’s floor debate referenced earlier state law enacted in 1991 (HB 54) that Hall said established limits on lottery operations; Hall said SB 28 would restore the lottery to the limited operations the legislature originally intended. He told senators that he believes only abolishing the Texas Lottery Commission would fully restore integrity, but the drafted bill targets courier operations and related practices.

What happened on the floor

- Amendment (Gutierrez) to exempt online scratch‑off sales: failed, 11 yes, 20 no. The Senate clerk read the roll call for the amendment and announced the result.
- Motion to engross and suspend three‑day rule: adopted (31 ayes, 0 nays reported).
- Final passage of SB 28: passed, 31 ayes, 0 nays reported.

Authorities and references cited on the floor included the original 1991 statute establishing the state lottery (HB 54), repeated references to the Texas Lottery Commission’s rules and practices, the Sunset review process, and requests for an attorney general opinion about the commission’s authority. On the floor Hall said the commission had issued a press release acknowledging multiple rule violations.

Next steps

SB 28, having passed the Senate, will proceed according to the legislative process; the Senate record shows final passage but does not record action by the House or the governor in this transcript. If approved by the remaining steps of the legislative process, the bill would create criminal prohibitions on facilitating play via telephone or internet and constrain courier operations as described in the bill’s caption.

Ending

Senator Hall concluded his remarks by urging colleagues to support the measure to “clean up fraud in the lottery,” while others on the floor expressed concern for protecting veterans’ program revenue and emphasized narrowly tailoring the bill to address courier operations rather than removing longstanding funding sources for veterans.","The Texas Senate passed SB 28 unanimously after senators debated allegations that lottery couriers and agency rule changes allowed organized fraud; an amendment to exempt online scratch‑off apps failed.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Senate adopts ceremonial resolutions recognizing city delegations and advocacy days

Senate adopts resolution recognizing February 2025 as Black History Month after floor debate

Senate passes bill to ban phone- and internet-facilitated lottery play after floor probe