House approves four bills on third reading, including tax exemptions and missing-children reporting

The Texas House of Representatives on April 4 approved four bills on third reading, adopting measures on tax exemptions, law enforcement reporting of missing children and a postponement for property tax delinquency dates when a collector’s office is closed.

House Bill 9, House Bill 22, House Bill 908 and House Bill 13 92 were each read, explained by their sponsors, put to a recorded vote and finally passed during the chamber’s third-reading calendar.

Rep. Meyer, the sponsor listed for HB 9, explained the bill on the floor as a change to business personal property tax exemptions in Texas, and moved passage. The clerk recorded a roll call; the House approved the bill on a 33‑10 vote. Rep. Noble described HB 22 as eliminating “an unnecessary and burdensome tax” and moved passage; the bill passed on a 133‑10 recorded vote. Rep. Spiller said HB 908 “helps law enforcement work more efficiently and most importantly gives missing children a better chance of being found quickly, safely,” and the House passed that bill on a 43‑0 recorded vote. Rep. Busey said HB 13 92 “allows property tax lines to be postponed if a taxing unit office is closed,” and the House passed that bill on a 43‑2 recorded vote.

Each measure was read by the clerk, sponsors briefly explained the bills on the floor and the chamber conducted record votes (the clerk rang the bell before each vote). The House adjourned pending the reading and referral of bills after the third‑reading calendar concluded.

Votes at a glance

- HB 9 (Meyer): Sponsor explained the bill on the floor as changing the business personal property tax exemption in Texas; final passage recorded at 33 ayes, 10 nays. (Sponsor moved passage.)

- HB 22 (Noble): Sponsor characterized the measure as eliminating “an unnecessary and burdensome tax”; final passage recorded at 133 ayes, 10 nays. (Sponsor moved passage.)

- HB 908 (Spiller): Relates to law enforcement reporting of missing children to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children; sponsor said it improves law enforcement efficiency and the chances of finding missing children; final passage recorded at 43 ayes, 0 nays. (Sponsor moved passage.)

- HB 13 92 (Busey): Relates to postponing the delinquency date for payment of ad valorem taxes when a taxing unit’s collector’s office is closed; final passage recorded at 43 ayes, 2 nays. (Sponsor moved passage.)

Context

The chamber proceeded through a lengthy third‑reading calendar that included multiple bills requiring recorded votes. Floor practice for third reading requires a recorded roll call and the clerk to ring the bell before tallying. The session also included numerous other bills and resolutions taken up on first reading and referred to committees, but those measures were not acted on for final passage during this sitting.

What was not decided

The House read and referred many bills on first reading during the same session; referral does not constitute final action. Details about committee consideration, amendments, or further debate on the referred bills were not addressed on the floor during this session.

Procedural note

Floor explanations were brief and followed by the sponsor’s motion for final passage; the clerk then conducted record votes. Individual member votes other than the overall tallies were not read into the transcript except for a brief moment noting Rep. Busey voting aye during one roll call.

Ending

After the final passage votes, the speaker’s desk was cleared of announcements and the House stood adjourned pending the reading and referral of bills until 3 p.m. Monday.