The House Committee on House Administration

89th Legislature

April 10, 2026

9:30 a.m.

E1.010

 

Pursuant to a notice posted on March 19, 2026, the House Committee on House Administration met in a public hearing and was called to order by the chair, Representative Geren, at 9:33 a.m.

 

The initial quorum call was answered as follows: Representatives Geren; Cole; Button; Darby; King; Martinez; Reynolds; and Talarico.

 

A quorum was present.

 

Without objection, the committee entered into executive session under Subchapter B, Chapter 301, Government Code, and the Rules of Procedure of the House of Representatives, to conduct a due process hearing in connection with the consideration of financial penalties (fines and costs) pursuant to Rule 5, Section 3, House Rules of Procedure, for Members who were absent from the House during the First and Second Called Sessions, 89th Legislature.

 

Upon conclusion of the executive session, the committee reconvened in open session. The chair announced that no decisions were made or voted on during the executive session. A roll call was answered as follows: Representatives Geren; Cole; Button; Darby; King; Martinez; Meyer; Moody; Reynolds; and Talarico.

 

A quorum was present.

 

(Representative Harless now present.)

 

The chair recognized Representatives Moody, Martinez, and Cole to make closing statements.

 

The chair made the following motion:

That, for the Members of the House of Representatives listed on the spreadsheet provided to committee members, the Committee on House Administration assesses the fines and costs required under Rule 5, Section 3, in the amounts for each Member and this assessment represents the committee’s final decision as to fines and costs with respect to each Member in this matter.

 

Representative Cole offered the following amendment to the motion:

 

Mr. Chair, I move to amend the pending motion by striking the assessment of all fines and all costs against members who were absent without leave.

 

The motion failed by the following record vote:

 

Ayes: Representatives Cole; Martinez; Moody; Reynolds; Talarico (5).

 

Nays: Representatives Geren; Button; Darby; Harless; King; Meyer (6).

 

Present, Not Voting: None (0).

 

Absent: None (0).

 

 

Representative Cole offered the following amendment to the motion:

 

Mr. Chair, I move to amend the pending motion by striking any assessment of fines against any member for August 6, August 7, August 9, August 10, August 13, August 14, and August 16.

 

The motion failed by the following record vote:

 

Ayes: Representatives Cole; Martinez; Moody; Reynolds; Talarico (5).

 

Nays: Representatives Geren; Button; Darby; Harless; King; Meyer (6).

 

Present, Not Voting: None (0).

 

Absent:  None (0).

 

 

Representative Cole offered the following amendment to the motion:

 

Mr. Chair, I move to amend the pending motion by striking the assessment of costs in its entirety, and leaving fines only.

 

The motion failed by the following record vote:

 

Ayes: Representatives Cole; Martinez; Moody; Reynolds; Talarico (5).

 

Nays: Representatives Geren; Button; Darby; Harless; King; Meyer (6).

 

Present, Not Voting: None (0).

 

Absent:  None (0).

 

 

Representative Cole offered the following amendment to the motion:

 

Mr. Chair, I move to amend the pending motion by striking the figure representing DPS costs and substituting the figure $47,733.87, so that no more than $47,733.87 total in DPS costs, divided on a pro rata share, may be assessed against members who were absent without leave.

 

The motion failed by the following record vote:

 

Ayes: Representatives Cole; Martinez; Moody; Reynolds; Talarico (5).

 

Nays: Representatives Geren; Button; Darby; Harless; King; Meyer (6).

 

Present, Not Voting: None (0).

 

Absent:  None (0).

 

 

The question occurring on the chair’s motion, the motion prevailed by the following record vote:

 

Ayes: Representatives Geren; Button; Darby; Harless; King; Meyer (6).

 

Nays: Representatives Cole; Martinez; Moody; Reynolds; Talarico (5).

 

Present, Not Voting: None (0).

 

Absent: None (0).

 

 

At 3:58 p.m., on the motion of the chair and without objection, the meeting was adjourned subject to the call of the chair.

 

 

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Rep. Geren, Chair

 

 

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Terri Mathis, Clerk