MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE

Thursday, February 27, 2025

8:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.012

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Business & Commerce was held on Thursday, February 27, 2025, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Charles Schwertner, Chair	None
Senator Phil King, Vice Chair
Senator César Blanco
Senator Donna Campbell
Senator Brandon Creighton
Senator Nathan Johnson
Senator Lois Kolkhorst
Senator José Menéndez
Senator Mayes Middleton
Senator Robert Nichols
Senator Judith Zaffirini

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The Chair called the meeting to order at 8:04 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Robert Nichols

Senator José Menéndez

Senator Lois Kolkhorst

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 72. Senator King moved that SB 72 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator King moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 627. Senator King moved that SB 627 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator King moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 703. Senator King moved that SB 703 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator King moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 764. Senator King moved that SB 764 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator King moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator King assumed the chair.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 21. Senator Schwertner sent up a committee substitute.  The Chair recognized Senator Schwertner to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Campbell moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Campbell moved that SB 21 do not pass but that CSSB 21 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 842. Senator Campbell moved that SB 842 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Campbell moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 372. Senator King moved that SB 372 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator King moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business CSSB 262. Senator King moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator King moved that SB 262 do not pass but that CSSB 262 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator King moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 370. Senator King moved that SB 370 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator King moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 140. Senator King moved that SB 140 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator King moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 495. Senator King moved that SB 495 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The Chair opened invited testimony (see attached witness list) for discussion.

The Chair laid out SB 6 and recognized the author, Senator King, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

Senator Nichols assumed the chair.

Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.

The Chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chair moved that SB 6 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 504 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst, to explain the bill. Senator Kolkhorst sent up the committee substitute.  The Chair recognized Senator Kolkhorst to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

Senator King assumed the chair.

Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.

The Chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chair moved that SB 504 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 929 and recognized the author, Senator Johnson, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The Chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chair moved that SB 929 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 765 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The Chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chair moved that SB 765 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator King assumed the chair.

The Chair laid out SB 815 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner, to explain the bill. Senator Kolkhorst sent up the committee substitute. The Chair recognized Senator Schwertner to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The Chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chair moved that CSSB 815 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 2:10 PM Senator Schwertner moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the Chair. Without objection, it was so ordered. 

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Senator Charles Schwertner, Chair

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Daniela Velez-Blanc, Clerk