MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE

Tuesday, March 25, 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 Tuesday, March 25, 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 8:00 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Robert Nichols

Senator Judith Zaffirini

Senator Lois Kolkhorst

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1697. Senator King moved that SB 1697 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 Schwertner 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 1569. Senator King moved that SB 1569 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 Schwertner 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 1202. Senator Schwertner moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Schwertner moved that SB 1202 do not pass but that CSSB 1202 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 Schwertner 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 1029. Senator King moved that SB 1029 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1364. Senator King moved that SB 1364 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 Schwertner 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 1185. Senator King moved that SB 1185 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 Schwertner 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 924. Senator King moved that SB 924 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 3 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1008. Senator King moved to withdraw the previous committee substitute that was considered at the March 18, 2025 Hearing. Senator Middleton sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized the author to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Schwertner moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator King moved that SB 1008 do not pass but that CSSB 1008 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 Schwertner 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 264. Senator King moved that SB 264 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 Schwertner 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 1376. Senator King moved that SB 1376 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1358. Senator King moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator King moved that SB 1358 do not pass but that CSSB 1358 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 Schwertner moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Zaffirini submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on the following bills: SB 1029, SB 1185, SB 1202, SB 1364, SB 1569, and SB 1697.

Senator Kolkhorst submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on the following bills: SB 1202, SB 1569, and SB 1697.

The Chair laid out SB 1856 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton, 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 1856 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 522 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, to explain the bill. Senator Nichols sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized the author 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 SB 522 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Nichols assumed the chair.

The Chair laid out SB 1664 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner, 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 1664 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1877 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner, to explain the bill. Senator Schwertner sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized the author 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 SB 1877 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.

The Chair laid out SB 1254 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized the author 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 SB 1254 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1255 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, 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 1255 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1341 and recognized the author, Senator Hancock, 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 1341 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1239 and recognized the author, Senator Middleton, to explain the bill. Senator Middleton sent up a committee substitute.  The Chair recognized the author 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 SB 1239 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1259 and recognized the author, Senator Nichols, to explain the bill. Senator Nichols sent up a committee substitute.  The Chair recognized the author 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 SB 1259 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1977 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 1977 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1762 and recognized the author, Senator Blanco, 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 1762 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 783 and recognized the author, Senator Menéndez, to explain the bill. Senator Menéndez sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized the author 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 SB 783 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 9:37 AM 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