MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE

Thursday, March 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, March 27, 2025, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Charles Schwertner, Chair	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 8:02 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Brandon Creighton

Senator Lois Kolkhorst

Senator José Menéndez

Senator Mayes Middleton

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 455. 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 Middleton moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Middleton moved that SB 455 do not pass but that CSSB 455 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. Senator Schwertner moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Cair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 522. Senator Schwertner moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nichols moved that SB 522 do not pass but that CSSB 522 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. 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 1036. Senator Schwertner moved to withdraw the previous committee substitute that was considered at the March 18, 2025 Hearing.

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. Senator Schwertner moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 1036 do not pass but that CSSB 1036 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. 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 1057. Senator Schwertner moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nichols moved that SB 1057 do not pass but that CSSB 1057 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. 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 1058. Senator Schwertner moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nichols moved that SB 1058 do not pass but that CSSB 1058 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. 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 1239. Senator Schwertner moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nichols moved that SB 1239 do not pass but that CSSB 1239 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. 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 1254. Senator Schwertner moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nichols moved that SB 1254 do not pass but that CSSB 1254 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. 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 1255. Senator Schwertner moved that SB 1255 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 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 1259. Senator Schwertner moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nichols moved that SB 1259 do not pass but that CSSB 1259 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. 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 1341. Senator Nichols moved that SB 1341 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 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 SJR 50. Senator Nichols moved that SJR 50 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Schwertner moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Nichols assumed the chair.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1664. Senator Schwertner moved that SB 1664 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 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 1877 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner, to explain the bill. Senator Schwertner moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Schwertner moved that SB 1877 do not pass but that CSSB 1877 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. Senator Schwertner 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 opened invited testimony (see attached witness list) for discussion.

Senator Nichols assumed the chair.

The Chair laid out SB 1642 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 1642 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1643 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 1643 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.

The Chair laid out SB 1238 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 1238 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 9:44 AM Senator Schwertner moved that the Committee stand recessed until after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 1:08 PM Senator Schwertner reconvened the meeting.

The Chair laid out SB 1706 and recognized the author, Senator Hinojosa, Adam, 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 1706 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1455 and recognized the author, Senator Hagenbuch, 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 1455 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Nichols assumed the chair.

The Chair laid out SB 1644 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner, to explain the bill. Senator Kolkhorst 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 1644 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1810 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 1810 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 458 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 458 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.

The Chair laid out SB 1791 and recognized Senator Kolkhorst, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill. Senator Kolkhorst sent up a 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. The Chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chair moved that SB 1791 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Nichols assumed the chair.

The Chair laid out SB 1824 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 1824 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1825 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 1825 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.

The Chair laid out SB 758 and recognized the author, Senator Middleton, 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 758 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 819 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst, 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.

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 819 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 6:53 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