MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE

Thursday, April 3, 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, April 3, 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 8:01 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Brandon Creighton

Senator José Menéndez

Senator Mayes Middleton

Senator Robert Nichols

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1405. Senator Schwertner moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator King moved that SB 1405 do not pass but that CSSB 1405 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 1762. 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 King moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator King moved that SB 1762 do not pass but that CSSB 1762 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 1977. Senator King 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 1977 do not pass but that CSSB 1977 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 819. Senator King 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 819 do not pass but that CSSB 819 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 4 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2077. Senator Schwertner moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator King moved that SB 2077 do not pass but that CSSB 2077 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 2148. Senator King moved that SB 2148 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 2321. Senator King moved that SB 2321 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.

Senator King assumed the chair.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1968. Senator Campbell moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Campbell moved that SB 1968 do not pass but that CSSB 1968 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 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 SB 231 and recognized the author, Senator King, 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 231 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 986 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt, 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 986 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 584 and recognized the author, Senator West, 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 584 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 600 and recognized the author, Senator West, 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 600 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 9:59 AM Senator Schwertner moved that the Committee stand recessed until after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 2:06 PM Senator Schwertner reconvened the meeting.

Senator Menéndez assumed the chair.

The Chair laid out SB 1244 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 1244 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.

At 2:09 PM, the Chair moved that the Committee stand at ease.

At 2:10 PM, the Chair called the Committee back to order.

Senator Menéndez assumed the chair.

The Chair laid out SB 1960 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 1960 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.

The Chair laid out SB 1964 and recognized the author, Senator Parker, 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 1964 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 668 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, 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 668 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 841 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, 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 841 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1963 and recognized Senator Nichols, in the absence of the author, 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 1963 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1003 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 1003 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 2368 and recognized the author, Senator Campbell, to explain the bill. Senator Campbell 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 2368 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 2026 and recognized the author, Senator Campbell, 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.

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 2026 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 2056 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 2056 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1625 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 1625 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 4:59 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