MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE

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

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Mayes Middleton

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 75. Senator Nichols moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nichols moved that SB 75 do not pass but that CSSB 75 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 231. Senator Nichols moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nichols moved that SB 231 do not pass but that CSSB 231 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 584. Senator Nichols moved that SB 584 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 668. Senator Nichols moved that SB 668 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 841. Senator Nichols moved that SB 841 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 1299. Senator Nichols moved that SB 1299 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 1455. Senator Nichols sent up a committee substitute.  The Chair recognized Senator Hagenbuch author to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Nichols moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nichols moved that SB 1455 do not pass but that CSSB 1455 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 1625. Senator Johnson moved that SB 1625 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 1963. Senator Creighton moved that SB 1963 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2056. Senator Nichols sent up a committee substitute.  The Chair recognized Senator Hancock 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 Nichols moved that SB 2056 do not pass but that CSSB 2056 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 2368. Senator Campbell moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Campbell moved that SB 2368 do not pass but that CSSB 2368 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 Nichols assumed the chair.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1244. Senator Schwertner moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Schwertner moved that SB 1244 do not pass but that CSSB 1244 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 1643. 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 Schwertner moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Schwertner moved that SB 1643 do not pass but that CSSB 1643 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 1960. Senator Schwertner moved that SB 1960 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 2411. Senator Schwertner moved to withdraw the previous committee substitute that was considered at the April 1, 2025 Hearing. 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 Schwertner moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Schwertner moved that SB 2411 do not pass but that CSSB 2411 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 SB 2967 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

Senator Kolkhorst assumed the chair.

Senator Nichols assumed the chair.

The Chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chair moved that SB 2967 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1468 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 1468 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1789 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 1789 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.

The Chair laid out SB 1612 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 1612 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 2717 and recognized the author, Senator Menéndez, 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 2717 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 10:43 AM Senator Schwertner moved that the Committee stand recessed until after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 1:35 PM Senator Schwertner reconvened the meeting.

The Chair laid out SB 2530 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 2530 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 2571 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 2571 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 2:06 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