MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE

Thursday, April 10, 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 10, 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 Mayes Middleton

Senator Nathan Johnson

Senator Lois Kolkhorst

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1612. Senator Nichols moved that SB 1612 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 2717. Senator Menéndez sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized Senator Menéndez 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 Menéndez moved that SB 2717 do not pass but that CSSB 2717 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 1468. Senator Schwertner moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Schwertner moved that SB 1468 do not pass but that CSSB 1468 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 1642. 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 1642 do not pass but that CSSB 1642 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 1789. 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 1789 do not pass but that CSSB 1789 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 resumed the chair.

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

The Chair laid out SB 2629 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 2629 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 2702 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 2702 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 2167 and recognized the author, Senator Paxton, 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 2167 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 2349 and recognized the author, Senator Alvarado, 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 2349 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 2121 and recognized the author, Senator Johnson, to explain the bill. Senator Johnson 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 2121 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 2443 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 2443 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 2902 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 2902 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 512 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 512 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 2145 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, 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 2145 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Nichols assumed the chair.

The Chair laid out SB 2268 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 2268 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1495 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 1495 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 2154 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 2154 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.

The Chair laid out SB 2184 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 2184 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 438 and recognized Senator Blanco, 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 438 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:33 AM, the Chair moved that the Committee stand at ease.

At 9:34 AM, the Chair called the Committee back to order.

The Chair laid out SB 2211 and recognized the author, Senator Sparks, 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 2211 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 647 and recognized Senator Blanco, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill. Senator Blanco sent up a committee substitute.  The Chair recognized Senator Blanco 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 647 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 648 and recognized the author, Senator West, to explain the bill. Senator Blanco 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 648 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 9:49 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