MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE

Tuesday, April 15, 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 15, 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 Robert Nichols

Senator Judith Zaffirini

Senator Lois Kolkhorst

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 438. Senator Campbell moved that SB 438 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 512. Senator King moved that SB 512 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 647. Senator King moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator King moved that SB 647 do not pass but that CSSB 647 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, 1 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 648. Senator King moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator King moved that SB 648 do not pass but that CSSB 648 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, 1 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 715. Senator King sent up a committee substitute.  The Chair recognized Senator Sparks 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 715 do not pass but that CSSB 715 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 4 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 758. Senator King moved that SB 758 be reported favorably 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 1964. Senator King sent up a committee substitute.  The Chair recognized Senator Parker 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 1964 do not pass but that CSSB 1964 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 2121. Senator Johnson moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Johnson moved that SB 2121 do not pass but that CSSB 2121 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 2145. Senator King moved that SB 2145 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 2167. Senator King moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator King moved that SB 2167 do not pass but that CSSB 2167 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 2330. Senator King sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized Senator Parker 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 2330 do not pass but that CSSB 2330 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 5 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2349. Senator King moved that SB 2349 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 2443. Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 2443 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 2629. Senator Creighton moved that SB 2629 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 2702. Senator Creighton moved that SB 2702 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 1495. Senator Campbell moved that SB 1495 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 Campbell 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 2268. Senator Campbell moved that SB 2268 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 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 2864 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 2864 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1012 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst, 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. Senator Kolkhorst moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. 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 1012 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 2221 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 2221 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1705 and recognized the author, Senator Parker, 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 1705 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1181 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 1181 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 2586 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 2586 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 2075 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 2075 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 383 and recognized the author, Senator Middleton, to explain the bill.

Senator Nichols assumed the chair.

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

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

The Chair laid out SB 2994 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 2994 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 10:15 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