MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE

Tuesday, April 22, 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 22, 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

Senator Judith Zaffirini

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1181. Senator King moved that SB 1181 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 2075. Senator King moved that SB 2075 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 1012. Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 1012 do not pass but that CSSB 1012 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 986. Senator King moved that SB 986 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 3 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2864. Senator King moved that SB 2864 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 2154. Senator Campbell moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Campbell moved that SB 2154 do not pass but that CSSB 2154 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 2139 and recognized the author, Senator King, to explain the bill. No witnesses registered or testified on the bill. The Chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chair moved that SB 2139 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 8:08 AM, the Chair moved that the Committee stand at ease.

At 8:10 AM, the Chair called the Committee back to order.

The Chair laid out SB 2587 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. Senator Zaffirini 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 2587 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 2610 and recognized Senator King, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill. Senator Schwertner sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized Senator King 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 2610 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 2401 and recognized the author, Senator Parker, to explain the bill. No witnesses registered or testified on the bill. The Chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chair moved that SB 2401 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1978 and recognized the author, Senator Hall, to explain the bill. 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. 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 1978 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 2858 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton, to explain the bill. Senator Creighton 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 2858 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 3016 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton, to explain the bill. Senator Creighton 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 King assumed the chair.

The Chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chair moved that SB 3016 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 324 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst, to explain the bill. 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 324 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 9:40 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