MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

9:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.036

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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 Finance was held on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Joan Huffman, Chair	None
Senator Juan Hinojosa, Vice Chair
Senator Carol Alvarado
Senator Paul Bettencourt
Senator Donna Campbell
Senator Brandon Creighton
Senator Pete Flores
Senator Bob Hall
Senator Lois Kolkhorst
Senator Robert Nichols
Senator Angela Paxton
Senator Charles Perry
Senator Charles Schwertner
Senator Royce West
Senator Judith Zaffirini

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:08 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The chair laid out SB 263 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.

Senator Perry moved that SB 263 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 15 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Perry moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SJR 18 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.

Senator Perry moved that SJR 18 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 14 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Hinojosa assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 260 and recognized the author, Senator Huffman, to explain the bill.

Senator Huffman sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Huffman to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Huffman 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.

Senator Huffman moved that SB 260 do not pass but that CSSB 260 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 15 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The chair laid out SB 293 and recognized the author, Senator Huffman, to explain the bill.

Senator Huffman sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Huffman to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Huffman 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.

Senator Huffman moved that SB 293 do not pass but that CSSB 293 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 15 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Huffman resumed the chair.

Senator Creighton, Senator Hall and Senator Schwertner submitted motions in writing asking to be shown voting aye on SB 293.

Senator Paxton submitted a motion in writing asking to be shown voting aye on SB 263 and SJR 18.

Senator Alvarado, Senator Kolkhorst and Senator Zaffirini submitted motions in writing asking to be shown voting aye on SB 260, SB 263, SB 293 and SJR 18. 

There being no further business, at 10:08 AM Senator Huffman moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Joan Huffman, Chair

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Stephanie Hoover, Clerk