MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Wednesday, March 19, 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 19, 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 9:05 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1 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.

Senator Huffman moved that SB 1 do not pass but that CSSB 1 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.

The chair laid out SB 266 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 Bettencourt moved that SB 266 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 Bettencourt moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1415 and recognized Senator Bettencourt, 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.

Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 1415 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 Bettencourt moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Hinojosa assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1018 and recognized the author, Senator Huffman, 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 Huffman moved that SB 1018 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.

The chair laid out SB 1737 and recognized the author, Senator Huffman, 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 Huffman moved that SB 1737 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.

The chair laid out SB 1738 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 1738 do not pass but that CSSB 1738 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 moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SJR 57 and recognized the author, Senator Huffman, 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 Huffman moved that SJR 57 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 Huffman resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1527 and recognized the author, Senator West, to explain the bill.

Senator West sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator West to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator West 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 West moved that SB 1527 do not pass but that CSSB 1527 be reported back 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 Campbell and Senator Paxton submitted motions in writing asking to be shown voting aye on SB 1738.

Senator Creighton submitted a motion in writing asking to be shown voting aye on SB 1, SB 266, SB 1018, SB 1415, SB 1527, SB 1737, SB 1738 and SJR 57.

Senator Flores submitted a motion in writing asking to be shown voting aye on SB 1018, BS 1737, SB 1738 and SJR 57.

Senator Hall submitted a motion in writing asking to be shown voting aye on SB 1737, SB 1738 and SJR 57.

Senator Hinojosa submitted a motion in writing asking to be shown voting aye on SB 1.

Senator Kolkhorst and Senator Zaffirini submitted motions in writing asking to be shown voting aye on SB 1527.

Senator Perry submitted a motion in writing asking to be shown voting aye on SB 1, SB 266, SB 1018, SB 1415, SB 1737, SB 1738 and SJR 57.

Senator Schwertner submitted a motion in writing asking to be shown voting nay on  SB 1527.

There being no further business, at 11:06 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