MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Wednesday, April 16, 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, April 16, 2025, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Joan Huffman, Chair	Senator Lois Kolkhorst
Senator Juan Hinojosa, Vice Chair
Senator Carol Alvarado
Senator Paul Bettencourt
Senator Donna Campbell
Senator Brandon Creighton
Senator Pete Flores
Senator Bob Hall
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 9:03 AM. The following business was transacted:

The chair laid out SB 1574 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.

Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Zaffirini 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.

Senator Huffman moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

The clerk called the roll. There was a quorum present.

The chair laid out SB 2774 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 laid out SB 1211 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, to explain the bill.

Senator Perry sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Perry 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.

Senator Huffman moved that SB 1211 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2873 and recognized Senator Nichols, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.

Senator Nichols sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Nichols 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 laid out SB 2900 and recognized Senator Nichols, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.

Senator Nichols sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Nichols 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 laid out HJR 4 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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.

Senator Hinojosa, Juan “Chuy” moved that SB 1574 do not pass but that CSSB 1574 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

Senator Hinojosa, Juan “Chuy” moved that SB 2774 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

Senator Nichols moved the adoption of the committee substitute to SB 2873; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Nichols moved that SB 2873 do not pass but that CSSB 2873 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

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

Senator Nichols moved the adoption of the committee substitute to SB 2900; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Nichols moved that SB 2900 do not pass but that CSSB 2900 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

Senator Bettencourt moved that HJR 4 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

Senator Creighton, Senator Paxton, Senator Schwertner, Senator West, and Senator Zaffirini submitted motions in writing asking to be shown voting aye on SB 1574, SB 2774, SB 2873, SB 2900 and HJR 4.

There being no further business, at 9:50 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