MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

9:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.036

*****

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 23, 2025, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas.

*****

MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Joan Huffman, Chair	Senator Donna Campbell
Senator Juan Hinojosa, Vice Chair	Senator Lois Kolkhorst
Senator Carol Alvarado	Senator Charles Perry
Senator Paul Bettencourt	Senator Judith Zaffirini
Senator Brandon Creighton
Senator Pete Flores
Senator Bob Hall
Senator Robert Nichols
Senator Angela Paxton
Senator Charles Schwertner
Senator Royce West

*****

The chair called the meeting to order at 9:14 AM. The following business was transacted:

The chair laid out SB 2345 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner, to explain the bill.

Senator Schwertner sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Schwertner 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 HB 135 and recognized Senator Flores, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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 771 and recognized Senator Flores, 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 Hinojosa moved that SB 771 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 4 absent.

Senator Hinojosa moved that HB 135 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 4 absent.

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

Senator Schwertner moved the adoption of the committee substitute to SB 2345; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 935 as a matter of pending business.  The chair laid out HB 1109, the House companion, in lieu of SB 935. 

Senator Hall moved that HB 1109 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 4 absent.

Senator Paxton submitted a motion in writing asking to be shown voting aye on SB 771 and HB 135.

There being no further business, at 9:39 AM Senator Huffman moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

__________________________________________

Senator Joan Huffman, Chair

__________________________________________

Stephanie Hoover, Clerk