MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Monday, March 17, 2025

3:15 PM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.028

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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 Local Government was held on Monday, March 17, 2025, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Paul Bettencourt, Chair	None
Senator Mayes Middleton, Vice Chair
Senator Molly Cook
Senator Roland Gutierrez
Senator Robert Nichols
Senator Angela Paxton
Senator Royce West

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The chair called the meeting to order at 3:17 PM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Middleton, Senator West, and Senator Paxton

The chair laid out SB 1547 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.

Senator Gutierrez 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 Bettencourt moved that SB 1547 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 785 and recognized the author, Senator Flores, 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 785 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 617 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner, to explain the bill.

Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 617 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1352 and recognized the author, Senator Hinojosa of Nueces, to explain the bill.

Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 1352 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 973 and recognized the author, Senator Eckhardt, to explain the bill.

Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 973 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 710 and recognized the author, Senator Eckhardt, 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 710 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 583.

Senator Gutierrez moved that SB 583 be reported favorably to the Senate with the

recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 1

nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 673.

Senator Middleton moved that SB 673 be reported favorably to the Senate with the

recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0

nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Middleton 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 840.

Senator Middleton sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Middleton to

explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.

Senator Gutierrez moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so

ordered.

Senator Cook moved that SB 840 do not pass but that CSSB 840 be reported back to the

Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record

vote of 5 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The chair laid out SB 393 and recognized the author, Senator Sparks, 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 393 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 472 and recognized the author, Senator Sparks, 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 472 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1062 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst, to explain the bill.

Senator Paxton sent up a committee substitute.

The chair recognized Senator Kolkhorst 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 Bettencourt moved that SB 1062 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 414 and recognized the author, Senator Middleton, 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 414 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1059 and recognized the author, Senator Parker, to explain the bill.

Witnesses registered on the bill are shown on the attached list.

Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 1059 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 578 and recognized the author, Senator West, 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 578 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 4:51 PM Senator Middleton assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1450 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt, 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 Middleton moved that SB 1450 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1502 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt, 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 Middleton moved that SB 1502 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1566 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt, 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 Middleton moved that SB 1566 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1567 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt, 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 Middleton moved that SB 1567 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 6:40 PM Senator Bettencourt resumed the chair.

Senator Paxton submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on SB’s 583,673, and 840.

There being no further business, at 6:41 PM Senator Bettencourt moved that the Committee

stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Paul Bettencourt, Chair

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Jared Yust, Clerk