MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Monday, March 3, 2025

9:00 AM

Senate Chamber

 

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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 State Affairs was held on Monday, March 3, 2025, in the Senate Chamber.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Bryan Hughes, Chair

 

None

Senator Angela Paxton, Vice Chair

 

 

Senator Paul Bettencourt

 

 

Senator Brian Birdwell

 

 

Senator Bob Hall

 

 

Senator Adam Hinojosa

 

 

Senator Mayes Middleton

 

 

Senator Tan Parker

 

 

Senator Charles Perry

 

 

Senator Charles Schwertner

 

 

Senator Judith Zaffirini

 

 

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:17 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

 

The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Bettencourt

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 523 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini.

 

Senator Perry moved that SB 523 do not pass but that CSSB 523 be reported back 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 0 absent.

 

Senator Zaffirini 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 62 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini.

 

Senator Birdwell moved that SB 62 do not pass but that CSSB 62 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 847 and recognized the author, Senator Campbell.

 

Senator Hall moved that SB 847 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 0 absent.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 706 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner.

 

Senator Middleton moved that SB 706 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays, 1 present not voting, and 0 absent.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 869 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell.

 

Senator Perry moved that SB 869 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 0 absent.

 

Senator Birdwell 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 890 and recognized the author, Senator Paxton.

 

Senator Parker moved that SB 890 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 0 absent.

 

Senator Paxton 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 992 and recognized the author, Senator Nichols.

 

Senator Hinojosa moved that SB 992 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 0 absent.

 

Senator Zaffirini 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 19 and recognized the author, Senator Middleton.

 

Senator Hall moved that SB 19 do not pass but that CSSB 19 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 707 and recognized the author, Senator King.

 

Senator Hall moved that SB 707 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 888 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst.

 

Senator Perry moved that SB 888 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 0 absent.

 

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

 

At 9:31 AM Senator Paxton assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 687 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes.

 

Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 687 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 0 absent.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SJR 34 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes.

 

Senator Perry moved that SJR 34 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 0 absent.

 

Senator Hall 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 SCR 9 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes.

 

Senator Parker moved that SCR 9 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 0 absent.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 18 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes.

 

Senator Middleton moved that SB 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 10 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 666 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes.

 

Senator Birdwell moved that SB 666 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 0 absent.

 

Senator Hall 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 688 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes.

 

Senator Hinojosa moved that SB 688 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 0 absent.

 

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

 

Senator Bettencourt submitted a Motion in Writing voting Aye on the following bills: SB 18, SB 19, SB 62, SB 523, SB 666, SB 687, SB 688, SB 706, SB 707, SB 847, SB 869, SB 888, SB 890, SB 992, SCR 9, and SJR 34.

 

Senator Schwertner submitted a Motion in Writing voting Aye on the following bills: SB 18, SB 666, SB 688, SB 847, and SCR 9.

 

The chair laid out SB 1119 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, 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 Paxton moved that SB 1119 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1073 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, 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 Paxton moved that SB 1073 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 810 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, 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 Paxton moved that SB 810 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 10:44 AM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 965 and recognized the author, 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 Hughes moved that SB 965 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 3 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Hughes 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 Hughes moved that the committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1505 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, to explain the bill.

 

At 1:40 PM Senator Perry assumed the chair.

 

At 1:56 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

 

At 4:39 PM Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair.

 

At 4:46 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

 

At 6:21 PM Senator Paxton assumed the chair.

 

At 6:51 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

 

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 Hughes moved that SB 1505 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

There being no further business, at 7:21 PM Senator Hughes moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Senator Bryan Hughes, Chair

 

 

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Victoria Ross, Clerk