MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Monday, March 17, 2025

9:00 AM

Senate Chamber

*****

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 17, 2025, in the Senate Chamber.

*****

MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Bryan Hughes, Chair	Senator Paul Bettencourt
Senator Angela Paxton, Vice Chair
Senator Brian Birdwell
Senator Bob Hall
Senator Adam Hinojosa
Senator Mayes Middleton
Senator Tan Parker
Senator Charles Perry
Senator Charles Schwertner
Senator Judith Zaffirini

*****

The chair called the meeting to order at 9:15 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Birdwell, Senator Hinojosa, and Senator Perry.

At 9:16 AM Senator Paxton assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 650 and recognized Senator Hughes, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill. Senator Hughes sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Hughes 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 Zaffirini moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 650 do not pass but that CSSB 650 be reported back 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 4 absent.

At 9:49 AM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 8 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. Senator Hughes moved that SB 8 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 779 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 Hughes moved that SB 779 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1721 and recognized the author, Senator Middleton, to explain the bill.

At 12:46 PM Senator Paxton assumed 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.

At 1:02 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

Senator Hughes moved that SB 1721 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 1:20 PM Senator Paxton assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1349 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill. Senator Hughes sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Hughes to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Paxton moved that SB 1349 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 667 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill. Senator Paxton moved that SB 667 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1585 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill. Senator Paxton moved that SB 1585 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2312 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill. Senator Paxton moved that SB 2312 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 1:38 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

Witnesses testifying and registering on SB 1349, SB 667, SB 1585 and SB 2312 are shown on the attached list.

At 2:33 PM Senator Hughes moved that the Committee stand recessed until 3:00 PM. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 3:24 PM Senator Hughes reconvened the meeting.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 667, SB 1349, SB 1585, and SB 2312. 

Public testimony resumed on SB 667, SB 1349, SB 1585, and SB 2312.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hughes moved that SB 667, SB 1349, SB 1585, and SB 2312 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1355 and recognized the author, Senator Parker, to explain the bill. Senator Parker sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Parker 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 SB 1355 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1378 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 1378 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 3:55 PM Senator Hughes moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

__________________________________________

Senator Bryan Hughes, Chair

__________________________________________

Victoria Ross, Clerk