MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Thursday, March 20, 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 Thursday, March 20, 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 9:05 AM.

The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Bettencourt, Senator Birdwell, Senator Hall, Senator Hinojosa, Senator Middleton, Senator Parker, Senator Perry, Senator Schwertner, and Senator Paxton.

Upon the arrival of Senator Paxton, a quorum was present. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The chair laid out SB 1386 and recognized the author, Senator Huffman, to explain the bill. Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized the author 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 1386 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:10 AM Senator Schwertner assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1470 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 Schwertner moved that SB 1470 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1210 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 Schwertner moved that SB 1210 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:28 AM Senator Paxton assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 311 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 311 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:50 AM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

At 9:50 AM Senator Hughes moved that the Committee stand recessed until 30 minutes after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 12:30 PM Senator Hughes reconvened the meeting.

The chair laid out SB 505 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt, to explain the bill.

At 12:30 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. Senator Paxton moved that SB 505 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 396 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst, 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 396 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 827 and recognized the author, Senator Parker, to explain the bill. Senator Parker sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized the author to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.

At 1:15 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 827 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SJR 37 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell, 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 SJR 37 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 1:41 PM Senator Paxton assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 16 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill. Senator Paxton sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized the author 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.

At 2:43 PM Senator Hughes assumed the chair.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 3:13 PM Senator Hall assumed the chair.

Senator Hall moved that SB 16 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2035 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill.

At 3:20 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.

At 3:49 PM Senator Hall assumed the chair.

Senator Hall moved that SB 2035 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 964 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill.

At 3:51 PM Senator Hughes 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 4:10 PM Senator Hall assumed the chair.

Senator Hall moved that SB 964 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 310 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill.

At 4:18 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.

At 4:53 PM Senator Schwertner assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1209 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill. Senator Hall sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized the author 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 Schwertner moved that SB 1209 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 5:28 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 108 and recognized the author, Senator Hall. Senator Hall moved that SB 108 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. 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 318 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton. Senator Parker moved that SB 318 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 507 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt. Senator Hall moved that SB 507 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 533 and recognized the author, Senator Sparks. Senator Hall moved that SB 533 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1433 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt. Senator Parker moved that SB 1433 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1434 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt. Senator Birdwell moved that SB 1434 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 1596 and recognized the author, Senator Hagenbuch. Senator Hall moved that SB 1596 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 8 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner. Senator Schwertner moved that SB 8 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

Senator Hall moved that the Committee reconsider the vote by which SB 8 was passed.

Senator Schwertner moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Schwertner moved that SB 8 do not pass but that CSSB 8 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1355 and recognized the author, Senator Parker. Senator Parker moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Parker moved that SB 1355 do not pass but that CSSB 1355 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Parker moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 5:40 PM Senator Paxton assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 689 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes. Senator Paxton sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized the author to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Hughes moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hughes moved that SB 689 do not pass but that CSSB 689 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1026 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes. Senator Parker moved that SB 1026 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 667 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes. Senator Paxton sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized the author to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Hughes moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hughes moved that SB 667 do not pass but that CSSB 667 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senator Hughes 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 1349 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes. Senator Hughes moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hughes moved that SB 1349 do not pass but that CSSB 1349 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Hughes 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 2312 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill. Senator Hughes moved that SB 2312 do not pass but that CSSB 2312 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Hughes 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 8, SB 108, SB 318, SB 507, SB 533, SB 667, SB 689, SB 1026, SB 1349, SB 1355, SB 1433, SB 1434, and SB 1596.

Senator Zaffirini submitted a Motion In Writing voting aye on the following bills: SB 108, SB 1349, SB 1355, and SB 1434.

At 5:51 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 76 and recognized the author, Senator Hall, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. Senator Hughes moved that SB 76 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2312. Senator Hall moved that the Committee reconsider the vote by which SB 2312 was passed. Senator Hughes moved that SB 2312 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 76 and recognized the author, Senator Hall, to explain the bill. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hughes moved that SB 76 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 8:06 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