MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Monday, March 24, 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 24, 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 Paxton, Senator Perry, and Senator Schwertner.

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

At 9:05 AM Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1719 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill. Senator Hughes 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 9:08 AM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

Witnesses 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 1719 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1494 and recognized the author, Senator Johnson, 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 1494 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:16 AM Senator Paxton assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1626 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 1626 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:32 AM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 901 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst, 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 Hughes moved that SB 901 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 291 and recognized Senator Paxton, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill. Senator Paxton sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Paxton 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 291 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 292 and recognized Senator Paxton, 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 Hughes moved that SB 292 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 396 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst. Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 396 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 505 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt. Senator Hall moved that SB 505 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 827 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 827 do not pass but that CSSB 827 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 Bettencourt 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 SJR 37 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell. Senator Parker moved that SJR 37 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.

At 10:51 AM Senator Paxton assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 311 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes. Senator Hughes moved that SB 311 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 Bettencourt 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 1585 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 1585 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 Bettencourt 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 16 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 16 do not pass but that CSSB 16 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, 1 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 310 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes. Senator Hughes moved that SB 310 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 Bettencourt 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 1470 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes. Senator Hughes moved that SB 1470 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1209 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 1209 do not pass but that CSSB 1209 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1210 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes. Senator Hughes moved that SB 1210 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 Bettencourt moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Birdwell submitted a Motion In Writing voting aye on the following bills: SB 16, SB 310, SB 311, SB 396, SB 505, SB 827, SB 1210, SB 1470, SB 1585, and SJR 37.

Senator Schwertner submitted a Motion In Writing voting aye on the following bills: SB 16, SB 310, SB 311, SB 396, SB 505, SB 827, SB 1209, SB 1210, SB 1470, SB 1585.

At 11:01 AM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 38 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt, to explain the bill. Senator Bettencourt 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 11:27 AM Senator Paxton assumed the chair.

At 11:30 AM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

At 12:13 PM Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1333 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill.

At 12:23 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

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

At 1:25 PM Senator Perry assumed the chair.

The chair moved that the public testimony for SB 38 be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Perry moved that SB 38 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair moved that the public testimony for SB 1333 be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Perry moved that SB 1333 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 1:30 PM Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 287 and recognized Senator Perry, 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 Zaffirini moved that SB 287 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 1:39 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 508 and recognized Senator Perry, 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.

At 1:48 PM Senator Hughes moved that the Committee stand recessed until 30 minutes after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 5:30 PM Senator Hughes reconvened the meeting.

The chair laid out SB 618 and recognized the author, Senator Sparks, 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 Hughes moved that SB 618 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1436 and recognized Senator Perry, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill. Witnesses 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 1436 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 6:03 PM Senator Perry assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1999 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill.

At 6:05 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 1999 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 7:12 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