MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Monday, March 31, 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 31, 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 9:03 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:

The chair laid out SB 1313 and recognized the author, Senator Cook, to explain the bill. Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Cook 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 laid out SB 1314 and recognized the author, Senator Cook, to explain the bill.

The chair laid out SB 1316 and recognized the author, Senator Cook, to explain the bill.

The chair laid out SB 1698 and recognized the author, Senator Parker, to explain the bill.

Witnesses testifying and registering on SB 1314, SB 1316, and SB 1698 are shown on the attached list.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed on SB 1313; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed on SB 1314; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed on SB 1316; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed on SB 1698; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Hughes moved that SB 1313 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Hughes moved that SB 1314 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Hughes moved that SB 1316 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Hughes moved that SB 1698 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1541 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt, 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 1541 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2420 and recognized the author, Senator Paxton, 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. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hughes moved that SB 2420 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 517 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 517 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 11:54 AM Senator Schwertner assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1845 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 1845 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1860 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 1860 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2429 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. 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 2429 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 12:11 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

At 12:11 PM Senator Hughes moved the committee stand at ease until 12:20 PM. Without objection it was so ordered.

At 12:30 PM Senator Hughes reconvened the meeting.

The chair laid out SB 30 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. Senator Hughes moved that SB 30 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 1:50 PM Senator Hughes moved that the Committee stand recessed until 30 minutes after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 6:19 PM Senator Hughes reconvened the meeting.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 38 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt. Senator Bettencourt moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 38 do not pass but that CSSB 38 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 30 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner. Public testimony resumed on SB 30.

At 9:48 PM Senator Paxton assumed the chair.

At 12:15 AM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hughes moved that SB 30 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 12:15 AM 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