MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Monday, April 14, 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, April 14, 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 9:12 AM.

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

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

The chair laid out SB 3031 and recognized Senator Schwertner, 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 3031 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:13 AM Senator Schwertner assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 2514 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill.

At 9:17 AM 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 2514 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 30 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner. 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. Senator Hughes moved that SB 30 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:55 AM Senator Hughes moved that the Committee stand recessed until after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 3:34 PM Senator Hughes reconvened the meeting.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 30 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner. Senator Schwertner moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Schwertner moved that SB 30 do not pass but that CSSB 30 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 801 and recognized the author, Senator Menéndez. Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 801 be reported favorably 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 SB 2595 and recognized the author, Senator Middleton, to explain the bill.

At 3:43 PM Senator Schwertner assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 2876 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill.

At 3:46 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

The chair opened public testimony on SB 2595 and SB 2876. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bills 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 2595 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hughes moved that SB 2876 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2753 and recognized the author, Senator Hall, to explain the bill. Senator Hall sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Hall 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 2753 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2225 and recognized the author, Senator Hancock, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

At 4:59 PM Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 2225 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1540 and recognized Senator Hall, 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 1540 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2382 and recognized Senator Hall, 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 2382 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2487 and recognized the author, Senator Parker, to explain the bill.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

At 6:11 PM 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 2487 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2284 and recognized the author, Senator Hinojosa, Adam, 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 2284 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 6:35 PM Senator Paxton assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2877 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, 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 Paxton moved that SB 2877 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 6:37 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1065 and recognized the author, Senator Hall. Senator Hall moved that SB 1065 be reported favorably 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 2117 and recognized the author, Senator Parker. 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.  Senator Hughes moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Parker moved that SB 2117 do not pass but that CSSB 2117 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 Parker 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 2533 and recognized the author, Senator Middleton. Senator Hughes moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Parker moved that SB 2533 do not pass but that CSSB 2533 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 2743 and recognized the author, Senator Hagenbuch. Senator Hughes moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Perry moved that SB 2743 do not pass but that CSSB 2743 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 3013 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton. Senator Hughes moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Parker moved that SB 3013 do not pass but that CSSB 3013 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 3014 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton. Senator Hughes moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Parker moved that SB 3014 do not pass but that CSSB 3014 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.

At 6:45 PM Senator Paxton assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2881 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes. Senator Hughes moved that SB 2881 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 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 2964 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes. Senator Hughes moved that SB 2964 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 Hinojosa 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 30, SB 1065, SB 2117, SB 2533, SB 2743, SB 2881, SB 2964, SB 3013, and SB 3014.

Senator Middleton submitted a Motion In Writing voting aye on the following bills: SB 30, SB 1065, SB 2117, SB 2533, SB 2743, SB 2881, SB 2964, SB 3013, and SB 3014.

Senator Paxton submitted a Motion In Writing voting aye on the following bill: SB 30.

At 6:47 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 6:47 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